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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteThe Garmin Forerunner 265 counted closest to the manual total in Android Central’s 2023 test: its combined absolute error was 15 steps across a 5,000-step walk and a 1,000-step run. That result applies to one model, one tester, and one session—not to Garmin watches as a brand. A later test by the same author had a different walking leader.
What the original six-watch test did
Android Central writer Michael L. Hicks wore six watches at once while walking neighborhood laps and manually counting steps. He checked the watches after 5,000 walking steps, then ran another 1,000 steps at a faster pace and with longer strides. Before starting, he removed steps already shown on each device so the comparison began from an equal baseline.
The six devices were the Apple Watch Series 6, Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, Garmin Forerunner 265, COROS APEX 2 Pro, Fitbit Sense, and Amazfit T-Rex Ultra. The watches were worn at slightly different positions on the wrists, though Hicks tried to keep them close together.
The results: Garmin was closest
The table shows each device’s reported count against the walking and running targets. Combined absolute error adds the size of the walking error to the size of the running error, so an overcount in one activity cannot cancel an undercount in the other.
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- Brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display with traditional button controls; lightweight design in 46 mm size
- Up to 13 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours in GPS mode
- As soon as you wake up, get your morning report with an overview of your sleep, recovery and training outlook alongside HRV status, training readiness and weather (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Plan race strategy with personalized daily suggested workouts based on the race and course that you input into the Garmin Connect app and then view the race widget on your watch; daily suggested workouts adapt after every run to match performance and recovery
- Training readiness score is based on sleep quality, recovery, training load and HRV status to determine if you’re primed to go hard and get the most out of your workout (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
| Watch | Walking count (target 5,000) | Running count (target 1,000) | Combined absolute error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin Forerunner 265 | 5,014 | 999 | 15 |
| Amazfit T-Rex Ultra | 5,046 | 984 | 62 |
| COROS APEX 2 Pro | 5,070 | 989 | 81 |
| Apple Watch Series 6 | 4,940 | 1,050 | 110 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro | 5,074 | 1,039 | 113 |
| Fitbit Sense | 4,714 | 994 | 292 |
Garmin recorded 14 extra steps during the walk and one fewer during the run, for 15 steps of combined absolute error. The counts and ranking come from Android Central’s 2023 test.
Apple’s walking count was 60 below the target, while its running count was 50 above. Adding those signed errors would make the net difference look like only 10 steps, but that cancellation hides the errors in each activity. Hicks did not treat it as an accurate result for that reason.
Rank #2
- Brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display with traditional button controls; lightweight design in 46 mm size
- Up to 13 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours in GPS mode
- As soon as you wake up, get your morning report with an overview of your sleep, recovery and training outlook alongside HRV status, training readiness and weather (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Plan race strategy with personalized daily suggested workouts based on the race and course that you input into the Garmin Connect app and then view the race widget on your watch; daily suggested workouts adapt after every run to match performance and recovery
- Training readiness score is based on sleep quality, recovery, training load and HRV status to determine if you’re primed to go hard and get the most out of your workout (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
The tester also carried a Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus phone. It recorded 5,069 walking steps and 998 running steps in this outing. That is one phone’s result in one test, not evidence that phones generally outperform watches.
What the result does—and does not—show
The Forerunner 265 was the closest of the six devices in this session. The test does not establish that Garmin is the most accurate watch brand, or that another person would get the same result.
Rank #3
- Brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display with traditional button controls; lightweight design in 42 mm for smaller wrists
- Up to 15 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 24 hours in GPS mode
- As soon as you wake up, get your morning report with an overview of your sleep, recovery and training outlook alongside HRV status, training readiness and weather (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Plan race strategy with personalized daily suggested workouts based on the race and course that you input into the Garmin Connect app and then view the race widget on your watch; daily suggested workouts adapt after every run to match performance and recovery
- Training readiness score is based on sleep quality, recovery, training load and HRV status to determine if you’re primed to go hard and get the most out of your workout (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
Hicks described the experiment as “hardly a scientific test” and noted that results could differ with a person’s height, stride, cadence, and other factors. The original comparison involved one participant, one session, manual counting, and multiple watches worn at once. The article does not report repeated trials for the six devices, a controlled laboratory protocol, or device software versions.
Wrist position and arm movement may also matter. Hicks noted that restricted arm swing, such as when holding a phone, can confuse an accelerometer, and that incidental movements such as stretching or pointing may register as steps. These are the tester’s observations, not quantified error rates.
Rank #4
- FOUR-ITEM RETAILER-ASSEMBLED BUNDLE – Includes Garmin Forerunner 265 46 mm GPS running watch in Black/Powder Gray, Deco Essentials charging dock, one 3-pack of silicone charging-port covers and one extra USB-C-to-Garmin charging/sync cable. Garmin retail package includes its standard charging cable and documentation.
- AMOLED DISPLAY AND MULTI-BAND GPS – The lightweight 47 g watch combines a bright 1.3-inch AMOLED touchscreen with traditional five-button controls. Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ tracks pace and distance while balancing positioning accuracy and battery use during daily runs, training sessions and race preparation.
- TRAINING GUIDANCE WITH RECOVERY CONTEXT – Morning Report, HRV status, Training Readiness, Training Status, the race widget, Garmin Coach and adaptive daily suggested workouts help you understand your training condition and decide when to push, maintain or prioritize recovery. Tracked health and fitness metrics are estimates.
- MULTISPORT AND EVERYDAY FEATURES – More than 30 activity profiles include running, triathlon, cycling, pool swimming and open-water swimming. The watch features 5 ATM water resistance for swimming, along with music storage, Garmin Pay and compatible smartphone notifications for training and daily use.
- BATTERY LIFE AND FLEXIBLE CHARGING – Get up to 13 days in smartwatch mode or up to 20 hours in GPS-only mode. The Garmin retail package includes its standard cable, while the bundle provides an additional charging dock and second cable for a desk, office, gym bag or travel setup. Battery life varies with settings and use.
A later test had a different walking leader
In a follow-up published in December 2025, Hicks tested ten newer watches over two 5,000-step walks and a 5,000-step jog, manually logging steps with a counting app. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 had the smallest combined difference across the two walks, at 16 steps. The Garmin Forerunner 970 was 60 steps from the 10,000-step walking total, and its result varied between trials.
This later test used different watches and a different setup, and it was also one author’s personal test rather than a population-level study. It is a reason to keep the 2023 conclusion specific to the Forerunner 265 and its test conditions—not a direct guarantee about current models. See Android Central’s ten-watch follow-up.
Best Value
- Brilliant AMOLED touchscreen display with traditional button controls; lightweight design in 42 mm for smaller wrists
- Up to 15 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 24 hours in GPS mode
- As soon as you wake up, get your morning report with an overview of your sleep, recovery and training outlook alongside HRV status, training readiness and weather (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Plan race strategy with personalized daily suggested workouts based on the race and course that you input into the Garmin Connect app and then view the race widget on your watch; daily suggested workouts adapt after every run to match performance and recovery
- Training readiness score is based on sleep quality, recovery, training load and HRV status to determine if you’re primed to go hard and get the most out of your workout (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
In a separate Forerunner 970 hands-on report, Hicks recorded 5,004 steps over one 5,000-step walk and 5,001 over the next. He cautioned that similar results are not guaranteed for everyone and may depend on gait or holding an object in the watch-side hand. See the Forerunner 970 report.
How to check your own watch
A simple personal check can show how a watch performs for your gait and usual way of wearing it. It is not a substitute for a controlled study, but it can help you decide whether its count is useful for your routine.
- Note the watch’s step total before starting, or reset the test counter if the device allows it.
- Count a set number of steps manually while walking at your usual pace, keeping the watch fitted as you normally wear it.
- Compare the manual count with the watch reading and note the difference.
- Repeat the check, and test walking separately from running if both matter to you.
- If relevant, repeat under your usual conditions, such as carrying a phone or keeping your arm still.
FAQ
Which fitness watch counted steps most accurately in the six-watch test?
The Garmin Forerunner 265 had the smallest combined absolute error: 15 steps across the 5,000-step walk and 1,000-step run.
Does the test prove Garmin watches are more accurate than Apple Watches?
No. It compared specific models in one session. The Forerunner 265 beat the Apple Watch Series 6 in that test, while the same author’s later walking test had the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in front.
Why can my watch’s step count differ from a manual count?
Results may vary with gait, stride, cadence, wrist position, and arm movement. The original tester also noted that incidental movement can register as steps and restricted arm swing can affect counting.
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