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I have previously posted some basic information about the Garmin Forerunner 255, which is due to launch this Wednesday, the 1st of June 2022.
Florian over at Fitness Tracker Test is normally a reliable source of information and appears to have got his hands on the full specs of the new Forerunner 255.
There are a few specs that look odd. The battery life is listed as the same between the two sized variants, which wouldn’t normally be the case. Therefore, it is likely the below information will change a little when the watches are officially announced.
Garmin Forerunner 255 Models, Connectivity & Battery
As already reported, there will now be two sizes, the standard 255 and the new smaller 255S, these will also be separated into music and none music models.
The two new sizes fit either side of the FR245, with the 255S having a 1.1” display while the FR255 is 1.3”.
All the models will use transflective MIP displays, not AMOLED, and there is no mention of a touchscreen. This makes sense as the watches are on the affordable end of the Forerunner range.
The watches will now also have multi-band GPS connectivity similar to the premium-priced watches.
Assuming the battery life numbers are accurate, you get a massive increase in the smartwatch performance, going from one week on the FR245 to two weeks on both the FR255 models. GPS battery life is also increased but only by 6-hours for GPS mode.
Only the music editions will have WiFi, which is the same as the FR245.
| Forerunner 245 | Forerunner 255S | Forerunner 255 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display size | 1.2" | 1.1" | 1.3" |
| Display glas | Gorilla Glas 3 | Gorilla Glas 3 | Gorilla Glas 3 |
| Resolution | 240 x 240 | 218 x 218 | 260 x 260 |
| Pixel density | 200 PPI | 200 PPI | 200 PPI |
| Dimensions | 42.3 x 42.3 x 12.2 mm | 41 x 41 x 12.4 mm | 45.6 x 45.6 x 12.9 mm |
| Weight | 38.5 g | 39 g | 49 g |
| Wristband | 20 mm Quick Release | 18 mm Quick Release | 22 mm Quick Release |
| Water resistent | 5 ATM | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Battery Smartwatch mode | up to 7 days | up to 14 days | up to 14 days |
| Battery GPS | up to 24 hours | up to 30 hours | up to 30 hours |
| Battery GPS + Music | up to 6 hours | up to 6.5 hours | up to 6.5 hours |
Garmin Forerunner 255 vs Forerunner 245 – New Features
There are a few big feature upgrades:
Sports profiles have been doubled to over 30, though I don’t personally see much benefit to huge numbers of profiles.
The Garmin Forerunner 255 will now have HRV status. This is something that is also being included on the premium FR955, so it is surprising that they are also launching it on one of the cheaper watches. Heart rate variability will get recorded at night, and this can be used to evaluate your training status.
Running power is also expected to be included. This has been rumoured for a long time now; many people are hoping this use the watch itself as the source of data, similar to Polar. However, it is more likely that you will need an accessory. It seems like the running power feature will just be native integration allowing you to set power zones for your running workouts. This feature is also rolling out to older watches such as the Fenix 6.
A new race widget will provide race-related training tips, daily suggested workouts, weather forecasts, and the estimated finish times based on the course and your training and fitness.
The new morning report will also feature on the watches. We have seen this on a few devices now, and it provides a general overview in the morning, including weather, sleep score, body battery and any appointments.
The watches have now also been upgraded with a barometer for more accurate altitude data, and they have Garmin Pay, which has been on several other models for a few years now.
Price and Availability
Pricing was previously reported as:
- Forerunner 255 (music) for €400 (£335 / $420)
- Forerunner 255 (no music) for €350 (£293 / $367)
It is possible, if not likely, that the US pricing will be $350/$400
For the UK, this is about £50 higher than the RRP of the Forerunner 245. Currently, you can get the Garmin Forerunner 245 without music for £172, and it was as low as £150 back in April.
I think you get quite a lot of upgrades which help justify the price hike. However, the Forerunner 955 has been reported as launching for as little as $500, if this ends up being accurate it could make the FR255 less appealing.
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
