Garmin Forerunner 255 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
The Verdict
Garmin's Forerunner 255 excels as a dedicated fitness watch with exceptional battery life, delivering 14 days in smartwatch mode and 30 hours of GPS tracking. Its MIP display provides excellent outdoor visibility and the proprietary OS focuses on sports metrics and training features. Samsung's Galaxy Watch 6 counters with a vibrant 480x480 Super AMOLED display, more comprehensive health sensors including ECG and skin temperature monitoring, and superior processing power via the Exynos W930. At $299 versus $349, Samsung offers better all-around value with cellular connectivity, faster performance, and richer health tracking. However, the Forerunner 255 remains the superior choice for serious athletes prioritizing extended battery life and specialized running/fitness data. For general consumers seeking a well-rounded smartwatch experience, Galaxy Watch 6 provides better software flexibility and more features at a lower price.
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 6 if…
- →Thinner, lighter design than Galaxy Watch 5 with larger display
- →Comprehensive health tracking with ECG, SpO2, and skin temperature
- →Advanced sleep coaching with detailed sleep stage analysis
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 6
Pros
- Thinner, lighter design than Galaxy Watch 5 with larger display
- Comprehensive health tracking with ECG, SpO2, and skin temperature
- Advanced sleep coaching with detailed sleep stage analysis
- Wear OS 4 brings access to Google apps including Maps and Wallet
- Body Composition analysis via bioelectrical impedance
Cons
- No rotating bezel — relies on touchscreen and digital crown only
- Best features require a Samsung Galaxy phone
- Battery life is shorter than Garmin alternatives
- Wear OS app ecosystem remains smaller than watchOS
Full Specifications
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 255 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Garmin proprietary OS | Wear OS 4 with One UI Watch 5 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 49 g | 33 g |
| Case material | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Armor Aluminum |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 5 ATM + IP68 / MIL-STD-810H |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 14 days (smartwatch), 30 hrs GPS | Up to 40 hrs (normal mode) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 46mm | 44 mm |
| Type | MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) transflective | Super AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 260 x 260 | 480 x 480 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Garmin custom SoC | Exynos W930 |
| RAM | — | 2 GB |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
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 6.