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Garmin Forerunner 265 vs Apple Watch Series 9?

I'm training for a marathon, and my old GPS watch just died. The Forerunner 265 and Apple Watch Series 9 are both on my radar, but I'm torn. Battery life is crucial for long runs, but I also like the smart features of the Apple Watch. I primarily use Strava for tracking. I want something reliable for pace and distance. Is the Apple Watch battery life good enough for a 4-5 hour marathon, or should I just go with the Garmin?
AvatarRunningDad• 78d ago

3 Answers

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If battery life is your top concern for marathon training, go with the Garmin Forerunner 265. The Apple Watch Series 9 has improved, but it still won't match the Garmin's endurance, especially with GPS and music enabled. Consider how much you value smartphone notifications versus run tracking data.
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If running is your priority, the Garmin Forerunner 265 is the better choice. Its GPS accuracy and battery life during workouts are superior. You can download music directly to the watch and listen with Bluetooth headphones. The Apple Watch is a great smartwatch, but falls short as a dedicated running watch, especially for long distances.
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If running is your priority, get the Garmin. The Apple Watch battery won't reliably last for a marathon, especially if you're using GPS and listening to music. The Forerunner 265 also integrates well with Strava. Apple Watch is great for smart features, but the Garmin is a better running watch.
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