Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Google Pixel Watch 2
The Verdict
Garmin Forerunner 965 targets serious athletes with exceptional battery longevity,up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and 31 hours GPS,plus comprehensive fitness tracking without ECG. Its AMOLED display and titanium bezel offer premium build quality at $599. Google Pixel Watch 2 delivers superior everyday smartwatch features: ECG capability, lighter 31g design, cellular connectivity, and Wear OS 4's app ecosystem, all at $349. Battery performance favors Garmin significantly for endurance athletes, while Pixel Watch 2 excels for those prioritizing health features and smartphone integration. Choose Forerunner 965 if multi-week battery between charges matters; select Pixel Watch 2 for advanced health monitoring, connectivity options, and better 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 2 if…
- →Qualcomm W5 Gen 1 chip delivers 20% better battery than Pixel Watch 1
- →Deep Fitbit integration for best-in-class sleep and wellness tracking
- →Skin conductance sensor enables continuous stress monitoring
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 2
Pros
- Qualcomm W5 Gen 1 chip delivers 20% better battery than Pixel Watch 1
- Deep Fitbit integration for best-in-class sleep and wellness tracking
- Skin conductance sensor enables continuous stress monitoring
- Lightweight and comfortable rounded design for all-day wear
- Pure Wear OS 4 experience with first-party Google app quality
Cons
- Small 41 mm size only — no larger variant available
- 24-hour battery life with always-on display requires daily charging
- More expensive than Galaxy Watch 6 with fewer health sensors
- Rounded case design makes it harder to find third-party screen protectors
Full Specifications
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 965 | Google Pixel Watch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Garmin OS | Wear OS 4 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 53 g | 31 g |
| Case material | Fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium bezel | Recycled aluminum |
| Water resistance | 10 ATM | 5 ATM + IP68 |
| 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 hrs (always-on), up to 41 hrs (battery saver) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 1.4 inch | 41 mm |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 454 x 454 | 450 x 450 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Garmin proprietary | Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 |
| RAM | — | 2 GB |
| 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 Garmin products or all Google products. View full details for the Garmin Forerunner 965 or the Google Pixel Watch 2.