Garmin recently unveiled the Garmin Forerunner 165, which boasts an AMOLED display, and surprisingly, it’s the cheapest watch from Garmin that features an OLED display.
The latest Garmin release was the Garmin Forerunner 265, which also features an OLED display but is more expensive than the Forerunner 165. It retails for $449, while the Forerunner 165 retails for $249.
But there’s more to it, which we will dive into in further sections. So if you are considering buying either of these smartwatches, read the full comparison to know which one to choose.
Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Forerunner 265: Comparison
| Device name | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 165 |
|---|---|---|
| Device type | Smartwatch | Smartwatch |
| Gender | Unisex | Unisex |
| Release date | March, 2023 | February, 2024 |
| Versions | Standard edition | Standard edition |
| Body | ||
| Dimension | 46.1 x 46.1 x 12.9 mm | 43 x 43 x 11.6 mm |
| Weight | 47 grams | 39 grams |
| Shape | Circular | Circular |
| Case material | Fiber-Reinforced Polymer | Fiber-Reinforced Polymer |
| Strap material | Silicone | Silicone |
| Bezel material | Fiber-Reinforced Polymer | Fiber-Reinforced Polymer |
| Strap size | 22 mm | 20 mm |
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Chemically Strengthened Glass |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Swim-proof | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended |
| Display | ||
| Display size | 1.3 inch | 1.2 inch |
| Display type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Display resolution | 416 x 416 pixels | 390 x 390 pixels |
| Pixel density | 453 PPI | 460 PPI |
| Always on | Yes | Yes |
| Custom watch face | Yes | Yes |
| Input type | — | — |
| Connectivity | ||
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth calling | No | No |
| GPS | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Garmin Pay | Garmin Pay |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | No |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | — | — |
| Internal Storage | 8 GB | 4 GB |
| Memory card slot | No | No |
| Cellular Connectivity | ||
| Technology | None | None |
| SIM type | None | None |
| Band | — | — |
| Sensors | ||
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
| Altimeter | No | No |
| Ambient light | Yes | Yes |
| Barometer | No | No |
| Compass | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | No | No |
| Gyroscope | No | No |
| HRM | No | No |
| Pulse oximeter (SpO2) | Yes | Yes |
| Thermometer | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery type | non-removable Lithium-polymer | non-removable Lithium-polymer |
| Battery capacity | — | — |
| Battery life | 13 days | 11 days |
| Charging type | Plug Charger | Plug Charger |
| Charging time | 1-2 hours | 1-2 hours |
| Solar charging | No | No |
Price
The Garmin Forerunner 165 was released in February 2024 and is available in only one 43 mm size. It is priced at $249, plus it has a music version, which costs $50 more to grab, or $299.
The Garmin Forerunner 265, on the other hand, comes in two sizes — 42 mm (Forerunner 265S) and 46 mm (Forerunner 265), and surprisingly, both are priced at $449.
In terms of available colours, both come in four different colorways: Turquoise, Black, Mist Gray, and Berry for the Forerunner 165, and Whitestone, Black, Aqua, and Light Pink for the Forerunner 265.
Design and Display
First, let’s talk about the design. Both devices are housed in a fiber-reinforced polymer bezel and casing, which also makes the watch lighter but less durable than the mattalic build. However, in lens material, the Forerunner 165 uses chemically strengthened glass, while the Forerunner 265 uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3, providing durability and scratch resistance.
One of the major changes is in size; the Forerunner 265 is only available in 43 mm, making it suitable for individuals with a smaller wrist. In contrast, the Forerunner 265 is available in 42 mm and 46 mm sizes, suitable for both smaller and larger wrists.
Both smartwatches support touchscreens, although they get disabled during sports activities. Both come with Garmin’s typical five-button design, with two on the right and three on the left.
Another major difference we see is in the display section. Both smartwatches boast an AMOLED display but differ in screen size. The Forerummer 265 comes in a 1.1-inch, 360 x 360 pixels and 1.3-inch, 416 x 416 pixels OLED display with a 453 PPI pixel density.
In contrast, the Forerunner 165 comes in between the Forerunner 265 and 265S. It boasts a 1.2-inch, 460 PPI, 390 x 390-pixel OLED display.
Both have a rating of 5 ATM and can withstand up to 50 metres of depth. So both can be used for swimming, and you can wear them while showering too.
Health Tracking
When it comes to health and fitness tracking, both smartwatches offer identical features but lack a few advanced features like an ECG, skin temperature monitor, and jet lag advisor, which you get on other Garmin devices.
Both can track heart rate, resting heart rate, abnormal HR, SpO2 (blood oxygen), respiration rate (24×7), stress, hydration, and women’s health. Plus, both offer Garmin’s typical body battery and health snapshot features.
If we talk about sleep tracking, both can track sleep in multiple stages, including light, deep, and REM. They also feature nap detection, which can detect your naps and sync them with your overall sleep to help you get deeper insights into your sleep. They also provide a sleep score that ranges from 0 to 100, and you should aim for the maximum number.
Fitness Tracking
In terms of sports tracking, the Forerunner 265 takes the lead with a wide range of sports modes, appealing to adventure seekers and fitness enthusiasts. However, the Forerunner 165 also offers multiple features that are enough for general audiences. Check the chart below.
| Category | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Forerunner 165 |
|---|---|---|
| Gym | Strength, HIIT, Cardio, Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Floor Climbing, Indoor Rowing | Strength, HIIT, Cardio, Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Floor Climbing |
| Multisport | Triathlon | — |
| Wellness | Walking, Pilates, Yoga | Walking, Pilates, Yoga |
| Indoor Running | Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running, Virtual Running | Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running, Virtual Running |
| Outdoor Running | Running, Outdoor Track Running, Trail Running, Ultra Running | Running, Outdoor Track Running, Trail Running, Ultra Running |
| Outdoor Recreation | Hiking | Hiking |
| Cycling | Biking, Mountain Biking, eBiking, eMountain Biking, Indoor Biking | Biking, Indoor Biking |
| Swim | Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming | Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming |
| Racket Sports | Tennis, Pickleball, Badminton, Squash, Table Tennis, Padel, Platform Tennis, Racquetball | Tennis, Pickleball, Padel |
| On The Water | Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing | — |
| Motor Sports | — | — |
| Snow & Winter | Skiing, Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing | — |
| Team Sports | Basketball, Volleyball, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Football/Soccer, American Football, Lacrosse, Rugby, Ultimate Disc, Cricket, Softball, Baseball | — |
| Ring Sports | Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts | — |
| Others | Inline Skating | — |
Apart from this, both can track basic tasks like steps, distance travelled, floor climbed, calories burned, intensity minutes, and more.
They also feature some additional features for athletes, such as VO2 max and recovery time, but the Forerunner 265 offers training load, load ratio, virtual partner (letting you compete with yourself by comparing your current pace to the previous one), and more, which are not available in the new Forerunner 165.
Additionally, both have various features for ultra runners, such as back-to-start (letting you get back from where you started), tracback, ultratrac mode (periodically turning off the GPS to save battery life), up ahead (showing upcoming course points, aid stations, water stations, etc.), elevation profile, and much more.
The Forerunner 265 also features multi-band GPS that uses multiple frequencies to provide more accurate readings in challenging situations. This feature is lacking in the Forerunner 165, so you might find the FR 265 more appealing if you are looking for accurate GPS tracking.
Smartwatch Features
Garmin’s smartwatches are not designed for smartwatch features, as they are designed for athletes and fitness enthusiasts, so you can’t find many features in this area.
Both have basic smart notifications, a calendar, weather forecasts, a morning report, a battery saver, and smartphone music control. Both can connect to a range of iOS and Android devices, ensuring compatibility for wider audiences. Plus, both have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and ANT+ connectivity as well.
One major difference we saw in the Forerunner 165 is that they separated music support and named it Forerunner 165 Music, which costs an extra $50, while the Forerunner 265 comes integrated with it. The FR 165 only offers 4 GB of storage, compared to 8 GB on the FR 265.
Additionally, the Forerunner 265 features Garmin Pay, which lets you store your credit or debit card and pay contactlessly; however, this feature is lacking in the Forerunner 165.
Battery Life
When it comes to battery life, both smartwatches offer decent battery life that can last for several days in between charges, but with a few differences. The Forerunner 265 can last for around 13 days on a single charge, compared to 11 days on the Forerunner 165. In GPS-only GNSS mode, the FR 265 lasts for up to 20 hours, while the FR 165 lasts 1 hour less, or 19 hours. For a full comparison, see the chart below.
| Device name | Garmin Forerunner 165 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch Mode | Up to 11 days | Up to 13 days |
| Battery Saver Smartwatch Mode | Up to 20 days | — |
| GPS-Only GNSS mode | Up to 19 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| All-Systems GNSS mode | Up to 17 hours | — |
| SatIQ GNSS mode | — | Up to 16 hours |
| All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band | — | Up to 14 hours |
| GPS-Only GNSS mode with music | — | Up to 7 hours |
Which should you choose?
For general shoppers who want a powerful smartwatch with great value and advanced features but are budget-restricted, they can go for the Garmin Forerunner 165.
But if you want your watch to be a fitness beast with advanced GPS tracking and longer battery life, the Garmin Forerunner 265 will be the way to go.