Garmin Malaysia has released the Forerunner 255 and 955 GPS running smartwatches for runners and sports fans. The Garmin Forerunner 255 now has full triathlon functionality, while the new Garmin Forerunner 955 series debuts its first solar charging watch.

The Forerunner 255 and 955 series offer Firstbeat Analytics important performance and training tools like VO2 max, training load, performance condition, training effect, and more. Athletes will gain a better understanding of their entire training status thanks to new indicators such as HRV status, recent activity history, and performance.

When utilising a compatible Garmin power metre, athletes can track cycling dynamics such as seated/standing posture, power phase, and platform centre offset on the Forerunner 955 Series. The Forerunner 955 Series will track a swimmer’s distance, stroke, pace, personal records, and more while in the water.

Garmin Forerunner 255 Series

The Garmin Forerunner 255S and Forerunner 255S Music have 41 mm cases, whereas the Garmin Forerunner 255 and Forerunner 255 Music have 46 mm cases. They require less charging time and have a battery life of up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and up to 30 hours in GPS mode.

The Garmin Forerunner 255 Series comes with features such as:

  • Morning report – Receive the day’s weather and workout recommendations, as well as information about the user’s sleep and HRV health.
  • Full triathlon support – With triathlon and multisport activity profiles, users may mix up their workout regimen.
  • Race widget – View race prep information in one widget, including a race day-specific performance forecast, race day weather, and a countdown clock. Once a race is set, the suggested workouts for the day will change dependent on the athlete’s race plans.
  • HRV status – Track heart rate variability while sleeping
  • Garmin Pay contactless payments
  • Multi-band GPS
  • Native running power – Receive real-time data of how much power is being exerted on a run when utilising a Running Dynamics Pod or HRM-Pro (sold separately).

Garmin Forerunner 955 Series

The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar, which has a Power Glass solar charging lens, offers athletes up to 20 days of smartwatch battery life and up to 49 hours of GPS battery life.

Here are some of the new features included in the Garmin Forerunner 955 Series:

  • Solar charging (only in the Forerunner 955 Solar) – In GPS mode, Power Glass solar charging provides users with up to 49 hours of battery life.
  • Touchscreen interface
  • Multi-band GPS
  • Training readiness – Learn how prepared the body is for training each day by taking into consideration sleep, recuperation time, HRV status, and other parameters.
  • HRV status – Track heart rate variability while sleeping
  • Morning report – Receive the day’s weather and workout recommendations, as well as information about the user’s sleep and HRV health.
  • Race widget – View race prep information in one widget, including a race day-specific performance forecast, race day weather, and a countdown clock. Once a race is set, the suggested workouts for the day will change dependent on the athlete’s race plans.
  • Real-time stamina insights
  • Native running power – Receive real-time data of how much power is being exerted on a run when utilising a Running Dynamics Pod or HRM-Pro (sold separately).

Furthermore, users can also store music on the new Garmin Forerunner 255 Music and Forerunner 955 Series, with up to 2000 downloaded songs from either Spotify, Amazon Music or Deezer. The new Garmin smartwatches are also able to receive notifications for calls, texts, social media updates and other alerts.

Price and availability

The Garmin Forerunner 255 retails for RM1,730 and is available now in Slate Grey and Tidal Blue while the Forerunner 255S will be available in Powder Grey and Bubblegum and is set to release in Q3 this year. The Forerunner 255 Music and Forerunner 255S Music on the other hand will retail for RM1,970 and is available now in Black and Whitestone.

Last but not least, the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar will retail for RM2,970 whereas the non-solar version of the Forerunner 955 will retail for RM2,470. Both are available for purchase now. All smartwatches can be purchased through the official Gramin stores on Shopee, Lazada, and AECO e-store as well as at all authorised retailers. 

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