Garmin Forerunner 955 vs Epix 2

Forerunner 955 continues to be a popular smartwatch for runners. Epix 2 is a complete package. Both watches were released in 2022.

We look at basic functions, capabilities, and differences between Garmin Forerunner 955 and Epix 2 standard edition. It may be pertinent to mention that Epix 2 comes in the standard edition and Sapphire edition.

For this comparison study, we will compare Garmin Forerunner 955 with Epix 2 standard edition smartwatch.

Smartwatch features covered in this post

Main differences

Garmin Forerunner 955 is cheaper than Epix 2 by $400.
Epix 2 comes with an AMOLED display while the Forerunner 955 comes with MIP or memory in pixel display.
Forerunner 955 supports multi-band GPS mode. Epix 2 does not have multi-band GPS (Epix 2 Sapphire is compatible with multi-band GPS).
Forerunner 955 also supports SatIQ technology for efficient GPS operations.
Epix 2 has a better water resistance rating than Forerunner 955.
Forerunner 955 has higher device storage than Epix 2.
Epix 2 has an ambient light sensor.
Forerunner 955 has the safety feature of spectator messaging.

Garmin Forerunner 955 is one of the best watches for runners. It’s feature set is designed to help runners derive maximum functionality and value out of the watch.

Epix 2, however, has a wider appeal as it is pitched as a complete package.

We look at these core features and differences below.

Display

Epix 2 has an AMOLED display. The AMOLED display helps in supporting:

Improved display resolution compared to Forerunner 955.
Always-on-display mode is supported on Epix 2.

The difference in display resolution between Forerunner 955 and Epix 2 is substantial.

At the same time, we would like to mention that the display lens of the Forerunner 955 is DX coated 3rd generation Corning Gorilla Glass.

Epix 2 uses Corning Gorilla Glass.

DX coating of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 in Forerunner 955 improves the display readability and contrast ratio of the display screen.

The display specifications of both watches are shared below.

Display specifications	Forerunner 955	Epix 2
Display lens	Corning Gorilla Glass 3 DX	Corning Gorilla Glass
Display type	MIP (Memory in pixel)	AMOLED
Display size	1.3″ or 33 mm	1.3″ or 33 mm
Display resolution	416 x 416 pixels	260 x 260 pixels
Pixel density	283 ppi	350 ppi
Color display	Yes	Yes
Touchscreen	Yes	Yes
LED Flashlight	No	No
Ambient light sensor	No	Yes

Epix 2 has a much better display experience than Forerunner 955 because of the AMOLED display.

Forerunner 955 does use a DX coated Corning Gorilla Glass 3 with better screen readability and contrast ratio.

Physical specifications

Forerunner 955 and Epix 2 are almost equal in size. We look at the hardware specifications of Forerunner 955 and Epix 2 below.

Specifications	Forerunner 955	Epix 2
Watch size	46.5 x 46.5 x 14.4 mm	47 x 47 x 14.5 mm
Thickness	14.4 mm	14.5 mm
Watch weight	52 g	53 g
Watch body	Fiber-enforced polymer	Fiber-enforced polymer with steel rear cover
Bezel	Fiber-enforced polymer	Passivated stainless steel
Band	Silicone	Silicone
Band material options	Silicone	Silicone, Metal, Fabric and Leather
Band size	22 mm	22 mm
Recommended wrist circumference for silicone band	130-220 mm	125-208 mm
Device storage	32 GB	16 GB
Water rating	5 ATM (50 meters)	10 ATM (100 meters)
Swimming profile	Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Swimming/Running	Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Swimming/Running
GPS	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
NFC Support	Garmin Pay	Garmin Pay
Wireless connectivity	ANT+, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth	ANT+, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Garmin Elevate Heart sensor	Yes	Yes
Thermometer	Yes	Yes
Charging device	Garmin wire charger	Garmin wire charger

In terms of physical specifications, Garmin Epix 2 looks premium because of the passivated stainless steel bezel. Epix 2 has a better water resistance of 100 meters compared to Forerunner 955’s 50 meters water resistance.

GPS

Forerunner 955 offers much better and more reliable GPS connectivity than Epix 2 standard edition watch.

Garmin Forerunner 955 comes with a multi-frequency positioning sensor and a SatIQ sensor. These sensors work together in offering seamless GPS connectivity to the Forerunner 955.

Multi-frequency positioning sensor gives us multi-band GPS capability. Multi-band GPS means that you can get GPS signals and data from multiple satellites at any given point in time.

If you are experiencing weak GPS signals, multi-band GPS will ensure that alternate satellites can be used to get the GPS signal. The quality of GPS signal gets reinforced with other satellites.

Multi-band GPS uses significant chunks of battery backup. So, it becomes imperative to manage and optimize the battery life on Forerunner 955.

SatIQ is an intelligent technology that is used to manage multi-band GPS and optimize battery usage.

SatIQ will automatically turn on or turn off the multi-band GPS mode.

If the quality of GPS signal is poor, SatIQ will turn on the multi-band GPS and use signals from alternative satellites.

When the GPS connectivity is good, SatIQ will turn off the multi-band GPS mode and use the simple GPS mode.

This dual technology of multi-band GPS and SatIQ technology helps in improving the reliability of the GPS data on Forerunner 955.

Epix 2 standard edition lacks the multi-frequency positioning sensor and SatIQ sensor. However, Epix 2 Sapphire edition watches do support muti-band GPS and SatIQ technology.

Forerunner 955 offers more reliable GPS connectivity due to multi-band GPS. Epix 2 (standard edition) does not support multi-band GPS

Battery

There is hardly a difference in battery backup extended by Forerunner 955 and Epix 2 standard edition watches.

We look at the battery backup provided by both watches in different watch modes.

Watch mode	Forerunner 955 backup	Epix 2 backup
Smartwatch mode	Up to 15 days	Up to 16 days (6 days always-on)
GPS mode without music	Up to 42 hours	Up to 42 hours (30 hours always-on )
All Systems GPS Mode without Music	Up to 31 hours	Up to 32 hours (24 hours always-on)
GPS mode with music	Up to 10.5 hours	Up to 10 hours (9 hours always-on)
All + Multi-Band GPS Mode without Music	Up to 20 hours	Multi-band not available
All + Multi-Band GPS Mode with Music	Up to 10 hours	Multi-band not available
Ultratrac mode without music	Up to 80 hours
Max Battery GPS		Up to 75 hours
Expedition GPS		Up to 14 days

There are no noticeable gaps in battery life provided by Forerunner 955 and Epix 2 standard edition smartwatches.

Battery backup is not a differentiator between Forerunner 955 and Epix 2 standard edition smartwatches.

Miscellaneous features

There are some small differences between Forerunner 955 and Epix 2. We are listing these for the record below.

Epix 2 has an ambient light sensor and a jet lag advisor.
Epix 2 has additional profiles in outdoor recreation.
Forerunner 955 has the safety feature of spectator messaging. Your Live Track followers can send you audio or text messages using the network connectivity of the paired smartphone
Epix 2 has cardio workouts while the Forerunner 955 does not have cardio workouts.

Costs

Epix 2 has a list price of $899.99 for the standard edition and $999.99 for the sapphire edition. Forerunner 955 costs $499.99.

Final verdict

For the price, Forerunner 955 has a rich set of features and capabilities. For athletes, Forerunner 955 is a very capable watch.

We consider it a good value for the money spent because of the following reasons:

Better display lens in Corning Gorilla Glass 3 DX
Multi-band GPS
SatIQ technology
Higher device storage

Forerunner 955 becomes our choice if we were to strictly focus on the functionality aspect of both watches.

From the perspective of appearance, Epix 2 has a richer look and presence. The bezel in passivated stainless steel adds a lot of flair and fancy value to the watch.

Epix 2 has a much better display than the Forerunner 955 as it works on the AMOLED display.

We would pick an Epix 2 standard edition for its AMOLED display and premium look.