Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Apple Watch 8 (2024) Review, compare

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Back in the good old days, when you ran your first marathon, you usually bought a Garmin Forerunner with a 2 at the beginning of its name. The Garmin Forerunner 265 is the newest model. It has one of the most beautiful and bright screens we have ever seen on a running watch. It has a touchscreen, just like the Garmin Forerunner 955, the Garmin Fenix 7, and the Garmin Epix 2.

The Series 8 Apple Watch, and that’s fine. Compared to the Apple Watch Ultra, it might seem less exciting, but don’t get me wrong: after using it for a few months, we have found that improvements to health tracking, safety, and connectivity make the best smartwatch even better.

All of the changes that make the Apple Watch Series 8 better than the Apple Watch Series 7 are on the inside. The watch has a skin temperature sensor and a long-awaited low power mode that can extend the battery life of the latest Apple Watch to 36 hours.

Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Apple Watch 8 Comparison Table

Specifications	Garmin Forerunner 265	Apple Watch 8
Display	1.2-inch color display	Always-on Retina LTPO OLED display
Resolution	240 x 240 pixels	324 x 394 pixels
Battery life	Up to 7 days	Up to 18 hours
Water resistance	5 ATM	50 meters
GPS	Yes	Yes
Heart rate monitor	Yes	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes
Music storage	Up to 500 songs	32 GB internal storage
Mobile payments	Garmin Pay	Apple Pay

Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Apple Watch 8: Design and display

The Garmin Forerunner 265 looks a lot like the Forerunner 255. It has the same round face and the same five buttons, three on the left and two on the right, to help you move around the watch. The start/stop button on the newer watch is a little bit bigger, making it easier to press when your hands are sweaty. But when the screen is on, things are different. The Garmin Forerunner 265 has an AMOLED screen that is bright and beautiful, like the one on the Garmin Epix 2.

The Forerunner 265 has a resolution of 416 x 416 pixels, while the 265S has a resolution of 360 x 360 pixels. It also has a very responsive touchscreen that makes it easier to move around the watch when you’re not running. When it comes to the Apple Watch 8, it’s hard to tell the difference between the Apple Watch 8 and the Apple Watch 7.

The new smartwatch has the same curved body and thin display bezels that came out last year. This screen, which is 20% bigger than the one on the Apple Watch Series 6, is made for features like Always-On Display and a QWERTY keyboard for sending messages. 

Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Apple Watch 8: Battery life

Even though the Forerunner 265 has a brighter screen, the battery life hasn’t changed much. In smartwatch mode, the 265S can run for 15 days on a single charge. In GPS mode, it can run for 24 hours. In smartwatch mode, the 265 lasts 13 days, and in GPS mode, it lasts 20 hours. Usually, the bigger watch has a longer battery life, but it looks like the larger 265 will need charging a little bit sooner because its screen is bigger and brighter.

Even though watchOS 9 adds a new low-power battery mode, the Series 8 still needs to be charged every day. It turns off the always-on display and sensor readings in the background, and it limits Wi-Fi and cellular connections. It also doesn’t change the heart rate or GPS while you work out. On the Series 8, it’s said that you can get up to 36 hours out of it. You can buy this smartwatch from its official website.

Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Apple Watch 8: Price and availability

The Forerunner 265 costs $450 and comes in three colors: white with a white/blue band, black with a black/gray band, and teal with a teal/black band. You can also get the Forerunner 265S, which is smaller. It comes in three different colors: a black case with a black/yellow band, a white case with a white/teal band, and a pink case with a pink/white band. Each one costs $450. Another important thing to think about is whether or not you have to pay a subscription to get access to all of the Forerunner 265’s features. 

You can buy the Apple Watch Series 8 right now. The 41mm aluminum case with GPS only costs $399. The 45mm aluminum case with GPS will cost you an extra $429. If you want LTE cellular connectivity, the price goes up by $100 to $429 or $529, depending on which model you choose. You can also get an Apple Watch Series 8 with a case made of stainless steel, which is a better material.

Which one should you buy?

The answer really depends on what you want the watch to do for you. If you are training for your first marathon or are really into CrossFit, the Garmin Forerunner 265 has a beautiful display and more activity profiles, training tools, and data feedback. But the Apple Watch Series 8 is a better choice if you want a watch you can wear on a run or bike while calling your mom, replying to an email, and checking your WhatsApp notifications.

It’s a great smartwatch, and since it has built-in cellular, it’s like having your iPhone on your wrist. This is a real debate about sports watches vs smartwatches. Still, if you want a sports watch, the Apple Watch Ultra is better because it has extra features like an Action Button and diving modes. However, it costs more than both the Forerunner 265 and the Apple Watch Series 8.

Garmin Forerunner 265: THE GOOD AND THE BAD

Apple Watch 8: THE GOOD AND THE BAD

FAQS

Is Garmin watches better than Apple Watch?

The Apple Watch is a great smartwatch. If it’s important to you to be able to get and answer notifications, use a wide range of apps, chat with friends, and stream music, then you should get an Apple watch. Garmin’s features aren’t as advanced, and its app store has a lot less to offer.

What is Garmin Forerunner best for?

We chose the Forerunner 745 as the “best for triathletes” because, in addition to its other Garmin features, it puts a lot of emphasis on cycling, running, and swimming. 

Can you answer calls on Garmin?

Most Garmin watches let you answer calls, but this one just tells your connected phone to accept the call. Most people agree that Garmin makes some of the most accurate fitness trackers on the market, but when it comes to general smarts, its wearables aren’t as good as those made by companies that focus less on sports.