Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Garmin Forerunner 265S
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 265S is 41.7 mm, a better fit for smaller wrists.
We earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to you. This never affects our specs. How we make money.
Key differences
-
Battery life
Evenly matched
Similar battery life: up to 13 days and 15 days.
-
GPS
Evenly matched
Both have built-in GPS with similar features.
-
Display
Forerunner 265 wins
Both are AMOLED, but the Garmin Forerunner 265's screen is bigger (1.3 in against 1.1 in).
-
Health
Evenly matched
Much the same health sensors.
-
Weight
Forerunner 265S wins
The Garmin Forerunner 265S 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 265S is 41.7 mm, a better fit for smaller wrists.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Forerunner 265 if…
- 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.
Choose the Forerunner 265S 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'd like a bit more time between charges: it's rated for 15 days.
Full spec comparison
The Forerunner 265S 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 265 | Garmin Forerunner 265S |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Garmin | Garmin |
| Series | Forerunner | Forerunner |
Platform & apps
Both work with the same phones and software.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 265S |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Garmin | Garmin |
| Works with | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
| Storage | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| App store | Yes | Yes |
Display
The Forerunner 265 is ahead on the display.
It has a bigger screen, and the Forerunner 265S doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 265S |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Screen size | 1.3 in | 1.1 in |
| Resolution | 416 x 416 | 360 x 360 |
| Colour display | Yes | Yes |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touchscreen | touchscreen |
Design & durability
The Forerunner 265S is ahead on size and durability.
The Forerunner 265 has a bigger 46.1 mm case; the Forerunner 265S is 41.7 mm, a better fit for smaller wrists. The Forerunner 265 has a bigger 46.1 mm case, while the Forerunner 265S has a smaller 41.7 mm case and is lighter.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 265S |
|---|---|---|
| Case sizes | 46.1 mm | 41.7 mm |
| Case shape | Round | Round |
| Dimensions | 46.1 x 46.1 x 12.9 mm | 41.7 x 41.7 x 12.9 mm |
| Thickness | 12.9 mm | 12.9 mm |
| Weight (case) | 47 g | 39 g |
| Bezel material | fiber-reinforced polymer | fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Lens | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Band material | silicone | silicone |
| Band width | 22 mm | 18 mm |
| Band fitting | 22 mm, Industry standard | Quick Release 18 mm |
| Fits wrists | 135-205 mm | 115-178 mm |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
Battery
The Forerunner 265S is ahead on battery life.
It lasts a little longer (15 days), and the Forerunner 265 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 265S |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (smartwatch mode) | 13 days | 15 days |
| Battery (GPS) | 20 hours | 24 hours |
| Battery (multi-band GPS) | 14 hours | 15 hours |
| All battery modes | Smartwatch: 13 days; GPS: 20 hours; Multi-band GPS: 14 hours; GPS: 7 hours; Multi-band GPS + music: 6 hours | Smartwatch: 15 days; GPS: 24 hours; All satellite systems: 18 hours; Multi-band GPS: 15 hours; GPS: 7.5 hours; All satellite systems: 7 hours; Multi-band GPS + music: 6 hours |
| Battery type | Lithium ion | Lithium ion |
| Charging | proprietary-plug | proprietary-plug |
GPS & navigation
Both have built-in GPS with similar capabilities.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 265S |
|---|---|---|
| GPS | Built-in | Built-in |
| Multi-band GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite systems | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou |
| Automatic GNSS mode | Yes | Yes |
| Maps | Breadcrumb trail | Breadcrumb trail |
| Navigation features | point-to-point navigation, back-to-start, TracBack, Up Ahead, course guidance, projected waypoint, distance to destination, elevation profile | point-to-point navigation, breadcrumb trail, back-to-start, TracBack, Up Ahead, course guidance |
Health & sensors
Both track much the same health data.
Heart rate, sleep and the extra sensors line up closely.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 265S |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | optical HR, SpO2, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, compass, ambient light, thermometer | 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 coaching | Sleep coaching |
| Stress tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Energy score | Body Battery | Body Battery |
| Readiness score | Training Readiness | Training Readiness |
| Cycle tracking | Yes | Yes |
Safety
Both offer much the same safety features.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 265S |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency SOS | Via phone | Via phone |
| Incident detection | Yes | Yes |
| Live tracking | Yes | Yes |
Training
Training features are evenly matched.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 265S |
|---|---|---|
| Auto activity detection | Yes | Yes |
| Triathlon / multisport | Yes | Yes |
| Swim tracking | Pool and open water | Pool and open water |
| Underwater heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| Training metrics | VO2 max, training load, training effect, recovery time, race predictor, HRV status, lactate threshold, training status | VO2 max, training load, training effect, recovery time, race predictor, endurance score, lactate threshold, HRV 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+, power meter, foot pod, speed/cadence, bike radar/lights | ANT+, Bluetooth HR strap, power meter, foot pod, speed/cadence, bike radar/lights |
| Smart trainer control | Yes | Yes |
Smart features
Both offer much the same smart features.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 265S |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Message replies | Android | Android |
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Payment service | Garmin Pay | Garmin Pay |
| Music storage | Yes | Yes |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
| Find my watch | Yes | Yes |