Coros PACE 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 265
The Coros PACE 3 is the better watch on paper: it lasts longer on GPS (38 hours), has a sunlight-readable MIP screen and has a smaller 41.9 mm case. Pick the Garmin Forerunner 265 only if it matters to you that it has an AMOLED screen and has a bigger 46.1 mm case.
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Key differences
-
Battery life
Evenly matched
Similar battery life: up to 15 days and 13 days.
-
GPS
Evenly matched
Both have built-in GPS with similar features.
-
Display
Garmin Forerunner 265 wins
The Garmin Forerunner 265 has an AMOLED screen against MIP.
-
Health
Evenly matched
Much the same health sensors.
-
Weight
Coros PACE 3 wins
The Coros PACE 3 is lighter: 30 g against 47 g.
Other differences
- Case size Depends on you
The Garmin Forerunner 265 has a bigger 46.1 mm case; the Coros PACE 3 is 41.9 mm, a better fit for smaller wrists.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Coros PACE 3 if…
- You do long runs, rides or hikes: it's rated for 38 hours with GPS.
- You train outdoors in bright sun: its MIP-style screen stays readable and saves battery.
- You have a smaller wrist: its case is the smaller one.
- You wear it to bed or have small wrists: it weighs 30 g.
Choose the Garmin Forerunner 265 if…
- You want a vivid, phone-like screen: it has AMOLED-class colour and contrast.
- You want a bigger screen and larger buttons: its case is the larger one.
- You want maps and stats easy to read: it has the bigger screen.
Full spec comparison
The Coros PACE 3 leads on battery life and size and durability; elsewhere the two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Overview
| Spec | Coros PACE 3 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Coros | Garmin |
| Series | PACE | Forerunner |
| Versions | Silicone band, Nylon band | — |
Platform & apps
Both work with the same phones and software.
| Spec | Coros PACE 3 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Coros | Garmin |
| Works with | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
| Storage | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| App store | — | Yes |
| Subscription | Not needed | — |
Display
The Garmin Forerunner 265 is ahead on the display.
The Garmin Forerunner 265 has a bright, colourful AMOLED screen; the Coros PACE 3 uses MIP, easy to read in sunlight and light on the battery. The Coros PACE 3 has a sunlight-readable MIP screen, while the Garmin Forerunner 265 has an AMOLED screen and has a bigger screen.
| Spec | Coros PACE 3 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | MIP | AMOLED |
| Display name | Always-On Memory LCD | — |
| Screen size | 1.2 in | 1.3 in |
| Resolution | 240 x 240 | 416 x 416 |
| Pixel density | 283 ppi | — |
| Colour display | Yes | Yes |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touchscreen, buttons, crown | touchscreen |
Design & durability
The Coros PACE 3 is ahead on size and durability.
The Garmin Forerunner 265 has a bigger 46.1 mm case; the Coros PACE 3 is 41.9 mm, a better fit for smaller wrists. The Coros PACE 3 has a smaller 41.9 mm case, is lighter and is slimmer, while the Garmin Forerunner 265 has a bigger 46.1 mm case.
| Spec | Coros PACE 3 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Case sizes | 41.9 mm | 46.1 mm |
| Case shape | — | Round |
| Dimensions | 41.9 x 41.9 x 11.7 mm | 46.1 x 46.1 x 12.9 mm |
| Thickness | 11.7 mm | 12.9 mm |
| Weight (case) | 30 g | 47 g |
| Weight with band | 39 g | — |
| Case material | Fiber Reinforced Polymer | — |
| Bezel material | Fiber Reinforced Polymer | fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Lens | Mineral Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Band material | Silicone / Nylon | silicone |
| Band width | 22 mm | 22 mm |
| Band fitting | Quick Release | 22 mm, Industry standard |
| Fits wrists | 130-215 mm | 135-205 mm |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Operating temperature | -20 to 50 °C | — |
Battery
The Coros PACE 3 is ahead on battery life.
It lasts longer on GPS (38 hours) and lasts a little longer (15 days), and the Garmin Forerunner 265 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Coros PACE 3 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (smartwatch mode) | 15 days | 13 days |
| Battery (GPS) | 38 hours | 20 hours |
| Battery (multi-band GPS) | 15 hours | 14 hours |
| All battery modes | Smartwatch: 15 days; GPS: 38 hours; All satellite systems: 25 hours; Multi-band GPS: 15 hours; GPS: 10 hours; All satellite systems: 9 hours; Multi-band GPS + music: 7 hours | Smartwatch: 13 days; GPS: 20 hours; Multi-band GPS: 14 hours; GPS: 7 hours; Multi-band GPS + music: 6 hours |
| Battery type | Lithium-ion | Lithium ion |
| Charging | — | proprietary-plug |
| Full charge time | 120 min | — |
GPS & navigation
Both have built-in GPS with similar capabilities.
| Spec | Coros PACE 3 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| GPS | Built-in | Built-in |
| Multi-band GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite systems | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou |
| Automatic GNSS mode | — | Yes |
| Maps | Breadcrumb trail | Breadcrumb trail |
| Navigation features | Checkpoint, back-to-start, Deviation Alert, Touchscreen-Enabled Map Control, Safety Alerts | point-to-point navigation, back-to-start, TracBack, Up Ahead, course guidance, projected waypoint, distance to destination, elevation profile |
Health & sensors
The Garmin Forerunner 265 is ahead on health tracking.
It tracks sleep in more depth, and the Coros PACE 3 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Coros PACE 3 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | optical HR, SpO2, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, compass, thermometer | optical HR, SpO2, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, compass, ambient light, thermometer |
| Heart-rate sensor | — | Garmin Elevate |
| Heart-rate tracking | — | 24/7 |
| High/low heart-rate alerts | — | Yes |
| Heart-rate variability | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | Yes | Yes |
| Respiration rate | — | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Sleep stages | Sleep coaching |
| Stress tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Energy score | — | Body Battery |
| Readiness score | — | Training Readiness |
| Cycle tracking | — | Yes |
Safety
Both offer much the same safety features.
| Spec | Coros PACE 3 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency SOS | — | Via phone |
| Incident detection | — | Yes |
| Live tracking | — | Yes |
Training
Training features are evenly matched.
| Spec | Coros PACE 3 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Auto activity detection | — | Yes |
| Triathlon / multisport | Yes | Yes |
| Swim tracking | — | Pool and open water |
| Underwater heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| Training metrics | VO2 max, training load, race predictor, Recovery, threshold zones, Running Fitness, Resting Heart Rate, HRV | VO2 max, training load, training effect, recovery time, race predictor, HRV status, lactate threshold, training status |
| Adaptive coaching | — | Yes |
| Running dynamics | — | Yes |
| Wrist running power | — | Yes |
| Strength rep counting | — | Yes |
| Heart-rate broadcast | — | Yes |
| External sensors | Bluetooth sensors, COROS POD/POD 2 | ANT+, power meter, foot pod, speed/cadence, bike radar/lights |
| Smart trainer control | — | Yes |
Smart features
The Garmin Forerunner 265 is ahead on smart features.
It has more storage (8 GB), and the Coros PACE 3 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Coros PACE 3 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Message replies | — | Android |
| Contactless payments | — | Yes |
| Payment service | — | Garmin Pay |
| Music storage | Yes | Yes |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
| Find my watch | Yes | Yes |
Diving, golf & more
Neither has a specialist edge here.
| Spec | Coros PACE 3 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Diving | None | — |