Garmin Forerunner 955 was released in June 2022 and Coros Apex 2 Pro was unveiled in November 2023.
We compare the Garmin Forerunner 955 and Coros Apex 2 Pro series smartwatches below.
Main differences
- Garmin Forerunner 955 uses DX-coated 3rd generation Corning Gorilla Glass in the display lens. Coros Apex 2 Pro has a Sapphire display lens. The sapphire lens is better than the 3rd generation Corning Gorilla Glass.
- Forerunner 955 supports GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite networks. Coros Apex 2 Pro can support GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou satellite networks. You can expect improved GPS coverage with Apex 2 Pro in China and Japan.
- Forerunner 955 has a Garmin Pay app for NFC payment support. It can make contactless payments through the wallet account. Coros Apex 2 Pro lacks support for NFC payments.
- Forerunner 955 has support for incident detection features. It can notify designated emergency contacts about the fall of the watch owner. Coros Apex 2 Pro lacks the incident detection or fall detection feature.
- Forerunner 955 supports ANT+ wireless connectivity in addition to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. Coros Apex 2 Pro supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity only.
- Coros Apex 2 Pro has an electrocardiogram sensor to track HRV or heart-rate variability. Forerunner 955 is not compatible with the Garmin ECG app.
- Garmin Forerunner 955 is costlier than Coros Apex 2 Pro by $50.
We look at additional details of the Garmin Forerunner 955 and Coros Apex 2 Pro smartwatches below.
Display specifications
Garmin Forerunner 955 uses an MIP or memory-in-pixel screen. It has a Dx-coated 3rd-generation Corning Gorilla Glass in the display lens.
The DX coating is an anti-reflective coating. It helps in improving display readability, especially under bright sunlight.
Coros Apex 2 Pro has a display lens made of Sapphire. Sapphire is the second hardest naturally available mineral.
Sapphire display lenses are virtually scratch-proof. Sapphire glass watches can handle normal day-to-day wear and tear effectively. You are assured of a long period of hassle-free ownership of the smartwatch made of Sapphire display lens.
Coros Apex 2 Pro, therefore, has a better display lens than the Forerunner 955 smartwatch.
There is not a significant difference in terms of the display resolution of both watches. The core display features of Forerunner 955 and Coros Apex 2 Pro are compared below.
| Display specifications | Garmin Forerunner 955 | Coros Apex 2 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | MIP (Memory-in-pixel) | Memory LCD |
| Display resolution | 260 x 260 pixels | 260 x 260 pixels |
| Display size | 1.3″ or 33 mm | 1.3″ or 33 mm |
| Color display | Yes | Yes |
| Display glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 DX | Sapphire Glass |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
Coros Apex 2 Pro is better than Forerunner 955 in its display offering. The Sapphire display lens is a premium glass.
Physical specifications
Garmin Forerunner 955 is made of fiber-enforced polymer. Coros Apex 2 Pro is made of titanium alloy, thus lending it a premium look.
Forerunner 955 and Coros Apex 2 Pro have identical device storage of 32 GB. The core physical attributes of Forerunner 955 and Coros Apex 2 Pro are compared in the side-by-side comparison below.
| Physical specifications | Garmin Forerunner 955 | Coros Apex 2 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Physical size | 46.5 x 46.5 x 14.4 mm | 46.1 x 46.5 x 14 mm |
| Thickness | 14.4 mm | 14 mm |
| Weight | 52 g | 66 g (Silicone)/53 g (Nylon) |
| Band size | 22 mm | 22 mm |
| Band material | Silicone | Silicone and Nylon |
| Water rating | 5 ATM or 50 meters | 5 ATM or 50 meters |
| Wireless connectivity | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Bezel material | Fiber-enforced polymer | Titanium |
| Watch body | Fiber-enforced polymer | Titanium alloy |
| Device storage | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Android compatible | Yes | Yes |
| iOS compatible | Yes | Yes |
Both, Coros Apex 2 Pro and Garmin Forerunner 955 are compatible with iOS and Android mobile operating systems. These smartwatches can work with iPhones and any Android phone with support for the latest Android operating system version.
Coros Apex 2 Pro’s body and bezel are made of titanium alloy. Garmin Forerunner 955 is made exclusively of fiber-enforced polymer. Coros Apex 2 Pro is sturdier than the Forerunner 955.
GPS
Forerunner 955 has a multi-frequency positioning sensor. It helps in providing multi-band GPS or dual-frequency GPS in Forerunner 955.
Similar to the Forerunner 955, a Coros Apex 2 Pro also supports multi-band or dual-frequency GPS configuration.
The dual-frequency GPS helps in improving GPS accuracy and reliability. It allows the smartwatch to get GPS positional or locational data from multiple satellites at any given point in time.
Garmin Forerunner 955 has inherent support for the GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite networks. Coros Apex 2 Pro supports QZSS and Beidou satellite networks in addition to the GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite networks.
QZSS is a GPS network owned by Japan and BeiDou is managed by China. You can expect better GPS performance from the Coros Apex 2 Pro in China and Japan.
ANT+ Connectivity
Garmin Forerunner 955 is compatible with ANT+ wireless connectivity. It also supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connectivity.
The ANT+ connectivity helps in connecting to ANT-compatible receivers. These devices could be used for collecting, recording, and analyzing performance data on a real-time basis. One such application of the ANT+ connectivity is in tracking HRV or heart-rate variability while running or cycling.
Coros Apex 2 Pro supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connectivity. It does not support the ANT+ wireless connectivity.
NFC Payments
Garmin Forerunner 955 is compatible with NFC payments. You can link your Bank or Credit card accounts using Garmin Pay on a Forerunner 955. The Garmin Pay app helps in completing contactless payments at the supporting merchant establishments or stores.
Coros Apex 2 Pro lacks NFC support or contactless payments.
ECG
Garmin ECG app received FDA approval in January 2023. The Garmin ECG app helps in taking electrocardiogram readings. It can help detect irregular heart rhythms or conditions of Atrial Fibrillation.
Forerunner 955 is not compatible with the Garmin ECG app. So, you cannot use a Garmin Forerunner 955 to take electrocardiogram readings.
Coros Apex 2 Pro has an electrocardiogram sensor or an ECG sensor. However, it cannot take an ECG or electrocardiogram readings. It is used to monitor HRV or heart-rate variability data. In other words, the ECG sensor of Coros Apex 2 Pro offers limited ECG ability.
Battery
Coros Apex 2 Pro offers longer battery backup than the Forerunner 955.
A detailed comparison of battery backup of Coros Apex 2 Pro and Forerunner 955 is shared below.
| Watch mode | Forerunner 955 battery backup | Coros Apex 2 Pro battery backup |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch mode | Up to 15 days | Up to 30 days |
| GPS Mode | Up to 42 hours | Up to 75 hours |
| GPS Mode with music | Up to 8.5 hours | Up to 17 hours |
| All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band | Up to 20 hours | Up to 26 hours |
| All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band and music: | Up to 10 hours | Up to 11 hours |
The discussions around battery backup of Forerunner 955 and Coros Apex 2 Pro may be inconsequential. Both watches support fast charging. You can charge an empty battery on either watch to full battery levels in less than 2 hours.
Cost
Garmin Forerunner 955 is priced at $499.99.
Coros Apex 2 Pro comes in 4 different color options. All these Apex 2 Pro offerings have a cost of $449. So, the Forerunner 955 is costlier than the Coros Apex 2 Pro by almost $60.
Final verdict
Coros Apex 2 Pro does offer premium features.
- Multi-band or dual-frequency GPS
- Titanium body and bezel
- Sapphire display lens
- Longer battery backup
- Cheaper than Forerunner 955 by $60.
For all these features and attributes, the Coros Apex 2 Pro emerges as a more compelling choice over the Garmin Forerunner 955. But, do take into account the missing ANT+ wireless connectivity and NFC or contactless payments support in the Coros Apex 2 Pro smartwatches.
We prefer a Garmin Forerunner 955 over the Coros Apex 2 Pro in the following features:
- Fall detection or incident detection
- NFC Payments or contactless payments.
- Robust Garmin software
- ANT+ connectivity
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