Apple Watch Series 11 vs Garmin Forerunner 255
The Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 11 and Garmin Forerunner 255 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Garmin Forerunner 255 is the cheaper of the two at $349 versus $399, a difference of about $50. The Apple Watch Series 11 is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple Watch Series 11 stands out for hypertension detection for chronic high blood pressure, while Garmin Forerunner 255 is praised for 14-day battery life means weekly charging at most. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple Watch Series 11 if…
- →Hypertension detection for chronic high blood pressure
- →Sleep score for sleep quality insights
- →24-hour battery life (up from 18h on Series 10)
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
Pros & Cons
Apple Watch Series 11
Pros
- Hypertension detection for chronic high blood pressure
- Sleep score for sleep quality insights
- 24-hour battery life (up from 18h on Series 10)
- 5G connectivity on cellular models
- 2x more scratch-resistant Ion-X glass
Cons
- Same S10 chip as Series 10
- Starting price increased to $399
- Still limited to one-day battery life
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 11 | Garmin Forerunner 255 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 26 | Garmin proprietary OS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 34.6 g (42mm) / 43.1 g (46mm) | 49 g |
| Case material | Aluminum or Titanium (Grade 5) | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Water resistance | IP6X, 50m WR | 5ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 24 hours | Up to 14 days (smartwatch), 30 hrs GPS |
| Display | ||
| Size | 42mm / 46mm | 46mm |
| Type | Retina LTPO3 OLED | MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) transflective |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 496 x 416 (46mm) | 260 x 260 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Apple S10 | Garmin custom SoC |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
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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 11 or the Garmin Forerunner 255.