Garmin Forerunner 275 – buy the 265/265s now or wait for a potential 275/275s?

The next generation of Garmin’s running watches is due in the first half of 2025. We will likely see a Forerunner 975 (FR975), Forerunner 275 (FR275) and Forerunner 275s (FR275s), with a Forerunner 175 (FR175) added later.

Looking at the 275/275s, this article will highlight the risk of waiting for a watch that hasn’t yet been leaked, let alone released, against the attraction of a likely feature bump.

What Is The Forerunner 275, and When Will It Be Released?

The Garmin Forerunner 275 will be priced as Garmin’s mid-range running-cum-triathlon watch, replacing the current Forerunner 265. It also comes in a smaller size, which, ignoring Fenix, also makes it the ‘top’ triathlon watch in that size.

More: Garmin Forerunner 265 Review

The earliest release month is March 2025 as the triathlon season kicks off; perhaps more likely, it will be Q2.2025, but no later than 4 June 2025 (Global Running Day). For context, here is the release history:

• Forerunner 245: Released in May 2019 (slightly after 945)
• Forerunner 255: Released on 1 June 2022 (released with 955 on Global Running Day.)
• Forerunner 265: Released on 2 March 2023 (released with 965)
• Forerunner 275/275s: likely released March 2025 (to be released with forerunner 975) $450-$500

A prediction for the headline change going forward

Garmin has to take the Forerunner range to a new level over and above what is offered by the trickle-down of existing features from other watches – which we will also see.

I suspect the new strategic move on the product design will be related to social/group abilities and communication abilities. I see both those feature areas as ones that bind existing customers to the Garmin ecosystem, resisting pulls to upgrade to Apple’s hardware or many other brands like Coros that leverage Strava’s platform.

Product Models, Formats or Alternative New Products

FR275 and FR275s are likely new models to be announced with those names—just those two.

Whilst the top-end Forerunner (975) might appear in variations other than 975 (965 Pro, 965s, etc), the FR275/275s is far more predictable.

Broadly, How Will The Forerunner 275 be differentiated from other Forerunners?

FR965 and FR265 are differentiated in terms of hardware quality, screen size, case materials, and software features. As this table implies, the replacement product formats will probably be unchanged and in line with these existing models.

I expect very little of that to change materially for FR975, FR275, and FR175.

Let’s discuss the exceptions…

As before, FR975 and FR275 will retain SatIQ and get a subtly different GNSS chipset that adds BEIDOU and QZSS, plus Elevate optical HR Gen 5 ECG.

The only spanner in the works for this argument is that Garmin kept Elevate Gen 4 on its second tier of outdoor watches – INSTINCT 3. FR275 may be seen as the second tier, getting the same short shrift; if so, this will likely also mean that FR275 will not get maps, especially as it will share a similar price point to Instinct 3 – i.e. Garmin’s strategy might be that no watch under US$500 will get maps going forward.

Battery life is also a notable differentiator of the Forerunner line. Still, I suspect that is more of a result of the case size rather than a conscious limitation by Garmin. However, battery life will be improved. It’s nearly always improved as more efficient components are added!

Whilst the bezel material, QuickFit compatibility, and all sizes will be materially the same, we could see a tweaking of the display size of the FR275s – as the 265s has a very small display. Interestingly, the FR965 has the biggest AMOLED display packed into a medium-sized case, which it achieved with thinner bezels. A comparable tweaking of the FR275s bezel might allow a 390x390px display to squeeze in. Probably not.

Memory might also change. Even if we assume that FR275/275s do NOT get maps, they will still have music, and the 8Gb is a bit stingy, so perhaps a bump to 16Gb. Maps warrant 32-64Gb of storage, especially as Garmin adds new heatmaps and similar niceties based on mapping.

We may see a new microphone and speaker if the FR975 gets the same. I contend that Garmin must make its more expensive watches as smart as possible and more open to supporting communication.

Dismissing the crazy ideas

There will not be a large-size FR275x, a MIP alternative, LTE (5G Redcap), a flashlight, inductive buttons, or similar craziness.

FR275 may get a boost in lens material to the DX version of Gorilla Glass, but I doubt it, as that would mean that FR975 would need to come with sapphire as standard, which I don’t think will happen.

FR275 will not see any wholly new hardware whatsoever. There won’t be a radically improved GNSS chip, a new iteration of Elevate 6, or AMOLED Solar.

Expect a boring hardware spec bump all around. Sorry 🙁

Software Differences

The Forerunner range’s current models differ due to software capabilities. Currently, FR965 almost has the entire range of Garmin features, but FR265 lacks maps, several sports profiles, and most of the physiology features. FR165 is further restricted, lacking triathlon and many of the advanced competencies of swimming, cycling and running that the FR265 has.

The New Garmin User Interface

I expected every new Garmin watch to have the latest Fenix interface. The interface addresses a strategic Garmin weakness – usability. I was very surprised to see that Instinct 3 lacked this.

I hope that FR975 and FR275 will both get the new interface.

Sports Profiles

I expect little change here. But some change, nevertheless.

FR275 won’t support golf, automotive, skiing, and niche performance sports like cyclocross, but it will support most ‘normal’ fitness sports, such as triathlon. By contrast, FR175 (when it comes) will be very much restricted to supporting running sport profiles; it is essentially a competent running watch above all else.

Sports & Wellness Features

Some new features will trickle down from the old FR965. Perhaps we will see climbPro Ascent Planner, Jet Lag Advisor, and advanced cycling features like FTP added to FR275. However, to keep a distance from the top-end model, features like stamina, endurance score, hill score, and heat acclimation will remain missing.

Group and Social Features

I expect to see added

• Strava Live segments
• Garmin Live Segments.
• Make calls and send texts via voice (requires improved mic/audio)
• Built-in speaker/microphone (requires improved mic/audio)
• BLUETOOTH phone calling and voice assistant support (requires improved mic/audio)
• Voice command (requires improved mic/audio)
• Spectator Messaging
  
• Group LiveTrack

This is a contentious prediction as the FR275 will get features nearly new to the Garmin stable. (And secretly, I think Garmin is too conservative to do it)

If Garmin doesn’t add that, what else will it add to make the FR275 different from the FR265? It’s going to be yet another release where there are too many older, discounted garmin products that represent far better value.

Should I wait?

I’m certainly waiting for the FR975, and I’m hesitantly excited about it. But I’m unsure if I can recommend you wait for the FR275. I think it will be underwhelming and probably with quite a few initial bugs.

Sure, you could wait until the FR275 is launched and buy the current FR265, as its price will fall then. But as far as the new feature boosts, all that would attract me would be an improved CPU (for faster operation) and a new user interface (if it has it). That’s it for me.

However, if you are one of the following types, then it might be worth the wait to see what exact features are included.

1. Interested in group metrics and social communication & competition
2. Interested in more advanced non-running metrics like cycling
3. Maps  – you are holding out for maps (don’t hold your breath)
4. You want a newer device that you plan to have for several years and want the feature upgrades that will come with that.