Garmin Forerunner 55 vs. Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Garmin Forerunner 55 and Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular). Compare sizes, functions, displays, batteries and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right smartwatch for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the watch that will best fit your needs.

Smartwatch Specifications Comparison

Garmin Forerunner 55 vs. Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) Comparison Chart
GENERAL Garmin Forerunner 55 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Product Type Sport watch Smart watch
Operating System - WatchOS
Supported Host Device OS iOS, Android iOS 16 or later
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Audio Input - Microphone
Audio Output - Speaker
Width 42 mm -
Height 42 mm -
Depth 11.6 mm -
Weight 37 g -
Body Details - Case only: 32 g
Body Material - Aerospace-grade aluminium alloy
Protection Waterproof Water-resistant, dust-resistant, crack-resistant
Colours Monterra grey -
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Garmin Forerunner 55 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Sensors Accelerometer, optical heart sensor Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass, electrical heart sensor, blood oxygen sensor, gyroscope, temperature sensing, optical heart sensor (3d gen), always-on altimeter
Tracking Data Distance, time, speed, calories burned, sleep activity, heart rate, stress level Distance, time, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, sleep stages, menstrual cycle, ECG, ovulation phase, rapid eye movement (REM)
Goal Setting Yes Yes
Features Music remote handling, idle alert, Garmin Connect compatible, Body Battery Call handling, Fall detection, Emergency SOS, Family Setup support, International Emergency Calling, Crash Detection, noise monitoring, Compass Waypoint, brightness: 1000 nits, Edge-to-edge display
Notifications Calendar, Email, social apps Calendar, SMS, Email, high and low heart rate, irregular rhythm, cardio fitness
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Feedback Type - Audio alert, vibration alert, visual interface
Navigation (GPS) GPS receiver GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou/QZSS receiver
Payment Technology - Apple Pay
Internet of Things (IoT) Compatible - Yes
IoT Intelligent Assistant - Siri
IoT Voice Controlled - Direct
CELLULAR Garmin Forerunner 55 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Technology - WCDMA (UMTS)
Mobile Broadband Generation - 4G
SIM Card Type - Electronic SIM card (e-SIM)
CONNECTIVITY Garmin Forerunner 55 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
3M UMTS Band - Band 1, Band 2, Band 5, Band 8, Band 10
4G LTE Band - Band 1, Band 2, Band 3, Band 4, Band 5, Band 7, Band 8, Band 18, Band 19, Band 20, Band 25, Band 26, Band 28, Band 39, Band 40, Band 41, Band 66
Wireless Interface Bluetooth, ANT+ IEEE 802.11b/g/n, LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, Ultra-Wideband (UWB)
DISPLAY Garmin Forerunner 55 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Type Memory-in-Pixel LCD - colour - transflective Retina LTPO OLED - colour
Resolution 208 x 208 pixels 352 x 430 pixels
Screen Size 1.04" -
Screen Protection Chemically strengthened glass Ion-X glass
Always On Display (AOD) - Yes
INPUT DEVICE Garmin Forerunner 55 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Type Touch buttons Touch sensitive screen
CASE Garmin Forerunner 55 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Case Size - 41 mm
Case Shape Round Rectangular
Case Back - Sapphire crystal and ceramic back
Case Details Black | White | Aqua green Starlight aluminium | Red aluminium | Silver stainless steel | Gold stainless steel | Midnight aluminium | Graphite stainless steel | Silver aluminium
Crown Type - Digital with haptic feedback
BAND Garmin Forerunner 55 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Band Type Band Sport band
Band Size - Regular
Fits Wrist with Circumference - 130-200 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type Buckle Pin-and-tuck
Band Material Silicone Fluoroelastomer
Band Colour Black | White | Aqua green Starlight | Red | White | Midnight | Silver | Gold | Graphite
STORAGE Garmin Forerunner 55 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Storage Capacity - 32 GB
CPU Garmin Forerunner 55 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Manufacturer - Apple
CPU Type - S8 SiP
Features - W3 Apple wireless chip, U1 chip
BATTERY Garmin Forerunner 55 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Technology - Lithium Ion
Battery Life 14 day(s) 18 hours
Battery Life Details GPS mode - up to 20 hour(s)
Smartwatch mode - up to 14 days
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Rechargeable Battery Yes Yes
Wireless Charging - Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Garmin Forerunner 55 Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular)
Included Accessories Charging/data cable Magnetic fast charger to USB-C cable (1 m)
Preloaded Software - Apple Pay, GymKit
Compliant Standards - IP6X
SAR Value - 0.31 W/kg (head), 0.55 W/kg (head)
Max Depth of Water Resistance 50 m 50 m
Manufacturer Model Number - A2773
Warranty 1-year warranty 1-year warranty
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