Garmin Forerunner 255 was released in June 2022 while Vivoactive 4 has been around since September 2019. Forerunner 255, therefore, is a relatively newer variant of the Garmin smartwatch.
We look at the features, functions, and capabilities of the Forerunner 255 and Vivoactive 4 smartwatches below.
Main differences
The most significant differences between the Forerunner 255 and Vivoactive 4 are shared below.
- Forerunner 255 has multi-band GPS while the Vivoactive 4 lacks this feature.
- Forerunner 255 has better device storage or internal memory than Vivoactive 4.
- Forerunner 255 also provides longer battery backup than the Vivoactive 4.
- Vivoactive 4 has a touchscreen feature while the Forerunner 255 lacks it.
- To take temperature readings on Vivoactive 4, you will need to buy the tempe sensor separately. That will set you back by $39.99. Forerunner 255 has an in-built temperature sensor for wrist-based temperature readings.
- Forerunner 255 does not support Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Forerunner 255 has a considerably higher number of profiles for running, swimming, outdoor recreation, and cycling.
- Forerunner 255 has a full suite of training and planning features for runners.
We review these differences and other features of both smartwatches below.
Display specifications
Forerunner 255 and Vivoactive 4 smartwatches come with the third-generation Corning Gorilla Glass on the display screen.
Both watches have the MIP or memory-in-pixel display technology.
You will not find many remarkable differences in the display specifications of the Forerunenr 255 and Vivoactive 4 smartwatches.
We look at all the display specifications of Forerunner 255 and Vivoactive 4 below.
| Display specifications | Forerunner 255 | Vivoactive 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Display lens | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Display size | 1.3″ or 33 mm | 1.3″ or 33 mm |
| Display type | MIP (Memory in pixel) | MIP (Memory in pixel) |
| Display resolution | 260 x 260 pixels | 260 x 260 pixels |
| Pixel density | 283 ppi | 283 ppi |
| Color display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | No | Yes |
| LED Flashlight | No | No |
| Ambient light sensor | No | No |
The touchscreen feature is missing on Forerunner 255. All other display specifications of Forerunner 255 and Vivoactive 4 are identical.
Physical specifications
There are some significant differences between the Forerunner 255 and Vivoactive 4 in terms of hardware specifications. Some of these include device storage and wireless connectivity.
We look at the physical specifications in a side-by-side comparison below.
| Specifications | Forerunner 255 | Vivoactive 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Watch size | 45.6 x 45.6 x 12.9 mm | 45.1 x 45.1 x 12.8 mm |
| Thickness | 12.9 mm | 12.8 mm |
| Watch weight | 49 g | 50.5 g |
| Watch body | Fiber-enforced polymer | Fiber-enforced polymer |
| Bezel | Fiber-enforced polymer | Stainless steel |
| Band material | Silicone | Silicone |
| Band size | 22 mm | 22 mm |
| Recommended wrist circumference | 130-205 mm | 135-200 mm |
| Device storage | 4 GB | 200 hours of activity data |
| Water rating | 5 ATM (50 meters) | 5 ATM (50 meters) |
| Swimming profile | Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming | Pool Swimming |
| Wireless Connectivity | ANT+, Bluetooth | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| NFC | Garmin Pay | Garmin Pay |
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | Yes | Yes |
| Gyroscope | Yes | Yes |
| Barometric Altimeter | Yes | Yes |
| Thermometer | Yes | Yes (tempe sensor needed) |
| Garmin Elevate Heart sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Pulse Ox SpO2 sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
| Find my watch | Yes | Yes |
| Sunrise/sunset times | Yes | Yes |
| GPS time sync | Yes | Yes |
| Body battery score | Yes | Yes |
| iOS compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Android compatible | Yes | Yes |
Forerunner 255 has 4 GB device storage and an in-built temperature sensor. it also has an additional swimming profile for open water swimming.
Vivoactive 4 has a stainless steel bezel.
GPS
Forerunner 255 and Vivoactive 4 support GPS networks comprising GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo.
However, Forerunner 255 offers more reliable GPS performance than the Vivoactive 4 smartwatch.
One of the most important differences between the Forerunner 255 and Vivoactive 4 is the multi-frequency positioning sensor in Forerunner 255.
The multi-frequency positioning sensor allows Forerunner 255 to support multi-band GPS.
Multi-band GPS is a useful feature for improving the reliability and accuracy of GPS data. With multi-band GPS, you can get GPS data from multiple satellites at the same time.
Multi-band GPS also causes a substantial battery drain. To offset that, Garmin has integrated SatIQ technology in Forerunner 255.
SatIQ is an intelligent technology. It will automatically turn on or turn off the multi-band GPS mode on the Forerunner 255 smartwatch.
If the GPS signal is weak, SatIQ will automatically turn on the multi-band GPS mode. If the GPS signal is of good quality or strength, SatIQ will turn off the multi-band GPS technology and use the simple GPS mode instead.
If you are curious about how the SatIQ technology works, consider reading this document shared by Garmin. It explains the SatIQ technology in a clear and concise way.
The combination of multi-band GPS and SatIQ technology in Forerunner 255 ensures better GPS performance and accuracy than Vivoactive 4 smartwatch.
Music
Forerunner 255 offers limited music functionality while the Vivoactive 4 offers full support for music features.
With a Forerunner 255, you can control music on the paired smartphone. There is no possibility of storing music files on the watch storage.
On a Vivoactive 4, you can store music files on the watch. So, Vivoactive 4 allows you full music functionality.
On the Vivoactive 4, you can support the following music features:
- You can manage music on the paired smartphone.
- You can store music on the watch.
- You can manage music on the smartwatch.
If you like the Forerunner 255 and need full music functionality, you can get the Forerunner 255 music edition. It is as good as the Forerunner 255 smartwatch bundled with music features.
Vivoactive 4 has full music support while the Forerunner 255 offers limited music functionality.
Battery
Forerunner 255 is designed for runners. It is, therefore, made to provide longer battery backup than contemporary watches.
In comparison with Vivoactive 4, Forerunner 255 offers better battery backup. We look at the battery backup offered by Forerunner 255 and Vivoactive 4 in different watch modes below.
| Watch mode | Forerunner 255 | Vivoactive 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch mode | Up to 14 days | Up to 8 days |
| GPS mode without music | Up to 30 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| GPS mode with music | Music not available | Up to 6 hours |
| All-Systems GNSS mode | Up to 25 hours | Not available |
| All-Systems GNSS mode plus Multi-Band | Up to 16 hours | Multi-band not available |
Forerunner 255 offers better or longer battery backup than Vivoactive 4. Additionally, Forerunner 255 has the ‘Battery saver mode’ while the Vivoactive 4 lacks it.
Miscellaneous differences
There are quite a few miscellaneous differences between the Forerunner 255 and Vivoactive 4. We list these features in brief below.
- Forerunner 255 supports HIIT workouts and on-screen workout muscle maps.
- Vivoactive 4 offers cardio workouts.
- Forerunner 255 offers additional running profiles for Outdoor Track Running, Trail Running, Virtual Running, Ultra Running.
- Forerunner 255 has an additional profile for hiking.
- Forerunner 255 has additional cycling profiles for Mountain Biking, eBiking, eMountain Biking.
- Forerunner 255 can send incident detection alerts on the phone. It also supports Live Event sharing on Android phones.
Costs
Forerunner 255 comes at a list price of $349.99 and Vivoactive 4 also uses the same list price. However, both watches go on sale from time to time.
Final verdict
Between Forerunenr 255 and Vivoactive 4, the Forerunner 255 looks better on account of the following features:
- Multi-band GPS
- SatIQ technology
- Longer battery life
Forerunner 255 is suitable for runners and athletes.
For generic smartwatch use, Vivoactive 4 is a pretty decent watch and one of the highest-selling smartwatches of Garmin.
It all boils down to the use case scenario for Forerunner 255 and Vivoactive 4 smartwatch.
Suggested reading
You may like to read more smartwatch comparison studies shared in the pages below:
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Forerunner 955
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Forerunner 745
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Forerunner 55
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Forerunner 255
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Forerunner 265S
- Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Forerunner 955
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Forerunner 245
- Garmin Forerunner 55 vs Forerunner 45
- Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Forerunner 255
- Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Forerunner 955 Solar