Garmin Forerunner 265S/265 In-Depth Review: Even More Data!
Garmin Forerunner 265 Review – If you’re in the market for a new running watch, look no further than the Garmin Forerunner 265 and 265S. These latest additions to the popular Forerunner series come with a host of new features and upgrades, making them the go-to choice for serious runners.
In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive into all the changes and updates that the Forerunner 265 and 265S have to offer. From the new AMOLED display to the advanced training readiness metrics, we’ll cover everything you need to know before making your purchase.
Let’s start with the most obvious change – the stunning AMOLED display. This upgrade alone sets the 265 and 265S apart from their predecessors. The display is much more brilliant and has higher resolution, creating a visually pleasing experience for users. The smaller 265S has seen a slight increase in size, going from a 41mm case to a 42mm case, while the larger 265 remains at a 46mm case. However, both have decreased in thickness by half a millimeter.
Garmin Forerunner 265 Specifications
- Operating System: android
- Special Feature: Morning Report; Race Adaptive Training Plans; Daily Suggested Workouts; Training Readiness, Training Status; HRV Status; Garmin Coach; Recovery Time; Sleep Monitoring and Sleep ScoreMorning Report; Race Adaptive Training Plans; Daily Suggested Workouts; Training Readiness, Training Status; HRV Status; Garmin Coach;
- Battery Capacity: 7 Amp Hours
- Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB
- Wireless Communication: Standard Bluetooth
- Battery Cell Composition: Lithium Polymer
- GPS: True
- Shape: Round
- Screen Size: 1.3 Inches
- Brand: Garmin
Apart from the eye-catching display, the biggest change in these watches is the addition of training readiness metrics. This feature is exclusive to the 265 and won’t be available on the 255 via software update. Training readiness takes into account your sleep patterns, heart rate variability (HRV), stress levels, and overall training load to determine your readiness to train. This is a game-changer for runners looking to optimize their training and performance.
Key Features
- Brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display with traditional button controls; lightweight design in 46 mm size
- Up to 13 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours in GPS mode
- As soon as you wake up, get your morning report with an overview of your sleep, recovery, and training outlook alongside HRV status, training readiness, and weather (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Plan race strategy with personalized daily suggested workouts based on the race and course that you input into the Garmin Connect app and then view the race widget on your watch; daily suggested workouts adapt after every run to match performance and recovery
- Training readiness score is based on sleep quality, recovery, training load, and HRV status to determine if you’re primed to go hard and get the most out of your workout (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- 30+ built-in activity profiles include running, triathlons, cycling, open-water swimming, and more
- Using indicators such as HRV status, recent exercise history, and performance, get insight into the overall effort with training status — and know whether you’re training productively, peaking, or strained (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Safety and tracking features, including incident detection (during select outdoor activities) and Assistance, send a message with your live location to emergency contacts when paired with your compatible smartphone; requires setup and your smartphone to be in an area with network coverage where data connectivity is available
- Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology provides superior positioning accuracy in challenging environments while also optimizing the device’s battery life
- Never miss a call or text from your paired Android or Apple smartphone with smart notifications
Another exciting upgrade is that all editions of the Forerunner 265 now come with music storage capabilities. You can now download your favorite Spotify or Amazon music playlists directly onto your watch and play them back using Bluetooth headphones. This feature was only available on select models before, so having it on all editions of the 265 is a major plus.
In terms of running metrics, the 265 has also added wrist-based running dynamics. This means that you no longer need to use a Garmin chest strap or RD pod to track your ground contact time and vertical oscillation – it’s all built into the watch. However, you can still use external accessories if you prefer.
Garmin has also introduced unified training status or Physio TrueUp 2.0, which allows you to sync data from different Garmin devices into one cohesive picture. This is a significant improvement from the previous version, making it easier to track your progress and performance across different devices.
Other changes on the 265 include the addition of a USBC charging cable in the box and a revamped user interface to take advantage of the AMOLED display. The watch is now fully touch-screen, but you can still use buttons for starting, stopping, and lapping if preferred.
With all these exciting upgrades, it’s natural to assume that the price would increase significantly. The Forerunner 265 and 265S are priced at $449 each, which is $100 more than the previous 255 and Music Edition. However, it’s worth noting that for an extra $50, you can get the Forerunner 955 with full mapping capabilities.
Now let’s talk about what hasn’t changed on the 255 – and there’s quite a bit. The watch still has a long battery life, accurate GPS tracking, and heart rate monitoring. These are all essential features for runners, and it’s reassuring to see that they remain unchanged.
Conclusion: Garmin Forerunner 265 Review
In conclusion, the Garmin Forerunner 265 and 265S offer an impressive array of upgrades and new features that make them worth the price tag. From the stunning AMOLED display to the advanced training readiness metrics, these watches are designed with serious runners in mind. If you’re in the market for a new running watch, the Forerunner 265 and 265S are definitely worth considering.
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| Garmin Forerunner 265 Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Whitestone and Tidal Blue | Garmin Forerunner 165, Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Whitestone | Garmin Forerunner® 965 Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Whitestone and Powder Gray | Garmin Venu 3 Silver Stainless Steel Bezel 1.4-Inch AMOLED Touchscreen Display Smart Watch with 45mm Whitestone Case and Silicone Band | |
| View Product | View Product | View Product | View Product | |
| Price | $434.00 | $249.99 | $587.99 | $449.99 |
| Operating system |
Android
|
Android
|
Android & iOS
|
Android
|
| Display size |
1.3 inches
|
1.2 inches
|
1.4 inches
|
1.4 inches
|
| Connectivity tech |
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB
|
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB
|
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB
|
Wireless
|
| Supported applications |
GPS
|
GPS
|
GPS
|
GPS
|
| Input interface |
touch screen, buttons
|
touch screen, buttons
|
touch screen, buttons
|
buttons, touchscreen
|
| Wireless standard |
Bluetooth
|
Bluetooth
|
Bluetooth
|
Bluetooth
|
| Water resistance |
water resistant
|
waterproof
|
water resistant
|
water resistant
|
| Case material |
Silicone
|
—
|
Titanium
|
Stainless Steel
|
| Wireless provider |
—
|
—
|
du
|
du
|
| GPS navigation |
✓
|
Built-in GPS
|
✓
|
Built-in GPS
|
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