Garmin’s running watches are among the best fitness trackers money can buy. The brand’s latest additions even feature colorful, AMOLED displays for a truly attractive user experience. Conveniently, Garmin offers a multi-tier pricing structure for its best devices so shoppers of every budget can tap into the company’s powerful ecosystem. We compare the Garmin Forerunner 265 vs 965, the two newest Forerunners, to help shoppers determine the best pick.
Garmin Forerunner 265 vs 965: At a glance
- Both Garmin running watches feature vibrant, AMOLED touchscreen displays, staple Garmin training features, and multiband GNSS.
- The brand’s midrange device, the Garmin Forerunner 265, is about $150 less expensive than the high-end Forerunner 965.
- While the Forerunner 265 is available in case two sizes, the 965 is only available in a single size.
- On the Garmin Forerunner 965 users can access colorful, in-depth map features and additional advanced training metrics.
- The Forerunner 965 also offers 32 GB of storage vs the 265’s 8GB.
- Respectively, the Forerunner 265 and 265S provide up to 15 or 13 days of use between charges or up to 24 or 20 hours of GPS tracking. The Forerunner 965 claims up to 23 days in smartwatch mode or up to 31 hours using GPS.
- Neither device features solar charging nor wireless charging. Instead, each ship with a Garmin proprietary charging cable.
Garmin Forerunner 265 vs 965: Specs
| Garmin Forerunner 965 | Garmin Forerunner 265 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 1.4-inch AMOLED, optional always-on 454 x 454 resolution |
42mm 1.1-inch AMOLED, optional always-on 360 x 360 resolution 46mm |
| Dimensions and weight | 47.2 x 47.2 x 13.2mm 53g Fits wrists 135-205mm |
42mm 41.7 x 41.7 x 12.9mm 40g Fits wrists 115-178mm 46mm |
| Colors and materials | Colors: Whitestone or Black case Amp Yellow/Black, Black/Powder Gray, or Whitestone/Powder Gray Silicone Band Materials: Gorilla Glass 3 DX, Titanium Bezel display |
42mm Color: Black/Amp Yellow, Whitestone/Neo Tropic, or Light Pink/Powder Gray Material: Gorilla Glass 3 display, Fiber-reinforced polymer bezel, silicone strap 46mm |
| Battery | Smartwatch mode: Up to 23 days GPS-only without music: Up to 31 hours SatIQ GNSS mode: Up to 22 hours All-systems GNSS mode: Up to 19 hours GPS-only GNSS with music: Up to 10.5 hours |
42mm Smartwatch mode: Up to 15 days GPS-only without music: Up to 24 hours SatIQ GNSS mode: Up to 18 hours All-Systems GNSS mode: Up to 15 hours GPS-only GNSS mode with music: Up to 7.5 hours 46mm |
| Sensors | GPS GLONASS GALILEO Multi-Frequency Positioning SatIQ Technology Garmin Elevate Heart Rate Sensor Barometric Altimeter Compass Gyroscope Accelerometer Thermometer Ambient Light Sensor Pulse Ox Blood Oxygen Saturation Monitor |
GPS GLONASS GALILEO Multi-Frequency Positioning SatIQ Technology Garmin Elevate Heart Rate Sensor Barometric Altimeter Compass Gyroscope Accelerometer Thermometer Ambient Light Sensor Pulse Ox Blood Oxygen Saturation Monitor |
| Durability | 5ATM | 5ATM |
| Connectivity | NFC Bluetooth ANT+ Wi-Fi |
NFC Bluetooth ANT+ Wi-Fi |
| Compatibility | Android and iOS | Android and iOS |
Both the Forerunner 265 and 965 are updated versions of their predecessors, with significant facelifts. Where the older 255 and 955 both featured MIP displays, the newest models introduce vibrant, colorful AMOLED touchscreens. The Forerunner 265 is available in two sizes, a 46mm Forerunner 265 with a 1.3-inch display and a 42mm 265S sporting a slightly smaller 1.1-inch display. The Forerunner 965 is only available in a single 47mm case size with a 1.4-inch display.