Summary of "Garmin or Apple Watch? - The Truth"

Overview

This is an experience-driven comparison of many Apple Watch models (Series, Ultra) and numerous Garmin watches (Fenix and Instinct lines). The reviewer ultimately chose the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Edition. This is a personal, usage-focused review rather than a spec-by-spec deep dive.

Main product reviewed

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Edition (final pick)

Key features highlighted

Solar charging — keeps battery very high with sunlight exposure (real-world examples given).
Built-in flashlight — powerful; used as a silent alarm/illumination during night tasks.
Rugged, chunky plastic/tough-build design with all‑black tactical look.
Memory-in-pixel (MIP) display — readable, less colorful than AMOLED/OLED.
Long battery life — days to weeks between charges with solar assistance.
Basic health and fitness metrics (body battery, elevation, solar stats, hikes).
Requires phone tethering for many features — limited standalone smart functions versus Apple Watch.
Smaller/sparser sensor area compared with Apple Watch; some wearers may feel a pressure point.
Supports swim and multi-day treks, with reliable long-term tracking.

Pros (from the video)

Extremely low maintenance: long battery life and solar charging mean “put it on and forget it.”
Durable and comfortable for rough, practical use (preference for plastic over fragile titanium/sapphire).
Flashlight is a standout, practical tool (useful for night wakes without disturbing others).
Solid basic fitness and outdoors features (GPS tracking, elevation, body metrics).
Minimal, non-distracting smartwatch behavior — good if you want fewer notifications.
Allows multi-day outdoor use without frequent charging.

Cons / downsides (from the video)

Limited smart features: cannot reliably reply to texts or take phone calls from the watch; automations can be slower/less reliable.
Many features require the phone to be nearby; it lacks the Wi‑Fi independence of Apple Watch.
No offline maps on this Instinct model (offline maps available on higher-end Garmin models like Fenix).
Sensor design and band choice can cause discomfort/wrist pain if worn too tight or with certain silicone bands.
Garmin Connect app is utilitarian and less polished/pretty compared to Apple’s ecosystem.

User experience and behavior

The reviewer alternates devices by mood/time of day: Garmin for energetic mornings (“get out and go”), Apple Watch in evenings for colorful distraction.
On Apple Watch the reviewer pared notifications and smart features down; mainly uses it for calls/texts/quick information but dislikes frequent charging (about daily).
On the Instinct, the reviewer appreciates quick-glance info (sunrise/sunset, weather, battery/body metrics) and low cognitive load.
Solar/battery examples:
- After a weekend camping trip the watch remained near 100%.
- Reported at 96% several days after last charge; lost ~4% across two days of camping in one example.
- “27 days” referenced in the context of long-term battery tracking.
Band comfort: fabric bands preferred over aftermarket silicone (reduced rashes/blisters). Wrist pain resolved by loosening band rather than hardware changes.

Comparisons

Apple Watch (various Series / Ultra 1 & 2 / Series 10 tried)
- Strengths: best smartwatch features (calls, messages, smart home control, offline Wi‑Fi independence), polished apps/visualizations, fall/crash detection, excellent AMOLED/OLED display.
- Weaknesses: short battery life (daily charging), distracting/noisy, some smart features (Siri, automations) can be unreliable.
- With third-party apps (example: Bevel, ~$50/year) Apple Watch can be enhanced for richer fitness/health visuals and a sleep-phase alarm.
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
- Strengths: superior battery life, ruggedness, practical tools (flashlight, solar), minimal distractions, reliable outdoors use.
- Weaknesses: less polished app experience, tethered to phone for many features, lacks some high-end Garmin map/offline features on this model.
General framing (reviewer’s summary)

“Apple Watch is a smartwatch with fitness features.” “Garmin is a fitness/outdoors tracker with some smart features.”
- Apple is the better all‑around device; Garmin is better for minimalism, durability, and battery life.

Specific numerical / pricing notes

Apple Watch charging cadence: about every day to day-and-a-half.
Garmin solar example: reported still at 96% after not charging since the previous Sunday; lost ~4% across two days while camping.
Bevel app cost: roughly $50 per year (used to add sleep-phase alarm and better health visuals on Apple Watch).

Verdict / recommendation

Final decision: keep the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Edition and sell the Apple Watch.
Recommended use cases:
- Choose Garmin Instinct 3 Solar if you want a low‑maintenance, rugged watch with long battery life, practical outdoors tools (flashlight, solar), and minimal distractions.
- Choose Apple Watch if you want the best smartwatch experience (calls, messages, smart home control, polished apps, fall detection, color display) and don’t mind daily charging and managing notifications.
For the reviewer, Garmin wins because it “exists” rather than demands attention, matches his lifestyle (kids, camping, rugged use), and fixes his key annoyances with Apple Watch.

All unique points mentioned about the product

Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Edition selected for all‑black look and rugged plastic build.
Solar charging keeps battery near full during sun exposure; minimal drain while camping in real-world tests.
Flashlight feature is excellent and used as a silent nighttime illumination/alarm.
Memory-in-pixel display preferred by reviewer (less tempting/colorful for kids).
Plastic case preferred over titanium/sapphire for rough daily use.
Instinct lineup is confusing/convoluted (many models and options).
Garmin requires phone to be nearby for many features; not as standalone as Apple Watch on Wi‑Fi.
Instinct lacks offline maps (available on higher-end Fenix models).
Garmin Connect is utilitarian and less visually appealing than Apple’s ecosystem.
Apple Watch ecosystem and third‑party apps (e.g., Bevel) can bridge data visualization and sleep-alarm gaps.
Bevel app (~$50/year) provides sleep-phase alarm (wake in lightest sleep within a range) and polished health visuals — “game changing” for reviewer.
Garmin’s sensor is smaller and more concentrated, which can create a pressure point versus Apple Watch’s larger sensor area.
Wearing the watch too tight caused wrist pain/hand cramping; fabric bands and a looser fit resolved it.
Apple Watch smart features (Siri, automations) can be unreliable; reviewer often prefers pulling his phone for complex tasks.
Apple Watch battery life felt “Tamagotchi”-like due to frequent charging and maintenance.
Instinct considered “timeless” and minimalistic — looks like a normal watch if you didn’t know it was smart.
Instinct still allowed basic call and text notifications, sufficient for the reviewer’s needs.
Reviewer tried many models: Apple Series 0/1?, Series 5, Ultra 1, Ultra 2, Series 10; Garmin Fenix 7X Pro, Fenix 7, Fenix 8 AMOLED, Instinct 3 Solar, Instinct 3 AMOLED, Instinct 2, Fenix 8 with larger sensor.
Reviewer doesn’t run competitively; uses the watch for hiking, mountain biking, gym workouts, and family/outdoor planning (sunrise/sunset info).
Some Garmin models add features the reviewer found unnecessary (voice control, phone assistant).
Reviewer intends to sell the Apple Watch and keep wearing the Garmin for the foreseeable future.