If you are a fitness enthusiast or a professional athlete, you are likely familiar with Garmin’s line of high-end GPS smartwatches. Two of the most popular models are the Garmin Forerunner 255 and the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar. These two watches have a lot in common, but they also have some key differences that may influence your decision when choosing between them. In this article, we will compare the specs of the Garmin Forerunner 255 vs Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar to help you make an informed decision.
First, let’s take a look at the Garmin Forerunner 255. This watch is packed with features that make it a great choice for runners, cyclists, and swimmers. It has built-in GPS, heart rate monitoring, and the ability to track your steps, calories burned, and sleep. The Forerunner 255 also has a long battery life of up to 14 days, making it a reliable companion for long training sessions or races.
On the other hand, the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar is a newer and more advanced model. As the name suggests, it has a solar-powered battery that can extend the battery life up to 20 days. The Forerunner 955 also has more storage space than the Forerunner 255, with 32GB of internal storage compared to 4GB. It also has a larger display and more advanced features like music storage, contactless payments, and the ability to create custom workouts.
Table of Contents
Design and Display
When it comes to the design and display of the Garmin Forerunner 255 and 955 Solar, there are some notable differences worth considering.
Design
The Forerunner 255 and 955 Solar have a similar design with a circular watch face and silicone band. However, the 955 Solar has a more premium look and feel with a stainless steel bezel compared to the plastic bezel on the 255. Additionally, the 955 Solar is slightly larger and heavier than the 255, measuring 45mm compared to 43mm and weighing 59g compared to 44g.
Both watches are available in a variety of colours, so you can choose the one that best suits your style.
Display
The Forerunner 255 and 955 Solar have different display sizes and technologies. The 955 Solar has a larger 1.4-inch display compared to the 1.2-inch display on the 255. Additionally, the 955 Solar features a sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) display, which is designed to be easy to read even in bright sunlight. The 255, on the other hand, features a smaller, sunlight-visible MIP display.
Both watches have a resolution of 240 x 240 pixels, so you can expect clear, easy-to-read text and graphics. Additionally, both watches have a water resistance rating of 5 ATM, which means they can withstand splashes, rain, and even swimming.
Overall, the 955 Solar has a more premium look and feel, as well as a larger, easier-to-read display. However, if you prefer a smaller, more lightweight watch, the 255 may be a better choice for you.
Features and Functions
Battery Life
The Garmin Forerunner 255 has a battery life of up to 8 days in smartwatch mode and up to 10 hours in GPS mode with music. On the other hand, the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar has a battery life of up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and up to 36 hours in GPS mode with music. The Forerunner 955 Solar has a solar charging feature that can extend the battery life even further.
Fitness Tracking
Both the Garmin Forerunner 255 and Forerunner 955 Solar offer advanced fitness tracking features. They can track your heart rate, steps, calories burned, and sleep. The Forerunner 955 Solar also has a Pulse Ox sensor that measures blood oxygen saturation levels, which can be helpful for high-altitude activities.
The Forerunner 955 Solar also has a Body Battery feature that provides you with an estimate of your body’s energy levels throughout the day. This feature takes into account your heart rate variability, stress levels, sleep, and activity data to give you a score between 1 and 100. The higher the score, the more energy you have.
Connectivity
Both the Garmin Forerunner 255 and Forerunner 955 Solar can connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth. This allows you to receive notifications, control music playback, and download apps and watch faces from the Garmin Connect IQ store.
The Forerunner 955 Solar also has Wi-Fi connectivity, which allows you to upload your workouts to Garmin Connect without needing to connect to your phone or computer.
Navigation
The Garmin Forerunner 255 and Forerunner 955 Solar both have GPS and GLONASS satellite positioning systems, which provide accurate location tracking. They also have built-in maps and the ability to download additional maps and routes from the Garmin Connect IQ store.
The Forerunner 955 Solar has additional navigation features, such as a barometric altimeter, a compass, and the ability to create and follow courses. It also has a feature called Trendline, which uses Garmin Connect data to suggest the best running and cycling routes based on popularity.
Specifications Comparison
Garmin Forerunner 255 Specs
The Garmin Forerunner 255 is a GPS smartwatch that tracks your daily activities, including heart rate, steps, calories burned, and sleep. It comes with a 1.2-inch colour display that is easy to read in all lighting conditions. The watch is water-resistant up to 50 meters and has a battery life of up to 7 days in smartwatch mode and up to 13 hours in GPS mode. The watch is compatible with both iOS and Android smartphones and can be synced with the Garmin Connect app to track your progress and set goals.
Here are some of the key specifications of the Garmin Forerunner 255:
- Weight: 49g
- Dimensions: 42 x 42 x 12.9 mm
- Display Size: 1.2 inches
- Display Resolution: 240 x 240 pixels
- Battery Life: Up to 7 days in smartwatch mode, up to 13 hours in GPS mode
- Water Resistance: Up to 50 meters
Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Specs
The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar is a GPS smartwatch that tracks your daily activities, including heart rate, steps, calories burned, and sleep. It comes with a 1.3-inch colour display that is easy to read in all lighting conditions. The watch is water-resistant up to 100 meters and has a battery life of up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode and up to 36 hours in GPS mode. The watch is compatible with both iOS and Android smartphones and can be synced with the Garmin Connect app to track your progress and set goals.
Here are some of the key specifications of the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar:
- Weight: 53g
- Dimensions: 44.4 x 44.4 x 14.4 mm
- Display Size: 1.3 inches
- Display Resolution: 260 x 260 pixels
- Battery Life: Up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode, up to 36 hours in GPS mode
- Water Resistance: Up to 100 meters
Price and Value
When it comes to choosing between the Garmin Forerunner 255 and the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar, price is definitely a factor to consider. The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar is more expensive than the Garmin Forerunner 255, but it also comes with additional features that may justify the higher price tag for some users.
The Garmin Forerunner 255 has a standard version that costs £299.99, while the music edition costs £349.99. On the other hand, the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar costs £699.99, which is significantly more expensive than the Garmin Forerunner 255. However, the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar comes with solar charging capabilities, which can extend the battery life of the device. Additionally, the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar has more advanced features, such as the ability to upload maps, which may be worth the extra cost for some users.
Ultimately, the decision between the Garmin Forerunner 255 and the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar comes down to your individual needs and preferences. If you are looking for a more affordable option, the Garmin Forerunner 255 may be the better choice for you. However, if you need additional features and are willing to pay a higher price, the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar may be the better option.
Forerunner 255 vs 955 Comparison Table
| Feature | Garmin Forerunner 255 | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Display size | 1.2 inches | 1.4 inches |
| Display resolution | 240 x 240 pixels | 280 x 280 pixels |
| Battery life (GPS mode) | Up to 16 hours | Up to 36 hours |
| Battery life (Smartwatch) | Up to 8 days | Up to 2 weeks |
| Water resistance | 50 meters | 100 meters |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Advanced workouts | Yes | Yes |
| Running dynamics | Yes | Yes |
| VO2 max estimation | Yes | Yes |
| Recovery advisor | Yes | Yes |
| Music storage | No | Yes |
| Contactless payments | No | Yes |
| Solar charging | No | Yes |
| Weight | 38.5 g | 49 g |
GARMIN FORERUNNER 255 FAQ’S
What are the basic features of the garmin forerunner 255
The Garmin Forerunner 255 is a GPS running smartwatch that tracks your running performance, heart rate, sleep, and more. It features advanced workout metrics, VO2 max tracking, and a recovery advisor to help you train more effectively. It also has smart notifications and music controls.
Does the Garmin Forerunner 255 have GPS?
Yes, The Garmin Forerunner 255 Has GPS And GLONASS Satellite Positioning, Which Provides Accurate Tracking Of Your Outdoor Runs.
Can I use the Garmin Forerunner 255 to track my indoor workouts?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 255 can track your indoor workouts such as treadmill runs, indoor track runs, and indoor cycling. It uses an accelerometer to estimate your distance and pace when GPS is not available.
Is the Garmin Forerunner 255 waterproof?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 255 is water-resistant up to 50 meters, which means you can wear it while swimming or showering.
Does the Garmin Forerunner 255 have a heart rate monitor?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 255 has a wrist-based heart rate monitor that tracks your heart rate throughout the day and during your workouts. It also has a feature called Pulse Ox that measures your blood oxygen saturation levels.
GARMIN FORERUNNER 955 FAQ’S
What are the key features of the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar?
The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Is A Premium GPS Running Smartwatch That Includes Advanced Training Metrics, Music Storage, And Contactless Payments. It Also Features Solar Charging Capabilities For Extended Battery Life.
How long does the battery last on the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar?
With normal use, the battery on the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar can last up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours in GPS mode with music. The solar charging feature extends the battery life even further.
Does the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar have GPS?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar has GPS and GLONASS satellite positioning, which provides accurate tracking of your outdoor runs.
Is the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar waterproof?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar is water-resistant up to 100 meters, which means you can wear it while swimming or showering.
