← All gear comparisons

Coros Apex 4 vs Garmin Instinct 3 Solar

Weight and specs compared for 2026 — and which one to choose.

Coros Apex 4 is the lighter option — 1 g lighter than the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar (2% less weight). If grams matter to you, that is the one to beat.
shopping_cart Check today's price on Amazon
Spec Coros Apex 4 Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Weight 51 g · 0.051 kg · 0.11 lb
46mm, with nylon band
 52 g · 0.052 kg · 0.11 lb
Brand Coros Garmin
Category Navigation Navigation
Coros Apex 4
51 g

Mountain-sports GPS watch (46mm) with dual-band GNSS, titanium bezel and sapphire glass, weight with silicone band.

See it in your base weight → Full details →
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
52 g

Rugged GPS smartwatch with solar charging, 28-day battery in smartwatch mode, and unlimited battery in expedition GPS mode. Altimeter, compass included.

See it in your base weight → Full details →

Building a pack? Add either one to your HikeLoad list, or drop its weight into the base weight calculator, and see what it does to your total weight.

HikeLoad is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Coros Apex 4 vs Garmin Instinct 3 Solar: which should you buy?

If saving weight is your priority, the Coros Apex 4 wins — at 51 g it is 1 g (2%) lighter than the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar (52 g). That said, the heavier option may justify the extra grams with more capacity, durability or comfort, so weigh the trade-off against how you'll use it.

See where both rank against everything else in this category on the lightest navigation page, or browse the full gear weight database.

More navigation comparisons

Coros Apex 4 vs Coros Pace Pro Coros Apex 4 vs Coros Nomad Coros Apex 4 vs Garmin Enduro 3 Coros Apex 4 vs Suunto Race 2 Coros Apex 4 vs Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium Coros Apex 4 vs Garmin Fenix 8 (47mm AMOLED)