When it comes to picking the ideal running watch, Garmin’s Forerunner series stands out with its wide variety of choices. The recent introduction of the Forerunner 165 and the top-of-the-line Forerunner 965 brings exciting options to the table.

The Forerunner 165 is a great pick for casual runners or those just starting with fitness tracking, offering essential features without overwhelming. On the other end, the Forerunner 965 is a high-end model designed for serious runners and professional athletes, packed with advanced features.

This article aims to compare these two models, highlighting their key differences to help you find the best fit for your needs.

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs 965: Price & Availability

In terms of pricing, the Garmin Forerunner 165 is the more wallet-friendly option. It became available on February 20, 2024, with a starting price of about $250. If you’re interested in the version that can play music, it’ll cost you an extra $50.

On the flip side, the Garmin Forerunner 965, the most expensive Forerunner yet, was launched in March 2023. This watch, loaded with more features, begins at a higher price of around $600, which is significantly more than the 165.

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs 965: Specs Comparison

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs 965: Design & Display

When we look at design and display, both watches have a lot in common. They both feature a timeless round face and are built with a tough but lightweight material called fiber-reinforced polymer.

The Forerunner 165 has a glass made from a special, toughened type, while the Forerunner 965 steps it up with Corning Gorilla Glass DX, known for being extra strong. The 965 also sports a sleek Carbon Gray DLC Titanium bezel for a modern look.

Size-wise, the Forerunner 165 is more compact, measuring 43 x 43 x 11.6mm, making it easier to wear all day. The Forerunner 965 is a bit bigger and thicker at 47.1 x 47.1 x 13.2 mm. Both watches come in just one size but make up for this with their design. They also feature five physical buttons, making it easy to use them on the go, even when touchscreens might be hard to use.

The screens on both watches are impressive. They use AMOLED technology, known for bright colors and deep blacks. The Forerunner 165 has a 1.2-inch screen with a resolution of 390 x 390 pixels, while the 965 has a slightly larger 1.4-inch screen with 454 x 454 pixels. This means everything looks sharp and clear on both.

Color options vary, with the Forerunner 165 offering a broad palette, including shades like Mist Grey/Whitestone and Berry/Lilac, especially in the music-capable versions. The Forerunner 965 offers choices like Black, White/Gray, and Yellow/Black, ranging from classic to bold.

Designed for outdoor use, both models are water-resistant up to 5 ATM, meaning they can handle swimming or a shower without any problems.

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs 965: Health & Fitness Features

Inside, both models pack a punch with a wide array of sensors to keep tabs on your activities. They come equipped with an accelerometer for movement, Garmin’s own Elevate optical heart rate monitor to check your pulse, a barometric altimeter for elevation, a compass for direction, Pulse Ox for blood oxygen levels, and even a thermometer.

This means whether you’re deeply into sports or just starting to get active, the Forerunner series has your back with comprehensive health and activity tracking. They cover all the basics like counting your steps, monitoring your heart rate, tracking your sleep, and measuring your stress and blood oxygen levels. You’ll also find smart features like HRV Status and Recovery Time across all models, offering insights into your health.

The Forerunner 165 is aimed at those new to running or fitness tracking, focusing on the basic metrics without overwhelming with too much detail. It doesn’t include advanced training insights found in higher models, like Training Readiness, Training Status, and Training Load, which help you understand your training patterns more deeply. It’s not expected that these features will be added to the 165 later on.

Meanwhile, the Forerunner 965 is a beast when it comes to tracking fitness. It’s not just for runners; it’s for anyone and everyone into a wide range of sports and activities. This watch goes all out in tracking, offering detailed insights into your physical performance. It’s perfect for those who like to mix up their training and need a watch that can keep up with everything they do.

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs 965: Other Features

In terms of extra features, both watches mix fitness tracking with handy smartwatch functions. Every model in the Forerunner series lets you see smartphone alerts, control music, and make contactless payments with Garmin Pay. They also have safety features like incident detection, which can be really reassuring when you’re outside.

However, if you opt for the more expensive Forerunner 965, you’ll enjoy some added perks. It comes with more storage space, allowing you to keep up to 2000 songs right on your watch. Plus, it boasts a superior dual-band GPS system for more accurate location tracking. The 965 also includes a few more sports tracking options, giving athletes and fitness enthusiasts even more ways to monitor their activities.

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs 965: Battery Life

Both the Garmin Forerunner 165 and 965 have impressive battery lives, ensuring they keep up with your daily routines without frequent charges.

The Forerunner 165 and its music version can go up to 11 days on a single charge when used as a smartwatch. If you’re using it with GPS turned on for tracking runs or workouts, the battery lasts about 19 hours. This is great because it means you won’t have to worry about the watch running out of juice in the middle of your activities.

The Forerunner 965 steps it up a notch with even longer battery life. In smartwatch mode, it can last up to 23 days, and when you’re using the GPS, it offers around 31 hours of battery life. This makes it ideal for those who enjoy long outdoor adventures and need their watch to last through extended activities without needing a recharge.

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs 965: Verdict

The Garmin Forerunner series has something for every runner and athlete out there. The Forerunner 165 stands out as a great value, offering all the key features you’d want in a neat package. It’s perfect for those who are just getting into running or fitness tracking, providing everything necessary to keep tabs on your workouts, health, and enjoying smartwatch perks.

On the other hand, the Forerunner 965 takes things to a higher level. It’s built with top-notch materials and the dual-band GPS offers spot-on location tracking, even in tough spots. For those who are serious about their training, like long-distance runners, triathletes, or anyone who wants the most from their fitness watch, the 965’s wide range of activities, detailed training insights, and special features for cyclists make it the go-to choice.

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