Garmin Fenix 8 Pro vs Garmin Forerunner 965
The Verdict
The Garmin Fenix 8 Pro and Garmin Forerunner 965 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Garmin Forerunner 965 is the cheaper of the two at $599 versus $1,200, a difference of about $601. The Garmin Fenix 8 Pro is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Garmin Fenix 8 Pro stands out for inreach satellite + cellular connectivity, while Garmin Forerunner 965 is praised for 23-day battery life in smartwatch mode for serious endurance athletes. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro if…
- →inReach satellite + cellular connectivity
- →Up to 27 days battery (AMOLED)
- →MicroLED display option ($1999)
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
Pros & Cons
Garmin Fenix 8 Pro
Pros
- inReach satellite + cellular connectivity
- Up to 27 days battery (AMOLED)
- MicroLED display option ($1999)
- LTE voice calls and two-way messaging
- Built for extreme outdoor adventures
Cons
- $1199 starting price ($1999 MicroLED)
- No ECG sensor
- Garmin OS lacks app ecosystem of watchOS/Wear OS
- 73g is heavy on the wrist
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 | Garmin Fenix 8 Pro | Garmin Forerunner 965 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Garmin OS | Garmin OS |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 73 g (47mm AMOLED) | 53 g |
| Case material | Titanium bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer | Fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium bezel |
| Water resistance | 10 ATM | 10 ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 27 days (AMOLED smartwatch mode) | Up to 23 days smartwatch mode, 31 hrs GPS |
| Display | ||
| Size | 47mm / 51mm | 1.4 inch |
| Type | AMOLED or MicroLED | AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | — | 454 x 454 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Garmin proprietary | Garmin proprietary |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 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 Garmin products or all Garmin products. View full details for the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro or the Garmin Forerunner 965.