Amazfit Stratos vs. Garmin Instinct

 
Stratos
Instinct
 AmazfitStratosBuy NowGarminInstinctBuy Now

Basic Info

Suggested Price$199$300
Release20182018

Activity & Fitness

Calories
Cycling (Bicycling)
Distance
Heart
Oxygen
Sleep
Steps
Swim

Battery

Duration5 days14 days
Rechargeable

Compatibility

Android
iOS
Windows Phone
Mac
Windows

Connectivity

Bluetooth
Cellular
GPS
NFC
Wi-Fi

Display

Color
Resolution320 x 300128 x 128
Size1.34 inches0.9 inches
Touch
TypeOLEDOMOLED

Functions

Audio Speaker
Clock
Phone
Vibration
Voice

Hardware

Accelerometer
Barometer or Altimeter
Ultraviolet Sensor
Water Resistance5 ATM10 ATM

Notifications

Phone
Emails
Texts

Software

Operating SystemProprietary
Apps
Music

Comparing Instinct and Stratos

The Amazfit Stratos and Garmin Instinct are two popular smartwatches released in 2018, catering to fitness enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers alike. Both offer a variety of features to help users track their activities and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Choosing the right watch can be crucial to achieving fitness goals and maximizing convenience whilst exploring the outdoors. With numerous options available on the market, understanding each watch’s specific features and benefits might help in making an informed decision.

Amazfit and Garmin are well-established brands in the wearables industry. Amazfit, owned by Huami, provides a range of affordable smartwatches, whereas Garmin is known for their GPS-enabled devices catering to a more premium market. Both companies have gained reputations for delivering reliable, high-quality products.

Throughout this article, we will delve into the design, features, user interface, price, and value for money of the Amazfit Stratos and Garmin Instinct, while comparing their differences and discussing their pros and cons.

Design and Build

Amazfit Stratos

The Amazfit Stratos boasts a sleek design with its stainless steel case, reinforced plastic back, and scratch-resistant 2.5D Gorilla Glass. It has an adjustable silicon strap that provides comfort and durability. The Stratos features a 1.34-inch OLED display with a resolution of 320x300 pixels, offering clear visuals and vibrant colors.

Garmin Instinct

The Garmin Instinct sports a rugged design with its reinforced fiber-polymer case and chemically-strengthened glass. With a comfortable silicone strap, it has been built to withstand harsh environments. The Instinct has a 0.9-inch OMOLED display with a lower resolution of 128x128 pixels, prioritizing battery life over image quality.

Comparison of design and build quality

While both smartwatches are well-built and cater to different preferences, the Amazfit Stratos offers a more stylish design and crisper display, whereas the Garmin Instinct offers durability for extreme conditions. The choice between the two will largely depend on the user’s intended usage and personal taste.

Features and Functionality

Amazfit Stratos

The Stratos operates on a proprietary system and includes various sensors, such as a heart rate monitor, GPS, and barometer. It boasts an impressive battery life of 5 days and is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. Additionally, the watch offers a plethora of fitness tracking features, such as steps, calories, sleep, swim, and oxygen tracking.

Garmin Instinct

The Garmin Instinct lacks a specific operating system and app support, compensating with built-in features. It provides a wide array of sensors like GPS, heart rate monitor, and barometer. With a remarkable battery life of up to 14 days, it is also Android and iOS compatible. Similar to the Stratos, it tracks steps, calories, sleep, and swimming, but lacks cycling and oxygen tracking options.

Comparison of features and performance

Overall, both smartwatches offer comprehensive fitness tracking capabilities, with the Stratos having a slight edge in terms of oxygen and cycling tracking. However, the Garmin Instinct has a significantly longer battery life, making it a more practical choice for those who prioritize battery life over additional features.

User Interface and User Experience

Amazfit Stratos

The Stratos features an intuitive touch screen display and offers customization options via its mobile app. It supports both Android and iOS devices, allowing users to receive notifications, control music playback, and more.

Garmin Instinct

The Instinct’s non-touch display is navigated using five buttons on its case. It also pairs with Android and iOS devices, providing notifications and essential functionalities. However, it lacks app support and customization features.

Comparison of user interface and user experience

While both devices offer seamless connectivity with smartphones, the touch screen interface of the Amazfit Stratos may appeal to users who prefer a more modern user experience. On the other hand, the Garmin Instinct’s traditional button navigation may be more suitable for those who prioritize durability and simplicity over customization.

Price and Value

Amazfit Stratos

With a price tag of $199, the Amazfit Stratos offers a wide range of features and a stylish design, making it an excellent value-for-money choice for those seeking a versatile fitness tracking smartwatch.

Garmin Instinct

At $300, the Garmin Instinct is a more expensive option, focused on durability and battery life. Its value proposition suits those who require a rugged, reliable device for outdoor activities and are willing to forgo certain features and app support.

Comparison of price and value

Deciding between the Stratos and Instinct ultimately comes down to personal preferences and intended usage. The Stratos offers more features and a sleek design at a lower price point, while the Instinct provides a rugged build and longer battery life for outdoor adventurers.

Conclusion

Both the Amazfit Stratos and Garmin Instinct are strong contenders in the smartwatch market, catering to different user preferences and needs. The Stratos is more feature-packed and stylish, while the Instinct excels in durability and battery life. Weighing up the differences, pros, and cons of these watches is essential to make an informed choice and find the perfect smartwatch for your specific requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which smartwatch has better water resistance, the Amazfit Stratos or Garmin Instinct?

The Garmin Instinct has a water resistance rating of 10 ATM, while the Amazfit Stratos has a 5 ATM rating, making the Instinct more water-resistant.

Can I track my cycling activities with the Garmin Instinct?

No, unfortunately, the Garmin Instinct does not have a dedicated cycling tracking feature. The Amazfit Stratos, however, does provide cycling tracking.

Which smartwatch has better battery life, the Amazfit Stratos or the Garmin Instinct?

The Garmin Instinct has a significantly longer battery life of up to 14 days, compared to the 5-day battery life of the Amazfit Stratos.

Can I control music playback on both the Amazfit Stratos and Garmin Instinct?

Yes, both smartwatches offer music control functionality when connected to a compatible smartphone.

Do the Amazfit Stratos and Garmin Instinct support third-party apps?

The Amazfit Stratos supports third-party apps through its proprietary operating system. In contrast, the Garmin Instinct does not have an operating system or offer app support.

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