Garmin Forerunner 255 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
The Verdict
Garmin's Forerunner 255 excels in battery longevity with up to 14 days of smartwatch use and 30 hours of GPS tracking, making it ideal for fitness enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. Samsung's Galaxy Watch 3 counters with a vibrant Super AMOLED display at 360x360 resolution and includes ECG functionality for more comprehensive health monitoring, plus optional cellular connectivity for independence from your phone. Build quality differs notably: Galaxy Watch 3 uses premium stainless steel or titanium versus Forerunner 255's fiber-reinforced polymer. However, the Galaxy Watch 3's battery life lags significantly at just 1.5 days typical use, requiring frequent charging. For runners and athletes prioritizing extended tracking without daily charging, Forerunner 255 delivers superior value. Those valuing premium aesthetics, display quality, and ECG monitoring despite battery limitations should consider Galaxy Watch 3. Ultimately, Forerunner 255's exceptional battery performance and fitness-focused features make it the better choice for serious athletes.
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 Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 if…
- →Physical rotating bezel provides tactile, satisfying navigation
- →Premium stainless steel build with classic watch aesthetics
- →ECG and SpO2 monitoring were cutting-edge at launch
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
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
Pros
- Physical rotating bezel provides tactile, satisfying navigation
- Premium stainless steel build with classic watch aesthetics
- ECG and SpO2 monitoring were cutting-edge at launch
- Fall detection with automatic SOS alerts
- Thinner and lighter than Galaxy Watch (2018)
Cons
- Tizen OS is now discontinued — no new app development
- Battery life of 1.5 days typical requires frequent charging
- Older Exynos 9110 is noticeably slower than W920
- Heavy at 48-54 g — uncomfortable for sleep tracking
Full Specifications
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 255 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Garmin proprietary OS | Tizen OS 5.5 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 49 g | 48.2 g (41mm) / 53.8 g (45mm) |
| Case material | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Stainless Steel / Titanium |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810G |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 14 days (smartwatch), 30 hrs GPS | Up to 2 days (typical ~1.5 days) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 46mm | 41mm / 45mm |
| Type | MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) transflective | Super AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 260 x 260 | 360 x 360 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Garmin custom SoC | Exynos 9110 |
| 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 Samsung products. View full details for the Garmin Forerunner 255 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3.