The Garmin Forerunner 955 vs Garmin Fenix 7: two of the best, latest, and high-end multisport fitness watch from Garmin.
Now Garmin-lovers are spoiled for choice because there are plenty of great options including the high-end Phoenix 7. So you might be thinking about which one you should buy.
There are many similarities between these two watches but also have more than enough differences to make them appealing to different users.
But the question is, can Forerunner 955 be as prominent as the Phoenix 7? Let’s find out in today’s article.
- Related: 10+ Examples of Wearable Technology In Healthcare
Garmin Forerunner 955 vs Garmin Fenix 7: Design
When it comes to Garmin smartwatches, you’ll find nothing but circular-shaped watches. The Forerunner 955 and Phoenix 7 are no different. Both of them support the same design as well as the touchscreen and 5 physical buttons.
However, there is always a but. The Phoenix 7 has more premium materials than the Forerunner 955. Even Phoenix 7 comes with stainless steel and titanium chassis options so you can pick whatever suits you.
Whereas the advantage of having Forerunner 955 is its lightweight design and a lower price tag because it has a fiber-reinforced polymer case.
Garmin Forerunner 955 and Garmin Fenix 7: Specifications
| Specs | Garmin Forerunner 955 | Garmin Fenix 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Lens Material | Corning Gorilla Glass DX | Power Glass |
| Bezel Material | Fiber-reinforced Polymer | Stainless Steel |
| Strap Material | Silicone | Silicone |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Colour Display | Yes | Yes |
| Display Size | 1.3″ (33 mm) diameter | 1.30″ (33.02 mm) diameter |
| Display Resolution | 260 x 260 pixels | 260 x 260 pixels |
| Display Type | Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) | Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) |
| Memory/Storage | 32 GB | 16 GB |
| Music Storage | Up to 2000 songs | Up to 2,000 songs |
| Weight | 52 g | 79 g |
| Physical Size | 46.5 x 46.5 x 14.4 (mm) Fits with 130-220 mm wrists circumference | 47 x 47 x 14.5 (mm) Fits with 125-215 mm wrists circumference |
| Water Rating | 5 ATM | 10 ATM |
| Step Counter | Yes | Yes |
| Find My Phone & Watch | Yes | Yes |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi |
| Alarm Clock, Timer, Stopwatch | Yes | Yes |
| Gps, Glonass, Galileo, Barometric Altimeter, Compass, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Thermometer, Pulse Ox | Yes | Yes |
Garmin Forerunner 955 vs Garmin Fenix 7: Water Resistance
Moreover, both watches are robust and can take quite a beating; also they come with outstanding water resistance.
The Forerunner 955 has 5 ATMs and Phoenix 7 has 10 ATMs meaning Phoenix 7 is highly suitable for surfing or diving, but that does not mean you can’t take the Forerunner 955 to swim.
Garmin Forerunner 955 vs Garmin Fenix 7: Size and Weight
In terms of size options, Forerunner 955 only comes in one size and on the other hand, you can pick between three different sizes (42mm, 47mm, 51mm) of the Phoenix 7.
In comparison to the Forerunner 955 smartwatch, the Fenix 7 is significantly heavier. The Fenix 7 weighs 79g while the Forerunner 955 weighs 5g. The Fenix 7’s steel body easily explains this.
Garmin Forerunner 955 vs Garmin Fenix 7: Fitness Tracking and Features
Both Forerunner 955 and Phoenix 7 are similarly powerful. But Garmin introduced some new features with the Forerunner 955, which include training readiness, HRV status, and a race widget.
These new features arguably make the Garmin Forerunner 955 a more athlete-focused watch than the Phoenix 7. However, Garmin might add these features to Phoenix 7 sooner or later with a software update.
With HRV status, the Forerunner 955 can track your all-day heart rate even while sleeping. Otherwise, every other feature looks identical to Phoenix 7. Moreover, both SmartWatches come with the latest Gen 4 Elevate heart rate sensor, Pulse Ox, Thermometer, Compass, and many more.
They both even come with a barometer altimeter to let you measure altitude by calculating the location’s air pressure. They have downloadable offline maps too, including TopoActive, Europe maps, and more. Besides, you can stream music on both smartwatches without having your smartphone nearby.
When it’s all about Garmin smartwatches, GPS accuracy is an important thing. Both the Forerunner 955 and Phoenix 7 have built-in GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo. but Forerunner 955 is a multi-band GPS that is now more accurate than before.
Also with this feature, you can get improved tracking were obtaining a satellite signal is quite challenging. Though the Sapphire edition of Phoenix 7 has this feature, which is a bit expensive.
Garmin Forerunner 955 vs Garmin Fenix 7: Battery Life
The Forerunner 955 can survive for up to 15 days in Smartwatch mode and with the solar mode, it can be extended for up to 20 days. While using it in GPS mode, this watch can run for up to 42 hours.
On the other hand, the Phoenix 7 can live for up to 18 days in Smartwatch mode, and with GPS on it, it can be aligned for up to 57 hours.
Garmin Forerunner 955 vs Garmin Fenix 7: Price
So now the most important thing is the price. The Garmin Forerunner 955 is cheaper than the Fenix 7. The Forerunner 955 is available for $499.99, and if you want a solar version then you have to pay $100 extra.
Whereas the standard edition of Phoenix 7 will cost you $699.99 and the 51-mm Sapphire Solar Edition will cost you $999.99. With this price tag, you can easily buy two Forerunner 955s.
Forerunner 995 vs Fenix 7: FAQs
Which is Better Forerunner or Fenix?
The Forerunner 945 is undeniably more sporty than the Fenix. From the silicone strap to the polymer body, it’s a good fit for activities like running and swimming or if you have slim wrists.
Which Fenix Watch is Best?
Garmin Fenix 7: A great feature-packed Garmin watch
Garmin Fenix 7 has a nifty touchscreen, a sleeker design, and a longer battery life than its predecessor. In addition to more accurate blood oxygen and heart rate monitoring, the Fenix 7 also features improved GPS.
Is Garmin Forerunner 955 Worth It?
Yes definitely.
How Many Years Does Garmin Watch Last?
At least 5 years or more.
Is Fenix 7 Worth It?
Yes definitely.
Is It Worth Upgrading to Fenix 7?
Yes definitely.
Does Fenix 7 Have a Touch Screen?
Yes.
Can You Answer Calls on Garmin Fenix 7?
NO. You must use your connected phone to speak with the caller. The Fenix watch displays the name or phone number of the caller when you receive a call on your connected phone. You can send a quick text message replay from the list.
Does Garmin Fenix 7 Have Maps?
Yes.
Why Do Runners Use Garmin Watches?
The Garmin watch provides better GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring than most other watches. For new runners who are looking for a fitness tracker that can measure basic metrics, this is the right device for you.
Can You Dive With Garmin Fenix 7?
Yes.
How Long Does Fenix 7 Take to Charge?
Around 2.5 hours.
Garmin Forerunner 955 vs Garmin Fenix 7: Conclusion
In short, both Forerunner 955 and Phoenix 7 have almost similar features, except for some that are introduced in Forerunner 955. You can get training readiness, HRV status, and race widget exclusively on Forerunner 955.
We recommend and there is no doubt that Garmin Forerunner 955 is the top choice amongst runners and triathletes.
However, the Phoenix 7 is more premium and durable but also expensive. We recommend the Fenix 7 Series for hiking, mountaineering, trail running, surfing or diving, and any activity that involves a lot of hazards. The premium price tag is totally justified by its rugged look and power under the hood.
So what do you think? Do you really want to spend more money to get almost similar features? We would love to hear from you. Please let us know in the comment section below and as always, thanks for reading our article. Share with your friends if you found this article to be helpful.
