Coros PACE Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 265
The Coros PACE Pro is the better watch on paper: it lasts longer on GPS (38 hours), lasts longer (20 days) and has offline maps. The Garmin Forerunner 265 doesn't beat it on any spec that matters.
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Key differences
-
Battery life
Coros PACE Pro wins
The Coros PACE Pro lasts up to 20 days against 13 days.
-
GPS
Coros PACE Pro wins
The Coros PACE Pro adds maps on the wrist.
-
Display
Evenly matched
Both have AMOLED screens of a similar size.
-
Health
Evenly matched
Much the same health sensors.
-
Weight
Coros PACE Pro wins
The Coros PACE Pro is lighter: 37 g against 47 g.
Other differences
- Maps Coros PACE Pro wins
The Coros PACE Pro shows downloadable maps on the wrist; the Garmin Forerunner 265 only shows a breadcrumb trail.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Coros PACE Pro if…
- You do long runs, rides or hikes: it's rated for 38 hours with GPS.
- You hate charging: it's rated for up to 20 days in smartwatch mode.
- You hike or explore new routes: it has maps on the wrist, no signal needed.
- You wear it to bed or have small wrists: it weighs 37 g.
Choose the Garmin Forerunner 265 if…
- You want to sleep better: it scores each night and tells you what to change.
- You want it to slide under a sleeve: it's 12.9 mm thick.
- You follow your training closely: it adds VO2 max, training load and training effect.
Full spec comparison
The Coros PACE Pro leads on battery life and GPS and navigation; 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 Pro | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Coros | Garmin |
| Series | PACE | Forerunner |
Platform & apps
Both work with the same phones and software.
| Spec | Coros PACE Pro | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Coros | Garmin |
| Works with | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
| Chipset | Ambiq Apollo510 | — |
| Storage | — | 8 GB |
| App store | — | Yes |
Display
The screens are closely matched.
| Spec | Coros PACE Pro | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Screen size | 1.3 in | 1.3 in |
| Resolution | 416 x 416 | 416 x 416 |
| Peak brightness | 1,500 nits | — |
| Colour display | Yes | Yes |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touchscreen, buttons, crown | touchscreen |
Design & durability
Each watch has its strengths on size and durability.
The Coros PACE Pro is lighter, while the Garmin Forerunner 265 is slimmer.
| Spec | Coros PACE Pro | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Case sizes | — | 46.1 mm |
| Case shape | — | Round |
| Dimensions | — | 46.1 x 46.1 x 12.9 mm |
| Thickness | 14.5 mm | 12.9 mm |
| Weight (case) | 37 g | 47 g |
| Weight with band | 37 g | — |
| Bezel material | — | fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Lens | — | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Band material | Nylon | silicone |
| Band width | — | 22 mm |
| Band fitting | — | 22 mm, Industry standard |
| Fits wrists | — | 135-205 mm |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
Battery
The Coros PACE Pro is ahead on battery life.
It lasts longer on GPS (38 hours) and lasts longer (20 days), and the Garmin Forerunner 265 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Coros PACE Pro | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (smartwatch mode) | 20 days | 13 days |
| Battery (GPS) | — | 20 hours |
| Battery (multi-band GPS) | 31 hours | 14 hours |
| All battery modes | Smartwatch: 20 days; Always-on display: 6 days; All satellite systems: 38 hours; Multi-band GPS: 31 hours | Smartwatch: 13 days; GPS: 20 hours; Multi-band GPS: 14 hours; GPS: 7 hours; Multi-band GPS + music: 6 hours |
| Battery type | Li-ion | Lithium ion |
| Charging | USB-C | proprietary-plug |
GPS & navigation
The Coros PACE Pro is ahead on GPS and navigation.
It has offline maps, and the Garmin Forerunner 265 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Coros PACE Pro | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| GPS | Built-in | Built-in |
| Multi-band GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite systems | — | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou |
| Automatic GNSS mode | — | Yes |
| Maps | Downloadable maps | Breadcrumb trail |
| Navigation features | turn-by-turn | 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 Pro doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Coros PACE Pro | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | optical HR, SpO2 | 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 |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | Yes | Yes |
| Respiration rate | — | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Basic | 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 Pro | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency SOS | — | Via phone |
| Incident detection | — | Yes |
| Live tracking | — | Yes |
Training
The Garmin Forerunner 265 is ahead on training features.
It has more training metrics, and the Coros PACE Pro doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Coros PACE Pro | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Auto activity detection | — | Yes |
| Triathlon / multisport | — | Yes |
| Swim tracking | — | Pool and open water |
| Underwater heart rate | — | Yes |
| Training metrics | training status, race predictor, recovery time | 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 HR strap, foot pod | ANT+, power meter, foot pod, speed/cadence, bike radar/lights |
| Smart trainer control | — | Yes |
Smart features
Both offer much the same smart features.
| Spec | Coros PACE Pro | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Message replies | — | Android |
| Contactless payments | — | Yes |
| Payment service | — | Garmin Pay |
| Music storage | — | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | — |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
| Find my watch | — | Yes |