Samsung made an all-around winner within the Galaxy Watch 5, constructed to present you a holistic have a look at your well being and hold you absolutely linked to your Android telephone. As a health watch, it has its flaws, however you may decide and select a greater Wear OS app for those who don’t love Samsung Health. Just understand that its “50-hour battery life” could not maintain as much as heavy use.
ForMore sturdy & enticing designBrighter Sapphire displayExcellent Wear OS software program and appsAFib, pores and skin temp, and BIAFaster chargingAgainstBattery life would not come closeDigital bezel is unreliableLess correct GPS monitoring
The greatest operating watch available on the market, the Forerunner 265 has a ton of health software program the Galaxy Watch 5 lacks, however nearly not one of the smarts that it has and never all the similar well being knowledge. Still, it is an awesome choice that can assist you hit your PR targets, and the brand new AMOLED show is a significant improve over previous Garmin watches.
ForEpically lengthy battery lifeFantastic health software programGarmin lastly up to date to AMOLEDMore correct GPS dataWorks with each Android and iOSAgainstMore expensiveVirtually no smarts, apps, or telephone integrationFewer well being sensors
With so many health subscriptions on the market, it is good to search out smartwatches on the market just like the Garmin Forerunner 265 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 that really value what it exhibits on the field. Each of them takes a really completely different strategy to well being and exercise knowledge, although.Garmin’s health software program is each extra sturdy and extra area of interest than what you get with the mainstream Samsung Health app. But due to Wear OS, Samsung affords extra health apps straight in your wrist as a substitute of getting to export knowledge to them, and Samsung additionally beats Garmin in its sheer variety of well being sensors. The benefit of evaluating the Garmin Forerunner 265 vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is that — regardless of each of them being very nice watches — they’re basically completely different of their strengths and weaknesses. By the time you end this information, it needs to be clear that one or the opposite is a better option, relying on what you are in search of.Garmin Forerunner 265 vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: DesignWhy you may belief Android Central
Our professional reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services and products so you may select the very best for you. Find out extra about how we take a look at.(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)The Garmin Forerunner 265 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 each ship in two sizes with no worth distinction, pandering to of us with bigger or smaller wrists. But which is extra snug?The Galaxy Watch 5 is smaller, thinner, and lighter than the Forerunner 265 on paper. In actuality, Samsung misled customers by weighing the watch with out the strap (which you may by no means take off) and measuring the thickness with out the well being sensors (which you’ll be able to’t take off), one thing first noticed by DC Rainmaker.In reality, the Galaxy Watch 5 is about 13mm thick (not 9.8), near the 12.9mm Forerunner 265; its case is just a little slimmer, however the backside sensors shut the hole. And if you take the strap weight under consideration, the Galaxy Watch 5 40mm, and 44mm weigh 50g and 55g, respectively. Compared to the Forerunner 265S (39g) and 265 (49g), it will basically really feel the identical until you select the smaller Garmin. We reviewed the bigger items of each watches and located them completely snug.The consolation edge nonetheless goes to Samsung, although. The Galaxy Watch 5 has a redesigned backside sensor that sits flatter towards your pores and skin than the final era. With the Garmin Forerunner 265, the underside sensors even have nice pores and skin contact for correct readings, however the circle is extra compact to make room for the underside charging port; so our reviewer normally discovered a “red circular indent” on his wrist after carrying all of it day. (Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Looking on the Galaxy Watch 5 from the aspect, it isn’t truly that completely different trying from the Forerunner 265. The key distinction is that Samsung used aluminum, giving it a way more glossy look. It additionally has a MIL-STD-810H-compliant score, although Samsung would not specify which exams it handed. It’s not truly going to be a “rugged” watch in the identical means as, say, the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar, which is particularly military-grade shockproof. But the Galaxy Watch 5 ought to deal with falls and collisions barely higher than the Forerunner 265. The different key design distinction is that the Galaxy Watch 5 has simply two right-side buttons, whereas the Forerunner 265 has three buttons on the left in addition to two on the proper. Samsung makes use of a “digital bezel” that allows you to scroll across the fringe of the show to navigate by means of menus, whereas Garmin has you both swipe up and down or use the 2 devoted Up and Down buttons.Each choice has its perks and disadvantages. Buttons are way more dependable throughout a exercise for assured motion, whereas touch-only navigation with sweaty fingers whereas shifting will be very irritating. According to our reviewer, the contact bezel is “incredibly unreliable” even in on a regular basis use; since its two buttons are just for deciding on and backing out, the Galaxy Watch 5 is especially touch-dependent. On the opposite hand, the Forerunner’s buttons are usually a bit squishy and gradual to press, so you may primarily depend on the touchscreen exterior of exercises. Still, we choose having each choices over only one.Garmin Forerunner 265 vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: Display(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)The Galaxy Watch 5 provides you extra show house with a smaller case dimension due to the Forerunner 265’s thicker bezel. But by way of precise decision, the AMOLED shows have very related pixel-per-inch ratios no matter which dimension you decide. Both have touchscreens, although Samsung’s “Super AMOLED” tech incorporates the contact sensors into the show quite than inserting it on prime, which it claims makes the display brighter and fewer reflective. We know the Galaxy Watch 5 can hit 1,000 nits, whereas we do not have a quantity for the Forerunner 265 — and it is most likely a bit dimmer. It’s unlucky that the latter makes use of Gorilla Glass 3 as a substitute of DX, which makes mild reflection extra noticeable. But usually, our reviewer discovered that it simply dealt with direct daylight with “bright, dense text and vivid colors,” so it isn’t a severe visible downgrade. Of course, as a result of the Galaxy Watch 5 has Sapphire Crystal defending the show, it might stand up to any attainable scratches or cracks extra ably than Garmin’s show. Since it was launched final summer time, our Galaxy Watch 5 evaluation unit has held up fairly effectively to attainable injury in comparison with the Galaxy Watch 4. Garmin Forerunner 265 vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: Hardware and battery life(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Samsung and Garmin are in two totally completely different leagues in the case of efficiency, by design. Samsung wants a quick processor and loads of RAM to deal with Wear OS apps, whereas Garmin OS would not assist third-party apps and makes use of an environment friendly processor to extend battery life. Generally talking, the Galaxy Watch 5 is the very best Android smartwatch as a result of it has buttery-smooth navigation by means of apps with just about no lag in any app. Also, as a result of Samsung intently companions with Google, it will get the newest software program updates like Wear OS 4 months (and even years) earlier than every other watch in addition to the Pixel Watch.By comparability, scrolling by means of Forerunner 265 widgets and menus is normally extra methodical, whether or not you employ buttons or scrolling. It’s not essentially gradual, but it surely’s undoubtedly not wherever as quick, both. Generally talking, all you may discover on a Garmin watch is a bunch of health- and fitness-related widgets that you simply scroll by means of one after the other. Aside from a couple of methods like fast textual content responses for Android telephones, you simply do not get the identical smarts on a Garmin Forerunner that you’d on a Galaxy Watch. Only the latter has a built-in mic and speaker for Google Assistant and voice calls, and assist for a QWERTY keyboard so you may (slowly) kind out an precise response in your wrist as a substitute of counting on canned responses.Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategorySamsung Galaxy Watch 5Garmin Forerunner 265Working SystemWear OS 4 / One UI 5 WatchGarmin OSProcessorSamsung Exynos W920UnknownRAM1.5GBUnknownStorage16GB8GBDisplay1.19-inch (396 x 396) or 1.36-inch (450 x 450) AMOLED1.1-inch (360 x 360) or 1.3-inch (416 x 416) AMOLEDConnectivityBluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi, NFC, GPS, GLONASS, GALILEOBluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+, NFC, GPS, GLONASS, GALILEOBattery284mAh / 410mAh, as much as 50 hoursUp to 15 daysCharging10W Qi wi-fi, about 90 minutes to 100%USB-C, about 2 hours to 100%SensorsAccelerometer, Barometer, Gyro, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor, Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Heart Rate + Electrical Heart Signal + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), Temperature SensorAccelerometer, barometric altimeter, compass, gyroscope, coronary heart charge monitor, SpO2, thermometerProtection5ATM+IP68, MIL-STD-810H, Sapphire crystal5ATM, Gorilla Glass 3Navigation2 buttons, digital bezel, touchscreen5 buttons, touchscreenMaterialsAluminumFiber-reinforced polymerColorsBoa Purple, Graphite, Pink Gold, Sapphire, SilverWhitestone, Black, Aqua, Light PinkBand dimension20mm22mm or 18mmMeasurements40.4 x 39.3 x 9.8mm*, 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8mm*46.1 x 46.1 x 12.9mm; 41.7 x 41.7 x 12.9mmWeight33g or 29g (with out strap)49g or 39gThe Garmin Forerunner 265 has half the storage, however 8GB is loads to obtain a ton of music to stream in your wi-fi earbuds for those who choose to work out with no telephone close by. Whereas Samsung’s 16GB will likely be taken up with a bunch of apps, which means it wants the additional house greater than Garmin does. Both watches have Bluetooth, wi-fi downloads, tap-to-pay assist, and GPS. Garmin additionally works with ANT+, a connectivity platform supported by a number of health equipment like bike computer systems and coronary heart charge displays. Only the Forerunner 265 helps extra correct monitoring: it could actually use “All-Systems GNSS” to measure your progress with a number of satellite tv for pc techniques, or “Multi-Band GPS” to trace you throughout each L1 and L5 GPS satellite tv for pc frequencies. This makes your operating or biking knowledge “extremely accurate,” one thing we have examined totally in our Garmin evaluations. When operating with a Samsung watch, we discovered that the post-run map “frequently breaks off at odd angles when something interferes with the signal,” making it much less dependable. (Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)If Garmin has one slam-dunk benefit over Samsung, it is in battery life. With normal use, the Forerunner 265 will final a few weeks, give or take a day. Even with GPS monitoring energetic, it will final half the time that the Galaxy Watch 5 is rated to final in idle mode (50 hours). Our Galaxy Watch 5 reviewer was deeply upset with the battery life; though it is longer on paper than most Android watches, it normally solely lasted a day per cost and would generally die throughout sleep monitoring. Compare that to the Forerunner 265, which may observe your coronary heart charge variance, blood oxygen, and hours of operating and possibly nonetheless have about 90% battery remaining by the following day.Thankfully, the Galaxy Watch 5’s 10W charging helps it recharge extraordinarily shortly: you may sometimes get to 50% battery in lower than 30 minutes, or as much as full in just a little over an hour. Garmin’s charging pace with its USB-C proprietary cable is not fairly as quick, however you will not must recharge it as typically. And you may sometimes get sufficient juice for a GPS-tracked exercise in 10–15 minutes.Garmin Forerunner 265 vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: Sensors and software program(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)The Garmin Forerunner 265 has all the vital sensors that the majority athletes want. The coronary heart charge sensor could be very correct, it has each an accelerometer and gyroscope to correctly observe arm actions for health club workouts, and the Pulse Ox sensor mixed with an altimeter can measure how effectively you are acclimating to increased elevations. Both the Forerunner 265 and Galaxy Watch 5 are among the many greatest smartwatches to measure blood oxygen saturation as a consequence of their well being sensor accuracy, however Garmin takes the highest spot as a result of the battery can stand up to all-day SpO2 measurements higher than Samsung can. Ultimately, Samsung has a transparent lead in well being monitoring. Both watches can observe coronary heart charge variance, however solely Samsung can detect irregular heartbeat rhythm (AFib), each passively by means of the HRM and actively by means of the ECG sensor. It may measure your physique composition with a Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), checking your present fats and muscle percentages to gauge your bodily well being. And its pores and skin temperature sensor can be utilized for menstrual cycle monitoring, whereas the Forerunner 265 thermometer would not have a user-specific function.(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)On the software program aspect, Samsung Health has a variety of sports activities apps. The primary advantage of the Galaxy Watch 5 is that you may shut your day by day rings for steps and exercise, which retains you motivated. You may discover all types of nice Android operating apps with Wear OS variations you may entry straight on the Galaxy Watch 5.The upcoming One UI 5 Watch replace will add operating coronary heart charge zones and GPX-based route exercises you may obtain to your watch, however GPX mapping was a Galaxy Watch 5 Pro unique, so we’re unsure if the bottom Galaxy Watch 5 will profit from it. In common, Samsung Health hasn’t seen a lot severe innovation lately.By distinction, Garmin remains to be thought of among the finest choices for severe athletes, correctly monitoring and guiding your operating effort earlier than, throughout, and after runs or rides. The Forerunner 265 provides you day by day instructed exercises based mostly in your Body Battery and sleep scores, in addition to your present fatigue from previous exercises. It additionally remembers your previous week’s coaching load to calculate your “Training Readiness,” your long-term operating outcomes, and VO2 Max to estimate how lengthy it will take you to complete a race size like 10Okay or a marathon. Both watches allow you to set a customized tempo and have the watch let you know for those who’re sticking to that tempo throughout a run. Garmin makes this feature simpler to search out, although, and has its Garmin Coach coaching plan that helps you put together to run a race at a sure tempo over the course of three to 4 months, so these exercises seem in your wrist with none prep work from you.We’re simply scratching the floor of what Garmin can do for operating, with out even stepping into biking or different sports activities. The primary level is, Garmin’s algorithm can keep in mind your previous efforts to correctly gauge your present efforts. Whereas Samsung, it goes with out saying, wins by any metric for non-fitness software program.Garmin Forerunner 265 vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: Which do you have to purchase?The Galaxy Watch 5 is a greater all-around watch at a extra reasonably priced worth for Android telephone house owners. The UI is extra manageable — even when we do not just like the digital bezel — and the choice to reply calls or converse to your assistant is a good choice. We would possibly suggest ready for the Galaxy Watch 6 since it is so near launch, however that additionally means you may discover its predecessor at a really cheap worth proper now. But the Galaxy Watch 5 or 6 provides you with an informal health expertise, with a battery you may’t essentially rely on for all-day monitoring. If you desire a “smart” Garmin, you’d want to select up the Garmin Venu 2 Plus, which a minimum of provides you Bluetooth calls and a voice assistant — plus a snazzier metal bezel. Otherwise, you may purchase the Garmin Forerunner 265 for those who care extra about coaching and solely care about seeing notifications in your wrist, quite than a bunch of apps. It’s an costly system, however you do get operating knowledge and training that you simply’d usually should pay $100/yr to get. So so long as you are truly going to get out and run, the Forerunner 265 needs to be a tempting choice, too. It’s the very best operating watch on the market, in any case.
Choose the Galaxy Watch 5 for its spectacular sturdiness, complete well being sensors, and affordability. Skip it if you’d like extra specialised health software program or a extra reliable battery.
Choose the Garmin Forerunner 265 for those who care about coaching knowledge, guided exercises, and battery life above all else. Skip it if you’d like a extra conventional smartwatch with higher telephone integration.