Garmin Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 245 are variants of interest for serious runners. Forerunner 265 was released in March 2023 while the Forerunner 245 was unveiled in June 2019.
We compare the Garmin Forerunner 265 and 245 in this comparison study.
Main differences between Forerunner 265 and 245
- Forerunner 265 has a list price of $449.99 and Forerunner 245 comes at a list price of $299.99. There is a difference of $150 between the two Forerunner variants.
- Forerunner 265 has an AMOLED display and Forerunner 245 uses the MIP or memory-in-pixel screen.
- Forerunner 265 is a relatively broader and bigger watch.
- Forerunner 265 has better battery backup times.
- Forerunner 265 supports multi-band GPS and SatIQ technology.
- Forerunner 265 supports Wi-Fi wireless connectivity in addition to Bluetooth and ANT+. Forerunner 245 can do Bluetooth and ANT+.
- Forerunner 265 supports additional profiles for outdoor recreation, training, swimming, cycling, running, and Gym.
- Forerunner 265 has additional sensors in comparison with the Forerunner 245
- Forerunner 265 has higher device storage than Forerunner 245. Forerunner 265 has 8 GB storage and Forerunner 245 has 4 GB.
- Forerunner 265 can work with the Garmin Pay NFC app. Forerunner 245 does not support the Garmin Pay app.
We will discuss each of these differences below, in detail.
Display
Forerunner 265 has a significantly better display than the Forerunner 245. This has been made possible due to the introduction of the AMOLED display in Forerunner 265.
The two distinct advantages of Forerunner 265 because of its AMOLED display are:
- The display resolution of Forerunner 265 is 416 x 416 pixels and the display resolution of Forerunner 245 is 240 x 240 pixels.
- Always-on-display mode is supported by Forerunner 265 only.
AMOLED display adds to the brightness and clarity of the display screen. The Always-on-display or the AOD mode does consume more battery though.
Physical specifications
Forerunner 265 has a distinctly broader look than the Forerunner 245. The dimensions of the watch do reveal the bigger size.
Specifications | Forerunner 265 | Forerunner 245 |
---|---|---|
Watch dimensions | 46.1 x 46.1 x 12.9 mm | 42.3 x 42.3 x 12.2 mm |
Watch weight | 47 g | 38.5 g |
Display screen diameters | 1.3″ or 32.5 mm | 1.2″ or 30.4 mm |
Thickness | 12.9 mm | 12.2 mm |
Watch band size | 22 mm | 20 mm |
Recommended wrist circumference | 135-205 mm | 127-204 mm |
Strap material | Silicone | Silicone |
Device storage | 8 GB | 4 GB |
Battery
The battery capacity of Forerunner 265 is better than that of Forerunner 245. On different watch modes, Forerunner 265 offers higher backup times.
Watch mode | Forerunner 265 backup | Forerunner 245 backup |
---|---|---|
Smartwatch mode | up to 13 days | up to 7 days |
GPS mode | up to 20 days | up to 24 hours |
GPS mode with multi-band | up to 14 hours | |
GPS mode with music: Up to 7 hours | up to 7 hours |
A part of the cost difference between the Forerunner 265 and 245 can be attributed to the bigger battery on Forerunner 265.
Sensors
Forerunner 265 offers additional sensors. These sensors help in offering additional features and services on Forerunner 265.
The additional sensors on Forerunner 265 include the following:
- Ambient light sensor
- Gyroscope
- Barometric altimeter
- Multi-frequency position sensor to support multi-band GPS
- SatIQ technology to choose optimum GPS modes
All these sensors add to advancements on Forerunner 265 smartwatch.
GPS
The GPS performance of Forerunner 265 is better than Forerunner 245. It would be an understatement to mention the accuracy of GPS data on Forerunner 265.
The improved GPS performance of the Forerunner 265 is made possible due to the multi-frequency positioning sensor. This sensor allows multi-band GPS.
Your watch can take GPS data from multiple satellites from within the same satellite system. Since satellites within the same system would be at different positions at a given point, the accuracy of GPS data goes up drastically.
If you are serious about GPS data and use the watch in remote areas, Forerunner 265 would be a better choice than the Forerunner 245 smartwatch.
Health monitors
Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 245 share most health monitoring parameters. However, Forerunner 265 has a few additional monitors. These monitors or health monitoring advancements include the following:
- Forerunner 265 can monitor respiration rate on a perpetual basis.
- Forerunner 265 can share sleep score
- Forerunner 265 can send you relaxation reminders
- Forerunner 265 can also share a comprehensive Health snapshot
Music
Forerunner 245 does not offer music features or capabilities.
Forerunner 265 has full-fledged music functionality. This would include the following music features on the Forerunner 265:
- Music storage to store music files locally on the watch storage.
- Forerunner 265 can be used to control music on the watch.
- Forerunner 265 can also be used to control music on the paired smartphone
Additional features on Forerunner 265
There are a few additional miscellaneous features on the Forerunner 265. It would be good to note these or be aware of them.
- Garmin Pay app for NFC or contactless payments is only available on Forerunner 265
- You can add the Stocks app on Forerunner 265 from the ConnectIQ store.
- ConnectIQ store is only available on the Forerunner 265
- Forerunner 265 supports Wi-Fi wireless connectivity while the Forerunner 245 does not work on Wi-Fi connectivity.
- The spectator messaging safety feature is available on Forerunner 265. Spectator messaging allows Live Track followers to send you messages.
Final verdict
For a cost difference of $150, there are quite a few additions to the Forerunner 265. I would definitely recommend getting a Forerunner 265 instead of a Forerunner 245 for the following five reasons:
- AMOLED display
- Better battery time
- Music feature
- Full-fledged Health snapshot
- Multi-band GPS
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