Garmin Forerunner 55 vs Vivoactive 5 – Which Should You Buy?

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Garmin vívoactive 5 and the Garmin Forerunner 55 are two top fitness smartwatches for advanced tracking, durability, and long-lasting performance. The vívoactive 5 is the newer and more advanced model with a vibrant AMOLED display, broader health tracking, and a smarter user experience. The Forerunner 55 remains a popular entry-level running watch known for simplicity and long battery life. This comparison will help you decide which one fits your lifestyle best.

Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

Processor:

Garmin vívoactive 5 features an upgraded processor that enables smoother screen transitions and faster menu navigation.
Garmin Forerunner 55 uses an entry-level processor that handles basic tasks efficiently.

Winner:

Garmin vívoactive 5

Display:

Garmin vívoactive 5 has an 1.2 inch AMOLED display that delivers sharp visuals and better contrast for improved readability.
Garmin Forerunner 55 uses a 1.04 inch transflective MIP display.

Winner:

Garmin vívoactive 5

Always-On Display:

Garmin vívoactive 5 support an always-on display for constant visibility without wrist movement.
Garmin Forerunner 55 does not support an always-on screen mode.

Winner:

Garmin vívoactive 5

Display Resolution:

Garmin vívoactive 5 has a 390 x 390 pixel resolution that enhances clarity and detail.
Garmin Forerunner 55 has a 208 x 208 resolution suited for basic metrics.

Winner:

Garmin vívoactive 5

Touchscreen:

Garmin vívoactive 5 includes a full touchscreen that enables intuitive control and navigation.
Garmin Forerunner 55 does not support touchscreen and relies on button controls.

Winner:

Garmin vívoactive 5

Battery Life:

Garmin vívoactive 5 has up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and 21 hours with GPS.
Garmin Forerunner 55 provides up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and 20 hours with GPS.

Winner:

Garmin Forerunner 55

Charging:

Garmin vívoactive 5 includes rapid charging that reduces downtime between sessions.
Garmin Forerunner 55 supports standard charging with a proprietary cable.

Winner:

Garmin vívoactive 5

Fitness Features:

Garmin vívoactive 5 includes advanced fitness metrics like Body Battery, Pulse Ox, nap detection, and animated workouts to enhance training variety.
Garmin Forerunner 55 focuses on core metrics like pace, heart rate, and daily workout suggestions.

Winner:

Garmin vívoactive 5

Storage:

Garmin vívoactive 5 includes 4GB of internal storage for apps and data retention.
Garmin Forerunner 55 does not include internal storage.

Winner:

Garmin vívoactive 5

Microphone:

Garmin vívoactive 5 includes a built-in microphone to support voice assistant responses when paired with Android phones.
Garmin Forerunner 55 does not include a microphone.

Winner:

Garmin vívoactive 5

Sleep Tracking:

Garmin vívoactive 5 supports detailed sleep tracking with sleep stages, nap detection, and sleep score.
Garmin Forerunner 55 includes basic sleep duration and movement tracking.

Winner:

Garmin vívoactive 5

Connectivity:

Garmin vívoactive 5 supports Bluetooth and NFC to enable smart features and Garmin Pay.
Garmin Forerunner 55 supports Bluetooth but lacks NFC functionality.

Winner:

Garmin vívoactive 5

Operating System and UI:

Garmin vívoactive 5 has an updated interface that supports widgets, health insights, and app shortcuts.
Garmin Forerunner 55 uses a simpler interface with fewer customization options.

Winner:

Garmin vívoactive 5

Check Vivoactive 5 Best Price
Check Forerrunner 55 Best Price

Specs at a Glance

Feature	Garmin Vívoactive 5	Garmin Forerunner 55
Display Type	AMOLED	Sunlight-visible, transflective MIP
Display Size	1.2″ (390 x 390)	1.04″ (208 x 208)
Always-On Display	Yes	No
Touchscreen	Yes	No
Button Controls	1 physical button	5 physical buttons
Battery Life	Up to 11 days (Smartwatch mode)	Up to 14 days (Smartwatch mode)
Battery Life w/ GPS	Up to 21 hours	Up to 20 hours
Charging Method	Garmin proprietary USB charger	Garmin proprietary USB charger
Storage	4GB	No internal storage
Processor	Newer generation processor	Entry-level chipset
Microphone	Yes	No
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes
NFC	Yes (Garmin Pay)	No
GPS	Standard GPS + GLONASS + Galileo	Standard GPS
Sensors	Optical HR, Pulse Ox, Accelerometer, Ambient Light	Optical HR, Accelerometer
Body Battery	Yes	No
Sleep Score & Insights	Yes	Basic sleep tracking only
Stress Tracking	Yes	No
Design Material	Aluminum case with silicone band	Plastic case with silicone band

Who Should Buy What?

Buy the Garmin Vívoactive 5 if you:

Want a bright AMOLED touchscreen with always-on functionality.
Care about in-depth health insights like Body Battery, sleep score, and stress tracking.
Prefer a smartwatch that looks sleek enough for everyday wear.
Need Garmin Pay for contactless payments on the go.
Like having a microphone for Android phone voice assistant compatibility.

Check Garmin Vivoactive 5 Best Price

Buy the Garmin Forerunner 55 if you:

Want a straightforward running watch with long battery life.
Prefer physical button controls during workouts.
Are on a tighter budget and don’t need advanced smartwatch features.
Like a lightweight and durable build for everyday training.
Don’t need features like a touchscreen, NFC, or advanced health metrics.

Check Forerunner 55 Best Price

Winner by Category

Category	Winner
Processor	Garmin vívoactive 5
Always-On Display	Garmin vívoactive 5
Display Size	Garmin vívoactive 5
Higher Resolution	Garmin vívoactive 5
Display Brightness	Garmin vívoactive 5
Internal Storage	Garmin vívoactive 5
Battery Life	Garmin Forerunner 55
Health & Fitness	Garmin vívoactive 5
Microphone	Garmin vívoactive 5
Connectivity	Garmin vívoactive 5
Durability	Garmin vívoactive 5
Design	Garmin vívoactive 5

FAQ

Does the Garmin vívoactive 5 have a touchscreen?
Yes, the Garmin vívoactive 5 includes a full-color AMOLED touchscreen that allows for easy swiping and tapping through menus and widgets.

Is the Garmin Forerunner 55 suitable for beginners?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 55 is designed for beginner runners and fitness enthusiasts with features like daily suggested workouts, pace guidance, and recovery time.

Can you use Garmin Pay on the Garmin Forerunner 55?
No, the Garmin Forerunner 55 does not support Garmin Pay as it lacks NFC capability.

Does the Garmin vívoactive 5 track sleep and naps?
Yes, the Garmin vívoactive 5 tracks detailed sleep stages, provides sleep scores, and supports nap detection for improved rest insights.

Which watch has longer battery life?
The Garmin Forerunner 55 lasts up to 14 days in smartwatch mode, which is longer than the vívoactive 5’s 11-day battery life.

Does the Garmin vívoactive 5 support music storage?
No, the Garmin vívoactive 5 does not support local music storage but it does allow music controls when connected to a smartphone.

Is the Garmin vívoactive 5 compatible with voice assistants?
Yes, the vívoactive 5 includes a built-in microphone that works with voice assistants on Android smartphones.

Can I swim with both of these watches?
Yes, both the Garmin vívoactive 5 and Forerunner 55 are rated 5 ATM, making them suitable for swimming and water-related activities.

Which device has a better display?
The Garmin vívoactive 5 has a 1.2-inch AMOLED display with higher resolution and vibrant colors, making it superior to the Forerunner 55’s smaller, lower-resolution MIP screen.

Is there onboard GPS in both models?
Yes, both the Garmin vívoactive 5 and the Forerunner 55 include built-in GPS for tracking outdoor runs, walks, and cycling activities without a phone.

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