Garmin 735 Vs 935 | Battery vs Elevation, Pick Wisely

This vs That / By

For tri watches, pick Forerunner 735XT if you want a lighter, cheaper buy; choose Forerunner 935 for longer GPS battery and barometric elevation.

Triathlon watches shape how you train, pace, and recover. Garmin’s 735XT and the 935 cover the same sports with different strengths. This guide gives you the quick verdict up top, then shows the trade‑offs that push most buyers toward a lighter bargain or a longer‑lasting training tool.

In A Nutshell

The 735XT is the lightweight, lower‑cost route that still nails swim‑bike‑run basics. The 935 stretches battery life and adds a barometric altimeter plus broader sensor support, which helps on hilly routes and with Bluetooth straps and pods. If your weeks include long bricks or mountain work, the 935 pays off. If you’re budget‑led and prefer lighter gear, the 735XT fits.

Side‑By‑Side Specs

Feature Garmin Forerunner 735XT Garmin Forerunner 935
Cost Discontinued; used/refurb typically lower in USD Discontinued; used/refurb typically higher in USD
GPS Battery (spec) Up to 16 h (GPS), 24 h UltraTrac* Up to 24 h (GPS), up to 50 h UltraTrac*
Smartwatch Mode (spec) Up to 11 days* Up to 2 weeks*
Water Rating 5 ATM (swim‑safe) 5 ATM (swim‑safe)
Weight ≈ 40.2 g ≈ 49 g
Display & Resolution 1.23″, 215×180 MIP 1.2″, 240×240 MIP
Elevation Sensor GPS‑based (no barometer) Barometric altimeter
Wireless Sensors ANT+ only ANT+ & Bluetooth sensors
Wi‑Fi Sync No Yes
Triathlon / Multisport Yes (pool/open water, bike, run) Yes (pool/open water, bike, run)
Training Metrics VO₂ Max, recovery, performance condition* Adds Training Status & Training Load*

ℹ️ Good To Know: Wrist‑based heart rate isn’t recorded in swim modes on these models; use an HRM‑Swim/HRM‑Tri/HRM‑Pro strap for pool or open water logs.

Garmin Forerunner 735XT — What We Like / What We Don’t Like

✅ What We Like

  • Light body (~40 g) that disappears on long runs.
  • Strong tri features with open‑water, pool, bike, and run profiles.
  • Lower used/refurb sticker price across U.S. sellers.
  • ANT+ sensor ecosystem works with common straps and power meters.

⚠️ What We Don’t Like

  • No barometric altimeter; elevation relies on GPS smoothing.
  • No Bluetooth sensor pairing; you’re limited to ANT+ accessories.
  • Lower‑res screen (215×180) makes data a touch less crisp.
  • No Wi‑Fi sync; uploads go through your phone or a computer.

Garmin Forerunner 935 — What We Like / What We Don’t Like

✅ What We Like

  • Longer GPS runtime (up to 24 h) for marathons, centuries, and long bricks.
  • Barometric elevation improves climb stats and course profiles.
  • Pairs with ANT+ and Bluetooth sensors for flexible gear choices.
  • Wi‑Fi sync plus higher‑res screen (240×240) for cleaner data pages.
  • Training Status & Load adds context to how hard you’re working.

⚠️ What We Don’t Like

  • Usually costs more on the used market than the 735XT.
  • Slightly heavier (~49 g), which matters to gram‑counters.
  • No music storage or payments; those came later in the line.
  • Older unit age means battery health varies by seller and history.

Forerunner 735XT Or 935: Which Fits Your Training

Display & Build

Both use Garmin’s sunlight‑readable MIP displays with durable polymer cases. The 735XT keeps weight low at about 40 grams and uses a 215×180 panel. The 935 steps up to 240×240 while staying light at roughly 49 grams, which makes multi‑field data pages easier to read mid‑effort.

Battery & Charging

The 735XT covers typical training weeks with up to 16 hours of GPS logging and up to 11 days in watch mode. The 935 stretches that to about 24 hours in GPS and up to two weeks on the wrist, which reduces charge anxiety on back‑to‑back long sessions or race weekends. Both charge with Garmin’s clip cable and can upload through a phone or desktop app when you’re not using Wi‑Fi.

Cameras & Sensors

Neither watch has a camera, but the sensor suites differ in ways that matter. The 935 includes a barometric altimeter, so elevation gain and hill repeats track more consistently than GPS‑only smoothing. It also pairs with Bluetooth sensors in addition to ANT+, so you can use dual‑band straps and smart trainers without an ANT+ bridge. The 735XT connects to ANT+ sensors only.

ℹ️ Good To Know: These models don’t record wrist HR while swimming; pair an HRM‑Swim/HRM‑Tri/HRM‑Pro strap and the watch will store and sync the swim HR afterward.

Software & Updates

Both sync with Garmin Connect for workouts, badges, and historical logs. The 935 adds Training Status and Training Load, two helpful views that show whether your work is maintaining, peaking, or overreaching—handy when you’re stacking race blocks. See Garmin’s Training Status & Load reference for the metrics behind those screens.

Ports & Connectivity

Both models support phone notifications and automatic uploads via Bluetooth. The 935 also offers Wi‑Fi syncing when you’re in range of a known network, handy for finishing a run and finding your data already in your account. For accessory pairing, the 935’s Bluetooth sensor support broadens your choices; on the 735XT, stick to ANT+.

Pricing & Packages

Launch pricing landed at $449 for the 735XT and $499 for the 935. Today both are discontinued; U.S. sellers list them as used or refurbished with wide swings based on condition and bundle (strap, pods, chargers). If you find a clean 935 in budget, the battery and elevation upgrades are worth paying for; if price is tight, the 735XT still covers tri basics well.

Water exposure guidance: Garmin rates both at 5 ATM; see the official 5 ATM water guidance for swim suitability.

Price, Value & Ownership

Here’s the ownership snapshot buyers care about. It avoids duplicate specs and zeroes in on long‑term fit and gear choices.

Factor Garmin Forerunner 735XT Garmin Forerunner 935
Release Year (lineage position) 2016 (tri refresh) 2017 (adds altimeter & battery)
Bluetooth Sensor Pairing No (ANT+ only) Yes (BLE + ANT+)
Wi‑Fi Sync To Cloud No Yes
Screen Resolution (clarity) 215×180 (semi‑round) 240×240 (round)

The big ownership delta is sensor flexibility and elevation data. The 935’s barometer and Bluetooth sensor pairing open more accessory options and cleaner climb stats with no fiddling. If you don’t need those, the lighter 735XT keeps costs down while still handling races and training weeks without drama.

Where Each One Wins

Where Each One Wins:
🏆 Battery — Garmin Forerunner 935
🏆 Elevation — Garmin Forerunner 935
🏆 Weight — Garmin Forerunner 735XT
🏆 Price (Used) — Garmin Forerunner 735XT
🏆 Sensor Range — Garmin Forerunner 935

Decision Guide

✅ Choose Garmin Forerunner 735XT If…

  • You want the lightest feel with classic tri modes.
  • Budget is tight and you’re fine using ANT+ accessories.
  • Your routes are flat to rolling and GPS‑based elevation is enough.

✅ Choose Garmin Forerunner 935 If…

  • You train long and need more GPS hours between charges.
  • You care about accurate climb stats from a barometric altimeter.
  • You want Bluetooth sensor pairing and Wi‑Fi uploads for less fiddling.

Best Fit For Most Athletes

If you can find a clean unit in your price band, the Forerunner 935 is the safer pick for mixed terrain and long weeks. The extra battery, barometric elevation, Wi‑Fi, and broad sensor support remove small frictions that add up across a season. If you’re cutting spend and prefer an ultra‑light feel, the 735XT remains a solid, race‑ready choice.

*Battery times and features are manufacturer‑stated. Elevation on the 935 comes from its barometric altimeter. Wrist HR is not recorded while swimming on these models; use a compatible chest strap. Water suitability follows Garmin’s 5 ATM guidelines.