Garmin Forerunner 265 vs TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro
The Verdict
Garmin Forerunner 265 and TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro represent different smartwatch philosophies. Garmin's offering excels with its refined AMOLED display (416x416), exceptional 13-day smartwatch battery life, and purpose-built sports tracking through proprietary OS. TicWatch counters with superior specs: larger 1.43-inch display (466x466), dual-display technology enabling 45-day battery in Essential Mode, more RAM (2GB), newer Snapdragon W5+ processor, and added skin temperature monitoring. Software experience heavily favors TicWatch's Wear OS 3.5 for app availability and Google integration, while Garmin dominates fitness-specific features and battery longevity in standard use. At $100 less, TicWatch delivers more versatility and cutting-edge hardware. Choose Garmin if dedicated sports tracking and multi-week battery matter most; select TicWatch for broader smartwatch functionality and value.
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 TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro if…
- →Dual display system — 90-hour smart mode or 45-day essential mode
- →Full Wear OS with Google Play Store, Maps, and Google Assistant
- →Snapdragon W5+ chip delivers smooth performance for a Wear OS watch
Category Scores
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
TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro
Pros
- Dual display system — 90-hour smart mode or 45-day essential mode
- Full Wear OS with Google Play Store, Maps, and Google Assistant
- Snapdragon W5+ chip delivers smooth performance for a Wear OS watch
- NFC for Google Wallet and contactless payments
- Military-grade MIL-STD-810H durability
Cons
- No ECG monitoring despite the health-focused positioning
- Bulky at 48 mm — too large for small wrists
- Wear OS 3.5 — not the latest Wear OS 4
- Mobvoi's app ecosystem is less polished than Samsung or Google
Full Specifications
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 265 | TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Garmin OS (Connect IQ) | Wear OS 3.5 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 47 g | 44.3 g (without strap) |
| Case material | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Stainless steel and high-strength nylon |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 5ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 13 days (smartwatch), 20 hrs GPS | Up to 90 hrs (Smart Mode), 45 days (Essential Mode) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 46mm (1.3 inches) | 48 mm (1.43 inches) |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED + FSTN dual display |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 416 x 416 | 466 x 466 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Garmin custom processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 |
| RAM | — | 2 GB |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 |
Related Comparisons
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 Mobvoi products. View full details for the Garmin Forerunner 265 or the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro.