I2X Solar owner. Can you think of any benefit to "upgrade" to I3 Solar besides better screen?

I do have both an I2X Tactical (Coyote Tan-love that color) and the same I3X model/color you are displaying.  The I3's screen sharpness increase over the I2X is is quite dramatic especially when both are sitting next to each other.  The black solar panels are invisible.  Is it worth the upgrade?  If you have the cash burning a hole in your pocket, then sure.  If not, then probably not.  I love my I2X and would be happy with it if I didn't know that the I3 existed. 

FWIW; I haven't really had issue with bugs.  Seems that the firmware is fairly mature.

net1994 said:

Can you think of any other new things the I3 will give me over the I2X? 

Perhaps the Reference Point app, which freezes at 2x after 2 minutes at the latest and is therefore unusable.

The problem was reported to Garmin months ago. But it exists  already over a year now. They obviously don't seem to be interested.

Still no ticket created by Garmin.

https://forums.garmin.com/beta-program/instinct-2-series/public-beta-bug-reports/i/public-beta-17-xx/freeze-reference-point-app 

Maybe it works with the 3

- more bulit-in memory 128 vs 64Mb, even though the available memory for user data is about the same approx. 18Mb).

- lighter weight, about 10gr.

- the circle around the HR sensor is absent in v3, which means that it marks less on the skin.

- suggested workouts: during the exercise of a running suggested workout made of intervals, the pace number displayed during an interval is bigger font (as large as the pace number during warm-up and cool down phases - large).  This is a significant improvement for me, because in I2X and 2S the pace number was too small during an interval - impossible to see.

- folders: it is now possible to group glances in folders.  Pre-delivered folders are made for Health and Training, and their display is well summarized if not want to go inside.

- the sleep glance displays some advisory text.

- the nap detection also modifies the advisory for how long one should sleep.

- the torch level and red can be adjusted right after double tap the light button, no need to go to the controls first.

- the group of watch faces is much smaller by default, and new faces can be '+Add'ed from a built in list extension.

I switched from the Instinct 2x Tactical to the Instinct 3 Solar 50mm mainly beacause of the screen (huge difference here)

- I3 is much faster, almost no lags (even the hydration widget works pretty well) - for me lags on I2X were annoying

- race day widget (daily suggested workouts tailored for your race date and goal)

- buttons work 'softer', no click sound

- I hope it will get body battery trueup 

thanks for these notes. what about 2 other things:

- how many IQ datafields (from IQ store) can be added to the sport profile screens? I2 has it limited to 2?

- if using IQ fields during activity and going back to watchface (lap button needs to be turned off in settings for this), does it show IQ custom watchface or defaults to built in one?

That would tell us a bit about available RAM, thx

plus it has stress alerts.

Despite my head crying at the fiscal irresponsibility, I bought the watch shown in OP ate REI.  I heard reports of misaligned second circular screen.  Because of this, I opened it up in the store and did minimal setup.  I didn't see the problem, well in the store that is.  But now I have my doubts.  Do you folks think the solar icon is misaligned on the circular screen below?

Other observations:

-The new MIP screen compared to the I2X is amazing.  Night and day difference in terms of clarity.  The I2X also had a blue-ish tint from the backlight, in addition to the ugly reddish tint around the solar panel. 

-I also love the color combination. 

Besides those two, there really is/was no other reason for me to upgrade.  I have the Fenix 8 AMOLED and so I have the higher end features.  And the I3 OS seems like from the pervious generation for the solar models.  I did notice that the flashlight on the I3 was a little bit brighter than the I2X.  Not huge, but noticeable side by side.  Not a fan of the lack of watch faces from the I2X. Those were great.

Well I do have a 90 day return window for a refund.  So if I come to my senses, maybe it'll go back!

- 4 IQ datafields (vs 2 in Instinct 2x)

- I have installed 2 IQ watchfaces and 2 datafields and here is the result:

the same datafilelds work fine when custom watchfaces are uninstalled (they show numbers at least, extra tests needed). 

net1994 said:

Do you folks think the solar icon is misaligned on the circular screen below?

With the relatively low resolution of the display - only 176 x 176 pixels - it is understandable that not all display elements will be able to be perfectly aligned.  Move the icon 1 pixel to one side or the other and the circle itself will look lopsided - same with one pixel up or down, the circle will not look symmetrical.

It's a trade-off.  If the appearance of absolute alignment is important, then I suggest getting the AMOLED display which has a resolution of 416 x 416 pixels (and no fixed display "window").

Honestly, the display in your picture looks perfectly acceptable to me. The circle as displayed has the exact same pixel distribution top to bottom and left to right.  So does the icon inside.

But in the end, it is obviously up to you.  If the pixelation and imprecise alignment appearance is unacceptable to you, then you should return the watch.  Whether it is a "real" problem or not is irrevalent - if it bothers you, once you see it you will never be able to "un-see" it.

HTH