Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) vs Garmin Forerunner 965
The Verdict
Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) excels as a lifestyle smartwatch with watchOS 7 (upgradable to watchOS 10), delivering seamless iPhone integration and a sleek 30-49g aluminum design. However, the S5 chip and 18-hour battery limit practical daily use. Garmin Forerunner 965 targets serious athletes with superior health tracking,SpO2, skin temperature monitoring, and comprehensive sleep analysis,plus exceptional 23-day battery in smartwatch mode and 31-hour GPS endurance. Its 454x454 AMOLED always-on display and 10 ATM water resistance outperform the SE's WR50 rating. At double the price, the Forerunner 965 justifies its cost for fitness enthusiasts needing advanced metrics and multiday autonomy. For casual Apple ecosystem users prioritizing style and notifications, the SE remains capable despite aging hardware. Choose Forerunner 965 for serious training; select Apple Watch SE for general wellness and convenience.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) if…
- →Affordable entry into the Apple Watch ecosystem with core features
- →Same large display as Series 6 — no visible compromise
- →Fall detection and emergency SOS for safety
Buy the Garmin Forerunner 965 if…
- →23-day battery life in smartwatch mode for serious endurance athletes
- →First Forerunner with AMOLED display — bright and easy to read
- →Multi-band GPS with SatIQ for highly accurate outdoor tracking
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple Watch SE (1st Gen)
Pros
- Affordable entry into the Apple Watch ecosystem with core features
- Same large display as Series 6 — no visible compromise
- Fall detection and emergency SOS for safety
- Compass and always-on altimeter for outdoor activities
- Family Setup enables use for kids without an iPhone
Cons
- No Always-On display — must raise wrist to see the time
- Older S5 chip — slower than the 2022 SE's S8
- No ECG, SpO2, or blood oxygen monitoring
- No fast charging — takes about 2.5 hours for full charge
Garmin Forerunner 965
Pros
- 23-day battery life in smartwatch mode for serious endurance athletes
- First Forerunner with AMOLED display — bright and easy to read
- Multi-band GPS with SatIQ for highly accurate outdoor tracking
- Advanced running metrics: running power, VO2 max, race predictor
- Garmin Pay NFC and music storage for offline playback
Cons
- No ECG sensor
- No cellular connectivity
- Garmin OS app ecosystem is very limited compared to Wear OS or watchOS
- Expensive at $599 for a running-focused device
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) | Garmin Forerunner 965 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | watchOS 7 (upgradable to watchOS 10) | Garmin OS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 30.49 g (40mm) / 36.2 g (44mm) | 53 g |
| Case material | Aluminum | Fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium bezel |
| Water resistance | WR50 (50m) | 10 ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 23 days smartwatch mode, 31 hrs GPS |
| Display | ||
| Size | 40mm / 44mm | 1.4 inch |
| Type | LTPO OLED Retina | AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 324 x 394 / 368 x 448 | 454 x 454 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Apple S5 SiP | Garmin proprietary |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in smartwatches, see all Apple products or all Garmin products. View full details for the Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) or the Garmin Forerunner 965.