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Forerunner 265 vs Forerunner 265S

Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Garmin Forerunner 265S

What Forerunner 265 does better (2) and where Forerunner 265S wins (5) — every spec side by side.

Garmin · 2023Forerunner 265

4.7Score

2 advantages≈ $450

Garmin · 2023Forerunner 265S

5.2Score

5 advantages≈ $450

Higher score

5.0Display5.0

3.6Battery life3.9

4.9Health tracking4.9

5.0Sports & outdoor5.0

6.5Smart features6.5

2.8Build & durability3.5

Dimensions

Size comparison

Forerunner 265Forerunner 265S

	Forerunner 265	Forerunner 265S	Difference
Height	46.1 mm	41.7 mm	+4.4 mm
Width	46.1 mm	41.7 mm	+4.4 mm
Thickness	12.9 mm	12.9 mm	=
Weight	47 g	39 g	+8 g

Drawn to the same scale from the official dimensions (front and side).

Why is Forerunner 265 better than Forerunner 265S?

Screen size1.3″ vs 1.1″+18%
Resolution (width)416 px vs 360 px+16%

Why is Forerunner 265S better than Forerunner 265?

Battery life (smartwatch mode)13 days vs 15 days+15%
GPS battery life20 h vs 24 h+20%
Weight47 g vs 39 g+21%
GPS battery life (dual-band)14 h vs 15 h+7%
Pixel density320 ppi vs 327 ppi+2%

Specifications

Side by side

Only differences	Garmin Forerunner 265≈ $4504.7	Garmin Forerunner 265S≈ $4505.2
Design & durability
Case size	46 mm	42 mm
Weight	47 g	39 g
Thickness	12.9 mm	12.9 mm
Height	46.1 mm	41.7 mm
Width	46.1 mm	41.7 mm
Case material	Plastic / polymer	Plastic / polymer
Sapphire crystal	No	No
Lens / cover glass	Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3	Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3
Strap material	silicone	silicone
Water resistance	5 ATM	5 ATM
Water rating (maker)	5 ATM	5 ATM
Display
Screen size	1.3″	1.1″
Display technology	AMOLED	AMOLED
Panel	AMOLED	AMOLED
AMOLED / OLED display	Yes	Yes
Always-on display	Yes	Yes
Touchscreen	Yes	Yes
Resolution (width)	416 px	360 px
Resolution (height)	416 px	360 px
Pixel density	320 ppi	327 ppi
Battery
Battery life (smartwatch mode)	13 days	15 days
GPS battery life	20 h	24 h
GPS battery life (dual-band)	14 h	15 h
Battery type	Lithium ion	Lithium ion
Wireless charging	No	No
Charging	Garmin proprietary plug charger	Garmin proprietary plug charger
Health sensors
Optical heart rate	Yes	Yes
Blood oxygen (SpO2)	Yes	Yes
Temperature sensor	Yes	Yes
HRV tracking	Yes	Yes
Sleep tracking	Yes	Yes
Sensors	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou, SatIQ technology, Elevate wrist heart rate monitor, Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor, Barometric altimeter, Compass, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Thermometer, Ambient light sensor	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou, SatIQ technology, Elevate wrist heart rate monitor, Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor, Barometric altimeter, Compass, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Thermometer, Ambient light sensor
Sports & navigation
Built-in GPS	Yes	Yes
Dual-band GPS	Yes	Yes
Satellite systems	GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS	GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
Barometric altimeter	Yes	Yes
Compass	Yes	Yes
Multisport / triathlon mode	Yes	Yes
Sport profiles	58	58
Connectivity
NFC payments	Yes	Yes
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 4	Wi-Fi 4
ANT+ sensors	Yes	Yes
Smart features
Music on the watch	Yes	Yes
Storage	8 GB	8 GB
Third-party apps	Yes	Yes
Platform
Operating system	Garmin OS	Garmin OS
Platform	Proprietary	Proprietary
Works with	iOS, Android	iOS, Android