A new smartwatch in the making? Garmin indirectly confirms the Instinct 3

A seemingly minor error on Garmin Spain’s website has sparked a wave of speculation in the smartwatch enthusiast community.

The company accidentally listed repair costs for an as-yet-unannounced model called the Garmin Instinct 3.

The detail that immediately attracted attention was the repair price of 133.33 euros, slightly higher than that of its predecessor, the Instinct 2, which is 128.57 euros.

What the new model promises

Launched two years ago, the Instinct 2 quickly won fans with its successful combination of durability, advanced training features and impressive autonomy.

Now fans of the series are waiting for the next iteration, especially since the predecessor received the maximum mark in most specialized reviews.

List of technical details

According to the information that has appeared, the new model will keep at least one of the established dimensions – 45mm – and will be available in a variant with solar charging, in a shade of black.

Although there are no official confirmations, it is expected that Garmin will keep the varied range of sizes (40mm, 45mm and 50mm).

Rumors and controversies

In July of this year, alleged images of the new model appeared, shared on Telegram.

Experts in the field quickly concluded that they were at least partially digitally altered, if not completely fake.

However, the recent appearance of the repair code on Garmin’s official website provides the first confirmation of the existence of a new model.

News in development

An interesting tidbit comes from well-known leaker @Jw, who suggests that Instinct 3 may include support for “rucking”. This is a form of training for backpackers.

The new feature could be one of the key elements of the new model, expected to appear in early 2025.

Price and availability

Although the official price has not been announced, some estimates can be made based on these repair costs.

Given that the Instinct 2 Solar currently retails for €427, the new model could have a slightly higher launch price.

It remains to be seen if Garmin will maintain its strategy of offering both solar-charged versions and standard models at more affordable prices.

Source: Fitness Tracker Test 2024