Garmin Forerunner 255 vs Huawei Watch GT 4 (46mm)
The Verdict
Both watches deliver solid fitness tracking and impressive battery life, but they excel in different areas. The Forerunner 255 prioritizes running-specific features with Garmin's legendary GPS accuracy and training tools, plus NFC for contactless payments and WiFi connectivity. Its MIP display won't win beauty contests at 260 x 260 resolution, but it excels in sunlight and sips battery power, delivering up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and 30 hours of continuous GPS tracking. The Watch GT 4 counters with a vibrant 466 x 466 AMOLED display that looks significantly sharper and more modern, stainless steel construction, skin temperature monitoring, and Bluetooth 5.2 for better connectivity range. At $100 cheaper, the Huawei offers premium visual appeal and that extra health sensor, though it lacks NFC and Garmin's deeper training ecosystem. For serious runners prioritizing navigation accuracy and extensive workout metrics, the Forerunner 255 justifies its premium. Casual fitness enthusiasts wanting a more attractive daily wearer will appreciate the GT 4's display and lower price. The choice depends on whether you need Garmin's specialized running intelligence or prefer a sleeker, more affordable device.
Who Should Buy
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
Buy the Huawei Watch GT 4 (46mm) if…
- →Stunning premium design with stainless steel and octagonal case
- →14-day battery with AMOLED always-on display is impressive
- →Dual-band GPS provides accurate location tracking
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
Huawei Watch GT 4 (46mm)
Pros
- Stunning premium design with stainless steel and octagonal case
- 14-day battery with AMOLED always-on display is impressive
- Dual-band GPS provides accurate location tracking
- Bright 466x466 AMOLED display is crisp and vibrant
- TruSeen 5.5+ heart rate sensor is accurate for exercise tracking
Cons
- No Google apps or third-party app store — HarmonyOS is limited
- No NFC for payments in most Western markets
- No ECG sensor despite the premium positioning
- Cannot respond to notifications — display and dismiss only
Full Specifications
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 255 | Huawei Watch GT 4 (46mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Garmin proprietary OS | HarmonyOS 4 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 49 g | 48 g (without strap) |
| Case material | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Stainless steel |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 5ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 14 days (smartwatch), 30 hrs GPS | Up to 14 days |
| Display | ||
| Size | 46mm | 46mm (1.43 inches) |
| Type | MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) transflective | AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 260 x 260 | 466 x 466 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Garmin custom SoC | Hi6262 |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 |
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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 Garmin products or all Huawei products. View full details for the Garmin Forerunner 255 or the Huawei Watch GT 4 (46mm).