Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) vs Garmin Forerunner 255
The Verdict
Apple Watch SE delivers Apple's polished ecosystem with strong fitness basics, featuring a vibrant OLED display, NFC payments, and cellular connectivity at a competitive price. Garmin Forerunner 255 targets serious runners with exceptional battery longevity, true always-on display, SpO2 monitoring, and advanced running metrics via a custom OS. Apple excels for casual users wanting broad smartwatch functionality and seamless iPhone integration. Garmin dominates for endurance athletes prioritizing multi-week battery life and detailed training analytics without frequent charging. Both omit ECG and skin temperature sensors. Choose Apple Watch SE for versatility and daily convenience; select Forerunner 255 for dedicated fitness tracking and battery endurance that justifies its higher price.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) if…
- →Affordable entry into the Apple Watch ecosystem with core features
- →Same large display as Series 6 — no visible compromise
- →Fall detection and emergency SOS for safety
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
Apple Watch SE (1st Gen)
Pros
- Affordable entry into the Apple Watch ecosystem with core features
- Same large display as Series 6 — no visible compromise
- Fall detection and emergency SOS for safety
- Compass and always-on altimeter for outdoor activities
- Family Setup enables use for kids without an iPhone
Cons
- No Always-On display — must raise wrist to see the time
- Older S5 chip — slower than the 2022 SE's S8
- No ECG, SpO2, or blood oxygen monitoring
- No fast charging — takes about 2.5 hours for full charge
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 | Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) | Garmin Forerunner 255 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 7 (upgradable to watchOS 10) | Garmin proprietary OS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 30.49 g (40mm) / 36.2 g (44mm) | 49 g |
| Case material | Aluminum | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Water resistance | WR50 (50m) | 5ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 14 days (smartwatch), 30 hrs GPS |
| Display | ||
| Size | 40mm / 44mm | 46mm |
| Type | LTPO OLED Retina | MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) transflective |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 324 x 394 / 368 x 448 | 260 x 260 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Apple S5 SiP | 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 Apple products or all Garmin products. View full details for the Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) or the Garmin Forerunner 255.