Garmin Forerunner 255 vs 165: India Price, Features & Which to Buy in 2026

By Dr. Krishna Athmakuri, Co-Founder & CEO, Clearcals | Updated May 2026

TL;DR

• The Garmin Forerunner 255 is available in India from around ₹27,290–₹39,490 depending on the retailer. It has a 14-day battery, running power, HRV status, and a transflective display.
• The Garmin Forerunner 165 is priced from ₹27,990 (standard) and ₹33,990 (Music variant) — Garmin's current mid-range running watch with an AMOLED display.
• The 165 is the better buy in 2026. It's the current generation, has Garmin's AMOLED display, and is priced competitively. The 255 is older hardware with no AMOLED — the only reason to choose it is if the battery life difference (14 days vs 11 days) is critical for your use.

Quick Comparison

Introduction

The Forerunner 255 and 165 occupy similar positions in Garmin's lineup — both are mid-range running watches aimed at regular runners who want more than step counting but don't need a flagship.

The key divide is generation and display. The 255 launched in 2022 with Garmin's reliable transflective MIP display. The 165 launched in 2024 with Garmin's AMOLED display — the same kind used in premium watches — bringing a significant visual upgrade to this price bracket.

In 2026, the 165 is the current product, and the 255 is older inventory. The question is whether the 255's additional features justify choosing older hardware.

Display: The Defining Difference

The Forerunner 165's AMOLED display is a significant step up from the 255's transflective MIP. AMOLED is brighter, more colourful, and visually closer to what you'd see on a smartphone screen. It makes reading data, maps, and notifications noticeably more pleasant.

The 255's MIP display has one practical advantage: it performs better in direct sunlight at a glance and has marginally better battery efficiency because it's always-on without drawing much power.

For most users, the AMOLED display on the 165 is a meaningful quality-of-life improvement over the 255.

Winner: Forerunner 165 — AMOLED is a significant visual upgrade.

Running Analytics

This is where the Forerunner 255 pulls ahead. The 255 includes:

• Running power — measures power output in watts from the wrist, providing a more consistent training intensity metric than pace
• HRV Status — tracks heart rate variability over time, showing whether your body is adapting positively to training or accumulating fatigue
• Training Status — classifies training effect as productive, maintaining, overreaching, etc.
• Race widget and performance condition

The Forerunner 165 has daily suggested workouts and VO2 max but does not include running power, HRV status, or training status. These are meaningful omissions for runners following structured training plans.

Winner: Forerunner 255 — running power and HRV status are valuable additions for serious runners.

Battery Life

The 255's longer GPS battery (30 hours vs 19 hours) is relevant for ultramarathon runners or anyone doing events longer than a standard marathon. For everyday training and races up to marathon distance, the 165's 19-hour GPS battery is more than sufficient.

Winner: Forerunner 255 — longer battery, particularly in GPS mode.

Price in India

Both watches are closely priced in 2026, with the 165 available from ₹27,990 and the 255 from ₹27,290. The Music variants of both are priced higher.

Given the similar pricing, the 165's AMOLED display and current-generation status become even stronger arguments in its favour.

Who Should Buy the Forerunner 165?

• You want the best display in this price category (AMOLED)
• You're a regular runner who wants GPS, heart rate, and training guidance without advanced analytics
• Current-generation hardware with ongoing software support matters to you
• The Music variant suits your need for phone-free running with Spotify/Deezer

Buy the Garmin Forerunner 165 from Clearcals

Who Should Buy the Forerunner 255?

• Running power and HRV status are important for your structured training
• You prefer or need the longer GPS battery (30 hours) for ultra-distance events
• You find the 255 at a meaningfully lower price, and the analytics justify the older display

Verdict

Buy the Forerunner 165. In 2026, it is the current-generation model with a superior AMOLED display at a competitive price. The 255's running power and HRV status are genuinely useful for serious runners, but most regular runners will benefit more from the 165's display quality, current software support, and similar pricing.

If you're a competitive runner who specifically needs running power and HRV status without stepping up to the 265 or 570, the 255 is still a capable watch — but its older hardware and lack of AMOLED make it a harder recommendation at current prices.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Garmin Forerunner 255 discontinued? The Forerunner 255 is not officially discontinued but has been replaced in Garmin's lineup by the Forerunner 165 as the current mid-range running watch. It may still be available from some retailers as older stock.

Does the Forerunner 165 have running power? No. Running power is available on the Forerunner 255, 265, 570, and 970 but not on the 165. If running power is important to you, the Forerunner 265 is the current-generation option that adds it over the 165.

What is the price difference between the Forerunner 255 and 165 in India? Both are similarly priced in 2026 — the 165 starts from ₹27,990 and the 255 from ₹27,290. The Music variants are priced slightly higher for both.

Which is better for beginner runners — Forerunner 255 or 165? The Forerunner 165 is better for beginner runners. The AMOLED display is easier to read and more enjoyable to use, and daily suggested workouts adapt to your fitness level. The 255's additional analytics (running power, HRV) are more relevant for experienced runners with structured training plans.

Does the Forerunner 165 have HRV status? No. HRV status is available on the Forerunner 255, 265, 570, and 970. The 165 has VO2 max and daily suggested workouts but not the full HRV status tracking.

About the Author

Dr. Krishna Athmakuri is the Co-Founder and CEO of Clearcals, where he leads the development of data-driven health technology through the Hint app.

With a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York, his expertise spans analytics, protein chemistry, and biotechnology.

Earlier in his career, he developed biotherapeutics for diabetes and metabolic diseases at companies like Aurobindo Pharma and Dr. Reddy's Laboratories.

At Clearcals, he now applies that scientific rigour to build personalised fitness tools — including Hint Pro Workouts, nutrition tracking, and real-time metabolic insights — helping users make smarter health decisions through technology.

Connect with Dr. Krishna on LinkedIn

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• Garmin Forerunner 570 Review: Advanced Running Analytics
• Best Garmin Watches for Running in India
• The Best Garmin Watches in India: Ultimate Buyer's Guide 2026
• Shop All Garmin Watches at Clearcals