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Garmin Forerunner 35 VS 235 : Explore The Differences

Are you looking for a fully in-depth comparison between Garmin Forerunner 35 and 235?

If yes, you are going to get a treat. Because, In this article, I will compare two popular models of Garmin: Forerunner 35 & 235.

The two models are slightly different, and I will try to cover every minor detail. At the end of the article, I will show you which one is my favorite out of these two.

A successor to the previous Forerunner 25Forerunner 35 has all the features of its predecessor but with an important added feature – an integrated HR (heart rate) monitor; It offers heart rate data without the chest strap.

However, as pretty as Garmin Forerunner 35 sounds, another Forerunner made its way and got the runners’ attention from the previous: the Forerunner 235.

Sitting between Garmin Forerunner 35 and 235  in terms of pricing, 235 gets you everything you need from a Forerunner yet adds some more capabilities you desire from the former models. 

With that said, which one will you pick? Which Forerunner do you think is better?

Head to Head Comparisons: Garmin Forerunner 35 vs. 235

If you are confused about choosing between Garmin Forerunner 35 and 235, our guide will help you clarify that. 

Both Garmin Forerunners have almost the same similar features. You will instantly notice the main difference is that one is round and the other is square. 

These two are both considered entry-level smartwatches, and as we go along, you will understand the dissimilarities of the two. You might be able to decide which one to pick for your next run or cardio workout.

General Features

 

Forerunner® 35

Forerunner® 235

Lens Material

chemically strengthened glass

chemically strengthened glass

Strap Material

silicone

silicone

Physical Size

35.5 x 40.7 x 13.3 mm

45 x 45 x 11.7 mm

Display Size

0.93″ x 0.93″ (23.5 x 23.4 mm)

1.23″ (31.1 mm) diameter

Display Resolution

128 x 128 pixels

215 x 180 pixels

Display Type

sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)

sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)

Weight

37.3 g

42 g

Battery Life

Smartwatch Mode: Up to 9 days

 

GPS mode: Up to 13 hours

Smartwatch Mode: Up to 9 days

 

GPS mode: Up to 11 hours

Water Rating

5 ATM

5 ATM

Color Display

No

Yes

Memory/History

7 activities

200 hours of activity data

Clock Features

 

Forerunner 35

Forerunner 235

Time/Date

Yes

Yes

GPS Time Sync

Yes

Yes

Automatic Daylight Saving

 

Time

Yes

Yes

Alarm Clock

Yes

Yes

Stopwatch

Yes

Yes

Sensors

 

Forerunner 35

ForerunneR 235

GPS

Yes

Yes

GLONASS

No

Yes

Garmin Elevate Wrist Heart 

 

Rate Monitor

Yes

Yes

Accelerometer

Yes

Yes

Daily Smart Features

 

Forerunner 35

Forerunner 235

Connect IQ

No

Yes

Smart Notifications

Yes

Yes

Connectivity

Yes

Yes

Calendar

No

Yes

Weather

Yes

Yes

Controls Smartphone Music

Android supported; iPhone not supported

Both iPhone, Android

Find My Phone

Yes

Yes

Virb Remote

No

Yes

Smartphone Compatibility

iPhone, Android

iPhone, Android

Compatible with Garmin Connect Mobile

Yes

Yes

Safety and Activity Tracking Feature

 

Forerunner 35

Forerunner 235

Livetrack

Yes

Yes

Step Counter

Yes

Yes

Move Bar

Yes

Yes

Auto Goal

Yes

Yes

Sleep Monitoring

Yes

Yes

Calories Burned

Yes

Yes

Distance Traveled

Yes

Yes

Intensity Minutes

Yes

Yes

Trueup

Yes

Yes

Move IQ

Yes

NO

Training, Planning and Analysis Feature

 

Forerunner 35

Forerunner 235

GPS Speed and Distance

Yes

Yes

Customizable Data Pages

Yes

Yes

Customizable Activity Profiles

Yes

Yes

Auto Pause

Yes

Yes

Interval Training

Yes

Yes

Advanced Workouts

No

Yes

Downloadable Training Plans

No

Yes

Auto Lap

Yes

Yes

Manual Lap

Yes

Yes

V02 Max

Yes

Yes

Training Effect

No

Yes

Custom Alerts

No

Yes

Audio Prompts

Yes

Yes

Finish Time

No

Yes

Touch and/or Button Lock

No

Yes

Auto-Scroll

No

Yes

Activity History on Watch

Yes

Yes

Heart Rate, Running, and Cycling Features

 

Forerunner 35

Forerunner 235

HR Zones

Yes

Yes

HR Alerts

Yes

Yes

HR Calories

Yes

Yes

Recovery Time

No

Yes

HR Broadcast

Yes

Yes

Available Run Profiles

Yes

Yes

GPS Based Distance, Time, and Pace

Yes

Yes

Cadence

Yes

Yes

Run Workouts

No

Yes

Race Predictor

No

Yes

Foot Pod Capable

Yes

Yes

Alerts When You Reach Time, Distance, HR, Calories Goal

Yes

Yes

Available Cycling Profiles

Yes

Yes

Speed and Cadence Support

Yes

Yes

Why Garmin Forerunner 35?

[amalinkspro type=”showcase” asin=”B01KPUHBK6″ apilink=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KPUHBK6?tag=cityryde04-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1″ new-window=”true” addtocart=”true” nofollow=”true” sc-id=”4″ img-sizes=”500:324″ imgs=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/317A1UvUGBL._SL500_.jpg” link-imgs=”false” specs=”Easy-to use GPS running watch tracks how far, how fast and where you run~~~Estimates heart rate at the wrist, all day and night, using Garmin elevate wrist heart rate technology~~~Connected features: Smart notifications, automatic uploads to Garmin Connect, live tracking and music controls (when paired with a compatible smartphone)~~~All-day activity tracking estimates steps, calories and intensity minutes and reminds you when to move~~~Automatically uploads your data to Garmin Connect, our free online fitness community where you can join challenges, receive insights and share your progress as you meet your goals” btn-color=”#ff9900″ btn-text=”Buy on Amazon” alignment=”aligncenter” hide-prime=”0″ hide-image=”0″ hide-price=”0″ hide-button=”0″ width=”750″]Garmin Forerunner 35 GPS Running Watch[/amalinkspro]

Garmin Forerunner 35 is a significantly cheaper option than other running watches. However, you should not let that price tag drive you to assume you have a shortchanged watch. On the contrary, this gear is a competitive running companion with chockfull-ed features.

It may not be the beauty; nonetheless, it provides a solid all-around running watch proficiency. It wraps every fundamental feature you would expect from a runner’s smartwatch and is comfortable to wear and use.

Read also: Garmin forerunner 15 vs. 25 vs. 35 Full comparison

Pros

  • Less costly than other running watches
  • Packed with features
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Non-color display
  • No touchscreen

Why Garmin Forerunner 235?

[amalinkspro type=”showcase” asin=”B0160BC1FO” apilink=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0160BC1FO?tag=cityryde04-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1″ new-window=”true” addtocart=”true” nofollow=”true” sc-id=”8″ img-sizes=”409:500,409:500,433:500,433:500,433:500,433:500,391:500″ imgs=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41PYkNWSrAL._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41PYkNWSrAL._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/418dK1wG1NL._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41RkwjNs0jL._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Y3iwwYNOL._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/418dK1wG1NL._SL500_.jpg~~~https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Ei8skJo3L._SL500_.jpg” link-imgs=”false” btn-color=”#ff9900″ btn-text=”Buy on Amazon” alignment=”aligncenter” hide-prime=”0″ hide-image=”0″ hide-price=”0″ hide-button=”0″ width=”400″ api=”true”]Garmin Forerunner 235, GPS Running Watch, Black/Gray[/amalinkspro]

Garmin Forerunner 235 can help you improve your fitness level thanks to its great training insights. As a result, it is a gear you should most likely wear, especially if you are semi-serious about running but still keeping the pace with your budget.

It is a cheaper option for anyone who wants to know how far, fast, and hard they have progressed. With its 11-hr battery life, FR235 is a suitable running watch for anyone who tackles runs of up to a hundred kilometers.

Pros

  • More advanced features
  • Colored display
  • Sharper and bigger display

Cons

  • More expensive than Forerunner 35
  • A little heavy

Conclusion : Garmin Forerunner 35 vs. 235 ? Which one should you pick

Both models are unique and can be helpful for casual and serious runners alike. Then again, one is more expensive than the other but has some more features that a runner may find beneficial. 

If you are looking for a running watch with more advanced features and a colored display, Garmin 235 is your choice. 

However, that doesn’t leave Garmin 35 useless. On the contrary, despite its low price, it is an impressive watch for an average runner because it has all the essential features needed for activity tracking. 

But I would pick the 235 model because it’s more powerful and has many solid features that you need regularly.

Read also: Everything You Need to Know About Virtual Race

Read also: Best Virtual Race for Your New Year Resolution

Quick summary

I would choose the 235 Forerunner as it is more powerful and packed with features that I feel I would need daily. With around 11 hours of battery life, I confidently do many things that other models wouldn’t provide. Check out the 235 model below-

[amalinkspro type=”showcase” asin=”B0160BC1FO” apilink=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0160BC1FO?tag=cityryde04-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1″ new-window=”true” addtocart=”true” nofollow=”true” sc-id=”12″ img-sizes=”409:500″ imgs=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41PYkNWSrAL._SL500_.jpg” link-imgs=”false” specs=”GPS running watch with wrist based heart rate and display type is sunlight visible, transflective memory in pixel (MIP)~~~Customize your watch and your training, larger screen a 44 percentage larger screen than the 225 but the same physical size~~~Audio Prompts: Receive Audio Prompts from your connected smartphone that include laps and lap times. Smartwatch mode: Up to 9 days. Gps mode: Up to 11 hours~~~Smart notifications: See incoming email, text messages, call alerts, calendar reminders and more from your compatible smartphone. Display size: 1.23 inch diameter~~~Battery life 11 hours training, 9 days watch, activity tracking, notifications plus heart rate. Refer user manual be” btn-color=”#ff9900″ btn-text=”Buy on Amazon” alignment=”aligncenter” hide-prime=”0″ hide-image=”0″ hide-price=”0″ hide-button=”0″ width=”960″ banner=”Top Product”]Garmin Forerunner 235, GPS Running Watch, Black/Gray[/amalinkspro]

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