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7/10High Risk
Garmin Forerunner 265 Dealbreaker Report
High Risk
8 dealbreaking issues found in 2026 user complaints
Check Live Price(paid link)
Last updated: Feb 13, 2026
Prices are approximate and may vary. Check retailer for current pricing.
The Dealbreakers
2 CriticalDealbreaker #1: Overpriced for runners
Don't buy this if you expect premium smartwatch features - it's a running watch with a $450 price tag.
HIGH
Who's affected
Don't buy this if... Casual athletes wanting smart features
Real user feedback
“"Extremely expensive for what is primarily a running watch"”
SafeCritical
Dealbreaker #2: Sluggish touchscreen
Don't buy this if you need responsive controls - the touchscreen lags during workouts.
MED
Who's affected
Don't buy this if... Interval trainers
Real user feedback
“"Touch screen responsiveness is sluggish"”
SafeCritical
Dealbreaker #3: Battery drain with AMOLED
Don't buy this if you need the advertised 13-day battery - always-on display cuts runtime in half.
HIGH
Who's affected
Don't buy this if... Ultra marathoners
Real user feedback
“"AMOLED battery drains fast with always-on display enabled"”
SafeCritical
Dealbreaker #4: Clunky music transfer
Don't buy this if you want seamless Spotify - limited storage and painful file transfers.
MED
Who's affected
Don't buy this if... Runners who train with music
Real user feedback
“"Music storage limited to 8GB with clunky transfer process"”
SafeCritical
If This Bothers You, Buy THIS Instead
Current Choice
Garmin Forerunner 265
Longevity Score
68
Resale Value
MedMed
If better-battery bothers you → Lasts longer during endurance activities at half the price
Current Choice
Garmin Forerunner 265
Longevity Score
67
Resale Value
MedHigh
If better-smart-features bothers you → Proper app ecosystem and cellular option
Community Consensus
Hardcore runners praise the metrics but hate the price. Casual users find it lacking compared to proper smartwatches. Everyone complains about battery tradeoffs.
Positive 35%Neutral 20%Negative 45%
Key Specifications
Display
AMOLED, Always-On
Case Size
46mm
Battery Life
13 days (smartwatch) / 20h (GPS)
Water Resistance
5ATM
OS
Garmin OS
Health
HR, SpO2, Training Readiness, Race Predictor
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the AMOLED display worth it?
+
Only if you disable always-on mode and accept 5-day battery life.
Can I reply to messages?
+
No - it's a notification mirror only, like most Garmin watches.
How accurate is the race predictor?
+
Decent for seasoned runners, wildly optimistic for beginners.
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