Fitbit Versa 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 965
The Verdict
Fitbit Versa 3 and Garmin Forerunner 965 target different priorities within the smartwatch market. Versa 3 excels as a lifestyle-focused device with its lightweight 40g aluminum design, AMOLED display at 336x336 resolution, and solid 6+ day battery life. It covers essential health tracking with heart rate, SpO2, and sleep monitoring, plus convenient features like NFC payments and GPS. However, Forerunner 965 is purpose-built for serious athletes. Its larger 454x454 AMOLED display delivers sharper visuals, while the fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium bezel provides rugged durability rated 10 ATM versus Versa 3's 5 ATM. Forerunner 965's battery dominates with 23 days in smartwatch mode and 31 hours of continuous GPS tracking, far outlasting Versa 3's modest endurance. Beyond basics, Forerunner 965 adds skin temperature monitoring and Garmin's renowned training analytics ecosystem. At $229, Versa 3 wins on value and everyday wearability for casual fitness enthusiasts. Forerunner 965's $599 premium justifies itself for runners, triathletes, and endurance athletes who demand extended battery, advanced metrics, and professional-grade navigation. Choose Versa 3 for general health tracking at an accessible price; select Forerunner 965 if serious training data and multi-week battery life matter.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Fitbit Versa 3 if…
- →Built-in GPS is a major upgrade over Versa 2
- →6+ day battery easily lasts a full week for most users
- →AMOLED display is bright and crisp
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
Fitbit Versa 3
Pros
- Built-in GPS is a major upgrade over Versa 2
- 6+ day battery easily lasts a full week for most users
- AMOLED display is bright and crisp
- Google Assistant and Alexa voice assistant support
- Lightweight at 40 g — comfortable for sleep tracking
Cons
- Capacitive side button is imprecise and frustrating
- No ECG or EDA stress sensor — need Sense for those
- Fitbit OS has a very limited app store
- SpO2 tracking requires a specific watch face to display
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 | Fitbit Versa 3 | Garmin Forerunner 965 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Fitbit OS | Garmin OS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 40 g | 53 g |
| Case material | Aluminum | Fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium bezel |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 10 ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 6+ days | Up to 23 days smartwatch mode, 31 hrs GPS |
| Display | ||
| Size | 40mm (1.58 inches) | 1.4 inch |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 336 x 336 | 454 x 454 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Fitbit custom processor | Garmin proprietary |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
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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 Fitbit products or all Garmin products. View full details for the Fitbit Versa 3 or the Garmin Forerunner 965.