Garmin Instinct Crossover AMOLED brings colour screen & flashlight
Garmin has unveiled the Instinct Crossover AMOLED, a hybrid watch that adds a full-colour display, multi-band GPS and a built-in LED flashlight. It fixes the legibility issues of the original model by pairing moving analog hands with a vibrant AMOLED screen.
A better screen and smarter hands
The original Instinct Crossover had its issues. Most notably, the physical hands would block key health and notification data on the dim monochrome screen. Garmin has addressed that directly with this update. The new version swaps in a bright AMOLED display and the analog hands now move out of the way when needed. They also glow in the dark thanks to Super-LumiNova coating, which improves visibility in low light.
The screen is protected by a sapphire lens, and the watch still carries MIL-STD-810 certification for thermal and shock resistance. A dual-layer metal bezel adds further protection. Battery life is now rated at 14 days in smartwatch mode, which is down from the 28 days offered by the first-generation model. That drop is expected, given the higher power draw of the new screen, but it marks a big shift in how long the device will run between charges.
GPS and flashlight upgrades
Navigation has improved. This model now includes multi-band GNSS with SatIQ, which boosts GPS accuracy in tricky environments. That brings it more in line with other high-end Garmin watches. There is also a built-in LED flashlight, which has become something of a signature across Garmin’s premium models this year.
The analog-digital hybrid format still sets this apart from other Garmin watches. But with the AMOLED and upgraded navigation tools, it now feels more capable in the field. It’s a niche product, but one that might appeal to users who want a tough watch with real smart features.
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The standard model comes in Charcoal or Bronze/Sunburst colourways. It’s priced at $649 or £519 on Garmin’s website. There’s also a Tactical Edition that comes in black and includes night vision compatibility, stealth mode and Jumpmaster mode for airborne operations. That version is priced at $749.99.
Wellness tools from Garmin’s latest platform
This release also brings the Instinct line up to speed with Garmin’s latest wellness tracking tools. Lifestyle Logging, which first appeared on the Venu 4, is included. You can now track things like caffeine and alcohol intake and see how they affect sleep, HRV and recovery in Garmin Connect.
The Instinct Crossover AMOLED is a big step up in visual clarity and smart features. While the battery life trade-off will matter for long trips or field work, the improvements to usability and navigation make it a much more practical hybrid watch.
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