Garmin Forerunner 265 and Instinct 2X Solar are new smartwatches. Forerunner 265 was released in March 2023 and Instinct 2X Solar was unveiled in April 2023.
Both watches are priced in a narrow price band. And, both smartwatches offer credible features and functionality.
We review Forerunner 265 and Instinct 2X Solar watches in a side-by-side comparison below.
Main differences
The main differences between Forerunner 265 and Instinct 2X Solar are discussed below:
- Forerunner 265 is a smartwatch for runners. Instinct 2X Solar is a rugged solar smartwatch.
- The display lens of Forerunner 265 is a 3rd-generation Corning Gorilla Glass while the display of Instinct 2X Solar is a Power Glass. We talk about the Power Glass below.
- Forerunner 265 supports dual frequency or multi-band GPS. Instinct 2X Solar lacks multi-band GPS capabilities.
- Instinct 2X Solar has an extended life in comparison with the Forerunner 265.
- Forerunner 265 also has an AMOLED display. This translates into a much more vibrant and brighter screen resolution.
- Instinct 2X Solar has a higher water resistance of 100 meters while the Forerunner 265 has a water resistance of 50 meters only.
- Forerunner 265 has higher device storage for offline music and mapping. Instinct 2X Solar has very low device storage.
- Forerunner 265 offers full music functionality while the Instinct 2X Solar has limited music functionality.
- Instinct 2X Solar has much more comprehensive profiles in outdoor recreation and cycling. Forerunner 265 cannot match the number of activity profiles that exist on the Instinct 2X Solar smartwatch.
- Instinct 2X Solar cannot connect to Wi-Fi wireless networks. It works well on Bluetooth and ANT+ wireless connectivity.
Both watches are priced at a similar list price of $449.99.
So, should you get a Forerunner 265 or an Instinct 2X Solar watch? We discuss these differences and other features of both watches below.
Display Specifications
Forerunner 265’s display is altogether at a different level when you compare it against the display of Instinct 2X Solar.
Forerunner 265 uses an AMOLED display. The AMOLED display technology helps in enabling the following benefits for Forerunner 265:
- With an AMOLED display, the screen resolution is higher. The display screen and experience are brighter and afford a better readability experience too.
- AMOLED display also helps in providing the Always-on-display mode or the AOD mode.
Due to the AMOLED display, the display sharpness of Forerunner 265 is high.
Instinct 2X Solar uses the normal MIP or Memory-in-pixel screen. So, it affords a lower display resolution.
Apart from the display technology, another important aspect of the Forerunner 265 is the display glass. Forerunner 265 uses a 3rd-generation Corning Gorilla Glass in the display. Instinct 2X Solar has a Power Glass in the display panel.
We look at the main display features and functions of both watches below.
Display specifications | Forerunner 265 | Instinct 2X Solar |
---|---|---|
Display lens | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Power Glass |
Display size | 1.3″ or 3 mm | Custom, two-window design; 1.1” x 1.1” (27 x 27 mm) |
Display type | AMOLED | MIP or Memory-in-pixel |
Display resolution | 416 x 416 pixels | 176 x 176 pixels |
Color Display | Yes | No |
Touchscreen | Yes | No |
LED Flashlight | No | Yes |
Ambient light sensor | Yes | No |
The most significant difference in display is Forerunner 265’s AMOLED display. And, also the display lens of both watches belong to different categories.
Physical specifications
There are significant differences in the hardware specifications of Forerunner 265 and Instinct 2X Solar. Instinct 2X Solar is wider and thicker than the Forerunner 265 smartwatch.
We look at the main physical specifications of Forerunner 265 and Instinct 2X Solar is the chart below.
Physical specifications | Forerunner 265 | Instinct 2X Solar |
---|---|---|
Watch size | 46.1 x 46.1 x 12.9 mm | 50 x 50 x 14.5 mm |
Thickness | 12.9 mm | 14.5 mm |
Weight | 47 g | 67 g |
Watch body | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
Bezel | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
Band material | Silicone | Silicone |
Band size | 22 mm | 26 mm |
Recommended wrist circumference | 135-205 mm | 145-228 mm |
Device storage | 8 GB | 64 MB |
Water rating | 5 ATM | 10 ATM |
Swimming profile | Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming | Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming |
Wireless connectivity | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | ANT+, Bluetooth |
NFC Payments | Garmin Pay | Garmin Pay |
Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
Barometeric Altimeter | Yes | Yes |
Compass | Yes | Yes |
Gyroscope | Yes | Yes |
Pulse Ox oxygen sensor | Yes | Yes |
Thermometer | Yes | Yes |
Primary charger | Garmin wire charger | Garmin wire charger |
Secondary charger | None | Solar charging |
Connect IQ store | Yes | No |
iOS compatible | iOS 15 or higher | iOS 15 or higher |
Android compatible | Android 7 or higher | Android 7 or higher |
There are quite a few differences that you may want to make a note of:
Instinct 2X Solar is a solar watch. However, Instinct 2X Solar has very low device storage for any user activity. Instinct 2X lacks Wi-Fi connectivity. It does have higher water rating than Forerunner 265.
GPS
Forerunner 265 and Instinct 2X Solar support GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo networks.
But, the essential difference lies in the functionality of duel-frequency GPS or multi-band GPS.
Forerunner 265 has a multi-frequency positioning sensor. The multi-frequency positioning sensor helps in providing multi-band GPS capability.
With multi-band GPS, you can get GPS data from multiple satellites at any given point in time. Multi-band GPS helps in improving GPS reliability and accuracy.
The only downside to using multi-band GPS is the significant battery drain on the mode.
Multi-band GPS is only available in Forerunner 265. Instinct 2X Solar lacks it. The GPS accuracy and reliability is higher on multi-band GPS supported smartwatches.
SatIQ technology
Forerunner 265 uses multi-band GPS for better GPS accuracy. But, multi-band GPS causes significant battery drain.
To optimize the battery usage of the smartwatch, Garmin added a SatIQ technology sensor.
SatIQ manages multi-band GPS mode automatically.
When the GPS quality or connectivity is poor, SatIQ automatically turns on the multi-band GPS mode. When the GPS connectivity improves, SatIQ will turn off the multi-band GPS mode.
By automatically toggling on or off the multi-band GPS mode, SatIQ helps in conserving battery life in Forerunner 265.
Instinct 2X Solar does not have the SatIQ technology sensor.
Battery
The battery life of rugged smartwatches is always higher than other smartwatches. Understandably, the battery backup provided by Instinct 2X Solar is way higher than that of the Forerunner 265.
Let us evaluate different battery backups offered by Forerunner 265 and Instinct 2X Soalr below.
Watch mode | Forerunner 265 backup | Instinct 2X Solar backup |
---|---|---|
Smartwatch mode | Up to 13 days | Up to 40 days, unlimited with solar charging |
GPS mode | Up to 20 hours | Up to 60 hours; 145 hours with solar |
GPS mode with music | Up to 7 hours | – |
All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band | Up to 14 hours | Multi-band not available |
All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band with music | Up to 6 hours | Multi-band not available |
SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS mode | Up to 16 hours | SatIQ not available |
SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS mode with music | Up to 6.5 hours | SatIQ not available |
The battery of Instinct 2X Solar outlasts Forerunner 265 battery by quite a margin.
Health monitoring
The core health monitoring features are available alike on Forerunner 265 and Instinct 2X Solar. A side-by-side comparison below helps figure out all the major health tracking features of both watches.
Health features | Forerunner 265 | Instinct 2X Solar |
---|---|---|
Garmin Elevate Heart Sensor | Yes | Yes |
Pulse Ox Blood oxygenation sensor | Yes | Yes |
Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes |
Abnormal Heart rate alerts | Yes | Yes |
ECG or Electrocardiogram | Yes | Yes |
Stress monitoring | Yes | Yes |
Body Battery scores | Yes | Yes |
Women’s Health | Yes | Yes |
Hydration | Yes | Yes |
Respiration rate tracking | Yes | Yes |
Sleep monitoring | Yes | Yes |
Sleep score | Yes | Yes |
Health Snapshot | Yes | Yes |
Relaxation reminders | Yes | No |
Music
Forerunner 265 offers full music capability. Instinct 2X Solar has limited music capability.
The full music functionality on Forerunner 265 includes the following:
- You can store audio content on Forerunner 265.
- The audio content on Forerunner 265 can be directly controlled from the watch.
- A Forerunner also allows you to control and play music from the paired smartphone.
- You can stream music through Spotify and Deezer apps. For this, you will need to download Spotify and Deezer apps from the Connect IQ store. A valid subscription to the music streaming apps is required.
Instinct 2X Solar offers the following music functionality:
- You can control or play music from the paired smartphone
Additional activity profiles
The rugged Instinct 2X Smartwatch offers multiple activity profiles. A quick snapshot of various activity profiles offered by Forerunner 265 and Instinct 2X Solar is shared below.
Activity profiles | Forerunner 265 | Instinct 2X Solar |
---|---|---|
Outdoor recreation | Hiking, Skiing, Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing | Hiking, Indoor Climbing, Bouldering, Climbing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Backcountry Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, Backcountry Skiing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Kayaking, Surfing, Hunting, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing, Snowhshoeing, Fishing, Horseback Riding, Obstacle Course Racing, Tennis, Tactical |
Cycling | Biking, Indoor Biking, Mountain Biking, eBiking, eMountain Biking | Biking, Road Biking, Mountain Biking, Gravel Biking, Bike Commuting, Bike Touring, eBiking, eMountain Biking, Indoor Biking, Cyclocross, Triathlon |
Running | Running, Outdoor Track Running, Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running, Trail Running, Virtual Running, Ultra Running | Running, Outdoor Track Running, Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running, Trail Running |
Costs
Forerunner 265 and Instinct 2X Solar have the same list price of $449.99.
About Power Glass
Instinct 2X Solar uses Power Glass on the display screen.
Power Glass is a special type of glass. It has a layer of Photo voltaic cells or PV cells that are superimposed on the Corning Gorilla Glass. These PV cells help in converting solar energy into battery backup in the Instinct 2X Solar smartwatch.
About Solar Charging
Instinct 2X Solar is a solar watch that uses solar charging to build battery backup on the watch.
For solar charging to be effective, you will need to expose your Instinct 2X Solar watch to at least 3 hours of bright sunshine every day. The watch needs to be exposed to sunlight of 50000 lux or higher luminosity.
For people who spend at least 3 hours under bright sunshine, Instinct 2X Solar may offer a good value for its solar charging capability.
Final verdict
Instinct 2X is a rugged sports watch. I will buy it for the various activity profiles that come in-built into the Instinct 2X Solar watch. The solar charging in Instinct 2X Solar is also a meaningful feature.
For overall refinement and user experience, Forerunner 265 is my preferred watch for the following 3 reasons:
- AMOLED display
- Multi-band or dual-frequency GPS
- Full music functionality
Suggested reading
You may like to read more smartwatch comparison studies shared hereunder:
- Garmin Forerunner 255 vs Forerunner 55
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Instinct 2
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Epix 2
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Forerunner 45
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Vivoactive 4
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Venu 2 Plus
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Venu 2
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Forerunner 245
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Forerunner 955
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Forerunner 745
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Forerunner 55
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Forerunner 255
- Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Forerunner 265S