Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Google Pixel Watch (1st Gen)
The Verdict
Garmin's Forerunner 965 excels as a dedicated sports watch with exceptional battery endurance, lasting 23 days in smartwatch mode versus the Pixel Watch's mere 24 hours. Its AMOLED display matches the Pixel's resolution at 454x454 pixels, while the titanium bezel adds durability for athletes. Health tracking includes SpO2, skin temperature, and comprehensive sleep monitoring, though it lacks ECG functionality that the Pixel Watch provides. Google's offering brings superior everyday smartwatch features through Wear OS 3.5, includes cellular connectivity for standalone calls and messages, and weighs significantly less at 36 grams. Its Exynos processor handles app performance better for general use. Price heavily favors the Pixel Watch at $349 versus $599. Choose the Forerunner 965 if running and endurance sports dominate your routine; select the Pixel Watch for balanced smartwatch versatility and value.
Who Should Buy
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
Buy the Google Pixel Watch (1st Gen) if…
- →Beautiful domed glass design with smooth pebble-like aesthetic
- →Deep Fitbit integration for health tracking and premium features
- →Smooth Wear OS 3.5 with native Google Maps and Google Wallet
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
Google Pixel Watch (1st Gen)
Pros
- Beautiful domed glass design with smooth pebble-like aesthetic
- Deep Fitbit integration for health tracking and premium features
- Smooth Wear OS 3.5 with native Google Maps and Google Wallet
- Accurate heart rate and SpO2 tracking with ECG support
- Lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear at 36 g
Cons
- 24-hour battery life barely lasts a full day with active use
- Thick bezels reduce the usable screen area
- Exynos 9110 is an older chip that can feel laggy
- Only one 41mm size option — too small for many users
- No offline Google Maps navigation at launch
Full Specifications
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 965 | Google Pixel Watch (1st Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Garmin OS | Wear OS 3.5 by Google |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 53 g | 36 g (without band) |
| Case material | Fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium bezel | Recycled stainless steel with domed Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Water resistance | 10 ATM | 5ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 23 days smartwatch mode, 31 hrs GPS | Up to 24 hours |
| Display | ||
| Size | 1.4 inch | 41mm |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED, DCI-P3, Always-On |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 454 x 454 | 450 x 450 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Garmin proprietary | Samsung Exynos 9110 with Cortex-M33 co-processor |
| 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 Garmin products or all Google products. View full details for the Garmin Forerunner 965 or the Google Pixel Watch (1st Gen).