Garmin has expanded their Forerunner series by introducing the latest Garmin Forerunner 165. You might be wondering whether to choose the Forerunner 255, which is now available at a discounted price or to take advantage of better deals.

In general, the Garmin Forerunner 165 is an excellent value smartwatch for casual runners and those new to fitness tracking, offering core tracking features and a vibrant display. On the other hand, the Forerunner 255 series are ideal for serious athletes, providing in-depth training metrics, highly accurate GPS, and support for advanced sports tracking.

In this article, we will do an in-depth comparison of both models to help you decide which one suits your needs better.

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs 255: Price & availability

When it comes to price and availability, the Garmin Forerunner 165 stands out as the more budget-friendly option.

The standard version of the Forerunner 165 has a starting price of around $250, while the music version will cost you an additional $50.

On the other hand, the Forerunner 255 and 255s models are positioned in a higher price range. The non-music versions of these models start at $350, and if you want the music-enabled variants, you’ll need to add an extra $50 to the price tag.

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs 255: Specs comparison

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs 255: Design & display

When it comes to design and display, the Garmin Forerunner 165 and 255 series share a similar aesthetic, featuring a classic round watch face for a traditional look. They are built with fiber-reinforced polymer cases and bezels, making them durable yet lightweight and comfortable to wear.

The Forerunner 165 and 255s are the more compact options, making them well-suited for those with smaller wrists. On the other hand, the Forerunner 255 has a slightly larger profile, which might appeal to those who prefer a bolder presence on their wrist.

All three models share the same fiber-reinforced polymer case material, striking a balance between durability and lightweight comfort. However, there are some differences in the lens material. The Forerunner 165 features a chemically strengthened glass lens, while the Forerunner 255 and 255s take it up a notch with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, known for its resistance to scratches and impacts.

Ease of use is consistent across the range, with all three models incorporating five physical buttons for intuitive navigation. This tactile experience is particularly useful during activities where a touchscreen might be less responsive.

When it comes to screen technology, the Garmin Forerunner 165 stands out with its vibrant AMOLED display. In contrast, the Forerunner 255 and 255s utilize sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) displays. While not as visually rich as AMOLED, MIP screens excel in outdoor conditions, offering superior readability in direct sunlight and extended battery life.

You can personalize your watch with a variety of color options to suit your style. The Forerunner 165 offers the widest range of colors, including both subtle and vibrant choices. The Forerunner 255 and 255s have a more limited color palette, but they still provide classic and sleek options to choose from.

Finally, these Forerunners are built with outdoor adventures in mind, boasting 5 ATM water resistance, allowing them to handle swimming, rain, or even a shower or bath without any worries.

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs 255: Health & fitness features

For those of you who take your health and fitness seriously, the Garmin Forerunner 165 and 255 series are the ultimate choices when it comes to tracking your progress.

They come packed with a bunch of nifty sensors that can monitor all sorts of activities. We’re talking accelerometers, heart rate monitors, altimeters, compasses, blood oxygen sensors, and even thermometers. The 165 model also has a handy ambient light sensor.

However, there’s a bit of a difference when it comes to navigation and tracking your location. The Forerunner 255 and 255s models take things up a notch with their dual-band GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO support. This means they can pinpoint your location more accurately, whether you’re running through city streets or exploring off-the-beaten-path trails. The 165, on the other hand, relies on standard GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO capabilities.

Now, the Forerunner 165 is designed as a solid entry-level option for runners, focusing on the essentials. But if you’re a serious athlete looking for in-depth analysis, the 255 series is where it’s at. These bad boys come with fancy features like Training Readiness, Training Status, and Training Load, which give you a comprehensive breakdown of your training patterns. It’s unlikely that the 165 will get these advanced features through a software update.

Another cool thing about the 255 series is its multi-frequency GPS. This means it can nail down your location with pinpoint accuracy, even in those tricky spots where regular GPS might struggle, like urban canyons or dense forests. Plus, the 255 models support a wider range of activities, making them a great choice for cyclists and triathletes who need to track cycling metrics and connect with power meters.

So, in a nutshell, both series are great for keeping tabs on your health and fitness, but the 255 series is tailored for more hardcore athletes, with advanced training metrics, super-accurate location tracking, and a broader range of supported activities.

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs 255: Other features

These Garmin Forerunner watches aren’t just about fitness – they’ve also got some pretty handy smartwatch features that’ll make your life more convenient. Across the whole series, you’ll be able to stay connected with smartphone notifications, control your music, and even make contactless payments using Garmin Pay. Talk about modern convenience!

But wait, there’s more! These bad boys have got your back when it comes to safety too. They’ve all got incident detection features that’ll give you some extra peace of mind while you’re out there crushing your fitness goals.

Now, if you’re someone who can’t imagine a workout without some tunes to keep you pumped up, the Forerunner 255 and 255s have got you covered. These models can store up to 500 songs right on the watch itself, so you can jam out to your favorite playlists without having to lug your phone around.

The Forerunner 165 isn’t left out in the cold when it comes to music though. It’s got an optional music storage feature, so if listening to tunes is a must-have for your fitness routine, you can still get your groove on with this more budget-friendly option.

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs 255: Battery life

When it comes to battery life, these Garmin Forerunner watches are real troopers. The Forerunner 165 and 165 Music models can keep going for up to 11 days in regular smartwatch mode, which is pretty impressive. But even when you’re using the GPS to track your runs and workouts, they’ll still last for a solid 19 hours before needing a recharge. That means you can crush your fitness goals without worrying about your watch conking out in the middle of your session.

And get this – even with those vibrant AMOLED displays, which are known for being real battery hogs, the 165 series still manages to hold its charge like a champ. Talk about impressive!

But the endurance doesn’t stop there. The Forerunner 255 and 255s models are also real battery beasts. In regular smartwatch mode, they can keep ticking for up to 14 days on a single charge. And when you’re using the GPS to track your activities, they’ll keep going strong for a whopping 30 hours. That’s some serious staying power!

Now, if you opt for the Forerunner 255 Music model, the battery life in smartwatch mode is the same as the non-music version. But when you’re using the GPS and jamming out to your tunes at the same time, you’ll get around 6.5 hours of playtime before needing to juice up again. Still, not too shabby!

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs 255: Which should you buy?

The Garmin Forerunner series truly caters to all kinds of fitness enthusiasts, from those just starting their journey to the hardcore athletes pushing their limits.

Let’s talk about the Forerunner 165 first – this little gem is an absolute steal for anyone on a budget. Despite its wallet-friendly price tag, it delivers all the essential features you need to track your workouts and keep an eye on your overall health. And let’s not forget that vibrant AMOLED display – it’s like having a mini fitness coach right on your wrist, motivating you every step of the way. Whether you’re a casual runner or someone just dipping their toes into the world of fitness tracking, the 165 is the perfect entry-level companion.

But for those of you who live and breathe fitness, the Forerunner 255 and 255s are the real MVPs. These powerhouses come equipped with dual-band GPS technology, ensuring that you get accurate tracking data even in the most challenging environments – whether you’re navigating through a concrete jungle or exploring off-the-beaten-path trails. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! These watches also offer expanded activity profiles, in-depth training statistics, and advanced cycling features, making them the ultimate sidekicks for seasoned runners, triathletes, and anyone who demands nothing but the best from their fitness tracker.

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