Garmin Forerunner 265vsApple Watch Ultra
13d vs 1.75d
battery life
Garmin Forerunner 265 lasts longer
$350
price gap
Garmin Forerunner 265 cheaper
15g
lighter
Garmin Forerunner 265
6
more health sensors
Apple Watch Ultra
Garmin Forerunner 265
Buy/Wait:superseded
This model is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Garmin Forerunner 570.
Full details →Apple Watch Ultra
Buy/Wait:neutral
Reaching maturity, next model expected soon
Full details →| Garmin Forerunner 265 | Apple Watch Ultra |
|---|
| Pricing |
| Starting price | $449★ | $799 |
| Subscription | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr | ✓ None |
| Hardware |
| Weight | 47g★ | 62g |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 100m★ |
| Battery | 13 days★ | 1.75 days |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ✅★ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ✅★ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS only |
| Tier | Sports GPS | Sports GPS |
| Buy timing |
| Released | Mar 1, 2023 | Sep 19, 2025 |
| Cycle advice | superseded | neutral |
| Deals advice | clearance | neutral |
| Next model | — | Apple Watch Ultra 4 (Expected fall 2026) |
Health Sensors
3 exclusive sensors
Stress TrackingStress estimate from HRV and physiological signals
Body BatteryGarmin's energy reserve — how much fuel left in the tank
Training ReadinessDaily recovery score — how ready you are to perform
3 shared
Heart RateContinuous or on-demand pulse tracking
SpO2Blood oxygen saturation, tracked during sleep
HRVHeart rate variability — stress & recovery scores
9 exclusive sensors
Irregular RhythmBackground optical check for irregular heart rhythms
Fall DetectionAuto-calls emergency services after a hard fall
Crash DetectionDetects vehicle crashes and alerts emergency contacts
Sleep ApneaFDA-cleared detection of signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea
ECGDetects irregular heart rhythms (AFib)
Skin TempOvernight changes linked to illness or cycle tracking
Blood PressureDetects hypertension patterns — trend tracking, not clinical mmHg
Depth GaugeMeasures water depth — certified for recreational diving to 40m
Water TempMeasures water temperature during swimming and diving
Why buy each?
Garmin Forerunner 265
Multi-band GPS accuracyL1+L5 multi-band GPS reduces position drift in urban canyons and dense forest.
Training readiness scoreDaily score combining HRV status, sleep, acute load, and recovery time.
Race time predictorEstimates finish time for 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and marathon based on current fitness.
Apple Watch Ultra
42-hour battery + satellite SOSThe Ultra 3 nearly doubles the Series 11 battery life, and satellite emergency SOS works even without cellular or WiFi coverage.
Dual-frequency L1+L5 GPSMore precise GPS tracking in urban canyons and dense forests — critical for trail running, mountaineering, and triathlon.
3000-nit titanium-cased powerhouseThe 49mm titanium case and 3000-nit display make this watch usable in full direct sunlight and water depths up to 100m (EN13319 certified for diving).
Quick Winner
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
For the budget
Garmin Forerunner 265 wins
$659 vs $799 over 3 years · no required subscription.
For battery life
Garmin Forerunner 265 wins
13 days vs 1.75 days battery.
For health depth
Apple Watch Ultra wins
12 sensors.
For daily comfort
Garmin Forerunner 265 wins
47g · no required subscription.
Bottom Line
- Forerunner 265-only sensors: Stress Tracking, Body Battery, Training Readiness.
- Watch Ultra-only sensors: Irregular Rhythm, Fall Detection, Crash Detection, Sleep Apnea, ECG, Skin Temp, Blood Pressure, Depth Gauge, Water Temp.
- Weight. Forerunner 265 is 15g lighter — relevant for all-day comfort and sleep.
- Water resistance. Watch Ultra rates 100m vs 5ATM on Forerunner 265.
- Hardware cost. Forerunner 265 is $350 cheaper upfront ($449 vs $799).
Pick the Garmin Forerunner 265 if…
Regular runners who race 5K to marathon distances and want accurate GPS and detailed training load management.
Full details →Pick the Apple Watch Ultra if…
Serious athletes, trail runners, triathletes, and outdoor adventurers who need the most durable, most accurate GPS watch Apple makes. Also for iPhone users who simply want the best Apple Watch regardless of sport, and value the extra battery life over the Series 11.
Full details →