Does the Garmin Venu 3 have better battery life than the Garmin Forerunner 265 during GPS-intensive activities

- The Venu 3 lasts 26 hours in GPS mode for the 45mm size and 21 hours for the 41mm size[3].

- In contrast, the Forerunner 265 lasts 20 hours in GPS mode, and the 265S (smaller size) lasts 24 hours[3].

- The Venu 3 only lasts 20 hours in the most accurate "All Systems" GPS mode, while the Forerunner 265 lasts 14 hours in its most accurate dual-band GPS mode[3].

- However, the Forerunner 265 has a SatIQ mode that defaults to GPS only but activates more satellite systems when it detects signal blockage. This boosts its battery life to 18 hours while still providing better accuracy than GPS alone[3].

So in summary, while the Venu 3 has a longer battery life of up to 14 days in smartwatch mode compared to the Forerunner 265's 13-15 days[1][3], the Forerunner 265 is superior for GPS-heavy activities like running. Its SatIQ mode also allows it to balance accuracy and battery life better than the Venu 3 during outdoor workouts. The Venu 3 is more focused on health and wellness tracking, while the Forerunner 265 prioritizes advanced training metrics for serious athletes[1][2].

Citations:
[1] https://www.wareable.com/garmin/garmin-venu-3-vs-forerunner-265
[2] https://synced.sg/blogs/smartwatches/garmin-venu-3-vs-forerunner-265
[3] https://www.androidcentral.com/wearables/garmin-venu-3-vs-forerunner-265
[4] https://www.reddit.com/r/GarminWatches/comments/1665s63/please_help_me_choose_fr_265_vs_venu_3/
[5] https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/garmin-venu-3-review-battery-life-for-days/

Battery Life Comparison

There are several user reviews comparing the battery life of the Garmin Venu 3 and Forerunner 265:

Forerunner 265 Battery Life:
- Smartwatch mode: Up to 13 days
- GPS-Only mode: Up to 20 hours
- SatIQ (AutoSelect) mode: Up to 16 hours
- GPS-Only mode with music: Up to 7 hours

Venu 3 Battery Life:
- Smartwatch mode: Up to 11 days
- GPS-Only mode: Up to 26 hours
- GPS-Only mode with music: Up to 8 hours

While the Venu 3 has slightly better overall battery life in smartwatch and GPS+music modes, the Forerunner 265 has the advantage in pure GPS mode which is more relevant for running and other outdoor activities. The Forerunner 265 also has the SatIQ mode which can extend GPS battery life to 16 hours[1].

However, some users report inconsistent battery life on the Venu 3, with many getting only 3-8 days of real-world usage compared to Garmin's 14-day claim. Enabling features like always-on display and continuous heart rate monitoring can reduce Venu 3 battery life by 50% or more[2].

In contrast, the Forerunner 265 appears to have more consistent battery life, with one review stating it can last up to 15 days, longer than the Venu 3's 14-day estimate[2].

So while the Venu 3 has the edge in some metrics, the Forerunner 265 seems to deliver more reliable and longer-lasting battery life overall, especially during GPS-intensive activities which are critical for runners and outdoor athletes. The Forerunner 265 is the better choice for those prioritizing GPS battery life.

Citations:
[1] https://codingmall.com/knowledge-base/25-global/1841-does-the-garmin-venu-3-have-better-battery-life-than-the-garmin-forerunner-265-during-gps-intensive-activities
[2] https://codingmall.com/knowledge-base/25-global/1840-how-does-the-battery-life-of-the-garmin-venu-3-compare-to-other-garmin-models-like-the-forerunner-265
[3] https://www.androidcentral.com/wearables/garmin-venu-3-vs-forerunner-265
[4] https://runningwithrock.com/garmin-venu-3-vs-forerunner-265/
[5] https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=daNp4hnaAZ9Fg1XdFcZez5
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baYAQ7sulms
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCZDFlLWTjs
[8] https://runbuzz.com/garmin-forerunner-265-review/

GPS Performance Comparison

The Garmin Venu 3 and the Forerunner 265 both feature advanced GPS capabilities, but they differ in terms of performance and battery life in GPS mode.

Garmin Venu 3

- Battery Life in GPS Mode: The Venu 3 offers up to 26 hours in GPS mode for the 45mm version and 21 hours for the 41mm version. In the most accurate "All Systems" GNSS mode, it lasts up to 20 hours[1][2].

- GPS Technology: It utilizes an all-systems GNSS chipset, which can access multiple satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO) for improved accuracy during activities. However, it does not have dual-band GPS capabilities like the Forerunner 265[2][4].

Garmin Forerunner 265

- Battery Life in GPS Mode: The Forerunner 265 lasts up to 20 hours in standard GPS mode and 14 hours when using its most accurate dual-band GPS mode. The smaller Forerunner 265S can last up to 24 hours in standard mode[1][2][3].

- GPS Technology: The Forerunner 265 features dual-band GNSS and Garmin's SatIQ technology, which optimizes battery life while maintaining high accuracy by automatically switching between single and dual-band modes based on conditions. This is particularly beneficial in challenging environments with limited satellite visibility[2][4][7].

Summary

In summary, while the Venu 3 has a longer battery life in GPS mode overall, the Forerunner 265 excels with its dual-band GPS technology and SatIQ feature, which enhances accuracy and battery efficiency during workouts. The choice between the two largely depends on whether you prioritize longer battery life (Venu 3) or superior GPS performance and training metrics (Forerunner 265).