Garmin Forerunner 965 – Premium sports watch gets AMOLED display
After a series of leaks, it should come as no surprise that Garmin is preparing to launch the Forerunner 965 – a new generation of Garmin’s premium sports watch that will feature an AMOLED display.
While all eyes were on the Forerunner 265, the Forerunner 965 also snuck up on us. And like the Forerunner 265, the Forerunner 965 is a modest product update that enhances the sports watch with a high-resolution AMOLED display. Thanks to some new early listings, it’s possible to provide some concrete information about the incoming Forerunner 965.
Garmin Forerunner 965 (Source: Garmin)
Garmin Forerunner 965 – Compare the Specs
| Forerunner 965 | Forerunner 955 | Forerunner 265 | Fenix 7 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 1.4" | 1.3" | 1.3" | 1.3" |
| Display Type | AMOLED | MIP | AMOLED | MIP |
| Dimensions | 47.2 x 47.2 x 13.2 mm | 46.5 x 46.5 x 14.4 mm | 46.1 x 46.1 x 12.9 mm | 47.0 x 47.0 x 14.5 mm |
| Resolution | 454 x 454 / 324 PPI | 260 x 260 / 200 PPI | 416 x 416 / 320 PPI | 260 x 260 / 200 PPI |
| Weight | 53 g | 52 g | 47 g | 79 g |
It’s no big surprise, but the key feature of the FR965 is its large 1.4-inch AMOLED display, but it is surprising that Garmin has managed to maintain the overall weight compared to the previous model.
To get a better impression how the different display sizes relate, you may use this image which uses the display sizes as given in the offical specs from Garmin.
Garmin Forerunner 965 – Features at a Glance
I will summarize the information that I have found online during the last few weeks. It is not unofficial intel or a leak – all information has been found online using search engines. Nonetheless, all information provided here should be taken with a grain of salt until the Forerunner 965 is officially announced by Garmin. As always, I recommend considering all information as wild guesswork.
1.4″ AMOLED display
The Forerunner 965 is confirmed to have a 1.4″ AMOLED display. That’s a big deal because it’s the first AMOLED display in the Forerunner lineup, and with 1.4 inches, it outpaces the Epix Gen 2’s display, which comes in at 1.3 inches. Other than that, the Forerunner 965’s display should be pretty similar to the Venu 2 and Epix Gen 2.
Wrist-based Running Dynamics
Running Dynamics is the term for additional running metrics (e.g. cadence, ground contact time, ground contact time balance, stride length, vertical oscillation, vertical ratio) used mainly by Garmin (learn more about it). Until now, you needed a Running Dynamics Pod or a compatible HR chest strap to get the data. Obviously, the Forerunner 965 will be able to provide these metrics without the need for additional devices. If you have a pod or a compatible HR chest strap at hand, both approaches can be combined to further enhance the data quality.
Multiband + SatIQ
As with the Forerunner 955, the Forerunner 965 can use multiple GNSS and L1/L5 multiband to determine the current location. New to the Forerunner series will be SatIQ, which is a technology to switch to the most useful GNSS setting, e.g. by using multiband in challenging environments while switching to GPS only when in flat and open terrain.
Titanium bezel
The Forerunner 965 will have a sleek and slender titanium bezel. This could be a first indication that the Forerunner 965 will have ECG functionality already prepared, and that the feature may be enabled sometime later.
For some, this may not sound like much innovation, but you should consider the Forerunner 965 being a product update other than a next-gen device. Maybe some more features are coming to the watch, but the latest online listings don’t name anything else that is unknown to the Forerunner 955.
Garmin Forerunner 965 (Source: Garmin)
Garmin Forerunner 965 – Battery Life
| Forerunner 965 | Forerunner 955 | Enduro 2 | Fenix 7 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch mode | 23 days | 15 days | 34 days | 18 days |
| GPS only | 31 hours | 42 hours | 264 hours | 57 hours |
| GNSS + Multiband | 19 hours | 20 hours | 68 hours | 40 hours |
| GNSS + Multiband + Music | 8.5 hours | 8.5 hours | 20 hours | 10 hours |
The information given by the online retailer is worth a remark: I think running up to 23 days in smartwatch mode is a big step forward compared to the Forerunner 955’s 15 days. The battery life of up to 31 hours for GPS only must refer to multiband use. Otherwise, it would be less than the Forerunner 955 claims for GPS-only use.
Prices and Availability
The Forerunner 965 changes hands for $599.99 / €649.99. Shipment in Germany starts within the next 1-2 weeks while it’ll be available to ship in the US within the next 5-8 weeks.
When buying the Forerunner 965 you can choose between the following colors:
- Black / Powder Gray
- Whitestone / Powder Gray
- Amp Yellow / Black
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