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Forerunner 265S vs Instinct 2S Solar

Garmin Forerunner 265S vs Garmin Instinct 2S Solar

What Forerunner 265S does better (8) and where Instinct 2S Solar wins (2) — every spec side by side.

Garmin · 2023Forerunner 265S

5.2Score

8 advantages≈ $450

Higher score

Garmin · 2022Instinct 2S Solar

4.8Score

2 advantages≈ $400

5.0Display2.1

3.9Battery life6.4

4.9Health tracking4.9

5.0Sports & outdoor4.2

3.5Build & durability5.8

Dimensions

Size comparison

Forerunner 265SInstinct 2S Solar

	Forerunner 265S	Instinct 2S Solar	Difference
Height	41.7 mm	40 mm	+1.7 mm
Width	41.7 mm	40 mm	+1.7 mm
Thickness	12.9 mm	13.3 mm	−0.4 mm
Weight	39 g	43 g	−4 g

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

Why is Forerunner 265S better than Instinct 2S Solar?

AMOLED / OLED displayYes · Instinct 2S Solar: No
Storage8 GB vs 0.03 GB266.7×
GPS battery life24 h vs 22 h+9%
Pixel density327 ppi vs 139 ppi2.4×
Resolution (width)360 px vs 156 px2.3×
Weight39 g vs 43 g+10%
Sport profiles58 vs 50+16%
Thickness12.9 mm vs 13.3 mm+3%

Why is Instinct 2S Solar better than Forerunner 265S?

Battery life (smartwatch mode)15 days vs 21 days+40%
Water resistance5 ATM vs 10 ATM2×

Specifications

Side by side

Only differences	Garmin Forerunner 265S≈ $4505.2	Garmin Instinct 2S Solar≈ $4004.8
Design & durability
Case size	42 mm	40 mm
Weight	39 g	43 g
Thickness	12.9 mm	13.3 mm
Height	41.7 mm	40 mm
Width	41.7 mm	40 mm
Case material	Plastic / polymer	Plastic / polymer
Sapphire crystal	No	No
Lens / cover glass	Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3	Power Glass™
Strap material	silicone	silicone
Water resistance	5 ATM	10 ATM
Water rating (maker)	5 ATM	10 ATM
Display
Screen size	1.1″	1.12″
Display technology	AMOLED	Memory-in-pixel (transflective)
Panel	AMOLED	Monochrome, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel
AMOLED / OLED display	Yes	No
Always-on display	Yes	Yes
Touchscreen	Yes	—
Resolution (width)	360 px	156 px
Resolution (height)	360 px	156 px
Pixel density	327 ppi	139 ppi
Battery
Battery life (smartwatch mode)	15 days	21 days
Battery saver mode	—	50 days
GPS battery life	24 h	22 h
GPS battery life (dual-band)	15 h	—
Battery type	Lithium ion	Lithium ion
Solar charging	—	Yes
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, Elevate wrist heart rate monitor, Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor, Barometric altimeter, Compass, Accelerometer, Thermometer
Sports & navigation
Built-in GPS	Yes	Yes
Dual-band GPS	Yes	—
Satellite systems	GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS	GLONASS, GALILEO
Barometric altimeter	Yes	Yes
Compass	Yes	Yes
Multisport / triathlon mode	Yes	Yes
Sport profiles	58	50
Connectivity
NFC payments	Yes	Yes
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 4	—
ANT+ sensors	Yes	Yes
Smart features
Music on the watch	Yes	—
Storage	8 GB	0.03 GB
Third-party apps	Yes	Yes
Platform
Operating system	Garmin OS	Garmin OS
Platform	Proprietary	Proprietary
Works with	iOS, Android	iOS, Android