Garmin Forerunner 265

[...] A step down but still great is the Forerunner 265. [...] It looks at a bunch of different metrics, both current (your HRV, last workout performance, sleep, stress) and chronic (your weekly and monthly total exercise amount, types of running, etc) and advises you on how hard you should train and suggests a running activity for the day. [...]

I’m here for the review and obviously the comments - my beloved 735xt (which has taken me across continents, rivers, epic bike rides and long runs for nearly 4 years) got water logged and bricked out of warranty. Garmin agreed to sell me another watch for 25% off - and I’m’ considering exchanging it for the 265 - any recommendations? Thanks.

Still loving my 245 amazing watch, had it 4 years and battery still lasts 7 days 🫡

I used my FR55 for 2½ yrs and I'm glad I've waited 'til the FR265 came. The Training Readiness, Hot Keys, AMOLED display, dual band satellite, open water, and a lot more was a huge upgrade for me. Thanks, Des!

I've had mine for around 9 months now (or however long it has been since release) and it absolutely has everything a regular person could ask for. I feel like some of the AMOLED diss comes from people who never used this display technology. Sure, you do have to charge it more frequently, but it charges quickly. I charge it every 4-5 days after waking up and by the time I finish my shower and breakfast it's full or almost full; that's with at least a 30-minute outdoor run every day, with the GPS setting turned to SatIQ.

I got the 255 (46mm non-music) back in December 2022 and haven’t looked back since…I will probably stick with this for a few years before deciding to change or upgrade but I do like the new display of the 265…maybe Garmin will continue to mature or consolidate some of their product line cause they have such a huge selection and variety of watches.

Damn hell, i waited a long time the presentation of the new 245, finally i bought a brand new 255 for 399€, and after 6 months Garmin drop the REAL upgrade, wtf

[...] It's been a fragile piece of hardware, I am on my 3rd one in as many years (always replaced under warranty though), but I still probably wouldn't switch to anything else. When it breaks out of warranty I'll just buy another one.

[...] The only drawbacks are I still trying to like the amoled screen though. It’s easier to look with the old screen, no need to flick, just like a side peek and you could see everything. [...]

[...] Especially if you want the battery to last longer, the screen should be turned off as much as possible. Never had a problem with the MIP screen. [...] Hopefully Garmin FR will go back to MIP screens. I have been using FR for 7 years. I think I could upgrade my 245 to a newer one, but it seems that I have to wait, because the price is much too big for the 265. And I agree with the others that the best value is the 255. [...]

[...] coz amoled is the screen i wanted in first place with all training features ( epix gen 2 was out of budget 😪) n now m feeling stupid what to do

[...] It’s good but battery life is not as great as before and of cos the newer features from these newer watch is tempting me with so many data stats to keep track of.

[...] And their watches are getting more expensive without any real innovations in harware (most of new features you get, say, from Forerunner 570 or 970 probably could have been easily enabled on Forerunner 265 or 965 with software updates). [...] They are Chinese company (as is Coros btw), which makes it slightly uncomfortable for me to share my health data with them. [...]

forerunner 265 - I've used it for running triathlons and marathons and have had no issues. [...] For women you may want to look at the forerunner 265S which is identical to the forerunner 265 but is slightly smaller. [...]

I picked one up in mid-2026, and I’m honestly blown away by the display quality and how insanely smooth it is. I’ve been an Apple Watch guy for years, but the Forerunner 265 is on a whole different level. And man, not having that tiny iPhone strapped to my wrist anymore feels amazing!

Great video. I've just bought one (I'm in the UK) , and decided to look up reviews afterwards 😂. It's not arrived yet but looks like a good purchase. Plus it was £284 with discounts... which is about $381

Im new to watches … I purchased the 265 and I like it a lot. Still learning how to properly use all of the features. But so far so good.

My 265 feels much more comfortable than my 255 to sleep in. [...]

[...] I just ordered 265 today (with great discount!), and priced equivalent of $340 in my country . Was also considering to go for Race S (price is also similar at $340ish) but after reconsidering again (i.e, I do not going that much in trail activities), this 265 should fits me better! [...]

Well i have a question, i ordered my 265 already during the black Friday sale for around $150 cheaper. My friend said unless im doing Triathlon it isnt worth it, and just get 165. I didnt see any colours that I personally enjoy in the 165 (all sold out) and its just a 100 difference in price. How do you think it compares, is it worth getting the 265 in nov/dec 2024 and how much different is it compared to the 165

[...] Swapping the AWU gen 1, I wanted a more "minimalistic" watch and not having to charge the watch every other day will for sure be a game changer. [...]

I recently bought a 255 and returned it for a 265 after a day. After coming from a Venu 2 I wanted something that provided more running options but I couldn't get on with no touchscreen and the MIP display on the 255. I managed to get 30% off the 265 through work and so far I am very happy with my 265

Why my 265 can’t find training readiness, I used to saw it but is disappeared now

A comparison between the 265 and 965 would be good. I’ve been interested in both those watches as I currently have a Fenix 6 Pro S which is great but it might be time for an upgrade.

Last Christmas sale, this FR265 gave me headache as which watch to buy. But then suddenly 1 yr old FR955 (non-solar) show with almost same price ($450 equivalent), so its no brainer to get it and I like MIP vs Amoled at least for now for watches especially for battery life. [...]

I started running with a Timex smartwatch with an arm unit for GPS (pretty sure that large, armband device gave me some cancer) year later, oh yeah, Garmin came into my life. [...] Fast forward to 2024, twenty years later and the Garmin ForeRunner 955 Solar is on its way to my house. [...]

Guys, I understand cost is an important factor, but 265 provides a backup of atleast 6-10 days without always on display with small number of workouts and if u compare that to an apple watch, it surely is a breakthrough for garmin to provide such a battery backup with amoled display. Secondly, everyone does praise MIP displays of 255 n 955 but when you will use 265 or 965, you will not be able to go back to MIP again coz those colors are so vibrant. Plus, since 255 n 955 are older models than the new amoled ones, soon garmin will focus more on the new ones for updates. [...]

I got mine from $449 to paying $382 which is a huge discount because the place I got it from online gives great discounts for Veterans. [...] I wanted the 265 because of the bright colorful display it looks much modern. [...]

FR255 is the best value, if found with a significant discount. I could find the FR255 for 250€ and the FR265 for 450€. They are almost identical (same chipset and dual band GPS), the major difference being the 265’s LED display. But if found for 250€/250$, I would say the FR255 is the best value watch. The LED display upgrade isnt worth paying 200€ or 200$ extra. That’s why I bought the FR255.

[...] Just got mine for Christmas and am loving it.

[...] I was very interested with screen possibilities. I love my forerunner 245 and it's screen solution. My husband has amoled screen in his smartwatch and I don't like it at all. I see in what you have shown, that this screen can be used at all time display mode, which is great. [...] I didn't catch in the review though if brightness of the screen changes automatically in brighter conditions like phones do? [...] I wonder if they would ever come back to good old fashioned screens. [...]

Hi Des! [...]

Thank you, this was an excellent overview and is helping me use my new watch. All the best to you!

Functionality beats aesthetics all day - its the whole reason people get the Garmin watches instead of Apple or Samsung. I feel like with the 265, they have taken a step back with functionality to prioritize aesthetics which is the opposite of what their target audience wants. Poorer battery life, less visibility under sunlight, risk of screen burn-in, decreased screen lifespan.

I have an issue with the heart rate accuracy. [...] I can be doing an interval and have my heart rate in the 170s and the watch (not using any features, just sitting on my wrist) shows like 70. [...]

This was incredibly helpful. Watched multiple videos of yours comparing different ones and breaking them down. Just bought my first Garmin and this helped!

[...] I have a new Garmin Forerunner 265, and despite turning off the screen activation with the hand movement ("gesture" in the general use options), it keeps turning on. [...]

[...] I have a new Garmin Forerunner 265, and despite turning off the screen activation with the hand movement ("gesture" in the general use options), it keeps turning on. [...]

Does anyone have any info on how these amoled screens will hold up against burn-in in the long term? I'm also a fairly new owner of a 255 music, chosen because I wanted buttons and not touch screen and the transflective, always on display. [...] It looks like the wrist-based running dynamics is coming in a future update, and I'm not too fussed about the training readiness as I'm not that serious an athlete. [...]

I have the 745 but this gorgeous display is very tempting...😅

[...] Imho the 265 is not attractive enough with amoled and training readiness. I was hoping to see wireless charging, because more than one time my watch hardly made contact with the charging cable and I got to get it exchanged.

I ordered mine! 😅. I have the 955, Enduro 2, and Apple Watch ultra. I use all of them! [...]

I have a garmin fenix 7x SS. However, i am tempted to buy this watch as well simply because the display is gorgeous and i can use it for my workouts as well!

Already ordered mine - love the 255, excited for the screen and ability to turn off the touchscreen during runs (reason I stopped using Apple Watch was inadvertent touches in winter under multiple layers 😂)

I have loved both of the videos so far today! And thank you so much for showing the stock watch faces, I am just hoping you can turn off the gradient color feature for each! I just want solid colors! I will know in 5 to 8 weeks when my 965 arrives I guess ha ha

My Garmin Forerunner 265 has pretty decent battery life, maybe 8 days. I think what was the value for many was how their Connect app processed and displayed stats, though a recent change to "be pretty" has undone much of the usefulness. Combined with the chest monitor I could get balance, impact, stride etc stats live on my watch, which was great for helping correct a leftward lean I didn't know I was doing. [...] I hate carrying a phone, my watch does have GarminPay and music.

IME the OLED Garmins don't have that long of battery life if you have the display set to always-on. For me (Forerunner 265), it lasts maybe 3 days. Better than an Apple Watch, but not nearly as good as an Amazfit.

I have a Forerunner 265, which I think was refreshed earlier this year to have the new AMOLED display. [...] I don’t understand how the Amazfit watches get 2+ weeks, with such nice-looking screens. I would have gotten one but don’t feel comfortable due to data/privacy issues, and the menus were clearly not written English-first. But the battery life was amazing!

Hello I was wondering if anyone has been having issues with the Garmin 265 Nap detection. When I first got it, it would track my naps automatically and then all of a sudden it stopped? Does anyone know how to fix it or did the automatic detection disappear with the update?

[...] I've had this watch for a month or so and it's overall been great. [...]