The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar fulfils most of the needs of an average smartwatch, as it connects to both iOS and Android smartphones via Bluetooth, shows notifications, and tracks health data. The Instinct 2X Solar packs a heart rate sensor, GPS and GNSS sensors with offline route tracking, a compass, a gyroscope, an altimeter, and blood-oxygen saturation monitor. It also allows Android users to respond to texts and decline phone calls with texts. 

In terms of design, the Instinct 2X Solar strongly resembles the high-end Fenix series, whose models are also often discounted, although the Instinct 2X Solar features a more muted colour palette. The round monochrome transflective display offers a simplistic, utilitarian user-interface, with clicky buttons on the side serving as navigation aids. The case itself is plastic, although it is rated to withstand 10 ATM of pressure underwater, and the straps are user-replaceable, which should be a boon for longevity.

Supported activity tracking on the Instinct 2X Solar includes the usual stuff, like running, swimming, cycling, hiking, and strength training, as well as less conventional stuff, like HIIT, yoga, motorcycling, boxing and MMA, rock climbing, white river rafting, and more. Additionally, the Instinct 2X Solar offers general health features, like sleep and tracking, menstrual cycle tracking, and hydration tracking. 

Garmin claims that the Instinct 2X Solar can deliver 36 hours of battery life — with three hours of solar charging at 50,000 lux — in the worst-case scenario, with all the satellite features and sensors running, and up to 60 days of battery life in Expedition mode, which disables many of the smart features and only takes a GPS reading once every hour. 

Reviews of the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar praise the smartwatch for making significant strides over its predecessor in a number of areas, including build quality, display brightness and clarity, and useful features, like the LED torch, useful solar charging feature, and the standout battery life.Â