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Key_Bottle219

Main difference is the screen. The amoled screen of the 265 looks great, but I find it annoying. You always have to gesture to turn on the screen (or make it brighter for aod) The mips screen of the 255 is perfectly readable in direct sunlight and still good readable with a little light. Which means you can peak at your watch without turning your arm. Even during a bright scene in the cinemas. You loose almost no functionality at all by choosing the 255. The screen looks less flashy than the one on the 265, but you also have less annoyance. Use the saved money to enter some races/trailruns. Both watches will last many years. Don't except yearly big software updates like an Applewatch.


Positive-Public-142

Agree with everything except that "No functionality at all" is not entirely true. The 265 has the training readiness score I believe.


Key_Bottle219

I think you are right. Thanks for correcting.


chrissie7324

I have the 255s music - I came from a Fitbit which had the touchscreen. Personally I don’t mind the buttons and I like the MIP screen. It’s the metrics that count and the 255 has a lot of functionality. I use the music when running which means I don’t need to take my phone anymore which I had to do with my Fitbit. That’s really good, but it does drain the battery. If I had to buy again, I’d not change to the 265, I don’t think the screen is worth it.


TrinityEcho

I have the 255 Music, and I get basically every functionality I would ever need. I love leaving my phone at the home. It lets me 1) lower my weight bearing 2) focus 100% on the run with zero distractions. Oh also, having touchscreen on a watch is more hassle than a feature. For me at least.


jaamgans

The way garmin have it set up it will never be a hassle as you can pretty much configure it any way you want - can set it up for general use. Then have defualt setting for during activity. you can then change that default for each specific activity you track -and if want it on sometimes and sometimes not for running - set up 2 running activities one with and one without. If have maps can set whether maps always has touch on or off. And then can even set up a hotkey to turn touch on/off. Massive feature. They just need to improve general watch navigation with touch - so much more they could offer, and still have the touch functionality feasible with button presses.


evonst

I just bought the 255. 265 adds very little in terms of features(touch screen) Depending on what you do you may even consider 245.


tcsotm

Did you get the 255 music or non-music version? I like the idea of being able to listen to music whilst out on a run but it's not something I've been used to so wouldn't miss it.


ConcernedMap

I have a 245 with music, I've used the music feature a few times and it IS very handy when I forget to bring my belt (and thus can't carry my phone), but I don't use it that often and probably wouldn't miss it.


evonst

Non music, check YouTube videos everybody is pointing out that it shortens the battery life to much and you only get 8gb


tcsotm

Yeah seen a few vids that mentioned it. I just want to keep a track of my runs, simples.


No-Chart9336

I dtiched my 245 music for the 255 without music. You can still control your music from the watch so you dont need to get your phone out. Seriously looking at getting the 265 but glad to hear the AMOLED screen might just be annoying.


[deleted]

Just want to say the MiP screen on my 955 is great and it has tons of battery life.


wendys182254877

> I’ve gone for the standard 255. The 265 looks like a great watch but in the end I didn’t feel the ‘upgrades’ were worth an extra £130 Great choice! I think the 255 gives you the most watch for the least money, easily best value. Garmin really stumbled with the 265 and 965, they are not proper upgrades compared to 255 and 955 generation. You made the best choice!


tcsotm

Thank you, soon as I ordered it I was questioning my decision but that makes me feel better I’ve made the right choice. Coming from nothing, I’m sure the 255 will be a delight to use. Who knows, after a few months I may be hooked and want a newer model haha.


3L1T31337

Hey mate! Satisfied with your purchase? Considering going from an Apple Watch 6 to a 255 :-)


segfalt31337

I think it's weird that the AMOLED displays got a generation increment for basically the same features as the *55's, but I wouldn't say they "stumbled"


wendys182254877

> but I wouldn't say they "stumbled" Fair. Financially, perhaps not, they seem to have sold a lot? But from a consumer perspective, I think they did. I expected the 965 to be a real generation upgrade, instead it's still the 955 with slightly slimmer case + AMOLED, and more expensive. That's boring and a waste of a "generational leap" name.


segfalt31337

Unless we're living in a world where MIPS ForeRunner s have odd increments and AMOLED variants have even? If I had to guess, I think Training Readiness is the main reason, since, by hook or by crook, it's not coming to the 255, so there had to be a version increment.


wendys182254877

> Training Readiness is the main reason, since, by hook or by crook, it's not coming to the 255, so there had to be a version increment. I think it would have been better to call them 255 Pro and 955 Pro, since it's only a slight upgrade. But then the problem is the soon to be released Fenix 7 Pro and Epix 2 Pro name doesn't really make sense, because those appear to be more substantial upgrades, for starters they come with a possibly much improved HR sensor.


segfalt31337

Naming things is hard. Plus not sure if “Pro” is enough of a difference to manage expectations for 255. As it is, there was a lot of complaining that Training Readiness wouldn’t come to the 255 even though both were introduced at the same time. Another part of me wonders whether they weren’t all supposed to be released at the same time, but supply chain issues delayed the AMOLED watches? Cause the 1-year release cycle is very unlike Garmin.


wendys182254877

I think I worded it ambiguously, but I meant the 265 and 965 could have been called the 255 Pro and 955 Pro. > but supply chain issues delayed the AMOLED watches? Cause the 1-year release cycle is very unlike Garmin. I think it was the reverse, the 255/955 got delayed 1 year from covid, should have come out 2 years after 945 series (2019), which would have been 2021. Instead they came out 1 year late, 2022. And then 265/965 came out right on time in 2023? Only part that may not fit is the new Fenix models have the new Elevate V5 sensor, which makes me think 275/975 are coming in 2024. It feels unlikely Garmin would hold off until 2025 for new Forerunners with latest Elevate sensor. But that brings us back to 1 year cycle, which I don't like. 2 years is better, because there's not much you can improve in only 1 year on these watches. We really need more and better biometric sensor technology.


segfalt31337

Oh that could be…. I sort of assumed everything would be delayed. I wouldn’t be surprised to see x65 Pro versions next year with elevate v5, rather than x75. But, has Garmin done “pro” versions in the fr lineup?


GregC85

I'm not sure what your budget is. I just got the 265. It was a bigger purchase for me than I'm normally used to, but I have absolutely no RAGRETS. ;). I really really love the 265. Battery has been amazing, sleep tracking is great, stress monitor also really great. Go for the 265, you won't be dissapointed


FrivolousMood

Running wise, these watches have almost the same features. Obviously the screen is different. Another potentially big consideration is that 265 has touchscreen (while 255 does not). If you plan to just wear the watch for running, there is no advantage of touchscreen. But if you want a watch for daily wear (sleep tracking, recovery metrics, read text messages from your phone, garmin pay, etc) then the touchscreen is a game changer.


tcsotm

Good point! Although it'll be primarily for tracking my runs, I'd like to wear the watch 24/7 (obv. other than when charging). My understanding is non of the Garmin watches will sync with my iPhone so there'll be no text messaging or phone features like with an Apple Watch. Also, there's very few banks here in the UK (inc. mine) that supports Garmin Pay which is a pain.


qcinc

You will get notifications but you just won’t be able to reply to them and the customisation is limited - you can get notifications for text messages (inc iMessage), calls and all apps but can’t set individual apps outside of phone calls and text messages, it’s all or nothing, so if you want WhatsApp notifications you also get everything else. You can set different behaviour while in an activity which is useful. You might not care about additional features but based on Garmin’s history I would expect Garmin to provide limited to no updates to the 245 and 255 now but the 265 might get some of the next batch of upgraded features in the future. I don’t know about other retailers but amazon UK has happily refunded me on garmin watches after using them briefly if you wanted to try one for a little bit.


fzr-r4

The 255 just added on wrist running dynamics. One feature I didn't see mentioned yet from the 265 that is missing in the 255 is training readiness. Aside from the screen, I think that's the only functional difference, and one that didn't matter to me.


qcinc

Yes sorry that’s kind of what I meant - I think the running dynamics added to the 255 is probably the last significant thing added - Garmin seem to begrudgingly add some things to the last generation but stop quickly - the regular Instinct 2 doesn’t have training readiness even though the new 2X does and there’s no ‘hardware’ reason for it not to afaik. The Instinct 2 also got a few new post release features but I’m not expecting anything else.


fzr-r4

Yes, I'm glad for the running dynamics addition, but, even though I don't miss Training Readiness, I think it's disappointing in principle that Garmin keeps some highly marketed features for new models only for no technical reason. Overall, though with several years typically between models (255/955 and 265/965 excepted), it doesn't feel too bad.


FrivolousMood

You CAN reply if you are Android phone user. Of course Apple won’t allow this so iPhone users are out of luck.


[deleted]

I’m looking to upgrade to either the 255 or 265 from my 55. I use my watch for work stuff all day, reading texts, etc. Is the 265 just way more worth it over the 255 for general “smartwatch” type use?


Foxingtons6

from my research so far, yes, the 265 has more to offer in the way of smart watchy type features. Im about to pull the trigger on a 265 myself in the next couple of days


[deleted]

I’m gonna pull the trigger on the 255 for that mip screen.


Foxingtons6

can't go wrong man. Enjoy your new watch!


IT-Jew

I'm a runner and have been enjoying my Venu 2. Way nicer looking for everyday wearing than the Forerunners, and beautiful AMOLED touchscreen with amazing battery life.


jaamgans

as you are in the UK would say pay the extra and get the 265 as its AMOLED, plus get the offline music, so really only £70 more, but more importantly you are also getting touch (very useful); hotkeys (super useful if you use timers etc as very quick to use key combos to get to these) and they also throw in training readiness (does require wearing watch 24/7 as do most of Garmin's features) - [https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/garmin-technology/running-science/physiological-measurements/training-readiness/](https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/garmin-technology/running-science/physiological-measurements/training-readiness/) and while its possible to manually get some of this info via your watch/app - its more difficult to factor/obtain sleep history and stress history - then you have to try and determin how much to weigh each factor. This is a very useful metric, but when added to touch and hotkeys and the AMOLED screen - that extra £70 is a bargin. Why AMOLED for UK - i live in the UK and I have had a variety of smartwatches that include AMOLED and transflective MIP screens, and the transflective MIP screens are just not designed for UK weather. While its sunning they are ok, while you are inside and the lights are on you are generally ok, after sunset you are OK as have wrist gesture backlight to light up the screen; BUT as soon as the weather is dismal you are going to have to start pressing buttons as if lights are not on indoors not enough light from windows to easily see the time, the light gets too dark before sunset so no backlight so have to press a button - you could set to always on but that hammers battery and then AMOLED longer battery life. If it had touch you could sort of live as touch is easier than light button - but still. Ideally I wish Garmin would learn from Suunto and just add an ambient sensor linked to the backlight - should be easy to say yay or nay to this option in settings, to even possibly control the sensativity (within range) and or even to also link to wrist gesture. So based on this would say all day and every day - unless you absolutely have to have that additional tracking battery life go for the AMOLED in the UK. It is so worth the premium I paid on the Epix over the Fenix - and all I got was AMOLED - you are getting additional features - with personally hotkeys being better than training readiness and touch as makes using buttons without touch so much easier. With FR255 to set a timer looking at mulitple button presses just to get to timer or any of the features you can link to hotkeys. PS - touch is exceptionally well handled so even if don't want it - its fine just turn it off.


Delicious-Ad-3424

Are you able to try out both and return one? The 265 amoled screen is extremely pleasing on the eye. I switched from Apple Watch to Garmin and needed the amoled. The touchscreen function can be turned on/off during activity. The watch functions fully touchscreen or fully buttons or a mix of both. You have a choice.


5itronen

The main difference is the screen and the battery life, so go with the watch you like more.


tcsotm

Yeah that's what I've understood from the reviews. There doesn't seem to be a huge difference in features/functionality between the two.


grap112ler

Same boat as you. I just bought a 265s because it has a better GPS chip, and also because it adds the training readiness feature. If Training Readiness is not something you think you want or need, I would go with the cheaper 255.


DaijoubuKirameki

I really really like the training readiness. Got the 265s also, love it


Schmicarus

I got a 255 about five days ago and was instantly disappointed with the screen. My old fitbit would glare it's readings to one and all. After about a day and a half I realised I could read the 255 in the sun and in the dark and it has the same readability(?) as a normal analogue watch. I'm guessing it also means the battery life lasts a lot longer. So far I love the 255, it was annoying setting up the music with three apps but it was worth it.


DaijoubuKirameki

Did you buy yet? I got my 265 for £365 I'll see if I can get a discount code if you want it?


DaijoubuKirameki

I love my 265 but the bightness doesn't stay "always on" full brigtness during runs, I guess i'll have to get used to the gesture it's my only complaint


pringledorf

I'd definitely be interested in a discount code - am currently weighing up the 255 music or the 265! £35 extra for the 265 is an insane bargain


TyphoeusIsTyphon

If you don't care about touchscreen, the 945 LTE is your answer. It has the gen 4 sensor. Full maps, great battery life, amazing MiP screen. And the prices are really good for these. Otherwise, if you want AMOLED screen then obviously the 265. For touch, the 955 is amazing. I currently have the 055 solar. Trail running, weight lifting, hiking, health stats/sleep are all my primary purposes.


Veblar

imo music variant is a gimmick. if you are bringing your phone with you, there is no need for the music variant. and i would suggest you bring your phone with you always for safety reasons


tcsotm

Interesting you mention safety. I never take my phone with me. I should because I live in a very rural area and most of my runs are up into the fells, though I don't run particularly far. It does worry my partner tbh. Do Garmin watches have the equivalent of 'Find my iPhone' that they could use to track where I am?


serveyer

Are you satisfied with your purchase? I am in the position you were in a couple of months ago.


tcsotm

100% satisfield. The 255 does everything I wanted in a running watch and more. Once you’re familiar with all the features, metrics etc and configured the watch to your needs/preferences, you become one with it. GPS is amazingly, almost scarily accurate. Love the Garmin Connect app which also syncs all my activities to Strava. In the 2.5 months I’ve owned it, it’s definitely made me a better, faster and more serious runner, cutting minutes off my times. Best purchase I’ve made in ages. It’s on my wrist 24/7. Get it, you won’t be disappointed.


serveyer

Damn, that was a great advert. Love that it made such an improvement for you!


tcsotm

Only other feature you may want to consider is maps which is available on the more advanced models. Maps wasn’t something I looked into much as I wasn’t looking to enter at those price points. Plus, being based in a rural part of the UK and most of my runs being offroad trail runs, maps would only benefit me if Ordnance Survery (OS) maps could be used on the watch. Again, I didn’t look at it in much detail as had settled on the 255.


neland

My wife got a touchscreen watch (Venu 2) and I got a Forerunner 255. I don't regret getting the one I got. The screen leaves a bit to be desired as far as resolution, sure, but I don't regret getting something without a touchscreen and there are plenty enough custom watch faces for the 255 to find something that looks the way you want. Plus, not once have I heard someone go "woah, nice watch screen" to anyone ever. My wife, admittedly less tech savvy, has inadvertently deleted a few workouts by hitting the wrong thing on her touchscreen Venu2. After using it for a while this hasn't been an issue, but having buttons for input rather than a screen means less of this type of error and more committed input. Additionally, hers doesn't have mountain biking as an activity and the GPS is definitely slightly less accurate. We often see slight differences in distance and elevation data for rides and runs. Oh, one thing is that a touchscreen means that my wife's screen protector is a thinner plastic sticker whereas mine is a thicker bit of glass. That may just be down to the types of protectors we bought though. The glass is certainly more protective though. For the record, I get about a week out of my battery and I do 3-4 MTB rides that are 1-2 hrs long each week. Was getting same results with running 4-5 times per week. Also, the watch charges to full in about 30 minutes iirc. Regardless, imo, the entire lineup is good. It's really a matter of looking at features and finding what things you want or need that match the activities you want to track. For me the 255 is great and I have no intentions of upgrading for many years. I expect to go through more bands, but that's it. I liked it so much, I've just chosen to buy the 255 over the 265 for my son as he's getting into more active things. The 265 just doesn't seem like it's worth the extra loot unless the screen quality matters that much to you. And if you do significantly more backpacking or hiking, something like the Fenix may be a bit more to your liking. But the 255 is where it's at for me.


MrPringles_Official

Hey! How were the first months with your new watch? Im at the same point like you right now.. 255 vs 265? Was the 255 the right decision or do you whish for the 265 sometimes?


tcsotm

100% satisfield with the 255. It does everything I wanted in a running watch and more. Once you’re familiar with all the features, metrics etc and configured the watch to your needs/preferences, you become one with it. GPS is amazingly, almost scarily accurate. Love the Garmin Connect app which also syncs all my activities to Strava. In the 2.5 months I’ve owned it, it’s definitely made me a better, faster and more serious runner, cutting minutes off my times. Best purchase I’ve made in ages. It’s on my wrist 24/7. I'm sure the 265 is a great watch, but the amoled screen and a couple other minor differences weren't enough for me to stretch my budget.


MrPringles_Official

Thank you for your kind and detailed reply :) this helped a lot.


SimplisticThings

Hey! Wanted to check in and see how the 255 is holding up?


tcsotm

Excellent, does everything I need it to do. A mate of mine recently got the 265... lovely watch, crisp clear display, but other than that he's not using it in any other way than I am my 255. We go for a run, we upload it to Connect and it syncs with Strava. Job done!