Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Garmin Forerunner 265 – Which Should You Buy?

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Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Garmin Forerunner 265 are two top smartwatches for outdoor adventurers, advanced tracking, rugged durability, and long-lasting performance in extreme environments. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is newer and more advanced, featuring a rugged titanium build, precision dual-frequency GPS, and longer battery life. On the other hand, the Garmin Forerunner 265 focuses on runners with detailed training insights and a lightweight design. This comparison will help you decide which one fits your lifestyle best.

Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

Processor:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 has the S9 Chip for faster performance and better battery efficiency, and responsive animations.
Garmin Forerunner 265 uses a custom low-power chipset optimized for battery efficiency rather than speed.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Dual Frequency GPS:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 supports precision dual-frequency GPS (L1+ L5) with better location accuracy for mountain hikes and dense city streets.
Garmin Forerunner 265 includes multi-band GPS, which also provides excellent tracking accuracy.

Winner:

Tie

Display Size:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a larger 1.92-inch display with a flat edge design to provide more space for complications, text, and animations.
Garmin Forerunner 265 has smaller 1.3-inch AMOLED screen.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Display Brightness:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 provides up to 3000 nits brightness to ensure better visibility in bright environments.
Garmin Forerunner 265 reaches only 1000 nits brightness.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Dual Speaker System:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 includes a dual speaker setup for louder, clearer audio sound output for improving call quality and Siri interactions or alerts.
Garmin Forerunner 265 has no dedicated speaker for calls.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Internal Storage:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes with 64GB of internal storage, which allows for extensive app installations, playlists, and offline data.
Garmin Forerunner 265 includes 8GB of storage.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Battery Life:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 delivers up to 36 hours of battery life and 72 hours in Low Power Mode for extended usage.
Garmin Forerunner 265 can run up to 13 days in smartwatch mode and 20 hours in GPS mode.

Winner:

Garmin Forerunner 265

Microphone:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a three-microphone array with wind noise reduction for clearer voice calls in outdoor environments.
The Garmin Forerunner 265 has no microphone.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Water Resistance:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 has 100m water resistance with EN13319 certification for scuba diving and deep-water activities.
The Garmin Forerunner 265 is water-resistant up to 50 meters but not rated for diving.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Emergency Siren:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 has an 86dB emergency siren for alerting others in case of distress.
Garmin Forerunner 265 does not include an audible siren.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

LTE Connectivity:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 supports GPS + Cellular by default for standalone use.
Garmin Forerunner 265 lacks LTE connectivity.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Fitness Features:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 supports ECG, blood oxygen, heart rate, and temperature tracking to monitor detailed health metrics.
Garmin Forerunner 265 adds advanced training readiness, VO2 Max, load focus, and HRV status.

Winner:

Garmin Forerunner 265

Action Button:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a programmable Action Button for workouts or custom shortcuts.
Garmin Forerunner 265 lacks a customizable hardware button.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Higher Resolution:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 delivers 502 x 410 resolution for sharper display with increased pixel density, text and graphics.
Garmin Forerunner 265 has lower 416 x 416 resolution.

Winner:

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Check Apple Watch Ultra 2 Best Price
Check Forerunner 265 Best Price

Specs at a Glance

Feature	Apple Watch Ultra 2	Garmin Forerunner 265
Display Type	Always-on Retina LTPO OLED	AMOLED
Display Size	1.92 inches	1.3 inches
Display Resolution	502 x 410 pixels	416 x 416 pixels
Max Brightness	3000 nits	1000 nits
Material	Titanium case	Fiber-reinforced polymer
Band	Ocean Band (fluoroelastomer)	Silicone
Water Resistance	WR100 + EN13319 (diving up to 40m)	5 ATM (up to 50 meters)
Durability Standard	MIL-STD-810H, IP6X dust resistance	Not MIL-SPEC certified
GPS	Dual-frequency (L1 + L5)	Multi-band GPS
Action Button	Yes	No
Battery Life	Up to 36 hours (72 hours in Low Power)	Up to 13 days (20 hours GPS mode)
LTE Connectivity	Yes (GPS + Cellular)	No (Bluetooth only)
Storage	64GB	NA (activity-only storage)
Voice Assistant	Siri	No assistant
Speaker & Mic	Dual speakers and three-mic array	No speaker or mic
Emergency Siren	Yes (86dB)	No

Who Should Buy What?

Buy the Apple Watch Ultra 2 if you:

Want a high-performance smartwatch with cellular connectivity and on-device Siri.
Need precision GPS for hiking, diving, or exploring remote areas.
Prefer a rugged build with a titanium case and loud emergency siren.
Value a bright, large display with crisp resolution and long app support.
Use fitness and outdoor apps, streaming, or voice calls on the go.

Check Apple Watch Ultra 2 Best Price

Buy the Garmin Forerunner 265 if you:

Need a lightweight running watch with excellent training metrics and long battery life.
Prefer a slimmer, more comfortable design for daily wear.
Don’t require cellular, voice control, or third-party apps.
Want advanced recovery insights and stress tracking for running and health.
Are looking for a more affordable smartwatch focused on performance tracking.

Check Forerunner 265 Best Price

Winner by Category

Category	Winner
Processor	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Dual Frequency GPS	Tie
Display Size	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Higher Resolution	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Display Brightness	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Dual Speaker System	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Internal Storage	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Battery Life	Garmin Forerunner 265
Action Button	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Microphone	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Water Resistance	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Emergency Siren	Apple Watch Ultra 2
LTE Connectivity	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Rugged Titanium Case	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Voice Assistant	Apple Watch Ultra 2
Music & Apps	Apple Watch Ultra 2

FAQ

Does the Apple Watch Ultra 2 support cellular connectivity without an iPhone nearby?
Yes, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 supports GPS + Cellular, allowing you to make calls, send messages, stream music, and access Siri without having your iPhone nearby, as long as it’s connected to a supported carrier plan.

Can the Garmin Forerunner 265 be used for swimming or showering?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 265 has a water resistance rating of 5 ATM, which means it is safe for swimming and showering, but it is not suitable for diving or high-pressure water activities.

How long does the battery last on the Apple Watch Ultra 2?
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 delivers up to 36 hours of battery life in normal usage and can extend up to 72 hours using Low Power Mode, which is ideal for multi-day outdoor activities.

Does the Garmin Forerunner 265 have dual-frequency GPS for better accuracy?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 265 includes multi-band GPS technology, which improves location accuracy in challenging environments like urban areas and wooded trails.

Is the Apple Watch Ultra 2 suitable for scuba diving or deep-sea activities?
Yes, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is dive-rated to 40 meters and certified to EN13319 standards, making it suitable for recreational scuba diving with compatible apps.

Can I store and play music directly from the Garmin Forerunner 265?
Yes, the Garmin Forerunner 265 allows you to download and play music directly from the watch when connected to services like Spotify, Deezer, or Amazon Music, although general storage is limited compared to Apple.

Does the Apple Watch Ultra 2 work with Android phones?
No, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is only compatible with iPhones and requires iOS for initial setup and full functionality, including syncing and app support.

Does the Garmin Forerunner 265 support third-party apps?
The Garmin Forerunner 265 supports a limited selection of third-party apps available through Garmin Connect IQ, but it does not support an app ecosystem as extensive as Apple’s App Store.

Can I make phone calls using the Garmin Forerunner 265?
No, the Garmin Forerunner 265 does not support cellular connectivity or have a built-in microphone or speaker, so it cannot make or receive phone calls.

Is the Apple Watch Ultra 2 too large or heavy for small wrists?
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is larger and heavier than typical Apple Watch models due to its rugged titanium case and larger battery, which may feel bulky on smaller wrists. However, its ergonomic design helps distribute the weight evenly for comfort during wear.

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