vs
3.5Display2.6
4.8Battery life7.2
4.9Health tracking4.9
4.9Sports & outdoor4.1
2.7Build & durability5.6
Dimensions
Size comparison
Forerunner 255 MusicInstinct 2 Solar
| Forerunner 255 Music | Instinct 2 Solar | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 45.6 mm | 45 mm | +0.6 mm |
| Width | 45.6 mm | 45 mm | +0.6 mm |
| Thickness | 12.9 mm | 14.5 mm | −1.6 mm |
| Weight | 49 g | 53 g | −4 g |
Drawn to the same scale from the official dimensions (front and side).
Why is Forerunner 255 Music better than Instinct 2 Solar?
- Storage4 GB vs 0.03 GB133.3×
- Weight49 g vs 53 g+8%
- Screen size1.3″ vs 1.27″+2%
- Resolution (width)260 px vs 176 px+48%
- Pixel density200 ppi vs 139 ppi+44%
- Sport profiles58 vs 50+16%
- Thickness12.9 mm vs 14.5 mm+12%
Why is Instinct 2 Solar better than Forerunner 255 Music?
- Battery life (smartwatch mode)14 days vs 28 days2×
- Water resistance5 ATM vs 10 ATM2×
Specifications
Side by side
| Design & durability | ||
| Case size | 46 mm | 45 mm |
| Weight | 49 g | 53 g |
| Thickness | 12.9 mm | 14.5 mm |
| Height | 45.6 mm | 45 mm |
| Width | 45.6 mm | 45 mm |
| Case material | Plastic / polymer | Plastic / polymer |
| Sapphire crystal | No | No |
| Lens / cover glass | Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 | Power Glass™ |
| Strap material | silicone | silicone |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 10 ATM |
| Water rating (maker) | 5 ATM | 10 ATM |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 1.3″ | 1.27″ |
| Display technology | Memory-in-pixel (transflective) | Memory-in-pixel (transflective) |
| Panel | Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel | Monochrome, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel |
| AMOLED / OLED display | No | No |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
| Resolution (width) | 260 px | 176 px |
| Resolution (height) | 260 px | 176 px |
| Pixel density | 200 ppi | 139 ppi |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life (smartwatch mode) | 14 days | 28 days |
| Battery saver mode | — | 65 days |
| GPS battery life | 30 h | 30 h |
| GPS battery life (dual-band) | 16 h | — |
| Battery type | Lithium ion | Lithium ion |
| Solar charging | — | Yes |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Charging | Garmin proprietary plug charger | Garmin proprietary plug charger |
| Health sensors | ||
| Optical heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | Yes | Yes |
| Temperature sensor | Yes | Yes |
| HRV tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Sensors | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou, SatIQ technology, Elevate wrist heart rate monitor, Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor, Barometric altimeter, Compass, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Thermometer | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Elevate wrist heart rate monitor, Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor, Barometric altimeter, Compass, Accelerometer, Thermometer |
| Sports & navigation | ||
| Built-in GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Dual-band GPS | Yes | — |
| Satellite systems | GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Barometric altimeter | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | Yes | Yes |
| Multisport / triathlon mode | Yes | Yes |
| Sport profiles | 58 | 50 |
| Connectivity | ||
| NFC payments | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 4 | — |
| ANT+ sensors | Yes | Yes |
| Smart features | ||
| Music on the watch | Yes | — |
| Storage | 4 GB | 0.03 GB |
| Third-party apps | Yes | Yes |
| Platform | ||
| Operating system | Garmin OS | Garmin OS |
| Platform | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Works with | iOS, Android | iOS, Android |
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