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2023 Garmin Forerunner 965 vs FR 955 Solar, Garmin fēnix 7 and More!

2023 Garmin Forerunner 965 vs FR 955 Solar, Garmin fēnix 7 and More!

We compare the new Forerunner® 965 with AMOLED touchscreen with the best multisport GPS watches from Garmin, COROS, and Polar

What’s new on the Forerunner 965 Running Watch?

When the Garmin FR 955 Solar came out last year, we didn’t imagine that anything was missing. But evidently Garmin disagreed and slapped an AMOLED display on it. The result? A super high-end multisport watch with a formfactor perfect for runners at a still reasonable price (within the Garmin brand, anyway) that features a vibrant, eye-catching display.

The Garmin Forerunner 965 was released on March 2. Let’s take a look at how it compares to other high-end Garmin watches and the best running watches from COROS and Polar.

(We really delve into the differnces below, so using the table of contents is highly recommended, especially if you're on mobile.)

Garmin Forerunner 965 Comparison | Table of Contents


Garmin Forerunner 965 Running & Triathlon Watch with AMOLED Display

Train brilliantly with Forerunner 965, the premium GPS running and triathlon smartwatch with a bright AMOLED touchscreen display and lightweight titanium bezel.

Wake up to your morning report with HRV status to see health insights with an overview of sleep, recovery and training outlook.

The training readiness feature tells you when you’re primed for a productive session—while daily suggested workouts adapt to performance and recovery alongside the race widget, which provides training tips, course details and completion time predictions.

Navigate any route confidently with multi-band GPS and full-color, built-in maps. With traditional buttons and a touchscreen display, it’s easy to tap into your training status and know whether you’re training productively, peaking or strained.

For a full rundown on this slick new premium multisport GPS watch for serious runners—check out our Garmin Forerunner 965 review article.

Forerunner 965 Quick Specs

Case Size/Weight: 47.2 x 47.2 x 13.2 mm / 53 g

Display Size/Type: 1.4" AMOLED optional always-on mode touchscreen

Lens/Bezel: Corning® Gorilla® Glass DX / Titanium

Battery Life:

Smartwatch Mode: Up to 23 days
GPS Mode: Up to 31 hours

GPS: Built-in multi-frequency positioning (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS)

Maps & Navigation: Preloaded topo maps, preloaded road and trail maps, real-time bread crumb trail, point to point navigation, back to start, TracBack®, up ahead

Available Colors:

  • Carbon Gray DLC Titanium Bezel with Black Case and Black/Powder Gray Silicone Band
  • Titanium Bezel with Whitestone Case and Whitestone/Powder Gray Silicone Band
  • Carbon Gray DLC Titanium Bezel with Black Case and Amp Yellow/Black Silicone Band

Saftety features: Livetrack, Group Livetrack, Spectator Messaging, Live Event Sharing, Incident Detection during select activities, Incident Detection alert on phone for wearables, Assistance

Water Resistant: Yes

Price: $599.99


Garmin Forerunner 955/955 Solar vs 2023 Foreunner 965

Forerunner 955/955 Solar Quick Specs

Case Size/Weight: 46.5 x 46.5 x 14.4 mm / 52 g

Display Size/Type: 1.3” transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) color touchscreen

Lens/Bezel: Corning® Gorilla® Glass DX / Fiber-Reinforced Polymer

Battery Life:

Smartwatch Mode: Up to 15 days/20 days with solar (solar editions only)
GPS Mode: Up to 40 hours/49 hours with solar (solar editions only)

GPS: Built-in multi-frequency positioning (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS)

Maps & Navigation: Preloaded topo maps, preloaded road and trail maps, real-time bread crumb trail, point to point navigation, back to start, TracBack®, up ahead

Available Colors: Black (solar and non-solar), White (solar and non-solar)

Saftety features: Livetrack, Group Livetrack, Spectator Messaging, Live Event Sharing, Incident Detection during select activities, Incident Detection alert on phone for wearables, Assistance

Water Resistant: Yes

Price: $499.99 (non-solar), $599.99 (solar)

Forerunner 965 vs Forerunner 955 Solar

Both the new Forerunner 965 and FR 955 Solar premium GPS running and triathlon smartwatches have all the training, maps, performance, health, and smart features that the most expensive Garmin multisport watches have.

The greatest difference between the two is that the FR 965 has a much brighter AMOLED display with a 1.4" screen versus the Garmin 955's 1.3" display.  

Of course, if you get the FR 955 Solar, you will get a fair amount more battery life. But it's not a crazy amount.

Another minor difference is that the new FR 965 has a titanium bezel, which makes it a smidge more durable and sharper-looking—an appropriate upgrade for framing an AMOLED screen.

The price difference is not huge. The Forerunner 955 standard is $499.99 while the FR 955 Solar and 965 are both $599.99.

Basically, if it's between these two triathlon watches for you, it's going to come down to choosing betwen an AMOLED screen or solar power.

If you need more rugged wearability or even more battery life—you’ll want to take a look at the more expensive fēnix 7 series or the Garmin Enduro 2.

Watch a Garmin Forerunner 955 review.


Garmin Forerunner 965 vs fēnix 7/7S/7X

Garmin fēnix 7/7S/7X Quick Specs

Case Size/Weight (titanium in the Sapphire Solar editions is lighter):

fēnix 7: 47 x 47 x 14.5 mm / 73–79 g
fēnix 7S: 42 x 42 x 14.1 mm / 58–63 g
fēnix 7X: 51 x 51 x 14.9 mm / 89–96 g

Display Size/Type:

fēnix 7: 1.3” transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) color touchscreen
fēnix 7S: 1.2” transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) color touchscreen
fēnix 7X: 1.4” transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) color touchscreen

Lens/Bezel:

  • Standard models: Corning Gorilla Glass / Stainless Steel
  • Solar models: Power Glass / Stainless Steel
  • Sapphire solar models: Power Sapphire / Titanium

Battery Life:

fēnix 7:
Smartwatch Mode: Up to 18 days/22 days with solar
GPS Mode: Up to 57 hours/73 hours with solar
fēnix 7S:
Smartwatch Mode: Up to 11 days/14 days with solar

GPS Mode: Up to 37 hours/46 hours with solar
fēnix 7X:
Smartwatch Mode: Up to 28 days/37 days with solar

GPS Mode: Up to 89 hours/122 hours with solar

GPS: Built-in multi-frequency positioning (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS)

Maps & Navigation: Preloaded topo maps, preloaded road and trail maps, preloaded ski resort maps, real-time bread crumb trail, point to point navigation, back to start, TracBack®, up ahead

Available Colors: Check out the product pages to see all 16 watches and their colors:

Saftety features: Livetrack, Group Livetrack, Live Event Sharing, Incident Detection during select activities, Assistance

Water Resistant: Yes

Price: $699.99–$999.99

Garmin fēnix 7 vs Forerunner 965

In this instance, it's basically a sleeker, dedicated running watch with an eye-catching AMOLED display versus a very rugged yet sophisticated multisport GPS watch with a ton of options.

There are 16 Garmin fēnix 7 options, and every one is built more durably than the Forerunner 965. And most of them far surpass it in battery life.

But none of them have the vivid AMOLED screen like the FR 965.

You also get 3 size options with the fēnix 7S/7/7X lineup with displays that are 1.2", 1.3", and 1.4", respectively. The FR 965 comes in only one size with a 1.4" display.

Because it is more ruggedly built with more battery life, the fēnix 7 lineup also weighs more, putting a bit more bulk on your wrist.

And price-wise, the smallest standard model fēnix 7S starts out $100 more than the FR 965—something to consider.

Outside of that, for training and wellness purposes, both of these watches are pretty equal. The are both exceptional Garmin watches—the best of any brand on the market.

Watch a Garmin fēnix 7 review.


COROS APEX 2/2 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 965

APEX 2/2 Pro Quick Specs

Case Size/Weight:

  • APEX 2: 43 x 42.8 x 12.8 mm / silicone band: 42g; nylon band: 53g
  • APEX 2 Pro: 46.1 x 46.5 x 14 mm / silicone band: 53g; nylon band: 66g

Display Size/Type: 1.2” (APEX 2) or 1.3" (APEX 2 Pro) touchscreen always on memory LCD

Lens/Bezel: Sapphire / Titanium

Battery Life:

  • APEX 2
    • Standard full GPS: 45 hours
    • All Systems On: 30 hours
    • Dual Frequency: N/A
    • Daily Use: 17 days
  • APEX 2 Pro
    • Standard full GPS: 75 hours
    • All Systems On: 45 hours
    • Dual Frequency: 26 hours
    • Daily Use: 30 days

GPS:

  • APEX 2: All-Satellite Single-Frequency (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS)
  • APEX 2 Pro: All-Satellite Dual-Frequency (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS)

Maps & Navigation: Downloadable landscape and topo maps, checkpoint, back to start, off-route alert

Available Colors: APEX 2: Coral, Gray, Black; APEX 2 Pro: Gray, Black, Green

Saftety features: Deviation Alert

Water Resistant: Yes

Price: $399.99—$499.99

Forerunner 965 vs COROS APEX 2/2 Pro

When it comes to battery life, the COROS APEX 2 and 2 Pro have the FR 965 beat. It's right up there with Garmin in terms of GPS technology and heart-rate sensor accuracy. Scratch-resistant Sapphire touchscreen gives it major points in the durability department. Plus, it's very competitive with it's $100-$200 lower price point.

However, here's where the Garmin Forerunner 965 shines.

The COROS can't beat Garmin's training tools and how they integrate those tools with your personal history and health and wellness to give you invaluable guidance while you train and recover. No brand does this better than Garmin, in terms of personal performance, planning, and analysis.

Also, while the APEX Pro/Pro 2 offers some souped-up navigation for a COROS watch, again, Garmin topo maps and navigation simply blow everyone out of the water.

That being said, for the price, this COROS is a killer watch that is killer-looking. In this comparison, it's going to come down to budget, and how much you want all the things.

Watch a COROS APEX 2/2 Pro review.


Garmin epix 2 vs Forerunner 965

epix (Gen 2) Quick Specs

Case Size/Weight: 47 x 47 x 14.5 mm / 76 g

Display Size/Type: 1.3” AMOLED color touchscreen

Lens/Bezel: Standard: Corning® Gorilla® Glass DX / Fiber-Reinforced Polymer; Sapphire Edition: Sapphire / Titanium

Battery Life:

Smartwatch Mode: Up to 16 days
GPS Mode: Up to 42 hours

GPS: Built-in multi-frequency positioning (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS)

Maps & Navigation: Preloaded topo maps (Sapphire edition only), preloaded road and trail maps (Sapphire edition only), preloaded ski resort maps, real-time bread crumb trail, point to point navigation, back to start, TracBack®, up ahead

Available Colors: Slate Steel, White Titanium (Sapphire), Black Titanium (Sapphire)

Saftety features: Livetrack, Group Livetrack, Live Event Sharing, Incident Detection during select activities, Assistance

Water Resistant: Yes

Price: $899.99 (Standard), $999.99 (Sapphire)

Garmin epix 2 vs Forerunner 965

From a price perspective, it's kind of a no-brainer that the Garmin Forerunner wins in this category. It pretty much has all the things the epix 2 has, plus it's lighter in weight with a slightly bigger display—again for a runner, probably a no-brainer.

Aside from cost, the differences are subtle. For $400 more, you can get a Sapphire crystal lens on the epix (Gen 2) Sapphire and a bit more battery life in GPS mode.

And while topo maps come preloaded on the more affordable FR 965, they do not on the epix 2 standard edition (that is $300 more).

Still, the Garmin epix 2 is a very sexy watch that may appeal more to some just for its style.

Watch a Garmin epix (Gen 2) review.


Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Enduro 2

Enduro 2 Quick Specs

Case Size/Weight: 51 x 51 x 15.6 mm / 70 g

Display Size/Type: 1.4” transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) color touchscreen

Lens/Bezel: Power Sapphire / Titanium

Battery Life:

Smartwatch Mode: Up to 34 days/46 days with solar
GPS Mode: Up to 110 hours/150 hours with solar

GPS: Built-in multi-frequency positioning (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS)

Maps & Navigation: Preloaded topo maps, preloaded road and trail maps, preloaded ski resort maps, real-time bread crumb trail, point to point navigation, back to start, TracBack®, up ahead, NextFork™ navigation

Available Colors: Black

Saftety features: Livetrack, Group Livetrack, Live Event Sharing, Incident Detection during select activities, Incident Detection alert on phone for wearables, Assistance

Water Resistant: Yes

Price: $1,099.99

Garmin Enduro 2 vs the 2023 Forerunner 965

Where the Forerunner 965 (or even the epix 2 and some of the fēnix 7 watches) might not have the battery life oomph that an ultra runner needs—the Enduor 2 has more than the most serious Ultra althlete could want. Plus, it's huge, ultralight touchscreen design makes it easy to use while you're out there in the thick of it.

While the FR 965 and Enduro 2 have almost all training tools, smart features, health-monitoring, and maps and navigation in common—the Enduro 2 goes even farther.

Solar power on this puppy is standard and provides battery life of up to 150 hours in GPS mode with solar charging.

This ultraperformace GPS smartwatch includes an Adventure Racing World Series-approved adventure racing app. Plus, its advanced features, including the NextFork™ map guide, grade-adjusted pace, and automatic rest timer for ultra runs, will help runners prepare to go the distance. A superbright LED flashlight (twice as bright as the fēnix® 7X multisport GPS watch) will even guide you in the dark.

Serious runners and triathletes will likely be happy with the Forerunner 965—especially if they want the glowup of the gorgeous AMOLED display.

But for you ultramarathon runners—you crazy 100-milers—the Garmin Enduro 2 is probabaly worth a look and the price, which is $500 more than this latest Garmin Forerunner.

Watch a Garmin Enduro 2 review.


Polar Vantage V2 Premium Multisport Watch

Vantage V2 Quick Specs

Case Size/Weight: 47 x 47 x 13 mm / 52 g

Display Size/Type: 1.2” MIP

Lens/Bezel: Corning® Gorilla® Glass DX / Fiber-Reinforced Polymer

Battery Life: N/A

Smartwatch Mode: Up to 168 hours
GPS Mode: Up to 40 hours

GPS: Built-in single-frequency (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS)

Maps & Navigation: Bread crumb route guidance, turn-by-turn guidance by Komoot, route and elevation profiles, back to start

Available Colors: Black, Silver/Gray/Lime, Red

Saftety features: None

Water Resistant: Yes

Price: $499.95

Polar Vantage V2 vs Garmin Forerunner 965

Whereas the COROS APEX Pro 2 competes well with the FR 965 in terms of battery life, GPS, and price point, the Polar Vantage V2 give the Garmin Forerunner a run for its money in the training tools and training platform categories. All of these watches have top-rate heart-rate sensor technology—and Polar is known for it.

The Vantage V2 is a wise choice for any athlete. You will get highly accurate GPS tracking, plus Training Load Pro and Recovery Pro to let you know when you’re straining, when it’s time to recover, and when it’s time to go again. In a nutshell, you’ll get the intelligent training you'd get with a Garmin with these and other features like wrist-based running power, leg recovery test, training test, and recovery test.

Where the Garmin Forerunner shines, of course, is with the vivid AMOLED display with full touchscreen. The Vantage V2 is a touchscreen, but only within certain operations.

Battery life in smartwatch mode on the FR 965 is over 3x as much, and the topo maps and navigation on this Garmin GPS watch is way superior.

If training tools and analysis are what you value most, for the price, the Polar option is definitely competitive here.

But for $100 more, the FR 965 is a more sophisticated dedicated running smarthwatch overall.

Watch a Polar Vantage V2 review.


Garmin Venu Fitness Watch—EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT!

Venu Quick Specs

Case Size/Weight: 43.2 x 43.2 x 12.4 mm / 46.3 g

Display Size/Type: 1.2" (30.4mm) diameter color touchscreen with AMOLED display

Lens/Bezel: Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 / Stainless Steel

Battery Life:

Smartwatch Mode: Up to 5 days
GPS Mode: Up to 20 hours

GPS: Built-in multi-GNSS (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS)

Maps & Navigation: No maps or breadcrumb navigation; Back to Start features using compass

Available Colors: Black/Slate

Saftety features: Livetrack, Incident Detection during select activities, Assistance

Water Resistant: Yes

Price: $199.99

Garmin Venu vs the 2023 Forerunner 965

Get an EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT on the Garmin Venu—previously a $400 watch—on PlayBetter.com today. Along with the eye-catching AMOLED display, you’ll also be getting Garmin’s full suite of health and wellness features, wrist-based heart rate, GPS tracking, smart notifications, safety features, activity tracking, 20+ sport profiles, really cool on-screen workout animations, and more!

That being said, the Venu is not a dedicated running watch. In terms of training tools, maps and navigation, and battery life—the Forerunner 965 blows the Venu off the trail. But we just had to mention this great value for those looking for a highly affordable and reliable fitness watch!

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