Apple Watch Series 10 vs Garmin Forerunner 255
The Verdict
Apple Watch Series 10 excels with its vibrant 2000-nit LTPO3 OLED display, comprehensive health suite including ECG and skin temperature, and powerful S10 processor enabling rich app experiences. Garmin Forerunner 255 counters with exceptional battery longevity (14 days smartwatch mode versus 18 hours), rugged polymer construction, and specialized fitness tracking tailored for runners and athletes. Display quality strongly favors Apple's bright, colorful screen versus Garmin's monochrome MIP technology. For comprehensive health monitoring and everyday smartwatch versatility, Series 10 leads, but serious endurance athletes prioritizing multi-week battery life and dedicated training analytics should choose the Forerunner 255. Apple delivers superior daily usability; Garmin prioritizes fitness performance.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple Watch Series 10 if…
- →Thinnest and lightest Apple Watch ever at just 9.7mm thick
- →New wide-angle OLED display is significantly brighter at off-angles
- →Larger 42mm and 46mm case sizes with bigger displays in slimmer body
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 Series 10
Pros
- Thinnest and lightest Apple Watch ever at just 9.7mm thick
- New wide-angle OLED display is significantly brighter at off-angles
- Larger 42mm and 46mm case sizes with bigger displays in slimmer body
- Sleep apnea detection and improved health tracking via watchOS 11
- Faster charging — up to 80% in about 30 minutes
Cons
- Battery life is still just 18 hours, behind most competitors
- Blood oxygen sensing disabled on US units due to patent dispute
- No major performance jump over Series 9's S9 chip
- Cellular model costs an extra $100
- Requires an iPhone, no Android compatibility
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 Series 10 | Garmin Forerunner 255 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 11 | Garmin proprietary OS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 30 g (42mm aluminum) | 49 g |
| Case material | Aluminum (Titanium option available) | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Water resistance | WR50 (50m) + IP6X dust resistant | 5ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours normal use, up to 36 hours in Low Power Mode | Up to 14 days (smartwatch), 30 hrs GPS |
| Display | ||
| Size | 42mm (1.96") | 46mm |
| Type | LTPO3 OLED Always-On Retina with wide-angle OLED, up to 2000 nits | MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) transflective |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 374 x 446 | 260 x 260 |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 1 GB | — |
| Chipset | Apple S10 SiP | Garmin custom SoC |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 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 Series 10 or the Garmin Forerunner 255.