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Garmin Forerunner 35 is an advanced running watch that comes with many features. Read our Garmin Forerunner 35 Review now!
Don’t buy the Garmin Forerunner 35.
The new winner is the Garmin Forerunner 165.
The Forerunner 35 had a legendary run, but the Forerunner 165 replaces its monochrome blockiness with a stunning AMOLED touchscreen and advanced recovery metrics. This is the definitive modern upgrade that balances premium features with an entry-level price point.
| Feature | Old Model | 2025 Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Display Technology | Monochrome LCD (128×128) | 1.2″ AMOLED Touch (390×390) |
| GPS & Sensors | Basic GPS Only | Multi-GNSS + Barometric Altimeter |
| Battery Life (Smartwatch) | Up to 9 Days | Up to 11 Days |
Why We Replaced It
- ✓Vibrant 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen provides superior readability compared to the old monochrome display.
- ✓Includes advanced training tools like Morning Report, HRV Status, and Race Widget for smarter training.
- ✓Upgraded Multi-GNSS positioning ensures far more accurate distance and pace tracking than the basic GPS of the past.
Common Questions
Q: Is the Garmin Forerunner 35 discontinued?
A: Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 35 is officially discontinued and no longer manufactured. The Forerunner 165 is the current generation successor designed to replace it.
Q: Will my Forerunner 35 charger work with the 165?
A: No. The Forerunner 35 used a clip-style charger, while the Forerunner 165 uses the modern Garmin proprietary plug cable found on almost all current Garmin watches.
Q: Is the Forerunner 165 worth the extra cost?
A: Absolutely. You aren’t just paying for a color screen; you get essential modern features like recovery time, wrist-based running power, and sleep scoring that the 35 never had.
If you are looking for a new GPS watch, look no further than the Garmin Forerunner 35. It is an excellent choice if you are looking for a smartwatch that also tracks your runs and other activities. Here is my review of the Garmin Forerunner 35 and how it compares to the Apple Watch Series 3, Fitbit Versa 2, Samsung Gear S3 Frontier, and more.
Garmin Forerunner 35 at a glance
The Garmin Forerunner 35 is one of the best running watches available, but it doesn’t come cheap. It’s not the cheapest GPS watch out there, but it offers great features like automatic pace calculation and a heart rate sensor.
The Garmin Forerunner 35 runs on Android Wear 2.0, which means you can use voice commands to get things done with your smartwatch. The device also has built-in music storage, so you don’t have to carry around an extra player or pay for in-app subscription services.
Garmin Forerunner 35 Specs
| SIZE | 35.5 x 40.7 x 13.3 mm |
|---|---|
| DISPLAY SIZE | 0.93″ x 0.93″ (23.5 x 23.4 mm) |
| RESOLUTION | 128 x 128 pixels |
| DISPLAY TYPE | sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) |
| WEIGHT | 37.3 g |
| BATTERY LIFE | Standby Mode: Up to 9 days GPS mode: Up to 13 hours |
| WATERPROOF | 5 ATM |
| MEMORY/HISTORY | 7 activities |
The Forerunner 35 has a GPS receiver, heart rate monitor, altimeter, barometer, compass, thermometer, and a 3-axis accelerometer. It also comes with a chest strap so it can track your steps and distance traveled. The Forerunner 35 is waterproof up to 50 meters, which means you can take it swimming or showering without worrying about the watch getting wet.
Daily tracking
The Forerunner 35 has a lot going for it. It’s waterproof, so you can wear it during swimming workouts without worrying about getting waterlogged. It tracks steps, distance, calories burned, active minutes, heart rate, GPS speed, pace, elevation gain/loss, and sleep quality. If you want to track your runs, the watch will sync automatically to Strava, making it easy to compare times and routes with friends.
But Garmin doesn’t have all of the latest fitness trends covered. For instance, although the company makes smartwatches, don’t monitor your health as closely as other companies like Apple or Samsung. They also cost more than most of their competitors — Fitbit’s Versa 2 is just $200, while the Apple Watch Series 4 is $399. The Microsoft Band 2, by comparison, costs $199. And none of these watches are swim-proof.
Workouts and Activity Features
The Forerunner 35 has all the features you would expect from a GPS running watch – including heart rate monitoring, distance tracking, and calorie counting. It also comes with built-in music storage, so you don’t have to carry around extra memory cards.
It is waterproof up to 50 meters (164 feet), perfect for swimming or other water activities. The Forerunner 35 also tracks sleep quality and duration, which can help you improve your overall health.
You can track your daily activity, monitor your sleep, record your workouts, and even remotely control your lights and thermostat. This watch has a sleek design and comfortable strap, and its screen is easy to read in bright sunlight.
It runs Android Wear 2.0, which makes it compatible with most smartphones that run Google’s mobile operating system. You can download apps directly onto your watch using the Garmin Connect Mobile app. It also has a built-in speakerphone so you can answer calls hands-free.
And since this watch isn’t loaded down with tons of sensors, it’s much easier to use. You won’t need to worry about charging it every night, either.
Advanced running features
The Forerunner 35 has all the advanced features you might expect from a top-of-the-line GPS watch. It tracks distance, pace, heart rate, calories burned, and steps taken, among many others. But it doesn’t track swimming, cycling, or skiing. If you’re looking for those features, you’ll want to look at something like the Suunto 9 or Fenix 5 series instead.
If you’re getting into fitness tracking, though, the Forerunner 35 is an excellent option thanks to its variety of exercise modes, data export options, and intuitive display. Plus, if you already have another Garmin device—like your smartphone or running watch—you can pair the Forerunner 35 with it using Bluetooth Smart technology.
Design and Features
The Forerunner 35 is Garmin’s first GPS smartwatch designed primarily for outdoor use. The company says that it should be more durable than other watches in its price range. (Garmin also sells a $99 GPS smartwatch called the Vivosmart HR.)
It looks similar to Garmin’s other sports watches, but it’s much smaller than the Vivoactive 3S. It measures 40mm x 13mm x 12.5mm, weighs only 32 grams, and has a 1.39-inch touchscreen display. The Forerunner 35 has a silicone band that wraps around your wrist like other Garmin models. There’s no clasp or buckle to open or close, and the band fits securely over your hand.
GPS Accuracy and Swim
The Forerunner 35 has excellent GPS accuracy, but it doesn’t come with built-in swim tracking. If you want to track swimming workouts, you’ll need a separate device like the Garmin Swim watch.
Tracking Usability – daily use and charging
The Forerunner 35 has a large display screen and easy-to-use interface, making it ideal for tracking workouts and keeping track of your progress. It’s also waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about getting sweaty during your runs.
Smart Notifications
The Forerunner 35 has smart notifications built into it. This means that if you receive a text message, email, or phone call, you will see a notification pop up on the watch’s face. It also has a speaker so you can listen to music without taking off the device.
The Forerunner 35 also has a feature called “Smart notifications” that lets you know when you get texts, emails, social media messages, and phone calls without having to pull out your phone. You can choose how long you want to wait before receiving a notification on your watch.
There are two buttons on the right side of the watch face: to turn the sound on and of and access the settings menu.
Battery Life
The battery life of this watch is pretty impressive, especially considering it has GPS functionality built into it. I could get around seven days of battery life out of mine before needing to charge it. That means you could run without worrying about recharging for a week if you wanted to.
The Forerunner 35 lasts about four days between charges. That may not seem like a lot, especially compared to some of Garmin’s other devices, but it’s still impressive.
Charging Options
As mentioned above, the Forerunner 35 comes with a magnetic charger. It’s helpful because you can remove the battery cover and place the charger anywhere on the backside of the watch.
You can charge the Forerunner 35 through a USB port, which takes roughly three hours. Or, you can use the included magnetic charger, which takes less time.
Should you buy it?
The Forerunner 35 has all the features you would expect from a GPS running watch, including wristed-based heart rate monitoring and smartphone connectivity. It’s waterproof, too, so you don’t need to worry about getting it wet if you take it out for a run.
The Garmin Forerunner 35 is a great running watch for fitness enthusiasts who want a smartwatch that tracks all their stats while they run. It has a GPS receiver, heart rate monitor, altimeter, barometer, compass, accelerometer, and sleep tracking features. It also comes with a free app that allows users to track their runs, view maps, create routes, and share them with others.
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Bottom Line
A great running watch for beginners. The Garmin Forerunner 35 is ideal for anyone just getting into running or those who have never been able to find the time and motivation to run. With its sleek design, lightweight feel, easy-to-use interface, and accurate tracking, it’s the perfect way to keep track of your fitness goals.
They currently rank as one of the top sellers in fitness GPS watches and fitness trackers. The Forerunner 35 is their latest entry-level watch targeted towards runners, providing everything you need in a single, convenient package.
Key features include multi-sport functionality, running dynamics, interchangeable bands, a 24/7 heart rate monitor, onboard music storage, and smartphone notifications. It also has a quarter-inch longer screen than its predecessor (the Forerunner 25) for all that extra data with no loss of clarity or readability.
Alexios Papaioannou
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As a veteran fitness technology innovator and the founder of GearUpToFit.com, Alex Papaioannou stands at the intersection of health science and artificial intelligence. With over a decade of specialized experience in digital wellness solutions, he’s transforming how people approach their fitness journey through data-driven methodologies.
Last update on 2025-11-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API