Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch8
The Verdict
The Garmin Forerunner 265 and Samsung Galaxy Watch8 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Samsung Galaxy Watch8 is the cheaper of the two at $300 versus $449, a difference of about $149. The Samsung Galaxy Watch8 is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Garmin Forerunner 265 stands out for vibrant amoled display is a massive upgrade over the 255's mip screen, while Samsung Galaxy Watch8 is praised for thinnest galaxy watch at 8.6mm. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Garmin Forerunner 265 if…
- →Vibrant AMOLED display is a massive upgrade over the 255's MIP screen
- →Training Readiness and Morning Report provide actionable fitness insights
- →Multi-band GPS delivers extremely accurate pace and distance tracking
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 if…
- →Thinnest Galaxy Watch at 8.6mm
- →3nm Exynos W1000 processor
- →3000 nits peak brightness
Pros & Cons
Garmin Forerunner 265
Pros
- Vibrant AMOLED display is a massive upgrade over the 255's MIP screen
- Training Readiness and Morning Report provide actionable fitness insights
- Multi-band GPS delivers extremely accurate pace and distance tracking
- 13-day battery with AMOLED is exceptional — best in its class
- Race Widget helps plan pacing strategy for upcoming events
Cons
- No built-in maps — only breadcrumb trail navigation
- No music storage on the base model (265 Music has it)
- No cellular connectivity — phone required for notifications
- Proprietary charging cable is easy to forget when traveling
Samsung Galaxy Watch8
Pros
- Thinnest Galaxy Watch at 8.6mm
- 3nm Exynos W1000 processor
- 3000 nits peak brightness
- Wear OS 6 with Gemini AI assistant
- Dual-frequency GPS
Cons
- $300 starting price for base model
- Battery life varies heavily with AOD
- Limited third-party watch face selection on Wear OS
Full Specifications
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 265 | Samsung Galaxy Watch8 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Garmin OS (Connect IQ) | Wear OS 6 with Gemini |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 47 g | 28.8 g (40mm) |
| Case material | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Armor Aluminum |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810H |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 13 days (smartwatch), 20 hrs GPS | Up to 40 hours |
| Display | ||
| Size | 46mm (1.3 inches) | 40mm / 44mm |
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 416 x 416 | 480 x 480 (44mm) |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Garmin custom processor | Exynos W1000 (3nm) |
| RAM | — | 2 GB |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in smartwatches, see all Garmin products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Garmin Forerunner 265 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch8.