Garmin Instinct 3 vs Fenix 8

Below is a concise side-by-side table of key differences between the Instinct 3 and the Fenix 8, followed by bullet-point highlights covering the most important comparisons.

Table of Differences

Category	Garmin Instinct 3	Garmin Fenix 8
Display Type	MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) “solar” variant is black/white; AMOLED variant is color. No touchscreen.	MIP (transflective) with color. Touchscreen included on all models.
Available Sizes	- 45 mm and 50 mm (core sizes)- A separate 40 mm “Instinct C” version but with reduced features.	- 43 mm, 47 mm, 51 mm
Case Materials	Primarily polymer (“plastic”) casing. Plastic back.	Metal bezel (steel, titanium). Metal backing.
Weight	Lighter due to polymer build.	Heavier because of steel/titanium components.
Optical HR Sensor	Gen 4 sensor (no ECG, no wrist temp). May lag in cold/high-intensity intervals.	Gen 5 sensor (ECG-capable, wrist-temp-enabled). More accurate under challenging conditions.
Speaker & Microphone	No speaker (only beep tones), no mic.	Integrated speaker + mic for calls, voice features, alerts, and music playback.
Music Storage	None. Must use phone for music.	On-device storage for offline music, sync over Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi	Not available. Uses Bluetooth only for syncing.	Onboard Wi-Fi for faster sync, downloads, music.
Mapping	No topographic or detailed maps. “Breadcrumb” navigation only.	Full-color topo maps, route planning, round-trip routing, etc.
Depth Gauge	Not available.	Built-in gauge for scuba/free diving up to 40 m.
Battery Life	- Solar version can last “unlimited” in low-power GPS mode.- AMOLED version sees shorter battery.	- Strong battery across sizes; solar also offered (less solar surface area vs. Instinct).
Advanced Endurance Features	No ClimbPro, no Hill Score, no Endurance Score, no Stamina.	ClimbPro, Hill Score, Endurance Score, Stamina, etc.
Price Point	Lower price overall.	Roughly double Instinct 3’s price, depending on model.
UI / Interface	Classic Garmin UI.	New Fenix 8 UI design with some optional “Focus Modes” (though still incomplete).

Key Highlights

Displays & Touch
- Instinct 3 lacks a touchscreen; Fenix 8 has full touchscreen capabilities.
- Instinct 3 Solar is black/white MIP with excellent battery potential. Fenix 8 is always color and offers solar or non-solar MIP.
Materials & Weight
- Instinct 3 is primarily plastic, making it lighter on the wrist.
- Fenix 8 has metal materials (steel/titanium) and a metal case back, adding weight but offering a premium feel.
Battery & Solar
- Instinct 3 can hit “unlimited” battery in low-power GPS mode with its wider solar ring.
- Fenix 8’s solar ring is smaller but still offers solid longevity. Overall battery specs between similar case sizes (45/47 mm, etc.) are close, especially in normal usage.
Sensors & Features
- Instinct 3 uses the Gen 4 heart-rate sensor (no ECG, no wrist temp). Great under most conditions but can struggle in cold or intense intervals.
- Fenix 8’s Gen 5 sensor can measure ECG, has wrist temperature, and generally better accuracy during tough workouts.
Navigation
- Instinct 3: Basic breadcrumb tracks only. No topographical maps, no offline routing, no ClimbPro.
- Fenix 8: Full maps, including topo detail, ski maps, round-trip routing, ClimbPro, and more advanced navigation tools.
Music & Connectivity
- Instinct 3 has no offline music storage, no Wi-Fi. Only syncs via Bluetooth.
- Fenix 8 includes Wi-Fi for syncing and updates, plus onboard music storage with a speaker for music playback or calls.
Software & Sports
- Instinct 3 and Fenix 8 share a broad set of standard Garmin sports profiles (running, cycling, swim, gym, etc.).
- Fenix 8 adds specialized profiles (scuba, free diving, ultra run, advanced sailing) and deeper data fields (Endurance Score, Hill Score, etc.).
Price
- Instinct 3 is significantly cheaper, about half the Fenix 8’s price.
- Fenix 8 commands a premium but includes maps, speaker/mic, Wi-Fi, advanced metrics, and the Gen 5 sensor.
“Sleeper” Alternative
- Older “Epix Gen 2” or “Fenix 7 Pro” might offer nearly all Fenix 8 features at a lower cost than buying a brand-new Fenix 8, though they won’t have the Gen 5 HR sensor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dexBsv0sENM