Forerunner 265 is a running smartwatch with a touchscreen AMOLED display, training metrics, phone-free music, & up to 13 days of battery life in smartwatch mode.
Garmin
Forerunner® 265
Forerunner® 265 · $450 · Mar 2023
Forerunner 265 is a running smartwatch with a touchscreen AMOLED display, training metrics, phone-free music, & up to 13 days of battery life in smartwatch mode.
8 GB music storageTouchscreenAMOLED (optional always-on mode)
- Price
- $450
- Amazon
- $350
- Release
- Mar 2023
- Weight
- 47g
- Case size
- 46 mm
- Display
- AMOLED (optional always-on mode)
- Music
- 8 GB music storage
- Water resistance
- 50 m
What this watch does well, and where it gives ground
Smartwatch mode: 13 days · Forerunner 265 is a running smartwatch with a touchscreen AMOLED display, training metrics, phone-free music, & up to 13 days of battery life in smartwatch mode.
Worth a closer look if battery tradeoffs are driving your shortlist. · Some supporting data is neutral or missing, so this fit should be treated as provisional.
Amazon
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Where this watch makes the most sense
Road running
68/100 fit score
Starting point for a general running watch. There are no major red flags, but the standout advantages are modest.
Strengths
Starting point for a general running watch., Road-running comfort improves with a lighter watch., Dedicated workout battery matters for repeat training days.
Limitations
Some supporting data is neutral or missing, so this fit should be treated as provisional.
Everyday smartwatch use
61/100 fit score
Starting point for daily-wear smartwatch usefulness. Touch interaction is a major convenience factor outside workouts.
Strengths
Starting point for daily-wear smartwatch usefulness., Brighter, richer displays usually feel better in daily smartwatch use., Daily wear improves when charging stays infrequent.
Limitations
Touch interaction is a major convenience factor outside workouts.
Triathlon
50/100 fit score
Starting point for multisport-capable training watches. There are no major red flags, but the standout advantages are modest.
Strengths
Starting point for multisport-capable training watches., Triathlon benefits from dependable endurance across long sessions., Lower weight makes all-day training and racing easier to live with.
Limitations
Some supporting data is neutral or missing, so this fit should be treated as provisional.
Hiking / backpacking
29/100 fit score
Starting point for general outdoor watches. Hiking and backpacking benefit strongly from offline maps and navigation.
Strengths
Starting point for general outdoor watches., Long off-grid use rewards watches that stretch well beyond one day.
Limitations
Hiking and backpacking benefit strongly from offline maps and navigation.
Trail running
23/100 fit score
Starting point for trail-capable fitness watches. Trail running benefits heavily from on-watch navigation confidence.
Strengths
Starting point for trail-capable fitness watches., Lower weight helps for technical or longer trail sessions.
Limitations
Trail running benefits heavily from on-watch navigation confidence.
Battery modes on one card
Smartwatch mode
13 days
GPS-only mode
7 hours
Multiband GNSS mode
14 hours
Human-readable details first
High-signal details
- Always-on display
- AMOLED (optional always-on mode)
Materials and build
- Bezel
- fiber-reinforced polymer
- Lens
- Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3
Fit and wrist range
- Silicone band
- 135 mm min / 205 mm max
Music and media
- Music
- 8 GB music storage
- Music storage
- 8 GB
- Bluetooth headphones
- No
- Streaming apps
- No
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Amazfit
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Owner review
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