Compare Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025)

Auto-detection was a weak point because reviewers noted that runs and walks must be started manually.

Auto-detection works very well for walking and running, but one reviewer found it less reliable for cycling and strength training.

The antioxidant index is consistently weak, with several reviewers calling it low-value, inaccurate, gimmicky, or only marginally responsive.

The Garmin ecosystem was powerful for data, apps, and customization, but some reviewers wanted stronger smartwatch-style apps or killer AMOLED use cases.

The app ecosystem is strong, with reviewers citing many apps and plenty of smartwatch functionality.

Band quality was mostly positive for comfort, stretch, cleaning, and adjustability, with one caveat about band length on larger wrists.

Band quality is mixed to positive, with easy swaps and a robust strap system offset by dirt buildup and a hit-or-miss release mechanism.

Battery life was broadly strong for an AMOLED sports watch, though ultra runners and users coming from MIP or solar watches wanted more.

Battery life is a strength relative to other Galaxy Watches, but real-world results vary widely with always-on display, GPS, and travel use.

Blood oxygen tracking drew a clear caveat, with one reviewer repeatedly seeing lower SPO2 results than expected from other sensors.

Bluetooth performance was positive in the one detailed account, where earbuds connected quickly.

Brightness was strongly praised, with reviewers finding the AMOLED display vivid, clear, and easy to read.

Brightness is one of the clearest strengths, with reviewers repeatedly noting bright output and easy readability.

Build quality was mixed: plastic felt cheap to one reviewer, while another long-term test found the watch still looked new.

Build quality is a major strength thanks to the rugged titanium case, robust design, and adventure-ready construction.

Button controls were widely praised for workout reliability, tactile feedback, and the larger Run button, though one reviewer disliked squishy secondary buttons.

Button controls are polarized: reviewers like the programmable/quick button, but one long-term reviewer had repeated accidental presses and wanted better workout shortcuts.

Call handling was consistently limited because reviewers could accept or reject calls only with a paired phone and could not talk through the watch.

Charging convenience was mixed: one reviewer disliked the USB-C plug situation, while another appreciated faster USB-C charging.

Charging convenience is hurt by Samsung omitting the wall charger, which one reviewer called stingy.

Charging speed was praised across reviews, with top-offs and full charges described as quick.

Coaching features were strong for runners through audio prompts, suggested workouts, plans, and workout-building, but one reviewer disliked the limited training-plan choice.

Coaching features are a standout, especially Running Coach, which reviewers found useful, personalized, or exceptionally effective.

Comfort was a major strength, with reviewers repeatedly praising the light weight, silicone strap, sleepability, and all-day wear, despite one longer-wear caveat.

Comfort varies by reviewer: some found it comfortable, including for sleep, while others felt the weight and bulk.

The companion app was powerful and fast, but reviewers also found Garmin Connect overwhelming or less intuitive than ideal.

Companion app quality is mixed because Samsung still splits settings and health data across separate apps.

Garmin Pay was useful when supported, but bank compatibility could make contactless payments worthless for some users.

Cross-platform support was mixed because Android users get quick replies while iPhone users are more limited.

Cross-platform compatibility is limited: reviewers note Android support but no current iPhone compatibility.

Customization was a major strength, spanning watch faces, shortcuts, data screens, workouts, and Garmin Connect settings.

Customization is strong for widgets, dashboards, watch faces, and tiles, but workout data-screen customization drew a complaint.

Display quality was one of the strongest consensus positives, with reviewers repeatedly praising the AMOLED screen as crisp, bright, vivid, and modern.

Display quality is consistently praised as vibrant, large, detailed, scratch-resistant, and excellent overall.

Durability evidence was mixed, with scratch concerns in one review, a pristine long-term sample in another, and a caution about plastic and Gorilla Glass.

Durability is excellent across reviews, from chassis feel to military-standard claims and real-world wear with little damage.

Reviewers treated ECG as a clear missing health feature rather than a working capability.

ECG is treated positively as part of Samsung Health Monitor’s useful health-tool set rather than as a deeply tested medical feature.

Fit was positive for running access and sleeve clearance, but one review warned the watch could feel bulky during sleep.

Fit is context-dependent: one reviewer liked the big watch on their wrist, while another found it too large.

Fitness tracking accuracy was broadly praised for runs, rides, swims, and general workouts, with only running-dynamics precision described as approximate.

Fitness tracking is broadly positive for running and general activity, though scientific testing framed performance as good enough rather than best-in-class.

GPS accuracy received very strong agreement, with reviewers repeatedly calling tracks fast, consistent, spot-on, or close to perfect.

GPS accuracy is praised by several mainstream reviewers, but scientific testing found visible deviations and placed it behind stronger sports watches.

Reviewers found the health metrics strong when heart-rate readings worked, but tattooed skin could undermine the whole health-tracking stack.

Health-tracking accuracy is mixed: reviewers praised some running-related readings, but questioned HRV, blood oxygen, antioxidant-style metrics, and scientific testing placed Samsung below top-tier rivals.

Heart-rate accuracy was one of the strongest areas across reviews, with several chest-strap comparisons looking very close, though one reviewer had serious tattoo-related read failures.

Heart-rate accuracy is generally good for running and daily fitness, though scientific testing still found better wrist options and exercise-dependent limits.

LTE was repeatedly called out as missing, limiting phone-free connected use.

LTE is a meaningful advantage for users who want to run or stay reachable without carrying a phone.

Mapping and navigation were the most consistent weakness for trail and ultra use; breadcrumb routing was useful for some, but missing full maps and failed TracBack frustrated others.

Mapping and navigation benefit from larger storage for offline maps and route-related use, especially for outdoor users.

Materials quality was a recurring caveat because the polymer/plastic construction felt cheaper than metal or sapphire rivals.

Materials quality is excellent, with praise for titanium, ruggedness, and corrosion-resistant construction.

Menu navigation was mixed: Garmin's depth brought a learning curve, though workout data screens were easy to move through once learned.

Menu navigation is mixed: the digital bezel and haptics help, but reviewers miss a rotating bezel/crown and find usability reduced.

Onboard music was a recurring strength, letting runners store or download playlists and leave the phone behind.

Onboard music and storage are valuable for Spotify, podcasts, media, and offline use, especially now that storage is doubled.

The operating-system experience was functional but not very modern, and one reviewer criticized Garmin's software segmentation.

The operating system experience is improved by One UI 8, with more functional UI elements and praised new software features.

Outdoor visibility was mostly strong in bright conditions, though one reviewer had trouble on sunny days and another noted polarized-sunglasses caveats.

Outdoor visibility is excellent, with multiple reviewers saying the display remains readable in direct sunlight.

Pairing was easy and seamless in the reviews that discussed phone setup.

Pairing reliability is excellent in the Notebookcheck test, where the watch was recognized and set up without issues.

Recovery insights were widely praised, especially Training Readiness, HRV, Body Battery, and overtraining guidance, though usefulness depends on reliable heart-rate data.

Recovery-style guidance is a weak spot in one long-term review, where the energy score felt redundant and unhelpful.

Reliability concerns centered on LiveTrack/messages, which came through sporadically in one review.

Reliability is mostly good, but Notebookcheck reported brief display interruptions during always-on display use.

Safety features had limited evidence, with LiveTrack working well for a time but showing signal-dependent issues.

Safety features are helped by LTE, which one reviewer valued for safer phone-free running.

Size options were appreciated, especially the smaller 265S for small wrists and the large display for those who want more screen.

Size options are limited by the single large case, and multiple reviewers describe the Ultra as very big.

Sleep tracking drew mixed-to-positive feedback: several reviewers liked the sleep summaries, while one found sleep stages and scores inconsistent across Garmin watches.

Sleep tracking earns mixed marks: reviewers liked the score and some stage consistency, but noted low awake detection and second-tier sleep-stage performance.

Smartphone notifications were useful but basic; Android quick replies helped, while iPhone limitations and lack of full interaction held the feature back.

Notification handling is positive, with one reviewer noting detailed, useful notifications from the watch.

Smartwatch features were mixed: the AMOLED screen made the watch feel more modern, but missing mic, speaker, LTE, ECG, and richer apps kept it fitness-first.

Core smartwatch features are strong, but some reviews temper praise by noting the 2025 model adds few meaningful upgrades.

Software smoothness was generally acceptable, but reviewers noted stutter, motion blur, and that Garmin software is improving rather than flawless.

Software smoothness is strong in direct testing, with smooth operation and quick app launches.

Step-counting evidence was limited but positive in one review that described step count as spot-on alongside other tracking.

Step counting is strong during normal arm-swinging walks, with a caveat that carts or strollers reduce accuracy.

Stress tracking was generally useful, especially for breathing prompts, body-battery context, and reminders to take breaks.

Style and design were mixed: reviewers liked the modern AMOLED look, colors, and premium feel, but several still saw a sporty or plasticky watch.

Style is subjective: one reviewer loved the stylish look, while another disliked the rugged, masculine aesthetic.

Third-party workout syncing was praised as very easy, especially for sending activities to external services.

Third-party app support benefits from extra storage and useful fitness/media apps, giving users more room for services beyond Samsung’s own tools.

Touchscreen responsiveness was generally good, including in rain and sweat, but several reviewers still preferred buttons during workouts.

The user interface was mostly praised as intuitive, easy to use, and rich with on-watch data.

The user interface is functional and approachable, though at least one reviewer found parts of the visual design odd.

Value depended on use case: many reviewers found the 265 worth it for serious runners, while others balked at the price, plastic build, or missing maps.

Value for money is the most contested attribute: reviewers like the watch itself but often question the 2025 refresh and launch price.

Voice-assistant support was essentially absent because the watch lacks the mic/speaker hardware needed for assistant interaction.

Gemini makes the voice assistant experience notably useful and convenient, especially because the watch screen is small.

Watch faces were praised for AMOLED color, variety, stock quality, and Connect IQ options.

Watch faces are a major strength, with reviewers praising Samsung’s selection, visual quality, and customization.

Water resistance performed well in hands-on use, including showering, submersion, pool, and ocean exposure.

Water resistance is treated positively for pool, rain, snow, and diving-oriented use.

Wellness insights split reviewers: Body Battery and stress metrics helped some users, while another found sleep and Body Battery more descriptive than actionable.

Wellness insights are useful when they explain metrics or provide coaching, though some newer metrics remain questionable.

Workout variety was seen as deep and runner-focused, with extensive sport profiles, though one reviewer felt Garmin trailed Polar on sheer profile count.

Workout variety is a strength, with reviewers praising broad activity support, multisport-style capabilities, and Samsung’s wide exercise list.