Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Garmin Forerunner 265 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Apple Watch Ultra 2 & Garmin Forerunner 265 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Apple Watch Ultra 2 rather than the Garmin Forerunner 265.

Table Of Contents hide

1 Why Do I Recommend The Apple Watch Ultra 2?

2 Side By Side Comparison

3 What Common Both Can Do?

4 Common Features

Why Do I Recommend The Apple Watch Ultra 2?

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes with an LTPO OLED Retina display with 3000 nits brightness for exceptional brightness and outdoor visibility, whereas the Garmin Forerunner 265 uses an AMOLED screen limited to about 1000 nits.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5) for more precise route tracking in dense urban or mountainous areas, while the Garmin Forerunner 265 uses multi-band GNSS with slightly lower signal accuracy in challenging environments.
It includes a built-in microphone and speaker for hands-free calls and voice commands, whereas the Garmin Forerunner 265 lacks both, restricting communication to smartphone notifications.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 supports LTE connectivity for phone-free communication and streaming during workouts, while the Garmin Forerunner 265 relies entirely on a Bluetooth connection to a paired phone.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 has advanced health sensors such as ECG, skin temperature, and blood oxygen tracking for detailed wellness monitoring, whereas the Garmin Forerunner 265 only supports heart rate and SpO₂ measurements.
It features 64 GB internal storage to store apps, music, and maps directly on the device, while the Garmin Forerunner 265 includes only 8 GB storage.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes with an Action Button for customizable workout control, emergency triggers, or dive functions, whereas the Garmin Forerunner 265 uses standard physical buttons with fixed functions.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a titanium case with sapphire crystal glass for superior durability and scratch resistance, while the Garmin Forerunner 265 uses a fiber-reinforced polymer body with Gorilla Glass 3.

Maybe the Garmin Forerunner 265 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Apple Watch Ultra 2. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

Check Apple Ultra 2 Best Price

Check Forerunner 265 Best Price

Side By Side Comparison

Feature	Apple Watch Ultra 2	Garmin Forerunner 265
Display type	LTPO OLED Retina	AMOLED
Display size	1.92″ approx	1.3″ approx
Max brightness	Up to 3000 nits	Around 1000 nits
Front glass	Sapphire crystal	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Water rating	WR100, EN13319 dive	5 ATM swim rating
Depth / dive support	Recreational dive up to 40 m	No dive mode
Always-on implementation	LTPO adaptive always-on	Standard always-on
Physical buttons	Digital Crown, Side button, Action button	Start/Stop, Back, Up, Down, Light
Speaker	Built-in speaker	No speaker for calls
Microphone	Dual microphones	No microphone
Vibration motor	Haptic feedback engine	Standard vibration motor
Cellular connectivity	Optional LTE with eSIM	No LTE, Bluetooth only
Wi-Fi standard	Dual-band Wi-Fi	2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only
Bluetooth version	Bluetooth 5.x	Bluetooth + ANT+
Processor / SoC	Apple S9 SiP	Garmin proprietary chip
Storage capacity	64 GB	8 GB
Operating system	watchOS	Garmin OS
App ecosystem	Full App Store apps	Connect IQ widgets / apps
Voice assistant	Siri	No voice assistant
ECG function	ECG app	No ECG
Blood oxygen	SpO₂ sensor	Pulse Ox sensor
Skin temperature	Nightly wrist temperature	No temperature sensor
Fall / crash detection	Fall and crash detection	Incident detection during activity
SOS / emergency	Emergency SOS, international emergency calling	Assistance alert via phone
Map experience	Apple Maps with waypoints	Garmin activity-focused mapping screens
Compass features	Backtrack, Waypoints	Standard compass navigation
Music storage	Large onboard music library	Limited offline music storage
Phone calls	Make/receive calls on watch	Control phone, no direct calls
Message handling	Read, dictate, reply	Read-only for most platforms
Battery life (smartwatch)	Up to ~36 hours	Up to ~13 days
Battery life (GPS activity)	Up to ~17–20 hours dual-frequency	Up to ~20+ hours GPS
Low-power mode	System-wide low-power profiles	Battery saver and activity profiles
Rugged certifications	MIL-STD-810H, IP6X dust	No formal MIL-STD rating
Price	Check Apple Ultra 2 Price	Check Forerunner 265 Price

What Common Both Can Do?

AMOLED-type display: Both watches use vibrant AMOLED or OLED-style screens, which provide excellent color contrast and visibility even under bright sunlight. This display type also helps conserve power when using dark watch faces.
Always-on display: Both devices support an always-on display mode, allowing users to see essential data such as time, heart rate, and activity metrics without waking the screen manually.
Touchscreen interface: Each smartwatch uses a full touchscreen, making navigation intuitive and seamless when scrolling through menus, apps, or fitness stats.
GPS tracking: Both Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Garmin Forerunner 265 include accurate GPS systems for mapping workouts and outdoor navigation, ensuring detailed route tracking during runs, hikes, and rides.
Heart rate monitoring: Each model continuously tracks heart rate throughout the day and during workouts, helping users monitor performance intensity and overall cardiovascular health.
Blood oxygen (SpO₂) sensor: Both feature built-in SpO₂ sensors to measure oxygen saturation levels, which is useful for altitude acclimation and monitoring wellness trends.
Sleep tracking: Both smartwatches analyze sleep stages, including deep and REM sleep, to provide insights into recovery and sleep quality.
Stress monitoring: Each device measures stress through heart rate variability or similar metrics, helping users recognize high-stress periods and manage relaxation.
VO₂ Max estimation: Both watches estimate VO₂ Max levels to gauge aerobic fitness, giving athletes a reliable measure of endurance performance.
Multi-sport tracking: Both support a wide range of sport and training modes—covering running, cycling, swimming, and more—making them versatile fitness companions.
Music storage/playback: Each allows users to store and play music offline through connected wireless headphones, useful for workouts without carrying a phone.
Wireless charging: Both support wireless or magnetic charging methods, simplifying power-up and reducing the need for traditional cable connectors.
Bluetooth connectivity: Both smartwatches connect via Bluetooth to smartphones and accessories like wireless earbuds or chest heart-rate straps.
Wi-Fi connectivity: Each includes Wi-Fi to sync data, download updates, and manage apps or music libraries when the phone isn’t nearby.
Contactless payment: Both include NFC-based payment systems (Apple Pay and Garmin Pay), allowing users to make secure purchases directly from the wrist.
Smart notifications: Both display calls, messages, and app notifications from connected smartphones, ensuring users stay informed without checking their phone.
Step counting: Each device includes an accurate step counter for daily activity tracking, encouraging movement and consistency in meeting health goals.
Automatic workout detection: Both can automatically recognize certain activities like walking, running, or cycling and record them without manual input.
Swim tracking: Both are water-resistant and capable of tracking laps, strokes, and distance in pools or open water for swim training.
Altimeter and compass: Both feature built-in altimeters and compasses to track elevation and orientation during outdoor adventures or navigation exercises.

Check Apple Ultra 2 Best Price

Check Forerunner 265 Best Price

Common Features

Feature	Apple Watch Ultra 2	Garmin Forerunner 265
AMOLED-type display	Yes	Yes
Always-on display	Yes	Yes
Touchscreen interface	Yes	Yes
GPS tracking	Yes	Yes
Heart rate monitoring	Yes	Yes
Blood oxygen (SpO₂) sensor	Yes	Yes
Sleep tracking	Yes	Yes
Stress monitoring	Yes	Yes
VO₂ Max estimation	Yes	Yes
Multi-sport tracking	Yes	Yes
Music storage/playback	Yes	Yes
Wireless charging	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth connectivity	Yes	Yes
Wi-Fi connectivity	Yes	Yes
Contactless payment	Yes	Yes
Smart notifications	Yes	Yes
Step counting	Yes	Yes
Automatic workout detection	Yes	Yes
Swim tracking	Yes	Yes
Altimeter and compass	Yes	Yes
Price	Check Apple Ultra 2 Price	Check Forerunner 265 Price

FAQ

Does the Apple Watch Ultra 2 have better display brightness than the Garmin Forerunner 265?
Yes, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 reaches up to 3000 nits of brightness, which is significantly higher than the Garmin Forerunner 265’s 1000 nits AMOLED display, making it easier to read under direct sunlight or extreme outdoor conditions.

Which smartwatch lasts longer on a single charge?
The Garmin Forerunner 265 lasts much longer, offering up to 13 days in smartwatch mode and over 20 hours in GPS mode, whereas the Apple Watch Ultra 2 typically provides around 36 hours on a single charge or up to 72 hours in low-power mode.

Can both watches track heart rate and blood oxygen levels?
Yes, both models include optical sensors to track heart rate continuously and measure blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂), making them suitable for health monitoring and sports performance tracking.

Do both the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Garmin Forerunner 265 support GPS tracking?
Yes, both support highly accurate multi-band GPS tracking, although Apple uses dual-frequency L1 and L5 GPS, while Garmin relies on multi-GNSS systems optimized for running and triathlon accuracy.

Is the Apple Watch Ultra 2 better for swimming and diving?
Yes, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 supports water resistance up to 100 meters and includes dive tracking features rated for recreational diving up to 40 meters, while the Garmin Forerunner 265 is rated for 5 ATM, suitable for swimming but not diving.

Do either of these watches support voice assistants?
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 supports Siri with on-device processing for voice commands and queries, while the Garmin Forerunner 265 does not include any voice assistant functionality.

Can I make phone calls directly from both watches?
Only the Apple Watch Ultra 2 supports making and receiving phone calls directly through its built-in microphone, speaker, and LTE connectivity, while the Garmin Forerunner 265 can only display call notifications from a paired phone.

Which smartwatch is more durable for outdoor use?
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a titanium case, sapphire crystal glass, and MIL-STD-810H certification for extreme conditions, making it more rugged than the Garmin Forerunner 265, which uses a polymer case and Gorilla Glass 3 screen.

Do both watches support offline music playback?
Yes, both can store and play music offline without a smartphone, though the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has 64 GB of storage compared to the Garmin Forerunner 265’s 8 GB limit, allowing for much more content storage.

Are both compatible with iPhones and Android phones?
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 requires an iPhone for setup and full functionality, while the Garmin Forerunner 265 works with both iOS and Android devices, making it more versatile across platforms.

Do both watches support contactless payments?
Yes, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 uses Apple Pay, and the Garmin Forerunner 265 supports Garmin Pay, allowing secure NFC transactions directly from the wrist.

Can both smartwatches track sleep quality and recovery?
Yes, both devices include sleep tracking that analyzes light, deep, and REM stages, along with recovery insights that help users optimize rest and overall fitness performance.

Which smartwatch is more suitable for endurance athletes?
The Garmin Forerunner 265 is generally preferred by endurance athletes because of its lightweight design, superior battery life, and focused training analytics, while the Apple Watch Ultra 2 caters more to all-around adventurers and smartwatch users.

Do both watches feature stress and VO₂ Max tracking?
Yes, both measure stress using heart rate variability and estimate VO₂ Max to assess cardiovascular fitness, giving users insight into overall training readiness and endurance improvement.