Garmin Forerunner 165 Music was unveiled on 20 February 2024. Forerunner 265 has been around since March 2023. We look at the core differences between the two smartwatches below.
We look at some primary differences between the Forerunner 165 Music and Forerunner 265 smartwatches below.
Main differences
- Forerunner 265 supports multi-band or dual-frequency GPS. Forerunner 165 does not support multi-band GPS or dual-frequency mode for GPS.
- Forerunner 165 Music edition has lower storage (4 GB) than Forerunner 265 (8 GB).
- Forerunner 265 uses much better display glass (Corning Gorilla Glass 3) in comparison with the Forerunner 165 Music edition smartwatch (chemically strengthened glass).
- Forerunner 165 Music is smaller in size than Forerunner 265.
- Forerunner 165 Music lacks a sensor for the Gyroscope. Forerunner 265 comes with a Gyroscope sensor.
- Forerunner 265 has a higher number of activity profiles than Forerunner 165.
- Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 165 Music do not differ much in terms of battery backup.
- Forerunner 165 comes for $299.99 and Forerunner 265 retails for $449.99.
Display specifications
Forerunner 165 Music edition is smaller in size than Forerunner 265.
| Display specifications | Forerunner 165 Music | Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Display size | 30 mm | 33 mm |
| Display resolution | 390 x 390 pixels | 416 x 416 pixels |
| Display lens | Chemically strengthened glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Display technology | AMOLED (optional always-on mode) | AMOLED (optional always-on mode) |
| Color display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
Both, Forerunner 165 Music edition and Forerunner 265 use AMOLED display. Both watches can support Always-on-display mode.
Physical specifications
The Forerunner 265 is broader and heavier than the Forerunner 165 Music edition smartwatch. This translates into a wider band and broader display.
| Physical specifications | Forerunner 165 Music | Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Watch size | 43 x 43 x 11.6 mm | 46.1 x 46.1 x 12.9 mm |
| Thickness | 11.6 mm | 12.9 mm |
| Band size | 20 mm | 22 mm |
| Band material | Silicone | Silicone |
| Recommended wrist circumference | 126-203 mm | 135-205 mm |
| Weight | 39 g | 47 g |
| Bezel | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Water rating | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| NFC Payments | Garmin Pay | Garmin Pay |
The important points to note in terms of physical specifications:
- Garmin Pay app is used for making NFC or contactless payments.
- Both watches use a 5 ATM water resistance rating. This implies both watches are resistant to 50 meters of depth under the water’s surface.
GPS
Forerunner 165 Music and Forerunner 265 support GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite networks. Forerunner 265 supports multi-band GPS or dual-frequency GPS.
The multi-band GPS in Forerunner 265 has been made possible with the introduction of a multi-frequency positioning sensor.
The multi-band GPS allows the smartwatch to fetch GPS data from multiple satellites at any given point in time. This helps in improving GPS accuracy and reliability.
Forerunner 165 Music edition does not have a multi-frequency positioning sensor. Therefore, it cannot support dual-frequency GPS.
Forerunner 265, additionally, uses SatIQ technology to manage multi-band GPS automatically. SatIQ allows Forerunner 265 to toggle on or off the multi-band GPS mode.
SatIQ sensor allows Forerunner 265 to conserver battery backup with optimum usage of the multi-band GPS mode.
Battery
Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 165 Music have almost identical battery backups. Both watches support fast charging through the Garmin proprietary charger.
| Watch mode | Forerunner 165 Music | Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch mode | Up to 11 days | Up to 13 days |
| GPS-Only GNSS mode | Up to 19 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| All-Systems GNSS mode | Up to 17 hours | – |
| All-Systems GNSS mode in multi-band GPS | – | Up to 14 hours |
Cost
Forerunner 165 has a cost price of $299.99 and Forerunner 265 comes at a list price of $449.99.
Final verdict
For the additional $200 spent on Forerunner 265, you get the following additions:
- Multi-band GPS
- Gyroscope
- Additional activity profiles
- Better display lens
- Broader display size
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