Will the Garmin Instinct 3 be cheaper on Black Friday 2026?
It fell a fifth last year. No successor, so expect much the same.
HappenedBlack Friday 2025
A fifth off in the US on 20 November; no UK figure was found.
ForecastBlack Friday 2026
Likely a moderate drop
- Still current, with no Instinct 4 announced
- Last year's deal came in its first autumn
Should you wait for Black Friday?
A short wait is fine, but don't hold out for more. Current, unreplaced Garmins tend to repeat last year's deal. If it's there already, buy.
The cheaper picks: what they really did
The percentages are real Black Friday 2025 cuts, as reported that week. The right column is our 2026 forecast.
Garmin Forerunner 265
Out since 2023
−21%Likely a big drop
Slimmer and a better running coach; less rugged.
Garmin vívoactive 6
Out since 2025
−17%US figureLikely a moderate drop
Lighter, everyday fitness watch with a touchscreen.
What this means: Pick the Instinct 3 for toughness, the 265 for running, the vívoactive 6 for everyday wear.
Questions people ask
Is the Instinct 3 AMOLED solar powered?
No. Only the Instinct 3 Solar charges from light; the AMOLED version relies on its larger battery.
Is the Instinct 3 good for swimming?
Yes, it tracks pool and open-water swims and is built to survive knocks and water.
How bright is the Instinct 3 AMOLED screen?
Reviewers find it easy to read outdoors, a big step up from the older two-window screens.
How we reached this
Last year's cuts are the ones named outlets reported during Black Friday week 2025, against the regular price they quoted. The forecast is our reading of each model's age, its successors and last year's cuts. We never show prices. Where no outlet reported a cut in this country, we show the same model's cut reported in another country, marked with that country.
We haven't tested these products ourselves. Our picks weigh independent expert reviews against each maker's published specs and the prices we checked. Opinions are ours; facts link to where they come from. How we choose.
Sources: Tom's Guide (US): Garmin Black Friday deals (20 Nov), TechRadar: Garmin Forerunner 265 Black Friday deal, Tom's Guide (US): Black Friday smartwatch deals (live).