Comparing Verge and Forerunner 235
Choosing the right smartwatch is a combination of factors, including design, features, functionality, and value for money. Amazfit Verge and Garmin Forerunner 235 are two popular smartwatches that offer a wide range of capabilities catered to fitness enthusiasts and users who seek a versatile wearable. Both watches come from reputable brands – Amazfit, known for their solid performance and affordability, and Garmin, a trusted name in wearables with reliable GPS and advanced fitness tracking features. In this comparison, we will delve into the design, features, user experience, and value offered by the Verge and Forerunner 235.
Making an informed decision requires an understanding of the brands, their reputations, and history. Established in 2014, Amazfit is a relatively young player in the wearables market. Despite its infancy, the company has already garnered a significant user base with its affordable yet feature-packed devices. On the other hand, Garmin is a veteran in the industry, founded in 1989; it has a long history of providing navigation technology and fitness wearables to consumers worldwide.
We will discuss the design and build quality, features, user interface, and overall value of the Amazfit Verge and Garmin Forerunner 235 to help you make an informed decision.
Design and Build
Amazfit Verge
The Amazfit Verge features a polycarbonate body, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) strap, and a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protected AMOLED display; it weighs 46 grams. The watch has a 1.39-inch, 454x454 pixel OMOLED color touchscreen display for sharp and crisp visuals.
Garmin Forerunner 235
The Garmin Forerunner 235 has a sturdy, impact-resistant polymer case, a silicone strap, and a scratch-resistant chemically strengthened glass; it weighs 42 grams. It features a 1.23-inch, 215x180 pixel MIP color touchscreen display, ensuring good visibility in both indoor and outdoor settings.
Comparison of design and build quality
While both devices offer durable materials and construction, the Verge offers a higher resolution display and a slightly larger screen. The Garmin Forerunner 235, however, is lighter and has more rugged materials suitable for outdoor sports enthusiasts. Overall, there are pros and cons to each device when considering aesthetics and build quality.
Features and Functionality
Amazfit Verge
The Amazfit Verge runs on Amazfit OS and has a battery life of up to five days, significantly shorter than the Forerunner 235. In terms of fitness, it tracks calories, cycling, distance, heart rate, sleep, and steps while lacking swim tracking and oxygen measuring capabilities. The Verge is compatible with both Android and iOS smartphones but not with Windows or Mac devices. Additional features include Bluetooth, GPS, NFC, Wi-Fi, a color display, touchscreen, audio speaker, phone and email functions, messaging, and music playback.
Garmin Forerunner 235
While not running a conventional operating system, the Garmin Forerunner 235 offers advanced fitness tracking options, including calories, cycling, distance, heart rate, oxygen levels, sleep, steps, and swim tracking. It has up to nine days of battery life, almost doubling the Verge’s duration. The Forerunner 235 is also compatible with Android and iOS smartphones but doesn’t support Windows or Mac devices. Further features encompass Bluetooth, GPS, touchscreen, color display, vibrations, phone functionality, emails, messaging, and music. However, it lacks NFC, Wi-Fi, an audio speaker, and voice function.
Comparison of features and performance
The Amazfit Verge and Garmin Forerunner 235 offer similar features, with differences in battery life, oxygen and swim tracking, and connectivity options. The Verge appeals to users who prioritize smartphone compatibility, while the Forerunner 235 targets more serious athletes needing detailed fitness tracking.
User Interface and User Experience
Amazfit Verge
The Amazfit Verge offers a straightforward user interface, allowing customization of the display, navigation through various apps, and compatibility with Android and iOS smartphones. However, it has limited third-party app support and may require additional set-up steps for complete functionality.
Garmin Forerunner 235
The Garmin Forerunner 235 provides a concise and informative user experience, with easy navigation, customizable display, access to the Garmin Connect app store, and compatibility with Android and iOS smartphones. The device showcases fitness data in a comprehensive way, ideal for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
Comparison of user interface and user experience
Both smartwatches offer intuitive navigation and customizability options, with the Garmin Forerunner 235 providing a more fitness-focused interface and access to additional apps. The Amazfit Verge caters more to casual users looking for essential fitness tracking and smartphone connectivity.
Price and Value
Amazfit Verge
At a price of $160, the Amazfit Verge delivers excellent value for money - offering a comprehensive feature set and robust build quality at an affordable price point.
Garmin Forerunner 235
With a price tag of $299.99, the Garmin Forerunner 235 is more expensive than the Verge, but offers advanced fitness tracking options and additional app integration, making it an excellent investment for avid athletes.
Comparison of price and value
The Amazfit Verge offers a substantial feature set at a lower cost, making it attractive to budget-conscious buyers. Garmin’s Forerunner 235 justifies its higher price with sophisticated fitness tracking and greater customization capabilities, catering to active individuals and athletes.
Conclusion
Both the Amazfit Verge and Garmin Forerunner 235 offer compelling features, designs, and user experiences. The Amazfit Verge caters to casual users with a wallet-friendly price tag and solid smartphone connectivity, while the Garmin Forerunner 235 appeals to fitness enthusiasts who value advanced tracking features and app integration. Ultimately, the decision between these two devices lies in an individual’s unique needs and preferences for their fitness wearable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which smartwatch is better for swimming, Amazfit Verge, or Garmin Forerunner 235?
The Garmin Forerunner 235 is better suited for swimming, as it includes swim tracking and has a water resistance rating of 5 ATM. The Amazfit Verge doesn’t feature swim tracking and has an IP68 water resistance rating, which is only suitable for brief water exposure.
Which smartwatch has better battery life, Amazfit Verge, or Garmin Forerunner 235?
The Garmin Forerunner 235 has a longer battery life, with up to nine days of usage compared to the Amazfit Verge’s maximum of five days.
Are both smartwatches compatible with both Android and iOS?
Yes, both the Amazfit Verge and Garmin Forerunner 235 are compatible with Android and iOS smartphones.
Which smartwatch has the better screen resolution?
The Amazfit Verge has a higher screen resolution of 454x454 pixels, compared to the Garmin Forerunner 235's 215x180 pixels.
Does either smartwatch support third-party apps?
The Garmin Forerunner 235 allows access to additional third-party apps through the Garmin Connect app store, while the Amazfit Verge does not support third-party apps.
