Garmin Forerunner 265 is a runner’s watch and Vivoactive 5 is a lifestyle smartwatch. Forerunner 265 was released in March 2023. Vivoactive 5 is a relatively newer variant released in September 2023.
We compare Forerunner 265 and Vivoactive 5 in this comparison guide. Both watches are compelling Garmin smartwatches.
Main differences
The main differences between Forerunner 265 and Vivoactive 5 are shared below in brief:
- Forerunner 265 supports multi-band GPS. Vivoactive 5 does not support multi-band GPS. Multi-band GPS helps in improving GPS accuracy and reliability.
- Forerunner 265 has a higher device storage of 8 GB compared to the 4 GB device storage of Vivoactive 5.
- Vivoactive 5 introduces a wheelchair mode in the watch. The wheelchair mode helps in tracking the activity of wheelchair users.
- Vivoactive 5 lacks sensors for Gyroscope and Barometric altimeter. You will also need to get a tempe sensor separately for tracking body temperature. Forerunner 265 has all these sensors.
- Vivoactive 5 introduces apps for meditation, nap detection, and sleep coaching.
- Forerunner 265 and Vivoactive 5 differ regarding activity profiles supported in each watch.
- Forerunner 265 is broader (46 mm) than Vivoactive 5 (42 mm). Forerunner 265 is thicker (12.9 mm) than Vivoactive 5 (11.1 mm).
- Forerunner 265 is more expensive than Vivoactive 5. The difference in list price between the two watches is $150.
We look at these differences and core product features of Garmin Forerunner 265 and Vivoactive 5 below.
Display specifications
Garmin Forerunner 265 and Vivoactive 5 use AMOLED display technology. Due to the AMOLED display, both watches’ screen or display experience is brighter. The display is clearer than MIP (memory-in-pixel) smartwatches.
Forerunner 265 and Vivoactive 5 support the Always-on-display or the AOD mode. The only downside to using the Always-on-display mode at all times is the significant battery drain associated with it.
Forerunner 265 and Vivoactive 5 use the 3rd generation Corning Gorilla Glass in the display lens. This is a pretty standard display lens used in smartwatches and smartphones.
The core display specifications of Garmin Forerunner 265 and Vivoactive 5 are shared in the comparison table below.
| Display specifications | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Display lens | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Display size | 33 mm or 1.3″ | 30 mm or 1.2″ |
| Color display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Display resolution | 416 x 416 pixels | 390 x 390 pixels |
| Ambient light sensor | Yes | Yes |
| LED Flashlight | No | No |
Forerunner 265 has a 33 mm screen and affords a slightly higher display resolution of 416 x 416 pixels. Vivoactive 5 has a 30 mm screen with a resolution of 390 x 390 pixels.
Physical specifications
Forerunner 265 has a relatively better set of physical specifications.
Forerunner 265 offers better internal storage than Vivoactive 5. It is also broader and thicker than Vivoactive 5.
Forerunner 265 also includes sensors for multi-band GPS, SatIQ sensor, Gyroscope, and Barometric altimeter.
We compare the physical specifications of Forerunner 265 and Vivoactive 5 below.
| Physical specifications | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Watch size | 46 mm | 42 mm |
| Watch dimensions | 46.1 x 46.1 x 12.9 mm | 42.2 x 42.2 x 11.1 mm |
| Thickness | 12.9 mm | 11.1 mm |
| Bezel | Fiber-enforced polymer | Anodized aluminum |
| Watch body material | Fiber-enforced polymer | Fiber-enforced polymer |
| Watch weight | 47 g | 36 g |
| Band size | 22 mm | 20 mm |
| Band material | Silicone | Silicone |
| Recommended wrist circumference | 135-205 mm | 125-190 mm |
| Water rating | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Swimming profiles | Pool swimming, Open water swimming | Pool swimming, Open water swimming |
| Device storage | 8 GB | 4 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 | No |
| Barometric altimeter | Yes | No |
| Multi-frequency positioning sensor | Yes | No |
| SatIQ sensor | Yes | No |
| Garmin Pulse Ox Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Garmin Elevate Heart Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Thermometer | Yes | Yes (tempe sensor needed) |
| In-built speaker | No | No |
| In-built microphone | No | No |
| Android compatibility | Android 7 or higher | Android 7 or higher |
| iOS compatibility | iOS 15 or higher | iOS 15 or higher |
Forerunner 265 offers higher storage, more sensors, and a bigger smartwatch size than the Vivoactive 5.
GPS
The most significant difference, in our experience, is the availability of multi-band GPS in Forerunner 265.
Forerunner 265 has a multi-frequency positioning sensor. This sensor affords the functionality of multi-band GPS in Forerunner 265.
Multi-band GPS allows your smartwatch to fetch GPS data from multiple satellites at any given point in time. If you experience poor GPS connectivity, multi-band GPS will allow you to try and get GPS data from other satellites.
Multi-band GPS improves GPS reliability, dependability, and accuracy in Forerunner 265.
Forerunner 265 supports GPS, GALILEO, and GLONASS satellite networks. The essential difference lies in approaching more than one satellite for GPS data at any time.
The multi-band GPS capability makes Forerunner 265 a solid choice for runners.
Vivoactive 5 does not have a multi-frequency positioning sensor. Therefore, it does not support multi-band GPS.
Like Forerunner 265, Vivoactive 5 also supports GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO satellite networks.
Multi-band GPS in Forerunner 265 offers better GPS performance and reliability. For dependable GPS data, we strongly suggest choosing a Forerunner 265 over a Vivoactive 5.
SatIQ technology
Forerunner 265 uses a SatIQ sensor to provide the SatIQ technology on the watch. SatIQ helps in automatically managing the multi-band GPS mode.
When the GPS connectivity is poor, SatIQ will automatically turn on the multi-band GPS mode. If the GPS connectivity is good, SatIQ will automatically turn-off the multi-band GPS mode and use the regular GPS mode.
SatIQ helps to optimize battery life by automatically managing the multi-band GPS mode. This is necessary because of the fact that multi-band GPS drains the battery faster than the regular GPS mode.
Battery
The battery backup of Forerunner 265 and Vivoactive 5 is comparable. You will not find a marked difference in the backup of the two watches.
We have compared the battery backup of Garmin Forerunner 265 and Vivoactive 5 in a side-by-side comparison below.
| Watch mode | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch mode | Up to 13 days | Up to 11 days |
| GPS Mode without music | Up to 20 hours | Up to 21 hours |
| GPS Mode with music | Up to 7 hours | Up to 8 hours |
| Multi-band GPS mode without music | Up to 14 hours | Not available |
| Multi-band GPS mode with music | Up to 6.5 hours | Not available |
| Battery Saver Mode | – | Up to 21 days |
Garmin Vivoactive 5 has a Battery Saver mode. It allows you to use the smartwatch at extremely low power settings. The Battery Saver mode offers backup of up to 21 days on a Vivoactive 5.
Activity profiles
There are some significant differences between Garmin Forerunner 265 and Vivoactive 5 regarding activity profiles supported on each smartwatch.
We have compared the different activity profiles of Forerunner 265 and Vivoactive 5 hereunder.
| Activity profiles | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|---|---|
| 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, Tennis, Padel, Pickleball | 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 |
| Gym | Strength, HIIT, Cardio and Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Floor Climbing, Indoor Rowing, Pilates, Yoga | – |
| Sports profiles | American Football, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Soccer/Football, Lacrosse, Rugby, Ultimate Disc, Cricket, Softball, Baseball, Basketball, Volleyball | – |
Wheelchair mode
Garmin Vivoactive 5 includes a wheelchair mode. Wheelchair mode is designed to monitor the pushes of wheelchair users as physical movements. This gets used in finding the daily workouts of wheelchair users.
Wheelchair mode enables wheelchair users to use wheelchair workouts that are included in the smartwatch.
Costs
Garmin Forerunner 265 costs $449.99 and Vivoactive 5 has a list price of $299.99.
Final verdict
Garmin Forerunner 265 is preferable for runners on account of the following reasons:
- Multi-band GPS capability
- Higher device storage
- Use of SatIQ technology
- Full support for sensors for Gyroscope, Temperature monitoring, and Barometric altimeter. All these sensors are not available in Vivoactive 5. For temperature sensing in Vivoactive 5, you will need to separately purchase a tempe sensor.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 is a decent lifestyle smartwatch. It brings in new features that include:
- Nap detection, sleep coaching, and meditation apps.
- Wheelchair mode
Unless you need a Forerunner 265 for running or training metrics for runners, Garmin Vivoactive 5 ticks all boxes of a modern and feature-rich smartwatch.
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