Comparing Forerunner 45 and Forerunner 735XT
When it comes to smartwatches and fitness trackers, Garmin has established itself as a leading brand in the market. Their products, such as the Garmin Forerunner 45 and the Garmin Forerunner 735XT, offer a wide range of features for fitness enthusiasts and casual users alike. As both smartwatches belong to the same series, it’s essential to know the primary differences and similarities to make informed purchase decisions.
Choosing the right watch can have a significant impact on your fitness journey, helping you track essential metrics and achieve your personal goals. Both the Garmin Forerunner 45 and the Garmin Forerunner 735XT are designed and marketed with an emphasis on fitness and sports, making the comparisons even more relevant to potential users.
Garmin’s reputation for building high-quality, reliable, and user-friendly products dates back to its foundation in 1989. Known for their GPS technology advancements and wide range of sports and fitness wearables, their growth in the wearables market has been fueled by continuous innovation and customer-centric designs.
This article explores and compares these two popular Garmin products, providing an in-depth analysis of their design, build quality, features, functionality, user interface, user experience, price, value, and frequently asked questions. With comprehensive information provided, you can make an informed decision based on your individual needs and preferences.
Design and Build
Garmin Forerunner 45
The Garmin Forerunner 45 comes with a sleek design and is built using high-quality materials. It weighs 36 grams and has a 42mm watch case, making it suitable for various wrist sizes. The display of this watch is a 1.04-inch color transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) LCD screen, with a screen resolution of 208 x 208 pixels.
Garmin Forerunner 735XT
The Garmin Forerunner 735XT shares a similar aesthetic with the Forerunner 45 but has a slightly larger watch case, measuring 44.5mm. Weighing 40 grams, the device features a 1.23-inch color MIP LCD screen. The display resolution is 215 x 180 pixels, providing clear visibility during workouts and daily activities.
Comparison of design and build quality
The Garmin Forerunner 45 and Forerunner 735XT both boast a modern and elegant design, catering to the diverse preferences of users. While they share similarities in their designs, the primary differences are in their size and weight, with the Forerunner 735XT being slightly larger and heavier than its counterpart. Both devices utilize durable materials and have a water resistance rating of 5 ATM, making them suitable for various physical activities and environments.
Features and Functionality
Garmin Forerunner 45
The Garmin Forerunner 45 has a built-in operating system that supports essential fitness tracking features, such as distance, calories, heart rate, sleep, and step tracking. Additionally, it has cycling and swimming tracking capabilities. The watch also has several built-in sensors like accelerometer and barometer, and supports GPS and Wi-Fi connectivity. The battery life on this device varies between 7-14 days, depending on usage patterns.
Garmin Forerunner 735XT
Similar to the Forerunner 45, the Garmin Forerunner 735XT tracks an assortment of fitness metrics, including distance, steps, sleep, and heart rate monitoring. Furthermore, it offers cycling, swimming, and multisport tracking capabilities. The watch comes with multiple sensors such as accelerometer and GPS, but lacks barometer functionality. It also features Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity but is missing NFC support. Its battery life ranges from 14 hours to 11 days based on different usage scenarios.
Comparison of features and performance
Overall, both the Garmin Forerunner 45 and Forerunner 735XT offer a comprehensive range of features that cater to users with varying fitness preferences. They share many common capabilities, such as heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and GPS support. However, the Forerunner 735XT stands out for its multisport tracking feature, catering to triathletes and serious fitness enthusiasts. In terms of battery life, the Forerunner 45 tends to last longer under similar usage conditions.
User Interface and User Experience
Garmin Forerunner 45
The user interface of the Garmin Forerunner 45 is simple and intuitive, comprised of a crisp color display and a responsive five-button navigation system. The watch supports various third-party and Garmin apps, offering users customization options to match their requirements. It also provides compatibility with Android and iOS smartphones, allowing seamless connectivity and data synchronization through Garmin Connect Mobile.
Garmin Forerunner 735XT
Like the Forerunner 45, the Garmin Forerunner 735XT presents a clear, easy-to-read display and has a simple navigation system with its five-button setup. Its range of supported apps and customizable options make it a versatile smartwatch, while still maintaining compatibility with both Android and iOS platforms through the Garmin Connect Mobile app.
Comparison of user interface and user experience
From a user interface and user experience standpoint, both the Garmin Forerunner 45 and Forerunner 735XT offer a similar and pleasant navigation experience. They both have customizable settings and provide compatibility with Android and iOS smartphones. Additionally, their interfaces are clean, simple, and generally user-friendly, making it easy for users to navigate through their features, settings, and fitness data.
Price and Value
Garmin Forerunner 45
Selling at a price of $199, the Garmin Forerunner 45 offers reliable performance and a wide range of features, making it a great value proposition for fitness enthusiasts on a budget.
Garmin Forerunner 735XT
Priced at $450, the Garmin Forerunner 735XT caters to a more premium segment of the market. It incorporates advanced features, such as multisport tracking, making it suitable for serious athletes and versatile usage.
Comparison of price and value
When evaluating the value of these two devices, it’s crucial to consider the features and usage requirements. The Garmin Forerunner 45 offers excellent value for its price, targeting budget-conscious consumers. On the other hand, the Forerunner 735XT, despite its higher price, offers advanced features catered to fitness enthusiasts looking for a more comprehensive range of metrics and multisport capabilities.
Conclusion
Ultimately, deciding between the Garmin Forerunner 45 and the Garmin Forerunner 735XT depends on individual priorities and requirements. If you’re seeking a reliable smartwatch with essential fitness-tracking features for casual or moderate sports activities, the Garmin Forerunner 45 provides excellent value. However, if you’re a dedicated athlete, triathlete, or someone seeking more advanced tracking features, the Garmin Forerunner 735XT is worth the higher investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Garmin Forerunner is best suited for triathletes?
The Garmin Forerunner 735XT is better suited for triathletes, as it offers multisport tracking capabilities, allowing users to track their performance across various sports like swimming, cycling, and running.
Do both watches have in-built GPS?
Yes, both the Garmin Forerunner 45 and Forerunner 735XT have built-in GPS to track and record distances and routes during workouts.
Can you receive notifications on these smartwatches?
Yes, both the Garmin Forerunner 45 and Forerunner 735XT can display notifications, such as texts, emails, and phone alerts. However, it’s essential to connect the watch to your smartphone for these features to work.
Do the Garmin Forerunner 45 and 735XT support third-party apps?
Both the Forerunner 45 and 735XT support third-party apps through the Garmin Connect IQ Store, allowing users to download apps, widgets, and watch faces to customize their device.
Are these watches water-resistant?
Yes, both the Garmin Forerunner 45 and Forerunner 735XT are water-resistant, with a 5 ATM rating. This means that they can withstand water pressures found at depths up to 50 meters, making them suitable for swimming and other water-based activities.
