Garmin Lily 2 Active vs Lily 2: small changes, big difference

Garmin has introduced a few hours ago Lily 2 Active, the next iteration in its women’s smartwatch lineup. This may be their last unveiling in 2024 as we are approaching the all-important holiday shopping period. Historically, the company has few device releases in the final two months of the year.

Lily 2 Active brings several important new features that elevate its utility over its predecessor, the Garmin Lily 2. That one was released at the start of 2024.

Though subtle in size and appearance, this new model packs a broader range of capabilities, expanding beyond the fitness tracking basics. Built-in GPS, new workout profiles, and extended battery life are just a few of the key enhancements.

Let’s go through the main changes in more detail.

Design and display remain familiar

At first glance, the Lily 2 Active looks quite similar to the original Lily 2. Both models feature a round shape, crafted with anodized aluminum for the case and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for the lens, maintaining the elegant yet durable design Garmin is known for.

A subtle change is to do with physical buttons. Active comes with two on the right side which are useful for sports tracking – for example starting, pausing and ending exercise. Its predecessor has no physical buttons, sticking to a more minimalistic style.

The display on both watches is a 1-inch TFT LCD with 16-level grayscale, providing just enough detail for easy navigation without overwhelming the screen. So no difference there.

But there is a difference in terms of size. The Lily 2 measures 35.4 x 35.4 x 10.1 mm and weighs 24 grams. With the Lily 2 Active, this has been bumped up to 38 x 38 x 11 mm and 29 grams. While the weight increase is due to additional features, both models maintain a sleek, minimalist look that fits well on smaller wrists.

Improved battery life

Battery life has seen a nice improvement in the Lily 2 Active. The original Lily 2 conjures up to 5 days of battery life, which is more than sufficient for day-to-day tracking. But the Lily 2 Active doubles that performance in smartwatch mode, extending battery life to 9 days. For users who are active or rely on GPS for outdoor tracking, the Active version provides up to 9 hours of GPS usage.

The increased battery life is one of the key benefits of upgrading to the Active model. It’s worth noting that Garmin has switched to the standard charging port with the new iteration.

Activity and health tracking

When it comes to health and activity tracking, both models include the essentials: the Gen 4 Elevate heart rate sensor, SpO2 for blood oxygen monitoring, and an ambient light sensor. Active throws a compass into the mix.

As far as features, the new device includes the Health Snapshot tool, which records a two-minute session of key metrics such as heart rate variability (HRV), respiration rate, and SpO2, giving users a more comprehensive overview of their health. Additionally, the Lily 2 Active includes nap detection, sleep coach, and HRV status, all of which help users track and optimize recovery. So some nice upgrades here.

Extended sports and workout profiles

Improvements extend to sports tracking. As hinted by “Active” in its name, the new watch excels on this count, offering a wider variety of profiles and workout types compared to the original Lily 2. To be more specific, Garmin has added 15 new sport profiles, including cardio, strength training, HIIT, yoga, and pilates, all of which can be tracked in detail. For golfers, basic golf tracking features have also been introduced in the Active version. Plus, you now get Garmin Coach, Structured Workouts and Advanced Swim Metrics.

But perhaps the most significant upgrade is the built-in GPS in the Lily 2 Active. While the Lily 2 requires a phone for GPS tracking, the Active can independently track outdoor activities like running or cycling with its integrated GPS, along with additional satellite systems like Glonass, Galileo, and Beidou.

The Active also includes ANT+ connectivity, allowing it to pair with external sensors such as heart rate monitors, cycling sensors, and fitness devices. This connectivity is absent in the original Lily 2, which limits its versatility for more advanced athletes. Users can also now broadcast heart rate to 3rd party devices and apps.

Verdict: A much more complete fitness watch

The Garmin Lily 2 Active is a meaningful upgrade vs the Lily 2, offering quite a bit more in terms of fitness tracking, health insights, and performance without losing its sleek, compact design. The addition of built-in GPS, expanded sport profiles, and a significantly longer battery life make it the superior choice for users who want more independence from their smartphone and deeper health data. Also worth noting is that NFC comes as standard now. Previously it was only available on the Classic version of Lily 2.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The Garmin Lily 2 Active is priced at $300 on Garmin’s website, which is $50 more than the Lily 2’s price of $250. Considering all the new features, the price difference seems justified.

Tech specs comparison: Garmin Lily 2 Active vs Garmin Lily 2

Here’s the full tech specs comparison.

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