Coros unveils Nomad, a new product that serves as an affordable competitor to the Garmin Instinct 3 that I've been eagerly anticipating.
The Coros Nomad, a new entrant in the smartwatch market, has been making waves with its competitive pricing and impressive features. Priced at $349/£319, it goes head-to-head with the Garmin Instinct 3, which starts at $399/£349.
Key Features and Comparisons
Here's a side-by-side comparison of the Coros Nomad and Garmin Instinct 3 in terms of display, battery life, price, offline maps and navigation, internal storage, unique features, outdoor sport modes, durability, sensor and tracking, and more:
| Feature | Coros Nomad | Garmin Instinct 3 | |-----------------------------|----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | Display | 1.28-inch color MIP touchscreen; brighter, good outdoor visibility; single 47mm size | Multiple options: AMOLED (1.2" or 1.3"), or monochrome MIP solar (smaller usable area); no touchscreen; sizes 45mm or 50mm | | Battery Life | Up to 22 days smartwatch mode; 50 hours GPS mode | Up to 40+ days smartwatch mode (solar model); 150+ hours GPS mode (solar model) — significantly longer | | Price | $349.99 USD | Starting at $449.99 USD, up to $499 depending on model | | Offline Maps & Navigation | Full offline color maps with street names, POIs, turn-by-turn navigation | Breadcrumb-style navigation only; lacks full offline/map support | | Internal Storage | 32GB (supports maps and media) | Solar model: 120MB; AMOLED model: 3GB | | Unique Features | Geo-tagged voice notes (with transcription), adventure journal syncing photos/videos, detailed fishing modes | Built-in LED flashlight, solar charging, Garmin Pay, music streaming, extensive Connect IQ apps ecosystem | | Outdoor Sport Modes | Broad set including hiking, climbing, fishing; strong navigation tools | Wide sport mode support including running, cycling, hiking; fishing; superior battery enables longer multi-day use | | Durability & Build | Rugged design with thick bezel; very good outdoor readability | Tougher-built case, double water resistance compared to Nomad; reputed more rugged | | Sensor & Tracking | Modern sensors, smooth navigation UX powered by Ambiq Apollo 510 processor | Uses prior-gen Elevate V4 optical HR sensor |
A Closer Look
The Garmin Instinct 3 excels in battery life (up to twice or more), ruggedness, and ecosystem features like payments and third-party apps. Its solar models offer very long GPS endurance and smartwatch runtime.
On the other hand, the Coros Nomad is notably cheaper (by about $100) and shines with its full offline color maps with POIs and turn-by-turn navigation, which Garmin’s Instinct 3 lacks except on much more expensive models. It also has a touchscreen and innovative features like geo-tagged voice notes and an adventure journal for media syncing.
For outdoor/adventure use, especially where navigation detail is critical, the Nomad offers superior mapping and media logging features. For extreme battery life and a more mature ecosystem, the Instinct 3 leads.
Both have comprehensive outdoor sport modes including hiking, fishing, and climbing, but Garmin includes some unique utilities like flashlight and Garmin Pay.
Conclusion
The Coros Nomad is a more affordable, feature-rich option focused on navigation and adventure journaling, while the Garmin Instinct 3 is the top choice for ultra-long battery life and broader ecosystem integration in rugged outdoors use.
For those looking for a new smartwatch and interested in Coros' offerings, the Nomad could be a worthy option. For those who prioritise battery life, ecosystem features, and ruggedness, the Instinct 3 might be the better choice.
[1] Coros Nomad: A New Smartwatch for Outdoor Adventurers
[2] Best Running Watch 2025: Top Picks for Runners
[3] Best Smartwatch 2025: Top Smartwatches Reviewed
[4] Garmin Instinct 3 review: Instinctively a winning fitness watch
[5] The Coros Nomad: A Closer Look at Its Features and Performance
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