Just in time for Global Running Day, Garmin introduces two new running watches in its Forerunner range: the Forerunner 255 for $ 349.99 and the Forerunner 955 for $ 499.99. Both GPS watches have multi-band GPS and new racing features, including a racing widget. The Forerunner 955 will also be available in a Solar version, which, as the name suggests, adds solar charging for even longer battery life.
Forerunner 255 is a lightweight mid-range running watch based on the Forerunner 245. It will be available in two sizes. The standard Forerunner 255 will measure 46 mm and weigh 49 grams, while the smaller 255S will measure 41 mm and weigh 32 grams. There will also be versions of the Forerunner 255 Music and 255S Music, which will be able to store up to 500 songs on the watch itself. Garmin says it also includes playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music and Deezer. Music models will cost an additional $ 50 for a total of $ 399.99. The watches are rated for 5ATM water resistance with approximately 14 days of battery life, with up to 30 hours in GPS mode.
Big additions this time include a new racing gadget, a state of variation in heart rate (HRV) during sleep, multi-band GPS and the ability for triathletes to more easily switch between sports at the touch of a button. The competition device will include information for preparation for the competition, including performance forecasts, time for the day of the competition and a countdown clock. Multi-band GPS is an increasingly popular feature of multisport watches that increases GPS accuracy by allowing communication with multiple satellite frequencies. The promise is better accuracy in environments where it is difficult to get a good signal. Finally, the watch has a “morning report” function. When the user wakes up, the watch will provide a brief summary of the time of day, a suggestion for daily training and a report on last night’s sleep, recovery time, training status and HRV status.
Compared to the Forerunner 245, the 255 range adds an NFC chip to Garmin Pay. Otherwise it is not too different in terms of the sensor. It still has continuous heart rate monitoring as well as SpO2 sensors to activate features such as Body Battery. The indicator measures how well you have recovered during sleep, as well as how much you are “squeezed” during the day from stress. The Forerunner 255 series will also support key smartwatch features such as push notifications and Garmin security features such as incident detection and live tracking. For training features, it will also give users daily training suggestions, as well as access to training programs through Garmin Coach and in-depth metrics in the Garmin Connect app.
The Forerunner 955 series adds solar charging and a new indicator of training readiness. Image: Garmin
Meanwhile, the Forerunner 955 is more of a first-class running watch. (Although not as full-featured as Garmin’s flagship Fenix series.) It has a 47mm permanently on, full-color touchscreen display and weighs 52 grams. But fans of the buttons don’t have to worry. The 955 still includes five physical buttons that can be used in tandem with the touch screen. Like the 255 series, it is rated for 5ATM water resistance, but has a slightly longer battery life, approximately 15 days, with 42 hours in GPS mode. There’s also a $ 599.99 Forerunner 955 Solar that has Garmin’s own Power Glass lens. With solar charging, the 955 Solar gets up to 20 days on a single charge, with 49 hours in GPS mode. (This assumes that you receive approximately three hours a day in conditions of 50,000 lux, so accept this with distrust.)
Like the Forerunner 255 series, the Forerunner 955 also gets multi-band GPS, HRV status, morning reports and a new racing widget. In addition, there is a new indicator of readiness for training. As the name suggests, the indicator takes into account sleep, recovery time, HRV and several other indicators to give users an estimate of how “ready” they are for a training session. It also adds real-time endurance tracking, which Garmin introduced for the first time with its Fenix 7 series.
When it comes to tracking health and smart features, the Forerunner 955 has the same basic features as the 255. However, it adds a few additional learning metrics, such as PacePro and ClimbPro, that provide real-time guidance for your pace and altitude. You can also store a larger number of songs at 955 – 2000 more precisely.
Both the Forerunner 255 and the Forerunner 955 are available today. Forerunner 255 is available in four colors: gray, pink, blue and black. Meanwhile, the Forerunner 955 is available in white and black.
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