Garmin Forerunner 255 vs TicWatch Pro 5
The Verdict
Both smartwatches compete at identical $349 price points with different strengths. Garmin Forerunner 255 excels with industry-leading 14-day battery life in smartwatch mode and 30-hour GPS endurance, making it ideal for multi-day athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. Its MIP display consumes minimal power while remaining always-on and readable in sunlight. TicWatch Pro 5 counters with a superior 466x466 AMOLED display, more powerful Snapdragon W5+ processor, 2GB RAM, and Wear OS 3.5 for broader app compatibility. Its dual-layer display extends battery to 80 hours in Essential Mode. Both offer GPS, SpO2, heart rate, sleep tracking, and 5ATM water resistance. Choose Garmin for unmatched battery longevity and serious training metrics; select TicWatch for vibrant visuals, faster performance, and ecosystem flexibility.
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 TicWatch Pro 5 if…
- →Dual-layer AMOLED + FSTN display saves battery while staying readable outdoors
- →Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 is the fastest chip in any Wear OS watch
- →Best-in-class 24-hour Wear OS battery with up to 80 hours in Essential Mode
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
TicWatch Pro 5
Pros
- Dual-layer AMOLED + FSTN display saves battery while staying readable outdoors
- Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 is the fastest chip in any Wear OS watch
- Best-in-class 24-hour Wear OS battery with up to 80 hours in Essential Mode
- Rugged MIL-STD-810H rated build handles extreme conditions
- Full Wear OS access with Google Maps, Wallet, and Play Store
Cons
- No ECG or skin temperature sensor at this price point
- No cellular LTE option available
- Wear OS 3.5 rather than the latest Wear OS 4
- Large, thick case may feel bulky on smaller wrists
Full Specifications
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 255 | TicWatch Pro 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Garmin proprietary OS | Wear OS 3.5 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 49 g | 44.1 g |
| Case material | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Nylon fiber composite |
| 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 80 hrs Essential Mode, 24 hrs Wear OS mode |
| Display | ||
| Size | 46mm | 1.43 inch |
| Type | MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) transflective | AMOLED + FSTN dual-layer display |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 260 x 260 | 466 x 466 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Garmin custom SoC | Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 |
| 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 Mobvoi products. View full details for the Garmin Forerunner 255 or the TicWatch Pro 5.