Amazfit GTS 4 vs Garmin Forerunner 255
The Verdict
Amazfit GTS 4 and Garmin Forerunner 255 serve different smartwatch priorities at distinct price points. Amazfit excels with its vibrant 1.75-inch AMOLED display delivering sharper visuals at 390x450 resolution, plus a featherweight 27g design ideal for all-day comfort. Garmin counters with superior battery endurance, stretching 14 days in smartwatch mode versus Amazfit's 8 days, plus 30 hours of continuous GPS tracking. Build quality differs significantly: Garmin's 49g fiber-reinforced polymer frame with NFC payments suits outdoor athletes, while Amazfit's aluminum alloy aluminum feels more premium. Both offer GPS, SpO2, and heart rate monitoring. Garmin's proprietary OS emphasizes training metrics and sports data, whereas Zepp OS 2.0 prioritizes user interface polish. For casual fitness tracking prioritizing display quality and lightweight comfort, choose Amazfit GTS 4. For serious runners and outdoor enthusiasts demanding extended battery life and payment capabilities, Garmin Forerunner 255 justifies its $150 premium.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Amazfit GTS 4 if…
- →Large 1.75" AMOLED display is bright and vivid for the price
- →Dual-band GPS provides accurate outdoor tracking rivaling Garmin
- →Ultra-lightweight at 27 g — one of the lightest smartwatches available
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 GTS 4
Pros
- Large 1.75" AMOLED display is bright and vivid for the price
- Dual-band GPS provides accurate outdoor tracking rivaling Garmin
- Ultra-lightweight at 27 g — one of the lightest smartwatches available
- 8-day battery comfortably outlasts Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch
- 150+ sport modes cover virtually every activity
Cons
- Zepp OS has a very limited third-party app ecosystem
- No NFC for contactless payments in most markets
- Notification interaction is basic — can't reply to messages
- Build quality feels less premium than Apple or Samsung at this price
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 GTS 4 | Garmin Forerunner 255 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Zepp OS 2.0 | Garmin proprietary OS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 27 g (without strap) | 49 g |
| Case material | Aluminum alloy | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 5ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 8 days (typical usage) | Up to 14 days (smartwatch), 30 hrs GPS |
| Display | ||
| Size | 42mm (1.75 inches) | 46mm |
| Type | AMOLED | MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) transflective |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 390 x 450 | 260 x 260 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Huami custom processor | Garmin custom SoC |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
Related Comparisons
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 GTS 4 or the Garmin Forerunner 255.