Wear Radar

Amazfit BalancevsGarmin Forerunner 265

Amazfit Balance
Buy/Wait:good

Early in release cycle

Best for: Android and iPhone users who want a premium smartwatch experience — full offline maps, ECG, long battery, and a bright sapphire display — at a price well below Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch. A strong choice for runners, hikers, and health-focused users who want GPS map navigation without a subscription.

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Garmin Forerunner 265
Buy/Wait:superseded

This model is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Garmin Forerunner 570.

Best for: Regular runners who race 5K to marathon distances and want accurate GPS and detailed training load management.

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Amazfit BalanceGarmin Forerunner 265
TierSmartwatchSports GPS
PlatformiOS & AndroidiOS & Android
Battery21 days13 days
Always-on display
GPS
Cellular
Health sensorsecg, spo2, hrv, hr, body comp, stresshr, spo2, hrv, stress, body battery, training readiness
ReleasedJun 24, 2025Mar 1, 2023
Cycle length601 days806 days
Cycle advicegoodsuperseded
Deals adviceneutralclearance
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Why buy each?

Amazfit Balance

21-day battery with sapphire AMOLED display

21 days typical use and 33 hours GPS — combined with a scratch-resistant sapphire glass 1.5" AMOLED that outshines most watches at this price.

Dual-band GPS and offline maps

Precise dual-frequency L1+L5 GPS across six satellite systems, with downloadable offline topo maps and turn-by-turn navigation — rare at this price tier.

HYROX, golf, and diving modes

First Amazfit with official HYROX training and competition modes, 40,000-course golf maps, and SCUBA dive support — more sport breadth than any previous Balance.

Garmin Forerunner 265

Multi-band GPS accuracy

L1+L5 multi-band GPS reduces position drift in urban canyons and dense forest.

Training readiness score

Daily score combining HRV status, sleep, acute load, and recovery time.

Race time predictor

Estimates finish time for 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and marathon based on current fitness.