Amazfit Bip 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 255
The Verdict
Amazfit Bip 3 and Garmin Forerunner 255 occupy very different positions in the smartwatch market. The Bip 3 is lightweight at 33g with a compact 1.69-inch TFT LCD display, making it ideal for casual daily wear. Its Zepp OS handles basic health tracking including heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, plus sleep tracking, with an impressive 14-day battery claim. However, it lacks GPS, NFC, and WiFi connectivity, limiting its usefulness for serious athletes. The Forerunner 255 weighs 49g and features a larger 46mm MIP transflective always-on display that's far superior in outdoor visibility and design quality. Its Garmin proprietary OS provides comprehensive sports functionality with integrated GPS for accurate route tracking, NFC for contactless payments, and WiFi for easier syncing. Battery life reaches 30 hours in GPS mode, which matters for distance runners. Both offer identical health core features and 5ATM water resistance. At $69 versus $349, the price gap is substantial. Choose the Bip 3 if you want an affordable fitness band for general health monitoring and everyday use. Select the Forerunner 255 if you're a serious runner, triathlete, or multisport athlete who needs reliable GPS, always-on display visibility, and advanced training features justifying the premium investment.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Amazfit Bip 3 if…
- →Incredible value at $69 with heart rate, SpO2, and sleep tracking
- →14-day battery life means charging biweekly at most
- →5ATM water resistance for swimming at a budget price
Buy the Garmin Forerunner 255 if…
- →14-day battery life means weekly charging at most
- →Multi-band GPS for exceptional outdoor tracking accuracy
- →Morning Report with daily training readiness and HRV status
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Amazfit Bip 3
Pros
- Incredible value at $69 with heart rate, SpO2, and sleep tracking
- 14-day battery life means charging biweekly at most
- 5ATM water resistance for swimming at a budget price
- 60 sport modes for basic activity tracking
- Lightweight at 33 g — comfortable for all-day wear
Cons
- No built-in GPS — must use connected phone GPS
- TFT LCD display is dim and washes out in direct sunlight
- 240x280 resolution makes text and icons look pixelated
- No NFC, Wi-Fi, or always-on display
- Notification handling is very basic — no actionable replies
Garmin Forerunner 255
Pros
- 14-day battery life means weekly charging at most
- Multi-band GPS for exceptional outdoor tracking accuracy
- Morning Report with daily training readiness and HRV status
- Race Predictor estimates finish times for 5K to marathon
- Lightweight at 49 g and comfortable for 24/7 wear
Cons
- MIP display lacks the vibrancy of AMOLED competitors
- No touchscreen on base model — button-only navigation
- No ECG or blood pressure monitoring
- Limited smart features compared to Apple Watch or Wear OS
- Third-party app ecosystem is small
Full Specifications
| Spec | Amazfit Bip 3 | Garmin Forerunner 255 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Zepp OS | Garmin proprietary OS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 33 g | 49 g |
| Case material | Polycarbonate | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 5ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 14 days | Up to 14 days (smartwatch), 30 hrs GPS |
| Display | ||
| Size | 1.69 inches | 46mm |
| Type | TFT LCD | MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) transflective |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 240 x 280 | 260 x 260 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Huami custom processor | Garmin custom SoC |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in smartwatches, see all Amazfit products or all Garmin products. View full details for the Amazfit Bip 3 or the Garmin Forerunner 255.