Table of Contents
Differences that matter every day
Screen and interface: AMOLED VS MIP
The Forerunner 265 rocks on a tactile amoled: saturated colors, impeccable indoors, fluid entertainment. It’s pleasant. It’s clear. Suddenly, you consult your stats more often, you interact more. In full sun? Very correct, but the AOD (Always-on) nibbles the battery if you activate it. The 255 Keep a transflective MIP: more “mat”, ultra readable under a cagnard, and almost free in energy. For the long day out days, it’s royal. This is a field reality, not a slogan.
If the amoled you intrigue, read our detailed comparison Garmin 265 vs 965 for runners: you will see what this type of screen changes (or not) in the Garmin ecosystem.
Training functions: training readiness, yes/no
The 265 offers the Training Readiness : a synthesis score (sleep, HRV, load, recovery, stress) that answers the question: “I force today or not?” ». It’s clear. It’s practical when you want to decide quickly. The 255 does not have it; You then consult the separate bricks (sleep, HRV, acute load, etc.) and you judge. Some prefer, others not. To you. (Personally, I like synthesis when the weeks steal.)
Autonomy and GPS: Endurance vs visual comfort
On paper, 255 generally holds longer in GPS (up to ~ 30 h in GPS mode alone) when the 265 is rather around ~ 8 p.m., but it moves according to your settings (multi-band, music, AOD). In connected watch, 255 announces up to ~ 14 days, the 265 ~ 13 days (ideal scenarios, of course). Basically: the amoled is paid. You choose between display comfort and margin of autonomy.
Sensors, GNSS, sorting: draw (or almost)
The two series embark the multi-band multi-gNSS, a reliable optical cardio for everyday use, the native triathlon, pacery, racing widgets, morning report, etc. The 265 adds the tactile and a more “visual” interface. The 255 remains buttons (less sexy, but ultra predictable in the rain, with gloves).
Music and storage
The 265 embarks 8 GB (Reading excluding smartphone). The 255 “music” manages until ~ 500 titles (~ 4 GB). For releases without a phone, the 265 offers more margin, point.
