Garmin Forerunner 570 vs Garmin Forerunner 265
The Forerunner 265 has the edge: it lasts longer (13 days) and has a bigger screen. The Forerunner 570 still comes in 2 sizes, so it's worth a look if that matters more to you.
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Key differences
-
Battery life
Forerunner 265 wins
The Garmin Forerunner 265 lasts up to 13 days against 10 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 1.2 in).
-
Health
Evenly matched
Much the same health sensors.
-
Weight
Forerunner 570 wins
The Garmin Forerunner 570 is lighter: 42 g against 47 g.
Other differences
- Screen size Forerunner 265 wins
The Forerunner 265 has the bigger screen: 1.3 in against 1.2 in.
- Sizes Forerunner 570 wins
The Forerunner 570 comes in 2 case sizes (42 and 47 mm).
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Forerunner 570 if…
- You want the right fit for your wrist: it comes in more than one size.
- You prefer its look and app: it covers the same essentials as the Forerunner 265.
Choose the Forerunner 265 if…
- You hate charging: it's rated for up to 13 days in smartwatch mode.
- You want maps and stats easy to read: it has the bigger screen.
Full spec comparison
The Forerunner 265 leads on battery life; 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 570 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Garmin | Garmin |
| Series | Forerunner | Forerunner |
| Versions | Forerunner 570 - 47 mm | — |
Platform & apps
Both work with the same phones and software.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 570 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 570 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 570 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Screen size | 1.2 in | 1.3 in |
| Resolution | 390 x 390 | 416 x 416 |
| Colour display | Yes | Yes |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touchscreen | touchscreen |
Design & durability
The Forerunner 570 is ahead on size and durability.
It comes in 2 sizes, and the Forerunner 265 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 570 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Case sizes | 42 / 47 mm | 46.1 mm |
| Case shape | Round | Round |
| Dimensions | 42.4 x 42.4 x 12.9 mm | 46.1 x 46.1 x 12.9 mm |
| Thickness | 12.9 mm | 12.9 mm |
| Weight (case) | 42 g | 47 g |
| Bezel material | Aluminum | fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Lens | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Band material | silicone | silicone |
| Band width | 20 mm | 22 mm |
| Band fitting | 20 mm quick release | 22 mm, Industry standard |
| Fits wrists | 115-178 mm | 135-205 mm |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
Battery
The Forerunner 265 is ahead on battery life.
It lasts longer (13 days), and the Forerunner 570 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 570 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (smartwatch mode) | 10 days | 13 days |
| Battery (GPS) | 18 hours | 20 hours |
| Battery (multi-band GPS) | 13 hours | 14 hours |
| All battery modes | Smartwatch: 10 days; GPS: 18 hours; All satellite systems: 14 hours; Multi-band GPS: 13 hours; GPS: 9 hours; All satellite systems: 8 hours; Multi-band GPS + music: 8 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
Both have built-in GPS with similar capabilities.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 570 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| 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, breadcrumb trail, back-to-start, TracBack, Up Ahead, course guidance | point-to-point navigation, back-to-start, TracBack, Up Ahead, course guidance, projected waypoint, distance to destination, elevation profile |
Health & sensors
Both track much the same health data.
Heart rate, sleep and the extra sensors line up closely.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 570 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | optical HR, SpO2, skin temperature, 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 |
| Skin temperature | 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 570 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency SOS | Via phone | Via phone |
| Incident detection | Yes | Yes |
| Live tracking | Yes | Yes |
Training
Training features are evenly matched.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 570 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| 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, lactate threshold, 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+, Bluetooth HR strap, power meter, foot pod, speed/cadence, bike radar/lights, golf club tags | ANT+, 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 570 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Message replies | Android | Android |
| Calls on the watch | Yes | — |
| Speaker | Yes | — |
| Microphone | Yes | — |
| Voice assistant | maker voice | — |
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Payment service | Garmin Pay | Garmin Pay |
| Cellular | None | — |
| Music storage | Yes | Yes |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
| Find my watch | Yes | Yes |
Diving, golf & more
Neither has a specialist edge here.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 570 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist modes | golf, ski | — |