The Garmin Forerunner 965 and 265 were introduced by Garmin today (March 2), and both models feature an updated color AMOLED touchscreen and a redesigned power button on the top right.
Many of the best Garmin watches feature a Memory In Pixel, or MIP, display instead of the Fluid AMOLED display common to other smartwatches. Both the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Apple Watch Series 8 use AMOLED displays, and this update brings the Forerunner series in line with some of the best running watches and smartwatches on sale today.
The Garmin Forerunner 965 is also slightly larger than its predecessor, the Garmin Forerunner 955, with a 47mm body and a 454 x 454px screen that measures 1,4 inches, rather than the 1,3-inch display. used by its predecessor. The larger size of the 965 also means a redesigned watch case and titanium bezel, and the top-right power button is now larger and properly labeled "run." After all, that's what you'll be wearing to start your runs.
The Forerunner 965 offers up to 31 hours of battery life in GPS mode and up to 23 days in smartwatch mode. In addition to the standard black and white colors, it also offers a very attractive "amp yellow" option.
The Garmin Forerunner 265 also features that redesigned "run" button, the beautiful AMOLED touchscreen (the 255 was just buttons), and incorporates Garmin's Workout Readiness Score, which wasn't available on its predecessor, the 255.
Debuting last year on the Garmin Forerunner 955, Workout Readiness Score is an updated version of Garmin's Body Battery metric, which takes into account your training efforts, recent workouts, sleep score, and time spent you spend resting to determine the intensity of your next exercise. session. be. For example, a training readiness score of 55, or "Moderate," means you're probably fit for light or heavy exertion, while a score of 30, or "Low," means you should take a day off. .
The Garmin Forerunner 265 comes in two sizes, the 265mm 46 and the smaller 265mm 42S (pictured above and below). The 265s offers up to 24 hours of battery life in GPS mode and up to 15 days in smartwatch mode, while the larger 265 offers up to 20 hours of battery life in GPS mode and up to 13 days in smartwatch mode.
The watches are priced at €599.99 for the 965 and €449.99 for the 265. We will update this article with full prices for the UK and Australia as soon as the news is released.
Analysis: an iterative update
Aside from the displays and features mentioned above, not much has changed between these watches and the latest generation Forerunner, which arrived in June of last year. They include the same chipsets, satellite connectivity, notification features, and training features as the 955 and 255. There was a three-year gap between the release of the '45 and '55 Forerunners, so these iterative upgrades are less than a year after the launch of the 955 and 255 is a surprise move on Garmin's part.
The Epix series is essentially the Garmin Fenix series with the same beautiful AMOLED screen, so Garmin has an older way to get the most out of installing a new screen over an existing model.
The fact that Garmin has released two new entries in its Forerunner series just a few months after its predecessors is an interesting move, though, and I was previously wondering if this marked the start of a pattern of smaller annual updates, in the sense of the Apple update cycle. . for Apple Watch.
As it is, Garmin's less regular but more substantial updates have spoiled me a bit, so I can't help but be disappointed by the lack of real change here.
Users who recently purchased the 955 and 255 thinking they were using the latest Garmin technology will likely feel cheated. The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar was my 2022 Watch of the Year pick, even with a MIP display, so while I'm excited at the prospect of an even better-looking version of my favorite wearable, I don't think anyone who owns the 955 or the 255 you will be convinced to upgrade immediately. Watch this space for our full hands-on reviews of both watches.