Two well-established models go head-to-head: Garmin Venu 3 and Forerunner 265, showing no signs of slowing down
The Garmin Venu 3 and Forerunner 265 are two popular fitness watches that cater to different user preferences. While both share some similarities, they have distinct differences in design, display, hardware, battery life, features, and software.
Design and Display
The Venu 3 boasts a sleeker, more stylish design with a mic and speaker for Bluetooth calling, making it more well-rounded as a smartwatch suitable for everyday use including calls. On the other hand, the Forerunner 265 is oriented more towards serious athletes like runners and triathletes, with a focus on workout usability. It lacks a mic and speaker, prioritizing ease of use during exercise rather than style. Both watches feature bright displays, but the Venu 3 emphasizes a visually appealing experience while the Forerunner 265 focuses on functional readability during workouts.
Hardware
The Venu 3 is equipped with the newer Elevate 5 heart rate monitor (HRM) plus ECG and skin temperature sensors, while the Forerunner 265 uses the older Elevate v4 HRM and lacks ECG and skin temp monitoring. Both support GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO networks. The Forerunner 265 adds dual-band GPS and a SatIQ mode for potentially more accurate location tracking. Connectivity is the same on both: Garmin Pay (NFC), Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi. The Venu 3 has mic and speaker hardware enabling calls and voice-based features; the Forerunner 265 does not. Both watches have 8GB of music storage.
Battery Life
In terms of battery life, both watches offer impressive durability. In smartwatch mode, the Venu 3 lasts about 14 days (10 days for the smaller 3S model), while the Forerunner 265 lasts 13 days (15 days for the smaller 265S model). For GPS-only mode, the Venu 3 offers 26 hours (21 hours for the 3S model), while the Forerunner 265 has 20 hours (24 hours for the 265S model). In the highest accuracy GPS mode, the Venu 3 offers 20 hours (15 hours for the 3S model), while the Forerunner 265 lasts 14-15 hours depending on size.
Features and Software
The Forerunner 265 is more specialized, targeting runners, cyclists, and triathletes with advanced training metrics such as training load, training readiness, and detailed running dynamics. The Venu 3, however, has broader health tracking features including ECG, skin temperature, and Bluetooth calling, making it suited for indoor athletes and daily lifestyle use. It also offers extensive on-watch workout animations and muscle maps tailored for indoor training. Both watches share core Garmin software features like sleep tracking, stress, HRV, respiration, running power, and compatibility with cycling power meters.
The Forerunner 265’s UI got an update inspired by the Venu 3, so user experience is comparable in speed and usability despite the focus differences.
Additional Features
The Garmin Venu 3 offers animated workouts, ECG readings, sleep coach, passthrough voice assistant, Jet Lag advisor, Meditation, and wheelchair mode. The Forerunner 265 gives you in-depth metrics for outdoor workouts like running, swimming, and cycling. Both watches support Quick Release bands, with the Venu 3 using 22mm bands and the Forerunner 265 using 18mm bands.
Price and Color Options
Both the Garmin Venu 3 and Forerunner 265 are priced at $450. The Venu 3 comes in three color options, while the Forerunner 265 offers a more extensive range with 26 color options.
Conclusion
In summary, the Venu 3 is a more stylish, lifestyle-focused watch with mic/speaker, advanced health sensors, and better indoor workout support. The Forerunner 265, however, is a more specialized training tool for runners and triathletes emphasizing workout metrics and GPS accuracy without calling features. Battery life is close and both offer solid Garmin core tracking features and accuracy. The Forerunner 265 is better suited for serious runners who need training load and effect data, not to mention dual-band GPS.
The Garmin Venu 3 is a formidable smartwatch that not only caters to workout applications but also offers wearable gadgets such as a mic and speaker for Bluetooth calling, making it a well-rounded choice for everyday use. On the other hand, the Forerunner 265, built upon technology, is a more specialized device, focusing on the needs of serious athletes, particularly runners and triathletes, by offering advanced workout metrics and a focus on functional readability during workouts.
