Garmin

Instinct 3 – 50 mm, AMOLED

Running these analyses costs money. Buy through my links to help keep lights on! I may get a small commission.

Overall

#21 in

Fitness Trackers

according to Reddit Icon Reddit

Sentiment score63% positive
10
3
3

Top Pros

Top Cons

Last updated: May 20, 2026

Reddit Reviews

Reddit IconToutsSnoutsNarks
12 months ago

Tactix 7 MIP for long daytime endurance activities, and Instinct 3 50mm Amoled for my old eyes in the evening!!

Reddit Iconacaciadeadwalk
9 months ago

Instinct 3 amo Getting 10 days with always on display, always connected to phone for weather.

Reddit IconAloneTradition8536
5 months ago

As a gift, I think it is a good choice. Battery life is fair, you can go out for a 5 to 7 days of travel without charger or cable for Venu 3. In the daily life, I usually charge it once every week, but it can definitetly last even longer than one week. I have Venu3, Instinct 3 AMOLED and one Apple Watch, but my favorite is still Venu3.

Reddit IconAlwaysout14
9 months ago

I have the instinct 3 AMOLED and it’s been awesome. I received it on August 14th, starting wearing it the 15th and have yet to charge it since. Battery still shows 6 days left which is incredible

9 months ago

No I do the wrist gesture and have it on low light, which is plenty for me and still able to see just fine outside

Reddit Iconbodydisplaynone
6 months ago

I love both but after owning the Instinct 2, then owning a Galaxy watch, this time, I went with the instinct 3 amoled. MIP is awesome but I love colours popping on the display, plus the added extras (red shift, font size) are also nice imo. Since I'm not on the sun 50% of my day I prefer low light visibility and would not benefit from solar charging at all. Plus, I have some Gshocks in my collection and my previous MIP i2 was kinda similar in terms of how a watch feels with the monochrome display.

3 months ago

Yes. For that price its worth it. It's a flasghip watch, expected to get features and updates for multiple years. It's on par with the Fenix/Epix line, has all the top-tier features, just a different segmentation. Just to give you an idea, the Instinct 3 amoled tactical also costs like 600 new but that's an a upper-mid tier watch where the Enduro is the top of the line product. For some the 50mm case might be daunting but I also got the 50mm instinct 3 after owning a 45mm instinct 2 and I have to say it feels better.

Reddit Icondoyouthinkitsreal
9 months ago

I was in the same boat last month; I stretched a little bit and bought the Instinct 3 AMOLED. I'm happy with the purchase. What you will miss is the mobile app UI/UX, as well as the watch's. If your main goal is battery, notifications and health, then go for it.

Reddit IconGlong0913
7 months ago

I had a galaxy watch 4 for awhile (I use it because I am an android user) but I got a Venu 2 had it for about 2 years and the battery life was insane and since then I switched to a instinct 3 amoled, and the battery life is even better, I charge maybe every 2 weeks or more. I dont do crazy runs but want to soon. Rn it just tracks walks i do every day

Reddit IconHotCheetos998
9 months ago

I would definitely go solar too, I much prefer MIP displays, they're insanely visible in direct sunlight, and I don't like having to rotate my wrist to turn the screen on and with the always on display on the battery life is horrible compared to any other instinct. My instinct 1st gen easily gets 2 weeks after years or usage and with a fresh battery the 3 AMOLED will mabey last a week

Rankings by Use Case

Top recommendations from others in the same boat

Other Reddit Recommendations: