Garmin Forerunner 265

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.

[...] 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.

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 have an Apple Watch 7 and a Garmin Forerunner 265. [...] I have no idea which is right but one factor seems to be the max heart rate, which the Garmin calculates but in Apple Watch seems to be fixed based on age unless you set it manually. [...]

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. [...]

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. [...]

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.

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!

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

I recently purchased a 265, and the three buttons on the left side have a clicky feel and function consistently. However, the back button on the right side of the watch face feels squishy and only responds when pressed down firmly until it clicks. [...] Given that the button resembles those on the left in style, I'm inclined to think they should all share the same tactile response and activate upon being pressed.

i have been using the 265 since sometime now...tbh the battery life with an amoled display is just exceptional...the UI is quite alright though it lags only when you use an intensive watchface otherwise its fluid. The only flaw that I find in this watch is the heart rate sensor or probably their software for it. I have complained about the same on their forum as well, the sensor is just laggy when there is no activity or even when there is, it takes time to pick the right beat. It is an expensive watch and a user expects the main thing to work accurately coz of which all the other data works.

i buy and like the watch; little bit more accurate gps and hr But one big CON: In interval runs, in recovery time i don’t see how much intervals we done(like on 245), for example 8/10; sometimes I am not sure like today, very hot, Z5 running; BUT it is very important to know if you want to give 100% your self in for example last two or last interval

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

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

[...] 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

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!

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?

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. [...]

[...] 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

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

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.

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. [...]

[...] 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! [...]

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 the FR 255, and I don't think the price difference is worth it just for the AMOLED screen. The battery life gives me 37 hours with GPS only, which is considerably more than its AMOLED-equipped counterpart

I have an Apple Watch 7 and a Garmin Forerunner 265. [...]

Is there a chart that does features to price jump? I only run, follow structured training and have the 245 as an insurance replacement to a stolen 235. If I was buying again, I think the 55 is all I would need (although extra features might be nice)