Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Garmin Forerunner 265
These two are very similar: both have AMOLED screens, built-in GPS and Garmin software. The main difference: the Forerunner 265 has a bigger 46.1 mm case; the Forerunner 165 is 43 mm, a better fit for smaller wrists.
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Key differences
-
Battery life
Evenly matched
Similar battery life: up to 11 days and 13 days.
-
GPS
Forerunner 265 wins
The Garmin Forerunner 265 adds multi-band GPS for more accurate tracks.
-
Display
Forerunner 265 wins
Both are AMOLED, but the Garmin Forerunner 265's screen is bigger (1.3 in against 1.2 in).
-
Health
Evenly matched
Much the same health sensors.
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Weight
Forerunner 165 wins
The Garmin Forerunner 165 is lighter: 39 g against 47 g.
Other differences
- Case size Depends on you
The Forerunner 265 has a bigger 46.1 mm case; the Forerunner 165 is 43 mm, a better fit for smaller wrists.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Forerunner 165 if…
- You have a smaller wrist: its case is the smaller one.
- You wear it to bed or have small wrists: it weighs 39 g.
- You want it to slide under a sleeve: it's 11.6 mm thick.
Choose the Forerunner 265 if…
- You want a bigger screen and larger buttons: its case is the larger one.
- You'd like a bit more time between charges: it's rated for 13 days.
- You want maps and stats easy to read: it has the bigger screen.
Full spec comparison
The Forerunner 165 leads on 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 | Garmin Forerunner 165 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Garmin | Garmin |
| Series | Forerunner | Forerunner |
Platform & apps
Both work with the same phones and software.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 165 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Garmin | Garmin |
| Works with | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
| Storage | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| App store | Yes | Yes |
Display
The Forerunner 265 is ahead on the display.
It has a bigger screen, and the Forerunner 165 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 165 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Screen size | 1.2 in | 1.3 in |
| Resolution | 390 x 390 | 416 x 416 |
| Pixel density | 325 ppi | — |
| Colour display | Yes | Yes |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touchscreen | touchscreen |
Design & durability
The Forerunner 165 is ahead on size and durability.
The Forerunner 265 has a bigger 46.1 mm case; the Forerunner 165 is 43 mm, a better fit for smaller wrists. The Forerunner 165 has a smaller 43 mm case, is lighter and is slimmer, while the Forerunner 265 has a bigger 46.1 mm case.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 165 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Case sizes | 43 mm | 46.1 mm |
| Case shape | Round | Round |
| Dimensions | 43 x 43 x 11.6 mm | 46.1 x 46.1 x 12.9 mm |
| Thickness | 11.6 mm | 12.9 mm |
| Weight (case) | 39 g | 47 g |
| Bezel material | fiber-reinforced polymer | fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Lens | chemically strengthened glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Band material | silicone | silicone |
| Band width | 20 mm | 22 mm |
| Band fitting | 20 mm | 22 mm, Industry standard |
| Fits wrists | 126-203 mm | 135-205 mm |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
Battery
The Forerunner 265 is ahead on battery life.
It lasts a little longer (13 days), and the Forerunner 165 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 165 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (smartwatch mode) | 11 days | 13 days |
| Battery (GPS) | 19 hours | 20 hours |
| Battery (multi-band GPS) | — | 14 hours |
| All battery modes | Smartwatch: 11 days; Battery saver: 20 days; GPS: 19 hours; All satellite systems: 17 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 | proprietary-plug |
GPS & navigation
The Forerunner 265 is ahead on GPS and navigation.
It uses more satellite systems, and the Forerunner 165 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 165 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| GPS | Built-in | Built-in |
| Multi-band GPS | — | Yes |
| Satellite systems | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou |
| Automatic GNSS mode | — | Yes |
| Maps | Breadcrumb trail | Breadcrumb trail |
| Navigation features | point-to-point navigation, bread crumb trail, back-to-start, TracBack, course guidance | point-to-point navigation, back-to-start, TracBack, Up Ahead, course guidance, projected waypoint, distance to destination, elevation profile |
Health & sensors
The Forerunner 265 is ahead on health tracking.
It tracks sleep in more depth, and the Forerunner 165 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 165 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | optical HR, SpO2, accelerometer, barometer, compass, thermometer, ambient light | optical HR, SpO2, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, compass, ambient light, thermometer |
| Heart-rate sensor | Garmin Elevate | Garmin Elevate |
| Heart-rate tracking | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| High/low heart-rate alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Heart-rate variability | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | Yes | Yes |
| Respiration rate | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Sleep score | Sleep coaching |
| Stress tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Energy score | Body Battery | Body Battery |
| Readiness score | — | Training Readiness |
| Cycle tracking | Yes | Yes |
Safety
Both offer much the same safety features.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 165 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency SOS | Via phone | Via phone |
| Incident detection | Yes | Yes |
| Live tracking | Yes | Yes |
Training
The Forerunner 265 is ahead on training features.
It has more training metrics, and the Forerunner 165 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 165 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Auto activity detection | Yes | Yes |
| Triathlon / multisport | — | Yes |
| Swim tracking | Pool and open water | Pool and open water |
| Underwater heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| Training metrics | VO2 max, training effect, recovery time, race predictor, HRV status | VO2 max, training load, training effect, recovery time, race predictor, HRV status, lactate threshold, training status |
| Adaptive coaching | Yes | Yes |
| Running dynamics | Yes | Yes |
| Wrist running power | Yes | Yes |
| Strength rep counting | Yes | Yes |
| Heart-rate broadcast | Yes | Yes |
| External sensors | ANT+, foot pod, speed/cadence, bike radar/lights | ANT+, power meter, foot pod, speed/cadence, bike radar/lights |
| Smart trainer control | — | Yes |
Smart features
The Forerunner 265 is ahead on smart features.
It has more storage (8 GB), and the Forerunner 165 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 165 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Message replies | Android | Android |
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Payment service | Garmin Pay | Garmin Pay |
| Music storage | — | Yes |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
| Find my watch | Yes | Yes |