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Garmin Forerunner 35 vs 45 vs 45S – What’s New?

garmin forerunner 35 vs 45 vs 45S compared
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Featured in this comparison are the new duo from Garmin; Forerunner 45 and 45S joined by the older Forerunner 35. The new 45 and 45S announced last month succeeds the 35 and would be replacing it. The 45 and 45S come in slight different designs which are more stylish and also include few new additional features which aren’t present on the 35. We compare the Forerunner 35 vs 45 vs 45S specs and features so you know what’s new and perhaps an upgrade maybe necessary.

Garmin Forerunner 35 vs 45 vs 45S Specifications Compared

Garmin Forerunner 35Garmin Forerunner 45Garmin Forerunner 45S
garmin forerunner 35 specsgarmin forerunner 45 specsgarmin forerunner 45s specs

ABOUT DEVICE

Device nameGarmin Forerunner 35Garmin Forerunner 45Garmin Forerunner 45S
Device typeSporty/Fitness smartwatchSporty/Fitness smartwatchSporty/Fitness smartwatch
Predessesor--Garmin Forerunner 35Garmin Forerunner 35
SuccessorGarmin Forerunner 45Garmin Forerunner 55Garmin Forerunner 55
Released dateAugust, 2016April, 2019April, 2019
Ideal forUnisexUnisexUnisex

DISPLAY

Display typeTransflective memory-in-display (MIP)Transflective memory-in-display (MIP)Transflective memory-in-display (MIP)
Display size0.93 inch1.04 inch1.04 inch
Display resolution128 x 128 pixels208 x 208 pixels208 x 208 pixels
Pixel density------
Input type4 Physical buttons (Not touchscreen)5 Physical buttons (Not touchscreen)5 Physical buttons (Not touchscreen)
Always-onYesYesYes
Customizable watch faceYesYesYes

BODY

ShapeCircularCircularCircular
Dimension35.5 x 40.7 x 13.3 mm42 x 42 x 11.4 mm39.5 x 39.5 x 11.4 mm
Weight37.3 grams36 grams32 grams
Casing materialPolymerThermoplasticThermoplastic
Strap/band materialSiliconeSiliconeSilicone
Bezel MaterialPolymerThermoplasticThermoplastic
Strap size140-200 mm22mm22mm
Interchangeable band 140-200 mmYes, 20mmYes, 20mm
Screen protectionChemically strengthened glassChemically strengthened glassChemically strengthened glass
Water resistant/ProtectionYes, 5ATMYes, 5ATMYes, 5ATM
Swim-proofYes, recommendedYes, recommendedYes, recommended
Color(s)Black, limelight, blue, whiteBlack, redWhite, purple

MEMORY

RAM------
Internal storage7 activities200 hours of activity data200 hours of activity data
Memory card slotNoNoNo

CONNECTIVITY

BluetoothBluetooth smartBluetooth smartBluetooth smart
Bluetooth callingNoNoNo
Wi-FiNoNoNo
NFCNoNoNo
Payment systemNoNoNo
GPSGPSGPS/GLONASS/GalileoGPS/GLONASS/Galileo

CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY

TechnologyNoNoNo
SIMNoNoNo
BandNoNoNo

NOTIFICATIONS

Email alertYesYesYes
SMS alertYesYesYes
Calls alertYesYesYes
Event reminderYesYesYes
WeatherYesYesYes
Third-party appsYesYesYes
Text responseNoNoNo

FITNESS TRACKING

Sleep apneaNoNoNo
Sleep trackingYesYesYes
StepsYesYesYes
Floors climbedNoNoNo
Heart rate monitoringYesYesYes
CaloriesYesYesYes
DistanceYesYesYes
Stress__YesYes
VO2 Max.YesYesYes
Blood oxygenNoNoNo
Blood pressureNoNoNo
Menstrual cycle trackingNo__
Swim trackingYesYesYes
Under-water heart rate trackingNoNoNo
Preloaded mapsNoNoNo
On-screen workout modesYesNoNo
Triathlon mode___
ECG TrackingNoNoNo
Preloaded sport modesYesYesYes
Safety trackingNoYesYes

MEDIA

AudioNoNoNo
Music streamingNoNoNo
Bluetooth musicNoNoNo
RadioNoNoNo
LoudspeakerNoNoNo
MicrophoneNoNoNo
CameraNoNoNo

SENSORS

PLATFORM

Operating system (OS)Proprietary OSProprietary OSProprietary OS
Chipset------
CPU------
GPU------

BATTERY

Type of batteryNon-removable Li-ion batteryNon-removable Li-ion batteryNon-removable Li-ion battery
Battery capacity ------
Battery life Smartwatch Mode: Up to 9 days
GPS mode: Up to 13 hours
Smartwatch Mode: Up to 7 days
GPS mode: Up to 13 hours
Smartwatch Mode: Up to 7 days
GPS mode: Up to 13 hours
Charging typeCharging cradleCharging cradleCharging cradle
Charging timeAbout 1-2 hoursAbout 1-2 hoursAbout 1-2 hours
Battery saver modeNoNoNo
Solar powerNoNoNo
Rapid chargingNoNoNo

CLOCK FEATURES

Time/DateYesYesYes
StopwatchYesYesYes
AlarmYesYesYes

OTHER FUNCTIONS

Control camera_NoNo
Music controlYesYesYes
Find phoneYesYesYes

MISC

Compatibility Android and iOS
Check if your device is compatible
Android and iOS
Check if your device is compatible
Android and iOS
Check if your device is compatible
Companion appGarmin connect IQGarmin connect IQGarmin connect IQ
Voice commandNoNoNo

BOX CONTENTS

Garmin Forerunner 35Garmin Forerunner 45Garmin Forerunner 45S
StrapsStrapsStraps
USB charging cableUSB charging cableUSB charging cable
Quick start guideQuick start guideQuick start guide
NOTE: We can't guarantee that all the information on this table are 100% correct. Read full disclaimer. Please, report an error.
Official Site
Official SiteOfficial Site

Garmin Forerunner 35 vs 45 vs 45S – The Difference?

Features compared
Meanwhile, the difference between the Garmin 45 and 45S is that the former is bigger and heavier than the 45S which is more stylish with its thinner bezel.

  • Design
  • With the arrival of the 45/45S, Garmin has moved from the box shape of the Forerunner 35 to a more stylish circular shaped 45 and 45S that looks more like a real watch.

    Although the 35 is smaller and certainly finds itself as a favorite among people with a smaller wrist, but the new duo; 45 and 45S which are sleeker and lighter spot more decent appearances that’s obviously more stylish than the 35 even while being moderately sized too.

    Also, you’re getting five buttons instead of 4 buttons to help navigate the non-touchscreen wider 1.04 inches screen sizes of the 45 and 45S.

    Body materials remain same reinforced thermoplastic material on all three devices, while the sunlight-visible transflective memory-in-pixel display powers the display on all three devices. However, the display on the 45 and 45S are now colored which is quite more interactive than the monochromic display of the 35.

    Overall, from the design, the 45 and 45S look more stylish than the 35 and are clearly nicer choices.

  • Battery Life
  • Battery life hasn’t changed that much, it’s almost same battery life that sees the Forerunner 35 bearing a slight advantage with its longer battery life. Perhaps that’s the price to pay for that slight wider display.

    While the 35 would last about 9 days on smartwatch mode, the 45 and 45S have got about 7 days. However, with GPS active, its the same battery life. Not such as big difference, moreover all three devices have long battery life that’s a little more than what you get from close competitors such as the Fitbit Versa and the Fossil Gen 4 Sport.

  • Activity Tracking

Just like all Garmin smartwatches, all three devices are fitness-focused and are all spectacular choices for keeping a tab on your active life. However, the 45 and 45S comes with a few additional fitness tracking features that certainly makes these two better choices for fitness tracking compared to the 35.

For a start, there’s now the all-day stress monitoring made possible by the body battery energy monitor. Also new is the Garmin coach which offers personalized coaching right on the watch with adaptive plans that helps you achieve more fitness goals.

Elsewhere, is the introduction of an incident detection feature that’s able to detect when an incident has occurred and will send a message with your location to a preset emergency contacts. This feature is also available on the Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music.

Which is the Best?

All three devices are entry-level smartwatches, but obviously the new 45 and 45S are better choices than the 35.

However, that’s with respect to the appearance and a few additional features in which the 35 also spot a quite decent design, also a nice choice for fitness tracking with its longer battery life and it’s far cheaper.

For anyone on a low budget, the 35 is a nice alternative and certainly is one of the best fitness smartwatches that do a great job in helping track your active life.

I don’t think an upgrade is that necessary. However, if you want better design, and of course new fitness tracking features, then the 45 and 45S are great choices with the 45S being a nicer fit for women while the bigger 45 is a great choice for men and people with bigger wrists.

Here is a summary;

Garmin Forerunner 45 A stylish and sleek comprehensive fitness tracker. A great choice for men.
Garmin Forerunner 45SThe most stylish, a comprehensive fitness smartwatch. The best choice for women.
Garmin Forerunner 35A nice alternative with longer battery life.