Garmin Forerunner 265
Garmin · Smartwatch

Garmin Forerunner 265

AMOLED Forerunner with Training Readiness. The 965 minus the bigger case and topo maps.

$449Garmin →
Battery13 days
Water5 ATM
Weight47g
Sensors9
OSStandalone

The 265 brought AMOLED to the Forerunner mid-tier. You lose the topo maps and the larger case of the 965, but multi-band GNSS, Training Readiness, race prediction, and the Garmin Coach plans all carry over — for $150 less.

Strengths

  • AMOLED in a runner-focused watch
  • Training Readiness without 965 pricing
  • 13-day smartwatch battery

Tradeoffs

  • No topo maps
  • No ECG or AFib screening
  • Discontinued — replaced by the Forerunner 570

Full specs

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Common questions

How much does the Garmin Forerunner 265 cost?
The Garmin Forerunner 265 has a list price of $449.
Does the Garmin Forerunner 265 require a subscription?
No. The Garmin Forerunner 265 has no subscription — you pay for the hardware once and the Garmin app is included.
How long does the Garmin Forerunner 265 battery last?
About 13 days of typical use per charge. Heavy GPS use, an always-on display, and continuous sensing all pull that number down.
Is the Garmin Forerunner 265 waterproof?
The Garmin Forerunner 265 is rated 5 ATM (50m), which covers showering, swimming, and surface water sports. It is not a dive rating.
Do you need a phone to use the Garmin Forerunner 265?
No. The Garmin Forerunner 265 records, stores, and shows your data on the device itself — a phone is for syncing and review, not for tracking.
Is the Garmin Forerunner 265 still worth buying?
The Garmin Forerunner 265 came out in 2023 and Garmin has discontinued it, so new stock is limited and prices vary. Check it against the current smartwatch lineup before buying.