MIP vs AMOLED: Forerunner 255 & 955 Compared to 265 & 965

For a long time now, the series Garmin Forerunner has been one of those quite literally indispensable series for people interested in fitness. It ranges from different models, which carry varied features and prices to suit various needs. 

In May 2022, Garmin released the Forerunner 255 & 955, featuring the reliable MIP display and even optioned with solar charging. Not long after, Garmin introduced the Forerunner 265 and 965, taking it to the next level with the inclusion of AMOLED displays for a much sharper and vivid screen display.

While the Forerunner 255 and 955 are no longer available on Garmin’s official website, they can still be purchased from third-party retailers such as Amazon, often at lower costs. Still, the Forerunner 265 and 965 are newer in the market and more widely available directly from Garmin or other sellers. 

So, being aware of the differences among these four models will help you choose one that best fits your needs and budget.

This guide will explore the major differences in the costs, hardware, battery life, and software capabilities to help you decide which Forerunner is best for you.

Forerunner 255 & 955 Compared to 265 & 965 – Price Overview

Probably, one of the significant factors to consider when buying a smartwatch is its price. Prices of the Forerunner models are as listed below:

• Forerunner 255 Music: $399.99 w/music, $349.99 wo/music. Smaller variant 255S is $349.99 wo/music.
• Forerunner 955: $499.99 (no solar) – $599.99 (solar).
• Forerunner 265 is priced at $449.99 and comes in two sizes: the standard 265 and the smaller 265S.
• Forerunner 965: $599.99.

The more you go up the Forerunner series, the more features it gets and hence, more expensive. With great fitness features on a budget, the 255 is pretty affordable. 

The 955 and 965 variants are better equipped with more premium functionalities, comprising solar charging for the former and AMOLED screens for the latter.

Key Hardware Differences

Screen Types and Sizes

The Forerunner 255 and 955 models have features in the MIP display, boast of considerable power efficiency, and are very readable under direct sunlight. Such watches are ideal, considering their battery life with great outdoor readability. 

The Forerunner 265 and 965 fitted with AMOLED screens will guarantee high colour depth, sharpness, and contrast. If screen quality with bright, vivid visuals is important to you, then what an AMOLED delivers is much better.

Besides, the 255 and 265 provided smaller cuts for people with small wrists or those just liking compactness, while the 955 and 965 are only available in one, larger size for those who enjoy big watch faces and screen estate.

Size and screen dimensions:

Build and Materials

All the variants house a lightweight fibber-reinforced polymer body, so the watches are tough yet not overweight. 

The Forerunner 965 features a titanium bezel, which further adds to its more premium feel and additional durability, while the rest of the models make do with a polymer bezel.

 All four variants are fitted with scratch and impact-resistant Gorilla Glass-a must-have for daily fitness and outdoor activities.

Sensor and GPS Features

All four models boast an advanced suite of sensors, which includes:

• GNSS Location Tracking: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
• Garmin Elevate 4 Heart Rate Sensor
• Blood oxygen saturation monitor
• Barometric Altimeter
• Compass, Accelerometer, Thermometer
• NFC, Garmin Pay, and Gyroscope.

But only the Forerunner 265 and the 965 include an ambient light sensor, which is utilized to automatically adjust brightness on the AMOLED display. This isn’t needed on MIP displays, as they don’t require adjustments in the same way.

Multi-Band GNSS and SatIQ Technology

All the models come with multiband GNSS supported by Garmin’s SatIQ technology for the intelligent selection of satellite combinations based on accurately optimized battery requirements. 

Be it running, hiking, or cycling, the watches provide location tracking with high accuracy and are thus quite reliable for outdoor events.

Battery Life Comparison

Battery life becomes a critical consideration, especially for those users that engage in long workouts or spend a lot of time outdoors. Here is how the models fared in terms of battery life:

The Forerunner 255 and the 955 have very good battery life-especially if you pick up the solar version-but the AMOLED displays of the 265 and the 965 use a significant amount of power that cuts the battery life. Forerunner 965 is still leading the game regarding battery longevity in the segment of AMOLED watches.

Software Features and Advanced Metrics

While every Forerunner device offers a comprehensive list of fit and health features, the more advanced models include additional features for the serious athletes.

• Forerunner 255 and 265: These provide some of the basic features: sleep tracking, afternoon nap detection, HRV status, recovery time, and race predictions. These models are good for general fitness tracking but do not provide some of the advanced metrics.
• Garmin Forerunner 955 and 965: All the capabilities of the 255 and 265, respectively, but add some premium functionality such as hill and endurance scores, real-time stamina monitoring, and training readiness. These are capabilities that carry a great deal of value if you base serious training off your watch and need more granular data analysis and customized training guidance.

Navigation

It’s relevant to note that all bring basic route guidance, but the Forerunner 955 and 965 power it up by offering advanced topographic maps for device-based navigation. 

If you’re doing a lot of outdoor activities where accurate navigation is needed, the 965 has an especially sharp and bright display-one that comes thanks to the AMOLED screen. 

Comparatively, both the 255 and 265 apply a breadcrumb-style form of navigation that will offer the most basic forms of route tracking, but it won’t give you the same level of detail as the 955 and 965.

Which Forerunner Is Right for You?

Which Forerunner you choose depends on your fitness goals, budget, and preference. Here’s a quick summary of what each model offers:

• Forerunner 255: Best for the budget-conscious user who desires a device that will provide them with basic features of fitness and health, not high-range metrics or an AMOLED display. Great for the casual athlete-one who doesn’t need highly detailed mapping or training readiness.
• Forerunner 955: A good middle-ground option, with high-level metrics, training features, and solar charging. Ideal for the serious athlete looking to take in a little more data-without paying extra for an AMOLED display.
• Forerunner 265: The base characteristics of the 255, but with an AMOLED display that’s far more rich. Perfect for someone wanting a modern, high end display, without needing to have every advanced metric.
• Forerunner 965: The ultimate choice for those who need it all-from Garmin’s advanced metrics and detailed topographic maps to class-leading battery life, together with an AMOLED display. This seems to be the very best option for any performance-related runner who harbours a taste for premium features. 

Current Prices

Here’s a look at the current prices available through third-party retailers:

By understanding the differences in hardware, software, and price, you can choose the Forerunner model that best suits your needs and lifestyle. With frequent discounts available, there’s a good chance to grab the Best Deals on Amazon and other retailers.