Design:
| screen size |
0.9" |
| Display type |
LCD |
| water resistance |
Waterproof |
| has branded damage-resistant glass |
✕ |
| ATM rating |
10 ATM |
| resolution |
176 x 176 px |
| Watch band is replaceable |
✓ |
| has a touch screen |
✕ |
| weight |
52 g |
| Has sapphire glass display |
✕ |
| thickness |
14.9 mm |
| Always-On Display |
✓ |
| height |
45 mm |
| pixel density |
276 ppi |
| Has a display |
✓ |
| width |
45 mm |
| width of band |
22 mm |
| volume |
30.1725 cm³ |
The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 45mm measures 45 x 45 mm with a thickness of 14.9 mm and weighs 52 g, giving it a solid yet manageable physical footprint. Its 0.9″ always-on LCD display renders at 176 x 176 px with a pixel density of 276 ppi, and the screen operates continuously without requiring a wrist gesture to activate. The watch carries a 10 ATM waterproof rating, making it suitable for water-based activities, while the 22 mm band is user-replaceable for convenience. The display does not use sapphire or branded damage-resistant glass, and the watch does not feature a touchscreen — navigation is handled entirely through physical controls.
Sensors:
| has GPS |
✓ |
| Has a heart rate monitor |
✓ |
| Monitors blood oxygenation levels |
✓ |
| Has a barometer |
✓ |
| has an accelerometer |
✓ |
| has a compass |
✓ |
| Has a temperature sensor |
✓ |
| Has a cadence sensor |
✓ |
| has a gyroscope |
✓ |
| Has a wind speed sensor |
✕ |
| Monitors perspiration |
✕ |
The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 45mm is equipped with a thorough sensor suite covering most fitness and navigation needs. It includes GPS, a heart rate monitor, a pulse oximeter for blood oxygenation tracking, a barometer, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a compass, a body temperature sensor, and a cadence sensor. Wind speed measurement and perspiration monitoring are not supported.
Activity tracking:
| Has a route tracker |
✓ |
| Tracks distance |
✓ |
| Measures pace |
✓ |
| Has trackback mode |
✓ |
| Tracks your sleep |
✓ |
| Has multi-sport mode |
✓ |
| Detects activities automatically |
✓ |
| Tracks elevation |
✓ |
| Tracks steps taken |
✓ |
| Provides sleep reports |
✓ |
| Has exercise tagging |
✓ |
| Has a stroke counter for swimming |
✓ |
| Tracks calorie intake |
✓ |
| Designed for diving |
✕ |
| Designed for golf |
✓ |
The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 45mm covers a wide range of activity tracking functions across everyday and sport-specific use. It tracks steps, distance, pace, elevation, and calorie intake, and also monitors sleep with dedicated sleep reports. Multi-sport mode is supported alongside automatic activity detection, exercise tagging, route tracking, and trackback mode for retracing a path. Swimming is accounted for with a stroke counter, and the watch includes golf functionality. Diving is not a supported activity.
Connectivity:
| Is compatible with iOS |
✓ |
| Is compatible with Android |
✓ |
| supports Wi-Fi |
✕ |
| has a cellular module |
✕ |
| supports ANT+ |
✓ |
| has NFC |
✓ |
The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 45mm is compatible with both iOS and Android devices and supports ANT+ for connecting to external fitness accessories, along with NFC for contactless functionality. Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity are not available on this model.
Battery:
| battery life |
Infinity days |
| battery life with GPS on |
130 hours |
| battery life in training mode |
40 hours |
| has wireless charging |
✕ |
| Has a solar power battery |
✓ |
| has a rechargeable battery |
✓ |
| has a removable battery |
✕ |
The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 45mm uses a rechargeable battery supplemented by solar charging, which under sufficient sunlight conditions can extend runtime indefinitely. With GPS active, the watch delivers up to 130 hours of use, while training mode provides up to 40 hours. The battery is not removable and the watch does not support wireless charging, requiring a wired connection to recharge.
Features:
| has HRV tracking |
✓ |
| measures VO2 max |
✓ |
| measures resting heart rate |
✓ |
| has fast/slow heart rate notifications |
✓ |
| shows readiness level |
✓ |
| Can upload maps |
✕ |
| Has vibrating alerts |
✓ |
| Has a stopwatch |
✓ |
| Locates your phone |
✓ |
| Has silent alarm |
✓ |
| has irregular heart rate warnings |
✕ |
| has fall detection |
✓ |
| Has notifications |
✓ |
| Acquires GPS faster |
✓ |
| Has call control |
✕ |
| Provides the sunrise/sunset time |
✓ |
| internal storage |
0.128GB |
| Can be used to answer calls |
✕ |
| supports Galileo |
✓ |
| Has smart alarm |
✕ |
| Informs about the risk of thunderstorms |
✓ |
| warranty period |
1 years |
| has voice commands |
✕ |
| Has a built-in camera remote control function |
✕ |
The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 45mm includes a thorough set of health and utility features built around its core fitness focus. On the health side, it tracks HRV, VO2 max, and resting heart rate, delivers fast and slow heart rate notifications, shows readiness and recovery levels, and includes fall detection. Irregular heart rate warnings, however, are not supported. For navigation, the watch offers fast GPS lock and Galileo satellite support, along with sunrise and sunset times and thunderstorm risk alerts, while map uploading is not available. Practical utilities include vibrating alerts, wrist notifications, a stopwatch, a silent alarm, a phone finder function, and 0.128 GB of internal storage. Smart alarm, voice commands, call control, the ability to answer calls via a headset, and a camera remote shutter are all absent. The watch carries a one-year warranty.
App & Software:
| Provides activity reports |
✓ |
| Has inactivity alerts |
✓ |
| Counts how many calories you've burned |
✓ |
| Has goal setting |
✓ |
| Has achievements |
✓ |
| Free app |
✓ |
| Has exercise diary |
✓ |
| Ad-free |
✓ |
| Has weight tracking |
✓ |
| Tracks BMI |
✓ |
| Tracks water intake |
✓ |
| Has live tracking |
✓ |
| Has coaching |
✓ |
| Has temperature tracking |
✓ |
| Has period notifications |
✓ |
| Supports routes |
✓ |
| Syncs with existing calendars |
✓ |
| Has voice feedback |
✓ |
| Has music playback |
✓ |
| Displays fertile window notifications |
✓ |
| Includes maps |
✓ |
| Doesn’t require account |
✕ |
| Predicts start date |
✓ |
| Predicts ovulation |
✓ |
| Has video tutorials |
✓ |
| Supports widgets |
✓ |
| Can be personalised |
✓ |
| Has barcode scanner on app |
✕ |
The companion app is free and ad-free, though an account is required to use it. It covers a wide range of tracking and management tools, including activity reports, calorie burn, exercise diary, weight, BMI, water intake, and temperature tracking, alongside inactivity alerts and goal setting with achievements. Coaching, live tracking, and route support are included, as are maps, calendar sync, voice feedback, music playback, widgets, and app personalisation. Women's health features extend to period notifications, fertile window alerts, ovulation prediction, and start date forecasting. Video tutorials are available, and a barcode scanner is not part of the app's functionality.
Miscellaneous:
| has a battery level indicator |
✓ |
| Is compatible with Windows |
✓ |
| Has auto pause |
✓ |
| Compatible with external heart rate monitors |
✓ |
| Available on PC |
✓ |
| Compatible with smart scales |
✓ |
| Is compatible with Mac OS X |
✓ |
| has an external memory slot |
✕ |
| has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack |
✕ |
The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 45mm includes a battery level indicator and supports auto pause during activity recording. It is compatible with Windows, Mac OS X, and PC, and works alongside external heart rate monitors and smart scales for expanded tracking options. There is no external memory slot and no 3.5 mm audio jack.
