Both the Coros Pace 4 and Garmin Forerunner 265 represent the modern running watch ideal: bright AMOLED touchscreens, dual-frequency GPS, comprehensive training metrics, and lightweight designs. With a $200 price gap ($249 vs $449), the real question isn’t which watch is better, but whether Garmin’s premium features justify nearly doubling the budget. Here’s the full breakdown.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Coros Pace 4 | Garmin Forerunner 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 | $449 |
| Weight | 32g (nylon) / 40g (silicone) | 39g (265S) / 47g (265) |
| Display Size | 1.2″ AMOLED | 1.1″ (265S) / 1.3″ (265) AMOLED |
| Resolution | 390 × 390 | 360 × 360 (265S) / 416 × 416 (265) |
| Battery – Daily | 6–19 days | 13–15 days |
| Battery – GPS | 31–41 hours | 20–24 hours |
| GPS | Dual-frequency multi-GNSS | Dual-frequency with SatIQ |
| Training Readiness | No | Yes |
| Music Storage | No | 8GB (Spotify, Deezer, Amazon) |
| Contactless Payments | No | Garmin Pay |
| Voice Recording | Yes (microphone) | No |
| External Sensors | Bluetooth only | ANT+ and Bluetooth |
| Screen Protection | Mineral glass | Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Triathlon Mode | Yes | Yes |
| HRV Status | Yes | Yes |
| Body Battery | No | Yes |
| Size Options | One size (46mm) | Two sizes (42mm / 46mm) |
Design and Display: Both Excel, Different Philosophies
The Garmin Forerunner 265 comes in two sizes—46mm (47g) and 42mm (265S, 39g)—with vibrant AMOLED displays. Garmin pairs touchscreen control with its reliable five-button layout, ensuring usability in rain, sweat, or gloves. The fiber-reinforced polymer case feels premium despite being plastic, and Gorilla Glass 3 provides solid scratch resistance.
The Coros Pace 4 is dramatically lighter at just 32 grams with the nylon band. Its 1.2-inch AMOLED display delivers 390 × 390 resolution at up to 1,500 nits, producing sharp visuals in most conditions. Coros uses a hybrid interface with three buttons, including a digital crown, alongside touchscreen input. Reviewers consistently note the crown can be accidentally triggered unless button lock is enabled.
Winner: Garmin Forerunner 265, thanks to better brightness, more size options, stronger glass protection, and broader color choices. Coros counters with extreme lightweight comfort that many runners genuinely notice over long distances.
Battery Life: Coros Dominates
Battery life is where the Pace 4 pulls away decisively. It lasts up to 19 days with wrist-raise activation or 6 days with always-on display. GPS endurance is exceptional, reaching 41 hours in high GPS mode and 31 hours in dual-frequency Max GPS. Even with always-on display enabled, real-world testing still delivers over 20 hours of accurate GPS tracking.
The Forerunner 265 offers 13–15 days in smartwatch mode and roughly 20–24 hours of GPS use, depending on size and settings. While respectable for an AMOLED watch, it falls well short of Coros’s endurance.
Winner: Coros Pace 4, especially for ultrarunners, travelers, and athletes who hate frequent charging.
Training Features and Metrics: Garmin’s Ecosystem Advantage
Garmin’s strength lies in training intelligence and ecosystem depth. The Forerunner 265 includes Training Readiness, daily suggested workouts, HRV status, morning reports, race predictions, Body Battery, and adaptive Garmin Coach plans. Music storage lets you run phone-free with Spotify or Deezer, and Garmin Pay adds everyday convenience. Triathlon support, cycling power compatibility, and native wrist-based running power make it a true multisport tool.
The Coros Pace 4 delivers the full EvoLab suite—VO2 max, lactate threshold, training load, race predictor, recovery metrics, and Effort Pace for elevation-adjusted pacing. Coros treats all users equally, giving Pace 4 owners the same analytics as flagship models. The standout feature is voice recording, allowing runners to log training notes mid-run without stopping.
Winner: Garmin Forerunner 265, due to Training Readiness, music storage, payments, and deeper ecosystem integration. Coros excels at core metrics but lacks Garmin’s breadth.
GPS and Tracking Accuracy: Essentially Even
Both watches use dual-frequency GPS across multiple satellite systems, providing excellent accuracy in urban canyons, forests, and mountainous terrain. Garmin’s SatIQ automatically balances accuracy and battery life, while Coros lets users choose modes manually.
Real-world testing shows tracks that are nearly identical. Minor distance differences exist but are statistically negligible.
Winner: Tie. Both deliver professional-grade GPS accuracy.
Heart Rate Monitoring: Garmin Pulls Ahead
Garmin’s optical heart rate sensor performs consistently across running, cycling, and gym workouts, and ANT+ support allows seamless integration with chest straps and running dynamics accessories.
The Coros Pace 4’s redesigned sensor performs well for steady-state running but struggles during high-intensity or non-running activities. Bluetooth-only sensor support limits accessory compatibility.
Winner: Garmin Forerunner 265.
Smart Features and Ecosystem: Clear Garmin Win
Garmin dominates smart features. The Forerunner 265 supports music storage, Garmin Pay, safety features, and Connect IQ apps, all powered by Garmin Connect—one of the most comprehensive, subscription-free fitness platforms available.
Coros intentionally keeps things simple, offering basic notifications and training-focused features with no app ecosystem or lifestyle tools.
Winner: Garmin Forerunner 265, decisively.
What Reddit Users Think
Across running and endurance forums, the same themes appear repeatedly. Coros users praise battery life and simplicity, while Garmin users highlight features, polish, and ecosystem depth. Many runners acknowledge Coros as the better pure running tool, while Garmin appeals to those wanting training intelligence plus daily smartwatch functionality.
Battery life is consistently cited as Coros’s biggest advantage, while Garmin’s music, payments, and app ecosystem keep many users loyal.
Recommendations
Choose Coros Pace 4 if:
- Budget matters and saving $200 is significant
- Battery life is critical for ultras or travel
- You value extreme lightweight comfort
- You’re a dedicated runner who doesn’t need smart features
- Voice notes during training appeal to you
- Dual-frequency GPS at the lowest price matters
Choose Garmin Forerunner 265 if:
- Training Readiness and adaptive workouts matter
- Music storage and phone-free runs are important
- Contactless payments are useful
- You rely on ANT+ accessories
- You cross-train extensively
- Garmin Connect’s ecosystem appeals to you
Final Verdict
The Coros Pace 4 delivers outstanding value, offering roughly 90% of what most runners need at nearly half the price. It’s an exceptional choice for athletes focused on battery life, lightweight design, and core training performance.
The Garmin Forerunner 265 is the more complete platform, combining advanced training intelligence, lifestyle features, and ecosystem depth. For runners who want everything in one device and don’t mind paying for it, the premium is justified.
At full retail, Coros’s pricing makes it hard to ignore for pure running use. If the Forerunner 265 drops below $350 on sale, the value equation tilts strongly back toward Garmin.