Garmin Forerunner 265 is a relatively new Forerunner watch. It was released in March 2023. Forerunner 55 is the basic Forerunner watch that was released in 2021.
There is a considerable difference in cost between the Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 55 running watches. However, we compare the Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 55 watches. This should help you evaluate the features of each variant of the Forerunner series running watches.
Main differences between the Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 55
The following are the primary differences between the Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 55 smartwatches:
- Forerunner 265 uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3 while the Forerunner 55 uses chemically strengthened glass in the display.
- Forerunner 55 is considerably smaller than the Forerunner 265.
- Forerunner 55 does not have any music functionality.
- Forerunner 55 does not offer multi-band GPS while the Forerunner 265 does offer multi-band GPS functionality.
- Blood oxygenation tracking is unavailable on the Forerunner 55 series watch as it lacks the PulseOx sensor.
- Sleep score and sleep insights are only available on the Forerunner 265 smartwatch.
- Forerunner 55 is also missing quite a few sensors and the associated functionality.
- Forerunner 265 costs $449.99 while the Forerunner 55 comes at a list price of $199.99.
The good thing is that the battery life of the Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 55 is almost identical.
The details of each of these features are shared below in the corresponding section.
Display technology of Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 55
Forerunner 265 comes with an AMOLED display. Forerunner 55 uses a MIP or memory-in-pixel screen. The AMOLED display of the Forerunner 265 running watch brings an altogether different experience.
The chief benefits of the AMOLED display of Forerunner 265 are:
- The display resolution of Forerunner 265 is 416 x 416 pixels. Forerunner 55 has a display resolution of 208 x 208 pixels. In other words, the display resolution of the Forerunner 265 range is double the display resolution of the Forerunner 265.
- Forerunner 265 also supports the Always-on-display or the AOD mode. However, the AOD feature consumes considerable battery time.
Apart from the underlying display technology, the Forerunner 265 also uses a relatively newer type of display glass.
- Forerunner 265 uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3 or the third generation of Corning Gorilla Glass. Forerunner 55 uses a chemically-strengthened glass.
Corning Gorilla glass is relatively harder glass and offers a much better anti-reflective experience.
It may be pertinent to mention that the Forerunner 265 has the touchscreen feature and the Foreunner 55 lacks the touchscreen feature.
Physical specifications of Forerunner 265 and 55
There are significant differences between the Forerunner 265 and 55 in terms of physical specifications and attributes.
The main differentiator between Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 55 watches has got to be the size of both watches.
- Forerunner 265 has a watch diameter of 46.1 mm and the Forerunner 55 has a watch diameter of 42 mm.
- Forerunner 265 has a display diameter of 32.5 mm and Forerunner 55 has a display diameter of 26.3 mm. To put it in another way, Forerunner 265 has a display size of 1.3″ and Forerunner 55 has a display size of 1.04″.
- Forerunner 265 is relatively thicker than the Forerunner 55 smartwatch. Forerunner 265 has a thickness of 12.9 and Forerunner 55 has a watch thickness of 11.6 mm.
The smaller size of Forerunner 55 translates into a lower weight of the watch.
- Forerunner 265 weighs 47 g and Forerunner 55 weighs 37 g only
- Forerunner 265 comes with a 22 mm silicone band and the Forerunner 55 comes with a 20 mm silicone band
Additionally, the Forerunner 265 has an internal storage of 8 GB while the Forerunner 55 can store up to 200 hours of activity data on the watch storage.
Sensors of Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 55
Forerunner 265 comes loaded with multiple sensors for providing advanced features. Forerunner 55, however, lacks these sensors and has limited tracking and monitoring features.
Forerunner 265 has sensors that include:
- PulseOx blood oxygenation monitoring
- Multi-frequency positioning sensor.
- Accelerometer
- Ambient light sensor
- Gyroscope
- Compass
- Thermometer
- Barometric altimeter
All these sensors are missing on the Forerunner 55 running watch.
Battery of Forerunner 265 and 55
The battery life for Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 55 is identical.
- Forerunner 265 can last up to 15 days on the smartwatch mode and Forerunner 55 can go for up to 14 days on the smartwatch mode.
- On the GPS mode, Forerunner 265 and Forerunner can last for up to 20 hours.
Inspite of the AMOLED display on Forerunner 265, the watch does a fair bit of a job in providing a battery life equivalent to the Forerunner 55.
We believe that the battery is not a differentiator of Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 55 smartwatches.
Price
One of the biggest differences between the Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 55 smartwatches is the cost of each variant. Forerunner 55 is priced at $199.99 and the Forerunner 265 is priced at $449.99.
Forerunner 55 is a good basic watch for runners. It is a good starting watch if you have not had any running watch.
Forerunner 265 offers more features and comprehensive profiles for runners. If you are a seasoned runner or if you are serious with measuring running activity’s performance, Forerunner 265 would tick all the boxes for you.
Activity profiles of Forerunner 265 and 55
Forerunner 265 provides full coverage for activity profiles and training programs. Forerunner 55 does not have any specialized activity profiles.
Forerunner 265 offers the following set of comprehensive profiles:
- Gym profile
- Training, planing and analysis features
- Running profiles and features
- Outdoor recreation profiles
- Cycling features and profiles
- Swimming features and profiles
The Forerunner 55 watch offers basic profiles for cycling, swimming and running. However, it lacks any special features under these activity profiles.
In a way, Forerunner 55 is good to get your first foot on a smartwatch for tracking running performance. But, if you need a granular control over your regime, the Forerunner 265 is a more suitable smartwatch.
Table of comparison of Forerunner 265 and 55
Apart from the above-stated differences, the Forerunnner 265 and 55 watches share some core features. The table of comparison below shares all the important features of the Forerunner 265 and 55 watches.
| Feature | Forerunner 265 | Forerunner 55 |
|---|---|---|
| iOS support | Yes | Yes |
| Andoid support | Yes | Yes |
| Display glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Chemically strengthened glass |
| Watch dimensions | 46.1 x 46.1 x 12.9 mm | 42 x 42 x 11.6 mm |
| Display diameter | 32.5 mm or 1.3″ | 26.3 mm or 1.04″ |
| Band size | 22 mm | 20 mm |
| Display resolution | 416 x 416 pixels | 208 x 208 pixels |
| Display type | AMOLED | MIP (Memory-in-pixel) |
| Color display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | No |
| Weight | 47 g | 37 g |
| Water rating | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Swim-proof | Yes | Yes |
| Swimming profile | Pool swimming and open water swimming | Pool swimming |
| Battery life – Smartwatch mode | 15 days | 14 days |
| Battery life – GPS mode | 20 hours | 20 hours |
| Device storage | 8 GB | 200 hours activity data |
| Music storage | Yes | No |
| Control music on watch | Yes | No |
| Control smartphone music | Yes | No |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS and Galileo | GPS, GLONASS and Galileo |
| Multi-band GPS | Yes | No |
| Heart Sensor | Garmin Elevate | Garmin Elevate |
| Daily resting heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Abnormal Heart rate alerts | Yes | Yes |
| SpO2 monitoring | Yes | No |
| Respiration rate monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Stress monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Body Battery score | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep score and insights | Yes | No |
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
| Gyroscope | Yes | No |
| Barometric altimeter | Yes | No |
| Thermometer | Yes | No |
| Ambient light sensor | Yes | No |
| Compass | Yes | No |
| PulseOx blood oxygenation sensor | Yes | No |
| Wireless connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and ANT+ | Bluetooth, ANT+ |
| Incident detection | Yes | Yes |
| Live Track | Yes | Yes |
| Specator messaging | Yes | No |
| Ultratrac mode | Yes | No |
| Cycling profiles | Biking, Indoor Biking, Mountain Biking, eBiking, eMountain Biking | Biking, Indoor Biking |
| Outdoor recreation profiles | Hiking, Skiing, Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing | None |
| Running features and profiles | Running, Outdoor Track Running, Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running, Trail Running, Virtual Running, Ultra Running | Running, Outdoor Track Running, Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running, Virtual Running |
| NFC App | Garmin Pay | Garmin Pay |
Closing thoughts
Honestly speaking, Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 55 are different category of running watches. The intended audiences for the Forerunner 265 and 55 are different.
For someone who is just starting on a running regime, a Forerunner 55 will help you set up for tracking your running efforts.
For more advanced runners, Forerunner 265 would be apt as it offers in-depth tracking and measuring options for each aspect of the running activity.
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