Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Instinct 2 are identically priced smartwatches. Both watches bring valuable features for smartwatch lovers.
Vivoactive 5 was released in September 2023. Garmin Instinct 2 was released in September 2022. We look at both watches in more detail below.
Main differences
The main differences between Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Garmin Instinct 2 watches are shared below:
- Garmin Vivoactive 5 has an AMOLED display. Garmin Instinct 2 uses an MIP or Memory-in-pixel screen.
- The display resolution of Vivoactive 5 is almost twice the display resolution of Instinct 2.
- Vivoactive 5 has a higher device (4 GB) storage than Instinct 2 (32 MB).
- Vivoactive 5 supports Wi-Fi wireless connectivity. Instinct 2 does not support Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Vivoactive 5 has a color display and touchscreen functionality. Instinct 2 has a monochrome display with no touchscreen functionality.
- Instinct 2 has a higher water resistance rating (10 ATM) than Garmin Vivoactive 5 (5 ATM).
- Instinct 2 has a considerably higher number of activity profiles for outdoor recreation, running and cycling.
- Garmin Instinct 2 offers longer battery backup than Vivoactive 5. The battery backup is almost double the battery backup offered by a Vivoactive 5.
- Garmin Vivoactive 5 adds new apps and functionality for nap detection, sleep coaching, and meditation.
- Garmin Vivoactive 5 also has a wheelchair mode to help wheelchair users track activities.
We look at these details and other features in the detailed comparison study below.
Display specifications
Garmin Vivoactive 5 uses an industry standard 3rd generation Corning Gorilla Glass in the display lens. Instinct 2 uses a chemically strengthened glass in the display lens of the watch.
Vivoactive 5 comes with an AMOLED display. AMOLED display makes the screen brighter and also affords better display resolution and clarity.
Due to the AMOLED display, Garmin Vivoactive 5 also supports the Always-on-display mode or the AOD mode. The always-on-display mode does drain the battery in a significant way. So, we do suggest using the AOD mode sporadically.
The core display specifications of Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Instinct 2 are compared in the table below.
| Display specifications | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Garmin Instinct 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Display lens | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Chemically strengthened glass |
| Display size | 30 mm or 1.2″ | 0.9” x 0.9” (23 x 23 mm) (custom, two-window design) |
| Color display | Yes | No |
| Touchscreen | Yes | No |
| Display resolution | 390 x 390 pixels | 176x 176 pixels |
| Ambient light sensor | Yes | No |
| LED Flashlight | No | No |
Garmin Instinct 2 has a two-window display design. It lacks a color display, touchscreen feature and an ambient light sensor. Vivoactive 5 uses AMOLED display and offers color display, ambient light sensor and a touchscreen feature.
The ambient light sensor helps in adjusting the backlit of the smartwatch based on the ambient light conditions.
Physical specifications
Garmin Instinct 2 comes out as a solid sturdy smartwatch.
Instinct 2 differs from Garmin Vivoactive 5 in physical attributes and underlying sensors.
We look at the core physical specifications of Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Instinct 2 below in a side-by-side comparison table.
| Physical specifications | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Garmin Instinct 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Watch size | 42 mm | 45 mm |
| Watch dimensions | 42.2 x 42.2 x 11.1 mm | 45 x 45 x 14.5 mm |
| Thickness | 11.1 mm | 14.5 mm |
| Bezel | Anodized aluminum | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Watch body | Fiber-enforced polymer | Fiber-enforced polymer |
| Watch weight | 36 g | 52 g |
| Band size | 20 mm | 22 mm |
| Recommended wrist circumference | 125-190 mm | 135-230 mm |
| Water rating | 5 ATM | 10 ATM |
| Swimming profiles | Pool swimming, Open water swimming | Pool swimming, Open water swimming |
| Device storage | 4 GB | 32 MB |
| NFC Payments | Garmin Pay | Not available |
| Wireless connectivity | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | ANT+, Bluetooth |
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | Yes | Yes |
| Gyroscope | No | No |
| Barometric altimeter | No | Yes |
| Garmin Pulse Ox Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Garmin Elevate Heart Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Thermometer | Yes (tempe sensor needed) | Yes |
| In-built speaker | No | No |
| In-built microphone | No | No |
| Android compatibility | Android 7 or higher | Android 7 or higher |
| iOS compatibility | iOS 15 or higher | iOS 15 or higher |
Garmin Instinct 2 offers a higher water rating of 10 ATM with resistance up to 100 meters under water surface. It does have a very low internal storage of 32 MB.
Instinct 2 is a broader, thicker, and heavier watch than the Vivoactive 5. And, it lacks NFC payments or contactless payments through the Garmin Pay app.
Wireless Connectivity
Garmin Vivoactive 5 supports ANT+, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi wireless connectivity. However, Garmin Instinct 2 can only support ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity. It lacks Wi-Fi wireless connectivity support.
Garmin watches use Wi-Fi connectivity for a variety of functionality. The lack of Wi-Fi connectivity does affect the functionality in Garmin Instinct 2.
Music
Garmin Vivoactive 5 offers full music functionality. This implies that you get the following music features on a Garmin Vivoactive 5 smartwatch:
- You can store music on the watch storage in Vivoactive 5.
- You can manage music on the watch storage of Vivoactive 5 using the smartwatch interface.
- You can download Connect IQ apps for Spotify and Deezer to add music to the smartwatch. With a premium subscription of Spotify and Deezer, you can pull your playlists for offline listening on a Vivoactive 5.
- You can use a Vivoactive 5 to control music on the paired smartphone.
- You can use a Vivoactive 5 to play music on the paired smartphone.
Garmin Instinct 2 has very limited music functionality. With an Instinct 2, you can only control music on the paired smartphone.
There is no possibility of storing music on an Instinct 2. On a similar note, you cannot use an Instinct 2 to play music from a paired smartphone.
Vivoactive 5 has a full suite of music functionality while Instinct 2 can only control the music on the paired smartphone.
Battery
The battery life of Garmin Instinct 2 is exceptional. It is a rugged smartwatch designed to last for an extended period of time.
Both watches support the Battery Saver mode. This mode allows you to use the smartwatch at extremely low power settings for an extended use.
The battery life in different smartwatch modes for Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Instinct 2 is mentioned below.
| Battery mode | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Garmin Instinct 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch mode | Up to 11 days | Up to 28 days |
| GPS Mode | Up to 21 hours | Up to 30 hours |
| All-Systems GNSS mode | Up to 17 hours | – |
| All-Systems GNSS mode with music | Up to 8 hours | – |
| Battery Saver Mode | Up to 21 days | Up to 65 days |
| Max Battery GPS Mode | – | Up to 70 hours |
| Expedition GPS Activity | – | Up to 32 days |
Instinct 2 does offer better battery backup than the Vivoactive 5.
Activity profiles
There are some differences in the activity profiles supported by Vivoactive 5 and Instinct 2. We review the different activity profiles supported by Vivoactive 5 and Instinct 2 below.
| Activity profiles | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Garmin Instinct 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Running | Running, Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running | Running, Outdoor Track Running, Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running, Trail Running |
| Cycling | Biking, Indoor Biking, eBiking, Handcycling, Indoor Handcycling | Biking, Road Biking, Mountain Biking, Gravel Biking, Bike Commuting, Bike Touring, eBiking, eMountain Biking, Indoor Biking, Cyclocross, Triathlon |
| Outdoor recreation | Skiing, Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, Snowshoeing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Tennis, Padel, Pickleball, Disc Golf | Hiking, Indoor Climbing, Bouldering, Climbing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Backcountry Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, Backcountry Skiing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Kayaking, Surfing, Hunting, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing, Snowshoeing, Fishing, Horseback Riding, Obstacle Course Racing, Tennis, Tactical |
| Gym | – | Strength, HIIT, Cardio and Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Floor Climbing, Indoor Rowing, Pilates, Yoga |
Garmin Instinct 2 has vastly superior coverage for profiles in cycling, running, outdoor recreation, and for the Gym and fitness routines.
Costs
Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Instinct 2 Standard Edition cost the same.
Vivoactive 5 has been launched at a list price of $299.99. Instinct 2 also has a list price of $299.99.
Final verdict
Instinct 2 is a rugged smartwatch with extended support for multiple activities and outdoor recreation activities. It can also offer much better battery backup than Vivoactive 5. Instinct 2 also has a better water resistance rating than Vivoactive 5.
I will pick Instinct 2 for the vast array of activities supported on it.
Vivoactive 5 is a modern lifestyle smartwatch that offers decent coverage for different sports modes. The things that I like about the Vivoactive 5 are:
- AMOLED display
- Color display
- Touchscreen
- Music Capability
- Higher device storage of 4 GB
- New apps for sleep coaching, meditation and nap detection
I will pick a Vivoactive 5 over Instinct 2 for all these reasons.
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