Garmin Forerunner 255 vs OnePlus Watch 2
The Verdict
Both watches offer solid fitness tracking at similar weights and price points, but diverge significantly in display technology and battery philosophy. Garmin's Forerunner 255 features a transflective MIP display delivering exceptional battery life of up to 14 days in smartwatch mode, plus 30 hours of continuous GPS tracking, ideal for multi-day adventures. OnePlus Watch 2 counters with a vibrant 466x466 AMOLED display and dual-engine architecture enabling 100 hours of smart mode operation, substantially longer than traditional smartwatches. Health features are comparable: both include SpO2 monitoring and sleep tracking without ECG functionality. The OnePlus costs $50 less and offers superior color display quality with Wear OS 4's app ecosystem, while Garmin prioritizes battery endurance and dedicated sports features through its proprietary OS. For outdoor enthusiasts prioritizing extended battery life and GPS reliability, the Forerunner 255 excels. Casual users valuing display richness and affordability should choose the OnePlus Watch 2.
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 OnePlus Watch 2 if…
- →Industry-leading battery life for a Wear OS smartwatch
- →Dual-chip architecture combines Wear OS with efficient RTOS
- →Premium build with sapphire crystal and stainless steel
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
OnePlus Watch 2
Pros
- Industry-leading battery life for a Wear OS smartwatch
- Dual-chip architecture combines Wear OS with efficient RTOS
- Premium build with sapphire crystal and stainless steel
- Dual-frequency L1+L5 GPS for accurate tracking
- Full Google Wear OS app ecosystem
Cons
- Only one 46mm size, too large for smaller wrists
- No ECG or skin temperature sensor
- No cellular variant available
- Non-rotating crown, no rotating bezel
- iPhone compatibility is limited
Full Specifications
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 255 | OnePlus Watch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Garmin proprietary OS | Wear OS 4 (dual-engine architecture) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 49 g | 49 g |
| Case material | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Stainless steel case with sapphire crystal glass |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 5 ATM, IP68 |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 14 days (smartwatch), 30 hrs GPS | Up to 100 hours smart mode, 12 days power saver |
| Display | ||
| Size | 46mm | 1.43 inch |
| Type | MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) transflective | AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 260 x 260 | 466 x 466 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Garmin custom SoC | Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 + BES2700 MCU |
| RAM | — | 2 GB |
| 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 Garmin products or all OnePlus products. View full details for the Garmin Forerunner 255 or the OnePlus Watch 2.