After wearing the Garmin Instinct 3 50mm AMOLED for a week, it’s hard to categorize it. Is it a rugged Energizer bunny? A missed opportunity? A palette swap of the Instinct 2X Solar? Another indication of the decline of MIP displays? A “budget” option that still comes at a high price? It might just be a little bit of everything!
Sunday Runday
In this weekly column, Android Central Wearables Editor Michael Hicks talks about the world of wearables, apps, and fitness tech related to running and health, in his quest to get faster and more fit.
Many Garmin users go years between upgrades. Having reviewed the Instinct 2 Solar, Instinct 2X Solar, and numerous other Garmins, it’s easy to take for granted the flashlight, dual-band GPS, and other impressive upgrades, while users of last-gen models will be thrilled by the innovation.
When given the choice between reviewing the Instinct 3 AMOLED or Solar, I opted for the AMOLED right away. Apart from my aversion to MIP displays, it was surprising to me that Garmin decided to equip a $450 watch with the same 1.1-inch, 176 x 176 resolution display in order to prioritize “unlimited battery life” and 260 GPS hours over everyday usability, not to mention the return of the frequently misaligned second window.
The full-res, 1.3-inch AMOLED display looks stunning on my Neo Tropic Instinct 3, offering decent brightness in direct sunlight and complemented by the glossy orange aluminum bezel that catches the light along its edge. The trade-off is a reduction in battery life to 18–24 days, but at least notifications and data graphs are more readable, and it still outlasts the Venu 3 or Forerunner 265.
However, I believe the Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED needed a standout feature comparable to the Solar version’s “unlimited” battery capability. Garmin may have thought the flashlight and ruggedness were sufficient, but introducing offline maps or LTE on a mid-range Garmin watch would have been a game-changer.
Instead, Garmin made compromises with the Instinct 3 software and features that seem designed to push users towards the $900 Enduro 3 for the complete 2025 Garmin adventure experience.
Everyone except Garmin got the offline maps memo
Garmin may have been the first running watch brand to transition from MIP to AMOLED displays, but its competitors quickly followed suit. The $399 COROS PACE Pro, $399 Polar Vantage M3, and $449 Suunto Race all added offline maps alongside their new AMOLED displays.
Most running watches allow you to download a GPX route from Strava or create one from the watch’s companion app, then follow turn-by-turn directions with a line showing a breadcrumb trail of GPS data points in case you need to retrace your steps. On the Garmin Instinct 3, this information appeared on a blank screen without any visual context for trails, streets, or hills.
High-end watches began to include downloadable offline maps that provide context to your route. These maps show how the GPX route and GPS breadcrumbs align with real-world geography, making it easier to navigate or to ensure you’re on the right path.
Garmin limits this feature to its higher-end series like Fenix and Enduro, except for the Forerunner 965 or Forerunner 955. Maps were used by Garmin to encourage runners to upgrade from the Forerunner 255/265, and they were not a priority for models like the indoor-focused Venu 3 or the no-altimeter Vivoactive 5.
The Instinct series is designed for individuals spending extended periods in nature who may require an offline map backup in case their phone dies and they haven’t pre-downloaded a route. However, this would have necessitated a more powerful processor, an actual touchscreen, and (for the Solar series) abandoning the low-res, two-window solution.
Instead, Garmin opted to reduce costs: the Instinct 3 experiences noticeable lag and relies on button-only input for navigating through menus. To access solar charging and maps, users would need to upgrade to the Enduro 3.
When compared to the $99 Amazfit Active 2, which includes offline maps, Garmin appears to be falling behind in this aspect, even though it leads the way in other areas. Brands like Apple and Samsung may reserve the best sensors and tools for their more expensive SE or FE watches, but these watches are priced significantly lower than the Instinct 3.
