Decide AMOLED or Photo voltaic
The Garmin Intuition 3 provides a major step up over the Intuition 2, however much less so for Intuition 2X house owners who have already got a flashlight, improved photo voltaic recharge, and multi-band GPS. The Photo voltaic model has absurdly good battery life however the identical visible downsides the Intuition collection has had for years; the AMOLED model dips to a decent 18–24 days however has a couple of additional options to go along with the colour and determination.
For
- Intuition 3 Photo voltaic beats 2 Photo voltaic by over 200 GPS hours
- Intuition 3 AMOLED solely mannequin with full-color, high-res show
- Provides extremely correct multi-band GPS, flashlight
- New coaching instruments, sleep teaching, and dozens of sports activities modes
- Fashionable aluminum bezel
Towards
- No improve to well being sensors (aka no ECG, pores and skin temp)
- Intuition 2X Photo voltaic already had among the new upgrades
- No offline maps or new software program distinctive to Intuition lineup
Final-gen high quality
The Garmin Intuition 2 blew us away in 2022, and it is nonetheless a data-packed, long-lasting watch with all of the Garmin software program necessities in 2025. However its photo voltaic recharging effectivity is not on the identical degree because the Intuition 3 or 2X, and you might resent the dearth of a extra correct GPS mode and the low-contrast, low-res show. The Garmin Intuition 2X falls between the 2, being the primary to introduce the flashlight, and the primary 2X-to-3 hole is for battery life.
For
- Each Intuition 2 and 2X have greater than sufficient battery life for most individuals
- Similar military-grade ruggedness
- Similar show decision, well being sensors and 90% of similar coaching instruments
Towards
- Photo voltaic recharge on older fashions is not practically as environment friendly
- Minimal reminiscence restricts future characteristic updates
- No AMOLED choice
- No flashlight, gyroscope
- Solely provides GPS monitoring on 2, no SatIQ on 2X
Evaluating the Garmin Intuition 3 vs. 2 is extra sophisticated than you’d assume. The Garmin Intuition 3 has each AMOLED and MIP Photo voltaic variations in a number of sizes, every with a special battery life. The Garmin Intuition 2 and smaller 2S every have photo voltaic and non-solar choices, and there is an Intuition 2X that falls within the center between these two generations.
All three watches are virtually unparalleled for battery life — not counting the costly Garmin Fenix 8 or Enduro 3. The Intuition 3 Photo voltaic offers you a 5X enhance in photo voltaic effectivity over the Intuition 2 Photo voltaic, however the hole is smaller for Intuition 2X Photo voltaic house owners. And although the Intuition 3 AMOLED has no photo voltaic recharge, it might last more or shorter than the Intuition 2 Photo voltaic relying in your life-style.
Now you are beginning to see why this information is not so easy! However we’ll break down each key distinction in {hardware}, design, software program options, and battery life throughout every model and era, that can assist you resolve whether or not to improve, stick together with your present watch, or purchase a last-gen mannequin on sale for a low value.
Our earlier guides on the Intuition vs. Intuition 2 information or Intuition 2 Photo voltaic vs. 2X Photo voltaic break down last-gen variations for background info. This Intuition 3 vs. Intuition 2X vs. Intuition 2 information will concentrate on whether or not the most recent era is upgraded sufficient to earn your cash!
A quick Garmin Intuition 3 AMOLED vs. Photo voltaic breakdown
Earlier than I evaluate the Intuition 3 vs. Intuition 2, I need to spotlight key variations between the 4 Intuition 3 watches.
Class | Intuition 3 AMOLED 50mm / 45mm | Intuition 3 Photo voltaic 50mm / 45mm |
|---|---|---|
Dimension | 50 x 50 x 14.4 mm; 45 x 45 x 14.9 mm | 50 x 50 x 14.4 mm; 45 x 45 x 14.9 mm |
Weight | 59g / 53g | 58g / 52g |
Show | 1.3-inch (416×416) or 1.2-inch (390×390) full-color AMOLED non-touch | 1.1-inch (176×176) or 0.9-inch (176×176) two-window memory-in-pixel non-touch |
Reminiscence | 4GB | 128GB |
Battery life | 50mm: 24 days (9 AOD), 40 GPS hours, 30 hours multi-band GPS, 86 hours Max Battery GPS, 20 days Expedition GPS; 45mm: 18 days (7 AOD), 32 GPS hours, 23 multi-band GPS hours, 68 hours Max Battery GPS, 16 days Expedition GPS | 50mm: 40 days/ Limitless with photo voltaic, 60 GPS hours / 260 with photo voltaic, 34 multi-band GPS hours / 60 with photo voltaic, 150 hours Max Battery GPS / Limitless with photo voltaic, 60 days Expedition GPS / Limitless with photo voltaic; 45mm: 28 days / Limitless with photo voltaic, 40 GPS hours / 130 with photo voltaic, 24 multi-band GPS hours / 40 with photo voltaic, 100 hours Max Battery GPS / Limitless with Photo voltaic, 36 days Expedition GPS / Limitless with Photo voltaic |
As you’ll be able to see, the 2 45mm fashions are barely lighter and thicker than their 50mm counterparts. Each AMOLED watches have the identical pixels per inch, whereas the smaller Intuition 3 Photo voltaic has a petite display screen with the next PPI than the 50mm Photo voltaic. The bigger and smaller watches use 26mm and 22mm bands, respectively, however they need to all match the identical wrist sizes.
Both MIP show is far lower-resolution and monocolored, whereas the AMOLED watches present an actual visible improve. In addition they add perks like on-screen exercise animations, always-on show, or photos from notifications that the MIP watches cannot supply. However neither AMOLED nor MIP Photo voltaic has a touchscreen.
In alternate for a worse visible expertise, the Garmin Intuition 3 Photo voltaic has incredible battery recharging able to stretching commonplace GPS monitoring to final for weeks at a time — longer than the Intuition 3 AMOLED may final with no GPS monitoring. Each 45mm Intuition 3 watches have a noticeable dip in battery life in comparison with their 50mm counterparts; you’ll be able to see the variations above.
For the next sections, I will solely embrace the 50mm Intuition 3 AMOLED and Photo voltaic when evaluating towards the last-gen watches, to make the comparability much less cluttered and simpler to parse.
Garmin Intuition 3 vs. 2X vs. 2: Battery life
Battery class | Garmin Intuition 3 50mm AMOLED | Garmin Intuition 3 50mm Photo voltaic | Garmin Intuition 2X Photo voltaic | Garmin Intuition 2 Photo voltaic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Smartwatch mode | 24 days | 40 days; Limitless w/ photo voltaic | 40 days; Limitless w/ photo voltaic | 28 days; Limitless w/ photo voltaic |
GPS solely | 40 hours | 60 hours; 260 hours w/ photo voltaic | 60 hours; 145 hours w/ photo voltaic | 30 hours; 48 hours w/ photo voltaic |
All satellite tv for pc methods + multi-band | 30 hours | 40 hours; 80 hours w/ photo voltaic | 27 hours; 36 hours w/ photo voltaic | N/A |
Max Battery GPS | 86 hours | 150 hours; Limitless w/ photo voltaic | 150 hours; Limitless w/ photo voltaic | 70 hours; 370 w/ photo voltaic |
Expedition GPS | 20 days | 60 days; Limitless w/ photo voltaic | 60 days; Limitless w/ photo voltaic | 25 days; 105 days w/ photo voltaic |
Let’s begin with the Garmin Intuition collection’ trademark perk: Epic battery life. Whereas the Garmin Intuition 2 Photo voltaic supplied “limitless” battery life, that was solely within the context of by no means utilizing GPS, utilizing Max Battery mode (one GPS verify per minute), or utilizing Expedition mode (one GPS verify per hour with no sensors or equipment). The effectivity of the photo voltaic panel wasn’t particularly robust.
You’ll be able to see how the Garmin Intuition 3 Photo voltaic panel provides 200 estimated GPS hours of monitoring, based mostly on whether or not or not you are spending not less than three hours a day in sunny situations. In comparison with that, the Intuition 2X Photo voltaic’s 85 additional hours are respectable however nicely brief; the Intuition 2 Photo voltaic’s 18 hours felt vital again in 2022 however barely seems like a blip now.
The place the Intuition 3 Photo voltaic particularly shines is for multi-band GPS monitoring. As a result of that mode is so power-hungry, the Intuition 2X Photo voltaic may solely add a couple of additional hours earlier than it died. The most recent mannequin can nonetheless double your effectivity whereas providing the perfect location information that Garmin has to supply.
The Garmin Intuition 3 AMOLED barely belongs in the identical dialog as these MIP watches, but it surely’s not as poor as you may assume. Its 40 GPS hours beat the Intuition 2 Photo voltaic’s 30-hour estimate, solely dropping if you happen to spend sufficient time outdoor in best situations to get the recharge. You’ll be able to take pleasure in a a lot better show and GPS accuracy with out having to fret concerning the climate or mountain climbing within the shade.
Do you have to improve for higher battery life? Garmin Intuition 2X Photo voltaic consumers in all probability should not until they discover a trade-in deal and really want an additional 100+ hours of GPS battery; you are already getting “limitless” Max Battery or Expedition mode, so an Intuition 3 improve solely applies if you happen to want literal days of per-second GPS monitoring and have no technique of charging your Intuition 2X Photo voltaic in a single day.
However if in case you have an older Intuition 1 or 2, your new battery enhance will probably be at an entire different degree — or else you’ll be able to select the Intuition 3 AMOLED and nonetheless get comparable or higher battery life.
Garmin Intuition 3 vs. 2X vs. 2: Design and show
Class | Garmin Intuition 3 50mm AMOLED | Garmin Intuition 3 50mm Photo voltaic | Garmin Intuition 2X Photo voltaic | Garmin Intuition 2 Photo voltaic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Supplies | Polymer case; aluminum bezel; silicone strap | Polymer case; aluminum bezel; silicone strap | Polymer case; silicone strap | Polymer case; silicone strap |
Safety | Chemically strengthened glass; 10ATM; MIL-STD-810 | Energy glass; 10ATM; MIL-STD-810 | Energy glass; 10ATM; MIL-STD-810 | Energy glass; 10ATM; MIL-STD-810 |
Dimension | 50 x 50 x 14.4 mm, 59g | 50 x 50 x 14.4 mm, 58g | 50 x 50 x 14.5 mm, 67g | 45 x 45 x 14.5 mm, 53g |
Show | 1.3-inch (416×416) AMOLED | 1.1-inch (176×176) MIP | 1.1-inch (176×176) MIP | 0.9-inch (176×176) MIP |
Sensors | Elevate v4 HR, SpO2, accelerometer, altimeter, compass, gyroscope | Elevate v4 HR, SpO2, accelerometer, altimeter, compass, gyroscope | Elevate v4 HR, SpO2, accelerometer, altimeter, compass | Elevate v4 HR, SpO2, accelerometer, altimeter, compass |
Monitoring | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, SatIQ, multi-band GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, SatIQ, multi-band GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, multi-band GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
Connectivity | Bluetooth, ANT+, NFC | Bluetooth, ANT+, NFC | Bluetooth, ANT+, NFC | Bluetooth, ANT+, NFC |
LED flashlight |
The modifications throughout the Garmin Intuition collection for this newest era are pretty refined. The Intuition 2X Photo voltaic is barely heavier, however in any other case they’re about the identical measurement and weight, have the identical military-grade sturdiness towards thermal, shock, and water harm, hook up with the identical equipment, and measure the identical well being information like coronary heart fee, HRV, and blood oxygen.
Whereas on a regular basis individuals may discover the Intuition collection ugly — the 2X Photo voltaic scored final place in my smartwatch magnificence pageant — followers of sporty watches will recognize its basic look. Garmin gave the Intuition 3 a bit extra character with an aluminum bezel across the show edge that appears placing, particularly on the limited-edition fashions that add coloration distinction to the cumbersome, monocolor silicone.
Garmin has given the memory-in-pixel Photo voltaic Instincts the identical 176 x 176 decision during the last couple of generations. That mentioned, Garmin upped the visible distinction on the Intuition 2X in comparison with the Intuition 2, making it extra readable, and whereas I have never examined the Intuition 3 Photo voltaic myself, I’ve heard that this model is much more readable regardless of having the identical pixels.
All non-AMOLED Garmin Instincts have a second window that takes up visible actual property. Some Intuition 3 Photo voltaic consumers have complained concerning the information being misaligned inside the round house, but it surely’s laborious to say how frequent these producer defects are. The most important difficulty is that this window — and the low decision total — forestall any potential maps, photos, or full-screen graphs. Newer fashions are extra readable, however none are enjoyable to have a look at exterior of exercises!
The Garmin Intuition 3 AMOLED has the identical measurement and determination because the Garmin Forerunner 265, although barely smaller than the 1.4-inch Venu 3. What’s extra related is that this show is non-touch, so you may nonetheless should rely totally on the Up/ Down buttons to navigate, and there’s no map navigation. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to belief me after I say that this improve makes the Intuition 3 a lot simpler to learn indoors and permits colourful graphs that look boring and blurry on the Intuition 2 or 2X.
The Garmin Intuition 2X added multi-band GPS over the GPS-only Intuition 2, matching the Intuition 3 for accuracy. The one distinction is that the newer watch has SatIQ mode, which defaults to GPS alone until the watch encounters sign interference and wishes different GNSS or the L5 GPS frequency to pinpoint you. This protects hours of battery life however ensures higher accuracy in powerful situations.
This mid-generation watch was additionally the primary Intuition so as to add a built-in LED flashlight; the brightness is identical on the 2X and three. It is adequate in a pinch however will not substitute an precise flashlight or headlamp for evening situations. It burns by way of a wholesome quantity of battery, too, so the Intuition 3’s extra environment friendly photo voltaic panel may turn out to be useful if you happen to use it loads.
Garmin Intuition 3 vs. 2X vs. 2: Software program
Class | Garmin Intuition 3 | Garmin Intuition 2X | Garmin Intuition 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
Reminiscence | 4GB (AMOLED); 128MB (MIP) | 64MB | 32MB |
Sleep & well being | Sleep rating, sleep coach, nap detection, resting coronary heart fee, respiratory fee, Physique Battery, all-day stress, HRV standing, blood oxygen, well being snapshot | Sleep rating, resting coronary heart fee, respiratory fee, Physique Battery, all-day stress, HRV standing, blood oxygen, well being snapshot | Sleep rating, resting coronary heart fee, respiratory fee, Physique Battery, all-day stress, HRV standing, blood oxygen, well being snapshot |
Smarts | Morning report, climate app, calendar, music playback (no storage), Discover My Telephone/ Watch, Garmin Messenger app, notification photos (AMOLED/ Android solely), incident detection, livetrack, reside occasion sharing | Morning report, climate app, calendar, music playback (no storage), Discover My Telephone/ Watch, incident detection, livetrack | Morning report, climate app, calendar, music playback (no storage), Discover My Telephone/ Watch, incident detection, livetrack |
Key health information | Steps, flooring, energy, depth minutes, VO2 Max, auto max HR, each day prompt exercises, coaching readiness, coaching standing, coaching impact, coaching load, coaching load focus / ratio, working dynamics, superior biking dynamics, working energy, grade-adjusted tempo, efficiency situation, race look, improved intervals, | Steps, flooring, energy, depth minutes, VO2 Max, auto max HR, each day prompt exercises, coaching readiness, coaching standing, coaching impact, coaching load, working energy, grade-adjusted tempo, efficiency situation | Steps, flooring, energy, depth minutes, VO2 Max, auto max HR, each day prompt exercises, coaching readiness, coaching standing, coaching impact, coaching load, working energy, efficiency situation |
The Garmin Intuition 2 shipped with many of the finest Garmin Forerunner coaching instruments accessible on the time, offering sufficient well being and coaching load that can assist you grow to be fitter and enhance your VO2 Max. The hole between the Garmin Intuition 3 and a pair of software program is not particularly broad, however the brand new watches have extra reminiscence, leaving room for brand spanking new characteristic updates that the Intuition 2 collection will miss out on — and in addition eliminating among the noticeable lag on the last-gen watches.
For now, the desk above bolds these options that the Intuition 3 has that the 2X and a pair of do not.
For well being information, the Intuition 3 can detect naps for enhanced Physique Battery information and can present sleep teaching in your Morning Report. In any other case, the info is an identical, since all of them use the identical Elevate v4 sensors.
For common smarts, the Intuition 3 Photo voltaic is not that totally different, however the AMOLED model will show notification photos and (throughout Garmin Power Teaching) show visible muscle maps and exercise animations. It additionally has a big font choice that the MIP watches lack. Solely the Intuition 3 permits household and mates to observe you throughout a reside occasion, however all of the watches have a common LiveTrack device if you’d like them to regulate your progress throughout outside excursions.
On the coaching entrance, severe athletes will recognize having coaching load focus, which splits up your current exercises into low/ excessive cardio and anaerobic varieties so you understand what varieties it’s essential concentrate on to enhance, in addition to your coaching load ratio evaluating this week to previous weeks.
If you wish to do interval coaching, solely the Intuition 3 exhibits a relaxation timer and has improved instruments like auto-detected begins and open repeats. The identical goes for auto-detecting when your multisport exercise has switched to the following kind, or for following PacePro steering.
Should you’re a runner or bike owner who needs to research your kind, the Intuition 3 has wrist-based working dynamics — the Intuition 2 and 2X required a separate pod — and biking dynamics like Energy Section and proper/left steadiness.
Lastly, Intuition 2 house owners will get dozens of latest sports activities modes on the Intuition 3 collection: Indoor strolling, digital working, impediment racing, {golfing}, disc golf, archery, cyclocross, BMX, water snowboarding, snorkeling, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, tubing, boating, whitewater, XC skate snowboarding, ice skating, pickleball, badminton, squash, desk tennis, padel, platform tennis, racquetball, basketball, volleyball, subject hockey, ice hockey, soccer/soccer, American soccer, lacrosse, rugby, final disc, cricket, softball, baseball, boxing, combined martial arts, motorcycling, overlanding, motocrossing, ATVing, and snowmobiling.
It is truthful to say that almost all of those sports activities profiles will not apply to your life-style, however anybody with area of interest hobbies will discover the Intuition 3 extra useful at monitoring them.
Garmin Intuition 3 vs. 2X vs. 2: Do you have to improve?
The Garmin Intuition 3 is an simple step up on each different Intuition earlier than it. Should you’re deciding between a full-priced Intuition 3 or a reduced Intuition 2, I feel perks just like the revamped photo voltaic charging or AMOLED, multi-band GPS, flashlight, and aluminum bezel make it price spending full value.
However as I’ve beforehand written, you’ll be able to criticize the Intuition 3 Photo voltaic for a way comparable it’s to the Intuition 2X apart from the boosted battery life. Should you personal the Garmin Intuition 2X, I’d maintain off on shopping for the Intuition 3, merely since you simply spent $450 and you will get diminished returns.
The Intuition 3 AMOLED is my most well-liked alternative from a visible perspective, it would not have a trademark talent just like the Photo voltaic watches’ limitless battery life. It is only a rugged, cumbersome Forerunner 265. Should you can settle for the dearth of a flashy new perk, that is undoubtedly one of many finest Garmin watches accessible.
Should you’ve owned an Intuition 1 or 2 for a few years, it isn’t a nasty time to improve. Simply just be sure you really want that additional Photo voltaic battery life, or that you are able to do with out “limitless” max-battery excursions for a greater show.
Two choices, each robust
Improve to the Garmin Intuition 3 Photo voltaic if you happen to’re not happy together with your present Intuition Photo voltaic battery life. Or improve to the Intuition 3 AMOLED if you happen to just like the collection’ sturdiness and aesthetics however need to forestall eye pressure and add a bit of pop of coloration. Skip this watch if you have already got the Intuition 2X Photo voltaic.
Final-gen champion
You should buy the Intuition 2 if you happen to discover it at a major low cost, however sure facets just like the GPS-only monitoring, restricted reminiscence, and low-contrast show will age poorly. Should you can settle for that, we gave this watch a robust evaluation for a purpose; if you cannot, think about grabbing the Intuition 3 Photo voltaic as a substitute.