Garmin Forerunner 265 is one of the newer watches from Garmin. It was released in March 2023. Edge 2 has been around since January 2022.
The comparison between Forerunner 265 and Epix 2 standard edition is one of the interesting ones. Forerunner 265 costs almost half of Epix 2.
What do you get for $449.99 in Epix 2 that is not already there on the Forerunner 265? Let us take a look at this interesting question below.
For this comparison, we are looking at Epix Gen 2 standard edition and Forerunner 265. Epix 2 Sapphire edition has a different set of features and we will compare it in a separate study.
Main differences
- Forerunner 265 has a better display lens as it uses the 3rd generation Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Epix 2 uses Corning Gorilla glass.
- Epix 2 has a better water rating than Forerunner 265.
- Epix 2 comes preloaded with Golf features, including 43000 golf course maps. Forerunner 265 does not support Golf.
- Epix 2 has better device storage than Forerunner 265.
- Forerunner 265 supports multi-band GPS while the Epix 2 smartwatch does not have multi-band GPS.
- Epix 2 battery offers longer backup than the Forerunner 265, especially on the GPS modes.
- Epix 2 has a higher number of profiles in outdoor recreation, cycling, and swimming than the Forerunner 265.
Forerunner 265 does justice to its position as one of the best watches for runners. Epix 2 is a complete package, that will appeal to runners and others alike.
We look at these differences in detail below.
Display
Forerunner 265 and Epix 2 have an AMOLED display. With AMOLED display, both watches support the Always-on-display feature.
The display resolution and clarity of AMOLED watches are higher than the MIP or memory in pixel watches.
However, Forerunner 265 does have Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The display lens is better on Forerunner 265.
Corning Gorilla Glass 3 has better scratch resistance than the normal Corning Gorilla Glass.
We lay out all the display specifications below.
Display specifications | Forerunner 265 | Epix 2 |
---|---|---|
Display lens | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass |
Display type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
Display size | 1.3″ or 33 mm | 1.3″ or 33 mm |
Display resolution | 416 x 416 pixels | 416 x 416 pixels |
Color display | Yes | Yes |
Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
LED Flashlight | No | No |
Physical specifications
In terms of physical specifications, it is clear that the Epix 2 has a premium feel. It is slightly broader than Forerunner 265.
We look at the hardware specifications of Forerunner 265 and Epix 2 below.
Specifications | Forerunner 265 | Epix 2 |
---|---|---|
Watch size | 46.1 x 46.1 x 12.9 mm | 47 x 47 x 14.5 mm |
Thickness | 12.9 mm | 14.5 mm |
Watch body | Fiber-enforced polymer | Fiber-enforced polymer with steel rear cover |
Bezel | Fiber-enforced polymer | Stainless steel |
Watch weight | 47 g | 53 g |
Band size | 22 mm | 22 mm |
Band material | Silicone | Silicone |
Water rating | 5 ATM | 10 ATM |
Device storage | 8 GB | 16 GB |
Recommended wrist circumference | 135-205 mm | 125-208 mm |
GPS
Forerunner 265 and Epix 2 support GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite systems for GPS data. However, Forerunner 265 does have more reliable GPS data coverage.
Forerunner 265 has a multi-frequency positioning sensor. The sensor allows Forerunner 265 to offer multi-band GPS.
Multi-band GPS allows the watch to get GPS data or signals from multiple satellites at the same time. Due to this, the accuracy of GPS data is assured on Forerunner 265.
There is a challenge with multi-band GPS. It poses a big drain on the watch battery. To ensure optimum battery usage, Forerunner 265 uses SatIQ to automatically manage the multi-band GPS.
SatIQ toggles on or off the multi-band GPS. If the quality of the GPS signal is bad, SatIQ will turn on the multi-band GPS mode. If the signal is of satisfactory quality, SatIQ will use the simple GPS mode and keep the multi-band GPS mode off.
We do suggest reading Garmin’s coverage of multi-band GPS and SatIQ for understanding how both technologies work to offer better GPS performance.
Battery
The battery life of Epix 2 is better than Forerunner 265. Forerunner 265 has an extended battery life. It is just that the Epix 2 does better backup on the GPS modes.
Battery backup on different smartwatch modes is shared below.
Watch mode | Forerunner 265 backup | Epix 2 |
---|---|---|
Smartwatch mode | up to 13 days | up to 16 days |
GPS mode without music | up to 20 hours | up to 42 hours |
GPS mode with music | up to 7 hours | up to 10 hours |
All Systems + Multi-Band Mode without Music | up to 14 hours | Multi-band not available |
All Systems + Multi-Band Mode with Music | up to 7 hours | Multi-band not available |
SatIQ (AutoSelect) Mode without Music | up to 16 hours | SatIQ not available |
SatIQ (AutoSelect) Mode with Music | up to 6 hours | SatIQ not available |
Golf
One of the most significant differences between the Forerunner 265 and Epix 2 standard edition has to be the support for Golf.
Epix 2 does offer full-fledged coverage for Golf. This includes the Garmin golf app and preloaded data of 43000 golf course maps.
Forerunner 265 does not offer Golf.
Miscellaneous features
There are a few small differences in miscellaneous features of the Forerunner 265 and Epix 2 standard edition.
We list these incremental features for each watch below.
- Forerunner 265 offers the safety feature of spectator messaging. Epix 2 does not have it.
- Epix 2 has additional profiles in outdoor recreation and cycling activity.
- Epix 2 has a jet lag advisor too.
Cost
Epix 2 standard edition has a list price of $899.99 and Forerunner 265 is priced 50% lower at $449.99. The difference in cost between the two watches is $450.
Final verdict
Between Epix 2 and Forerunner 265, we like the Forerunner 265 a lot. It ticks most boxes needed for a smartwatch for athletes and hikers. The multi-band GPS mode is a game changer for GPS performance of the Forerunner 265 smartwatch.
For an additional spend of $450, the Epix 2 gives you a:
- better looking watch
- higher device storage
- better water rating and additional swimming profile for swimming/running.
- full support for Garmin Golf
- better battery backup
I will reiterate that I keep coming back to Forerunner 265 because of the value proposition it has to offer.
Suggested reading
We believe that you may like to read the following content:
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Vivoactive 4
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Venu 2 Plus
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Venu 2
- Garmin Fenix 7 vs Fenix 7S
- Garmin Fenix 7 vs Forerunner 955
- Garmin Fenix 7 vs Forerunner 965
- Garmin Forerunner 955 vs Forerunner 745
- Garmin Forerunner 955 vs Forerunner 945
- Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Forerunner 945
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Forerunner 245
- Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Forerunner 255
You may also like to read in detail about multi-band GPS and SatIQ technology on Garmin watches below: