Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Huawei Watch GT 4 (46mm)
The Verdict
Both watches deliver excellent AMOLED displays with nearly identical resolutions (454x454 vs 466x466) and always-on functionality, making them visually comparable. Battery life strongly favors the Forerunner 965, offering up to 23 days in smartwatch mode versus the GT 4's 14 days, a significant advantage for frequent travelers. GPS endurance tips further in Garmin's favor at 31 hours compared to the GT 4's typical multi-hour GPS runtime. Health tracking features are nearly identical on both: SpO2, skin temperature, heart rate, and sleep monitoring all present, though neither includes ECG. The Forerunner 965 adds NFC and WiFi connectivity, plus superior water resistance at 10 ATM versus 5 ATM. Build quality differs notably: Garmin uses fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium bezel (53g), while Huawei opts for stainless steel (48g), offering different durability profiles. At $249 versus $599, the GT 4 represents exceptional value for general fitness tracking and smartwatch basics. However, the Forerunner 965 justifies its premium for serious athletes needing extended GPS battery life, robust connectivity options, and enhanced durability. Choose the Garmin if training endurance is your priority; select the Huawei for budget-conscious fitness enthusiasts.
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 Huawei Watch GT 4 (46mm) if…
- →Stunning premium design with stainless steel and octagonal case
- →14-day battery with AMOLED always-on display is impressive
- →Dual-band GPS provides accurate location tracking
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
Huawei Watch GT 4 (46mm)
Pros
- Stunning premium design with stainless steel and octagonal case
- 14-day battery with AMOLED always-on display is impressive
- Dual-band GPS provides accurate location tracking
- Bright 466x466 AMOLED display is crisp and vibrant
- TruSeen 5.5+ heart rate sensor is accurate for exercise tracking
Cons
- No Google apps or third-party app store — HarmonyOS is limited
- No NFC for payments in most Western markets
- No ECG sensor despite the premium positioning
- Cannot respond to notifications — display and dismiss only
Full Specifications
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 965 | Huawei Watch GT 4 (46mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Garmin OS | HarmonyOS 4 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 53 g | 48 g (without strap) |
| Case material | Fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium bezel | Stainless steel |
| 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 14 days |
| Display | ||
| Size | 1.4 inch | 46mm (1.43 inches) |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 454 x 454 | 466 x 466 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Garmin proprietary | Hi6262 |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 |
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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 Huawei products. View full details for the Garmin Forerunner 965 or the Huawei Watch GT 4 (46mm).