Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Venu 3

Garmin Forerunner 265 was released in March 2023. Garmin Venu 3 has been released in August 2023. Both smartwatches are compelling alternatives.

We look at both smartwatches in detail.

Smartwatch features covered in this post

Main differences

The main differences between Garmin Forerunner 265 and Venu 3 are shared below:

Garmin Venu 3 is compatible with the Garmin ECG app. Forerunner 265 does not support the use of the Garmin ECG app.
Garmin Forerunner 265 has a 1.3″ screen. Venu 3 has a 1.4″ inch screen. Forerunner 265 comes in 46 mm size, Venu 3 in 45 mm, and Venu 3S in 41 mm sizes.
Garmin Forerunner 265 supports multi-band GPS. Venu 3 is not compatible with multi-band GPS.
Venu 3 comes with a wheelchair mode to track the workouts of wheelchair users.
Forerunner 265 has more specialized profiles for runners.
Garmin Venu 3 has an in-built speaker and microphone. Forerunner 265 does not have an in-built speaker or microphone.
Garmin Venu 3 supports Golf. Forerunner 265 is not compatible with Garmin Golf.
Venu 3 has a gaming activity and is compatible with the Gameon app. Forerunner 265 does not have any gaming activity.
Forerunner 265 has an in-built sensor for taking temperature readings. Venu 3 requires a tempe sensor to take skin-based temperature readings.

We look at these differences in detail below.

Display Specifications

Garmin Venu 3 and Forerunner 265 use the same 3rd generation Corning Gorilla Glass in the display lens.

Venu 3 and Forerunner 265 have an AMOLED display. Both watches support Always-on-display mode.

We look at the generic display specifications of Forerunner 265 and Venu 3 below.

Display specifications	Garmin Forerunner 265	Garmin Venu 3
Display lens	Corning Gorilla Glass 3	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Display size	1.3″ or 33 mm	1.4″ or 36 mm
Color display	Yes	Yes
Touchscreen	Yes	Yes
Display resolution	416 x 416 pixels	454 x 454 pixels
Ambient light sensor	Yes	Yes
LED Flashlight	No	No

There is not much difference in the display specifications of Forerunner 265 and Venu 3. Both watches do offer AMOLED display for a brighter and more responsive screen experience.

Physical specifications

Venu 3 has a stainless steel bezel, lending it a premium look. Forerunner 265 has an all-round body made of polymer.

Both watches have identical water resistance ratings and device storage. The Garmin Pay app supports NFC or contactless payments on both smartwatches.

We look at the physical specifications of both watches below.

Physical specifications	Garmin Forerunner 265	Garmin Venu 3
Watch size	46 mm	45 mm
Watch dimensions	46.1 x 46.1 x 12.9 mm	45 x 45 x 12 mm
Thickness	12.9 mm	12 mm
Watch weight	47 g	47 g
Band size	22 mm	22 mm
Recommended wrist circumference	135-205 mm	135-200 mm
Water rating	5 ATM	5 ATM
Device storage	8 GB	8 GB
NFC Payments	Garmin Pay	Garmin Pay
Wireless connectivity	ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi	ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Accelerometer	Yes	Yes
Compass	Yes	Yes
Gyroscope	Yes	Yes
Barometric altimeter	Yes	Yes
Garmin Pulse Ox Sensor	Yes	Yes
Garmin Elevate Heart Sensor	Yes	Yes
Thermometer	Yes	Yes (tempe sensor needed)
In-built speaker	No	Yes
In-built microphone	No	Yes

An important difference between Forerunner 265 and Venu 3 is the availability of an in-built speaker and microphone in Venu 3. You can make calls or answer calls directly through the Garmin Venu 3.

GPS

One of the strongest features of Garmin Forerunner 265 is the presence of a multi-frequency positioning sensor in the watch.

The multi-frequency positioning sensor helps in providing the multi-band GPS capability in Forerunner 265. The multi-band GPS allows the smartwatch to pull GPS data from multiple satellites at any given point in time.

The multi-band GPS, therefore, improves GPS accuracy and reliability. The feature is very helpful when you are in a remote area or going uphill. In areas with poor GPS signals, the multi-band GPS improves GPS performance.

If you are a runner who needs accurate GPS data, Forerunner 265 must be preferred over the Venu 3 smartwatch for a more reliable GPS experience due to multi-band GPS.

Music

Garmin Forerunner 265 and Venu 3 offer full music functionality. This implies that you can enjoy the following music features on both the smartwatches:

You can manage music on the paired smartphone using the smartwatch.
You can store music locally on the smartwatch.
You can use the smartwatch interface to manage music on the device.
You can download Spotify and Deezer apps for music streaming or offline listening. To download music from Spotify or Deezer, you will need the premium subscription of the apps.

Battery

Forerunner 265 and Venu 3 have an almost identical battery backup experience. Both smartwatches support fast charging. You can go from an empty battery to a full battery in less than 2 hours of battery charging.

We share the battery backup in different watch modes for Forerunner 265 and Venu 3 below.

Watch mode	Garmin Forerunner 265 Backup	Garmin Venu 3 Backup
Smartwatch mode	Up to 13 days	Up to 14 days
GPS Mode	Up to 20 hours	Up to 26 hours
All-Systems GNSS mode	Up to 14 hours (with multi-band)	Up to 20 hours
All-Systems GNSS mode with music	Up to 7 hours	Up to 11 hours
Battery Saver mode	–	Up to 26 days

Garmin Venu 3 features a battery saver mode with up to 26 days of battery backup. You can continue to use a Garmin Venu 3 for an extended period at low power settings.

ECG App

Garmin Venu 3 and Venu 3S support the Garmin ECG app. The Garmin ECG app was not supported on these watches at the time of launch of the watch. However, within 3 weeks of launch, Garmin has enabled the Garmin ECG app on Venu 3 and Venu 3S smartwatches.

Garmin Forerunner 265 does not feature the Garmin ECG app. It may be pertinent to mention that the Garmin ECG app has received the FDA approval.

The Garmin ECG app is already a part of the Garmin Venu 2 Plus smartwatch. Venu 3 became the second Garmin smartwatch series to support the Garmin ECG app.

The Garmin ECG can be used to take electrocardiogram readings. It helps in detecting conditions of irregular heart rhythms. The data collected can also be used in detecting conditions of Atrial Fibrillation.

Wheelchair mode

Garmin Venu 3 and Venu 3S have added a wheelchair mode. The wheelchair mode helps in tracking pushes made by wheelchair users.

Garmin has also added wheelchair workouts for wheelchair users.

Activity profiles

There are specific differences in activity profiles between Garmin Forerunner 265 and Venu 3. We list the different activity profiles in the side-by-side comparison below.

Activity profiles	Garmin Forerunner 265	Garmin Venu 3
Swimming	Pool swimming, Open water swimming	Pool swimming
Running	Running, Outdoor Track Running, Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running, Trail Running, Virtual Running, Ultra Running	Running, Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running
Outdoor recreation	Hiking, Skiing, Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing	Hiking, Indoor Climbing, Bouldering, Skiing, Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, Snowshoeing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Tennis, Padel, Pickleball, Disc Golf
Cycling	Biking, Indoor Biking, Mountain Biking, eBiking, eMountain Biking	Biking, Indoor Biking, eBiking, Handcycling, Indoor Handcycling

Costs

Garmin Forerunner 265 comes at a list price of $449.99. On a similar note, Garmin Venu 3 has been launched at a list price of $449.99.

Final verdict

Garmin Forerunner 265 is more suitable for runners or athletes. Especially, the multi-band GPS in Forerunner 265 is a game-changing experience for runners and trekkers.

Garmin Venu 3 is a newer smartwatch that can be considered a modern lifestyle smartwatch. It has useful features to keep you in good stead at all times.

If you are keen on using the ECG feature, then you must pick the Venu 3 smartwatch as it supports the ECG app now.

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