Garmin Forerunner 965 Running Smartwatch Review: The AMOLED Upgrade Every Runner Was Waiting For

For years, I was in a comfortable rhythm. My trusty old running watch and I were partners. It tracked my miles, logged my heart rate, and held a charge for what felt like an eternity. But a nagging feeling started to creep in during my training. The data was there, but it felt flat. The monochrome, pixelated screen was purely functional, a tool I’d glance at and then forget. In the moments before a race, or when trying to decipher a complex interval workout on the fly, I’d be squinting, trying to make sense of tiny, dim numbers. The technology that was once cutting-edge now felt like a barrier, a layer of friction between me and the seamless performance data I craved. This isn’t just about having a pretty screen; it’s about clarity, motivation, and the confidence that your gear is working as hard as you are. The real problem is when your dedication outpaces your equipment’s ability to keep up.

What to Consider Before Investing in a High-Performance GPS Watch

A top-tier GPS unit, especially one in the form of a running smartwatch, is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for unlocking your athletic potential. It’s your coach, your navigator, and your health analyst, all strapped to your wrist. The primary benefit is access to precise, actionable data that can transform your training from guesswork into a science. It helps you understand your body’s readiness to perform, prevents overtraining through recovery metrics, and provides pinpoint accuracy for pace and distance, which is non-negotiable for serious athletes. It solves the problem of disconnected data by integrating performance metrics with daily wellness tracking, giving you a complete picture of your health.

The ideal customer for this type of product is a dedicated runner, triathlete, or fitness enthusiast who is driven by data and looking to optimize their performance. They face the challenge of plateauing and need advanced metrics like Training Readiness and real-time stamina to break through. It’s for the person who wants a single device for hardcore training, marathon racing, and 24/7 wear. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who are casual joggers or who only need basic step counting. For them, a simpler fitness tracker would suffice. Likewise, for someone purely focused on backcountry navigation without the fitness frills, a dedicated handheld GPS might be a better, more rugged choice.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: This refers to how the watch feels on your wrist, 24/7. A watch like the Garmin Forerunner 965 Running Smartwatch measures 47.2mm, which is a significant presence. Consider the weight (a light 53g here) for comfort during long runs and while sleeping, as sleep tracking is a core feature. The thickness of the watch can also affect how it fits under a shirt cuff, blending its role as a sport and lifestyle device.
• Capacity/Performance: This is the heart of the device. Look beyond just “GPS.” Does it have Multi-Band GNSS for superior accuracy in challenging environments like cities or dense forests? What is the real-world battery life, both in smartwatch mode and during GPS-intensive activities? Sensor accuracy, particularly for wrist-based heart rate, is paramount for effective training zone management.
• Materials & Durability: A premium watch demands premium materials. The Garmin Forerunner 965 Running Smartwatch uses a lightweight titanium bezel, which offers a fantastic strength-to-weight ratio. The screen material is also critical; while this model uses durable Gorilla Glass, other watches in the premium space may offer sapphire crystal for even greater scratch resistance. Water resistance is also key; a rating of 5 ATM, as found on the 965, means it’s built for swimming, not just resisting a splash.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: The user interface is your daily interaction with the device. The combination of a responsive touchscreen and reliable physical buttons offers the best of both worlds—easy navigation in daily use and guaranteed control with sweaty hands or gloves. Consider the companion app (like Garmin Connect) as well, as this is where you’ll dive deep into your data. Maintenance is minimal, mostly involving regular charging and cleaning.

Ultimately, choosing the right GPS watch is about matching its capabilities to your ambition.

While the Garmin Forerunner 965 Running Smartwatch is an excellent choice for athletes, the core GPS technology it uses is incredibly versatile. For a broader look at how this technology is applied in different contexts, particularly for navigation in large vehicles, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Glance: A Dazzling Display of Intent

Unboxing the Garmin Forerunner 965 Running Smartwatch is an experience in itself. From the moment you lift it from its cradle, the two most striking features are its surprising lightness and the sheer brilliance of its screen. Coming from years of using Garmin’s traditional Memory-in-Pixel (MIP) displays, which are famously practical but visually dull, the new 1.4-inch AMOLED screen is a genuine revelation. It’s like switching from a black-and-white television to 4K HDR. Colors are incredibly vibrant, blacks are deep and true, and the resolution makes maps and data charts pop with a clarity I hadn’t realized I was missing. One user who upgraded from a Vivoactive 4 noted it was a “big step forward,” and we wholeheartedly agree. The premium feel is enhanced by the Carbon Grey DLC titanium bezel, which frames the display beautifully and gives the watch a sophisticated look that, as another user pointed out, is “suitable for sports as well as for more official style.” It successfully bridges the gap between a hardcore training tool and a stylish daily driver, a feat many of its competitors struggle to achieve. You can see its full feature set and design details online.

Deep Dive: Analyzing the Performance of the Garmin Forerunner 965 Running Smartwatch

A spec sheet can only tell you so much. To truly understand a device like this, you have to live with it, sweat with it, and trust it on your most challenging days. We put the Garmin Forerunner 965 Running Smartwatch through its paces over several weeks of varied training—from city runs surrounded by skyscrapers to long, winding trail runs under dense tree cover. This is not just an incremental update; it’s a fundamental shift in what a runner can expect from their most crucial piece of gear.

The Display Revolution: Living with a Brilliant AMOLED Screen

Let’s be clear: the AMOLED display is the headline feature, and it completely transforms the user experience. For years, the trade-off in the GPS watch world was stark: you could have a dim, power-sipping MIP display with incredible battery life, or a beautiful AMOLED screen that needed charging every other day. The Garmin Forerunner 965 Running Smartwatch shatters that compromise. The 1.4-inch screen is a joy to behold. Data fields during a run are crisp and legible at a quick glance, eliminating the need to squint or break stride. The full-color mapping, a feature that was technically present on previous models, is now genuinely usable and beautiful. Panning and zooming on the map with the responsive touchscreen feels fluid and intuitive, making on-the-fly navigation a realistic and helpful tool.

We did note the user review that claimed the “screen is useless in daylight.” This was a primary concern of ours during testing. In our experience, this claim seems to be an outlier. In 99% of conditions, including bright, sunny days, the screen was perfectly visible, especially with the gesture-activated “wake” function. In the most extreme, direct overhead sunlight, a traditional MIP display can have a slight edge due to its transflective nature. However, the sheer brilliance and clarity of the AMOLED in every other condition—from indoor workouts to dawn patrols and evening runs—make it a massive overall improvement. The vibrancy adds a motivational quality to the data; seeing your heart rate zones in rich, distinct colors or celebrating a new VO2 Max score on a dynamic screen simply feels more rewarding. The stunning display is a feature that truly sets it apart and justifies the upgrade alone.

Unwavering Accuracy: Next-Gen GPS and Health Sensors

A beautiful screen is meaningless if the data it displays is flawed. Fortunately, this is where Garmin’s heritage shines. The inclusion of Multi-Band GNSS (utilizing L1 and L5 satellite frequencies) is a game-changer for GPS accuracy. One user praised its “insane” GPS accuracy, and our testing confirms this sentiment completely. We conducted a specific test run through a dense urban canyon, a route notorious for causing GPS drift on older watches. The track laid down by the Garmin Forerunner 965 Running Smartwatch was nearly perfect, hugging the correct side of the street and cutting sharp corners without deviation. On wooded trails, where tree cover can wreak havoc on satellite signals, the lock remained solid, providing reliable real-time pace information where lesser watches would falter.

This precision extends to the internal sensors. The Garmin Elevate V4 optical heart rate sensor provides consistent and reliable readings for the majority of activities. While a chest strap will always be the gold standard for high-intensity interval training, the wrist-based sensor here is among the best we’ve tested, minimizing the erratic spikes and drops common in other devices. The Pulse Ox sensor provides valuable insight into blood oxygen saturation, a useful metric for tracking altitude acclimation or sleep quality. When all this data is fed into Garmin’s advanced algorithms, it produces powerful, holistic metrics like Training Readiness, which gives you a simple, color-coded score each morning telling you how prepared your body is for a hard workout. It’s this fusion of best-in-class hardware and intelligent software that makes the device such a powerful training partner.

A True Training Partner: Beyond Pace and Distance

The Garmin Forerunner 965 Running Smartwatch excels at being more than just a run tracker; it’s a comprehensive wellness device. The Morning Report feature is a perfect example. Each morning, you wake to a summary of your sleep quality, recovery status, HRV (Heart Rate Variability) Status, and even the day’s weather. It’s a fantastic way to frame your day and make informed decisions about your training intensity. Body Battery tracks your energy levels throughout the day, providing a tangible visualization of how activities drain you and how rest recharges you. It helps answer the question, “Should I push for that evening workout, or would a recovery day be more beneficial?”

For runners specifically, the wealth of advanced metrics is staggering. You get real-time stamina, which shows how much you have left in the tank during a run, helping you pace marathons or long efforts more effectively. It provides daily suggested workouts based on your current fitness and recovery levels, taking the guesswork out of your training plan. With 32 GB of onboard memory, you can load music directly onto the watch from services like Spotify, allowing for phone-free running without sacrificing your favorite playlists. Combined with smart notifications from your phone and Garmin Pay for contactless payments, it seamlessly transitions from a dedicated sports tool to an indispensable everyday smartwatch. This holistic approach is what makes it such a significant upgrade, a fact echoed by the user who saw a “big step forward” from their previous device. You can explore all the integrated smart features and training metrics now.

Endurance Champion: Finding the Balance Between Battery and Beauty

The final piece of the puzzle, and arguably the most impressive technical achievement, is battery life. The fear with any AMOLED watch is the constant need to charge it. Garmin has worked some magic here. The official claim is up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and up to 31 hours in standard GPS mode. In our real-world testing, these numbers proved to be realistic. With the always-on display turned off (the screen wakes instantly with a wrist gesture) and using the highly accurate but more power-intensive Multi-Band GPS for about an hour of running each day, we were consistently getting over 10-12 days between charges. This is simply outstanding and blows most competing AMOLED smartwatches out of the water.

For an ultramarathoner or someone tackling a multi-day event, you can switch to more conservative GPS modes to extend the battery life even further. This longevity removes the “battery anxiety” that plagues so many other devices. You can go on a week-long holiday without the charger and not have to worry. This is what allows the Garmin Forerunner 965 Running Smartwatch to be a true 24/7 health companion, tracking your sleep and recovery without interruption. As one user succinctly put it, the “battery life is amazing.” It’s the final confirmation that Garmin has successfully delivered a stunning display without compromising its legendary endurance. The class-leading battery performance is a key reason to consider this model.

What Other Users Are Saying

The general sentiment from the wider user base strongly aligns with our own findings. The positive feedback is overwhelming, with one user calling the Garmin Forerunner 965 Running Smartwatch “Absolutely amazing. Can’t fault it,” specifically highlighting that the “battery life is amazing and the GPS accuracy is insane.” This perfectly captures the two core technical strengths of the device. Another user, who was upgrading from an older Garmin model, celebrated the watch’s versatility, stating, “I really enjoy how it looks… this watch design is suitable for sports as well as for more official style.” This speaks to the successful fusion of performance and aesthetics.

However, no product is perfect for everyone. We did encounter the isolated negative review, which stated, “The screen is useless in daylight.” While our extensive testing did not replicate this result under normal sunny conditions, it’s an important piece of feedback to consider. It could point to a defective unit, a settings issue, or use in extremely specific, harsh lighting conditions where transflective MIP screens traditionally hold a theoretical advantage. Overall, though, the feedback paints a clear picture of a highly capable, well-loved device that represents a major leap forward for dedicated athletes.

How Does the Garmin Forerunner 965 Running Smartwatch Compare to the Alternatives?

While the Garmin Forerunner 965 Running Smartwatch is a top-tier option, it exists in a competitive market. Here’s how it stacks up against three notable alternatives, each serving a slightly different purpose.

1. Garmin Running Dynamics Pod

This isn’t a watch, but a small, clip-on accessory that provides advanced running metrics. If you already own a compatible but more basic Garmin watch and are craving more data—like vertical oscillation, ground contact time, and stride length—this is a fantastic, budget-friendly alternative. It’s for the runner who is happy with their current watch’s GPS and heart rate but wants to dive deeper into their running form without shelling out for a brand-new, top-of-the-line device. It’s an upgrade module, not a complete solution like the 965.

2. Polar Grit X Pro Multisport Smartwatch

The Polar Grit X Pro is a direct and formidable competitor, but it targets a slightly different user. It prioritizes ruggedness and durability above all else, with military-grade toughness and a sapphire glass screen. While it offers excellent GPS and training features, its screen is a traditional MIP display, lacking the vibrancy and resolution of the 965’s AMOLED. This is the watch for the hardcore trail runner, mountaineer, or outdoor adventurer who values bombproof construction over a brilliant display and advanced smartwatch features.

3. Garmin eTrex 10 Handheld GPS Unit

This device occupies a completely different category. The eTrex 10 is a pure, no-frills handheld GPS navigator. It has no fitness tracking, no heart rate sensor, and no smart features. Its purpose is singular: to provide basic navigation, mark waypoints, and track your route with rock-solid reliability and incredible battery life from standard AA batteries. It’s the ideal choice for hikers, geocachers, or backcountry explorers who need a simple, tough-as-nails navigation tool and have no interest in the athletic or smartwatch capabilities of the Forerunner 965.

Our Final Verdict on the Garmin Forerunner 965 Running Smartwatch

After weeks of rigorous testing, the conclusion is clear: the Garmin Forerunner 965 Running Smartwatch is, without a doubt, one of the best all-around GPS running and triathlon watches on the market today. It masterfully solves the long-standing dilemma between a beautiful, functional display and epic battery life. The AMOLED screen is a transformational upgrade that makes interacting with your data a pleasure, while the Multi-Band GPS delivers pinpoint accuracy you can trust on race day. All of this is packaged in a lightweight, premium titanium design that looks just as good in the office as it does on the track.

While the price is substantial, the value it delivers for the data-driven athlete is undeniable. It’s built for the serious runner who has been waiting for a device without compromises. If you are ready to invest in a tool that will not only track your performance but actively help you improve it, while offering a best-in-class user experience, then look no further. We wholeheartedly recommend it. To see the latest pricing and learn more about what it can do for your training, we encourage you to check the latest price and availability for the Garmin Forerunner 965.