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Approach S44 vs Instinct E 40mm

Garmin Approach S44 vs Garmin Instinct E 40mm

What Approach S44 does better (5) and where Instinct E 40mm wins (5) — every spec side by side.

Garmin · 2025Approach S44

4.0Score

5 advantages≈ $300

Garmin · 2025Instinct E 40mm

4.4Score

5 advantages≈ $250

Higher score

5.3Display2.4

2.7Battery life4.0

2.5Sports & outdoor4.5

3.0Build & durability5.9

Dimensions

Size comparison

Approach S44Instinct E 40mm

	Approach S44	Instinct E 40mm	Difference
Height	43 mm	40 mm	+3 mm
Width	43 mm	40 mm	+3 mm
Thickness	11.4 mm	13.6 mm	−2.2 mm
Weight	42 g	41 g	+1 g

Drawn to the same scale from the official dimensions (front and side).

Why is Approach S44 better than Instinct E 40mm?

AMOLED / OLED displayYes · Instinct E 40mm: No
Storage4 GB vs 0.12 GB33.3×
Pixel density325 ppi vs 136 ppi2.4×
Resolution (width)390 px vs 166 px2.3×
Thickness11.4 mm vs 13.6 mm+19%

Why is Instinct E 40mm better than Approach S44?

Battery life (smartwatch mode)10 days vs 14 days+40%
Water resistance5 ATM vs 10 ATM2×
GPS battery life15 h vs 21 h+40%
Sport profiles5 vs 6913.8×
Weight42 g vs 41 g+2%

Specifications

Side by side

Only differences	Garmin Approach S44≈ $3004.0	Garmin Instinct E 40mm≈ $2504.4
Design & durability
Case size	43 mm	40 mm
Weight	42 g	41 g
Thickness	11.4 mm	13.6 mm
Height	43 mm	40 mm
Width	43 mm	40 mm
Case material	Aluminium	Plastic / polymer
Sapphire crystal	No	No
Lens / cover glass	Corning ® Gorilla ® Glass 3	Chemically Strengthened Glass
Strap material	silicone	silicone
Water resistance	5 ATM	10 ATM
Water rating (maker)	5 ATM	10 ATM
Display
Screen size	1.2″	1.22″
Display technology	AMOLED	Memory-in-pixel (transflective)
Panel	AMOLED	Monochrome, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel
AMOLED / OLED display	Yes	No
Always-on display	Yes	Yes
Touchscreen	Yes	—
Resolution (width)	390 px	166 px
Resolution (height)	390 px	166 px
Pixel density	325 ppi	136 ppi
Battery
Battery life (smartwatch mode)	10 days	14 days
Battery saver mode	—	35 days
GPS battery life	15 h	21 h
Battery type	—	Lithium ion
Wireless charging	No	No
Charging	Garmin proprietary plug charger	Garmin proprietary plug charger
Health sensors
Optical heart rate	—	Yes
Blood oxygen (SpO2)	—	Yes
Temperature sensor	—	Yes
HRV tracking	—	Yes
Sleep tracking	—	Yes
Sensors	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Compass, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Elevate wrist heart rate monitor, Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor, Barometric altimeter, Compass, Accelerometer, Thermometer
Sports & navigation
Built-in GPS	Yes	Yes
Satellite systems	GLONASS, GALILEO	GLONASS, GALILEO
Barometric altimeter	—	Yes
Compass	Yes	Yes
Sport profiles	5	69
Connectivity
ANT+ sensors	—	Yes
Smart features
Storage	4 GB	0.12 GB
Third-party apps	—	Yes
Platform
Operating system	Garmin OS	Garmin OS
Platform	Proprietary	Proprietary
Works with	iOS, Android	iOS, Android