Apple Watch 10 against Garmin Forerunner 265 - Which smartwatch should you buy?

So you are looking for a new smartwatch and try to decide between the Apple Watch Series 10 and the Garmin Forerunner 265. Both are excellent watches and will do much more than counting their steps or taking up their workouts, but which one is best for them?

I have tested the best smartwatches in the past nine years and below I put the two watches from head to answer this question.

Before I jump into the comparison, it is worth noting that this decision could be pretty simple if you are an Android user. None of the best Apple watches on the market will connect to an Android phone. They are therefore better off to invest in the Garmin Forerunner 265, which connects via the Garmin Connect app, which is available in the Google Play Store.

If you are looking for more detailed information about one of the two watches, there is an Apple Watch Series 10 review and a Garmin Forerunner 265 review already here on Tom's Guide.

Apple Watch 10 against Garmin Forerunner 265: Price and availability

The Garmin Forerunner 265 was released on March 2, 2023. The forerunner 265 costs $ 449/£ 429. Like other iterations of this watch, the Forerunner 265 is in two different display sizes (more on this below). Since the Forerunner 265 is now a few years old, you will probably find it for retailers from third -party retailers.

The Apple Watch 10 was introduced on September 20, 2024. The price of Apple Watch 10 begins at 399 US dollars for the 42 -mm size and increases to 499 US dollars if you want mobile phone support. The larger 46 mm model begins at 429 US dollars and increases to 529 US dollars for cellular. These prices reflect the aluminum models. Since it has been a while since the publication, you will probably be offered the Apple Watch 10.

winner: Apple Watch 10 -Full price, the 42 -mm -Apple Watch 10 is more affordable than the Garmin -Forserunner 265. You will probably find both watches for sale, but it looks as if the Apple Watch is even more affordable for those with a budget.

Apple Watch 10 against Garmin Forerunner 265: Design and Display

The Apple Watch 10 and Garmin Forerunner 265 look pretty different. Let's start with the Apple Watch – as mentioned above, there are two different screen sizes, 42 mm and 46 mm. Compared to the Apple Watch Series 9, the screen is 9% larger. The display is the first of Apple with wide-angle OLED technology that is 40% brighter compared to the conventional OLED screen for former Apple Watch models.

The new Apple Watch is also the thinnest at 9.7 mm, which is 10% thinner than the series 9. It is also 10% lighter (for the aluminum versions) -the 42 -mm version weighs 30 g and the 46 -mm version weighs 36.4 g. The screen has a resolution of 446 x 374 pixels in the 42 -mm version and 496 x 416 in the 46 -mm clock.

Apple Watch Series 10

(Credit: Future)

Like all the best Apple watches, the watch has a square design with rounded corners. In addition, you can see the familiar digital crown and the side button used in connection with the touchscreen to navigate the device. In contrast to the Apple Watch Ultra 2, there is no action button here.

The Garmin Forerunner 265, on the other hand, looks like most of the best Garmin watches – he has a round face with five buttons with which you can navigate the watch through the clock, three left, two on the right.

The start/stop button was made somewhat larger compared to previous iterations in the previous 265, so it is easier to press the button with sweaty fingers in the middle of the middle.

Tom's Guide Awards 2023:

(Photo credit: Tom's Guide)

The Garminforerunner 265 has a bright, beautiful amoled display, similar to the Garmin -Epix 2. The resolution of the Forerunner 265 is 416 x 416 pixels and 360 x 360 on the 265S. It also has a touchscreen that is extremely reaction and makes it easier to navigate through the clock if you don't run. The touchscreen is automatically switched off during the activities, although this can be changed in the settings.

Winner: Garmin Forerunner 265 – This is difficult to call, and beauty is really in the eye of the viewer. The Apple Watch 10 is by far the most convenient Apple Watch that I have ever worn, and the screen is brighter than the Garmin Forerunner 265. From the current perspective, the Garmin Forerunner 265 is easier to use thanks to the side buttons, which enable you to start and pause without using the touchscreen.

Apple Watch 10 against Garmin Forerunner 265: battery life

Here the Apple Watch falls as a fitness tracker. As with earlier iterations, the Apple Watch 10 has the same 18-hour battery life as any Apple Watch. Although I wish it could take more than a day under indictment 10 years later, Apple has made it even faster with its latest clock.

The Apple Watch Series 10 can calculate in just 30 minutes to 80%, and in 15 minutes you will receive 8 hours of normal use. Low power mode extends the battery life up to 36 hours. You can still do training, but the GPS and heart rate monitoring may not be so precise.

Apple Watch Series 10 Low Power mode

(Credit: Future)

The 265, on the other hand, has a 15-day battery life in smartwatch mode and a 24-hour battery life in GPS mode. The 265 has 13 days in smartwatch mode and 20 hours in GPS mode. Usually it is the larger of the two watches that have the longer battery life, but with the larger and lighter screen, the larger 265 will be invited much earlier. The watch takes about two hours to charge completely, but of course you have to do this much less than the Apple Watch Series 10.

Winner: Garmin Forerunner 265 – It is no surprise that Garmin wins it. If you are as forgetful as I do when it comes to inviting your devices or train for a multi -day adventure, Garmin is the right way.

Apple Watch 10 against Garmin Forerunner 265: Health and fitness functions

Both watches are designed in such a way that they should be worn around the clock. As I said in the intro, both will do a lot more than just pursuing their workouts. In addition to the health and wellness upgrades baked in Watchos 11, the Apple Watch Series offers 10 sleep apnea recognition. (The function is also available on the clocks of Series 9 and Ultra 2).

As with previous Apple watches, the Series 10 has a skin temperature sensor that is used for more precise sleep monitoring and the ovulating paralysis. There is also an ECG app with which you can send high and low heart rate notifications and irregular rhythm notifications. The blood oxygen app is currently deactivated in October 2023 due to suspected patent violations in relation to the blood oxygen monitoring of the devices in October 2023.

From a fitness perspective, the Apple Watch 10 has everything you need. It can follow pretty much every sport out there, and the good thing about Apple is that it offers frequent software updates. It is still up to close your rings and the watch reminds you to keep moving and standing all day long.

Garmin Forerunner 265 Restoring functions.

(Credit: Future)

The Garmin Forerunner 265, on the other hand, has the same experience that we know and love from Garmin. The Forerunner 265 has Garmin's latest Elevate V4 sensor – The green light records the heart rate, the red light records the blood oxygen level (referred to as a pulsex on the clock).

This sensor is used to calculate the respiratory rate, HRV and tension. There is also Garmins Morning Report function with which you give a snapshot about how well you slept how hard you trained and look at the weather for the coming day. The Forerunner 265 also has some of the first -class features of Garmin, including the training on the training.

The main reason why you buy a sports station is of course to keep an eye on your training. The Forerunner 265 is still characterized by this point of view – there is still multisport mode, it still follows almost every sport under the sun, and you can still adapt every data screen from your phone or watch yourself. With the Forerunner 265 you can also view metrics such as cadence, stride length and contact time from your wrist without downloading apps or using other devices. You can also download a Garmin coach plan to your wrist or receive every day.

Both watches enable you to track your menstrual cycle and pregnancy from your wrist, although Apple has a small advantage here because you can connect it with apps such as natural cycles while not with Garmin.

Winner: Garmin Forerunner 265 – From the perspective of health and fitness, the Garmin gives you a lot more data and many more options to follow different sports.

Apple Watch 10 against Garmin Forerunner 265: Smartwatch functions

There is no doubt that the Apple Watch 10 is the obvious choice if you are looking for a smartwatch.

It acts as an extension of your iPhone on the wrist – you can read messages on the go and react to news (here you can find out how you can react to WhatsApps from your Apple Watch). The list of apps is quite endless and with mobile phone support you can also make and receive telephone calls on the wrist.

Apple Watch Series 10

(Credit: Future)

On the other hand, you can see the notifications of your phone with the Garmin Foreruner (you can only respond to text messages if the Forerunner 265 is connected to an Android phone), to check the weather and display your calendar, but that's it. You can download different watch faces or various apps from the Garmin App Store, but these are pretty easy.

Winner: Apple Watch 10 – There is a reason why the Apple Watch 10 is one of the best smartwatches on the market. If you are looking for a watch that you can stay in touch without your phone, this is the one who is bought.

Apple Watch 10 against Garmin Forerunner 265: Which should you buy?

The answer to this question really depends on what you are looking for from your watch. If you want to record the ODD Run or Pilates course, but then call your mother on your way home and pay for your coffee from your wrist, I would say that you will get much more from the Apple Watch 10 than the Garminforerunner 265.

However, if you train for your first marathon, the Garmin Forerunner offers 265 more activity profiles, more training tools and data feedback with a nice advertisement.

The question here is whether you want a smartwatch or a sports watch. If it is the latter and you are connected to the idea of owning an Apple Watch, take a look at the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which adds a action sample and diving modes.

Apple Watch 10 against Garmin Forerunner 265 – Which smartwatch should you buy?

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