Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
The Verdict
Both watches excel in fitness tracking and health monitoring, but they cater to different priorities. Garmin's Forerunner 965 delivers exceptional battery life at 23 days in smartwatch mode and 31 hours of GPS tracking, making it ideal for endurance athletes and those who dislike frequent charging. Its 1.4-inch AMOLED display at 454 x 454 resolution is sharp and responsive. Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra counters with a larger 1.5-inch Super AMOLED display pushing 3000 nits brightness, superior durability with Titanium Grade 4 and sapphire crystal, and ECG functionality absent on the Garmin. The Galaxy Watch Ultra's 60-hour power-saving mode and cellular connectivity offer practical advantages for emergency calls and longer trips. Samsung's newer Exynos W1000 processor with 2GB RAM and Wear OS 5 provides snappier app performance and access to a larger app ecosystem than Garmin's proprietary OS. At $649.99 versus $599, the Galaxy Watch Ultra costs more but justifies it through cellular capability, ECG, and superior screen quality. Choose the Forerunner 965 if battery endurance and dedicated running metrics matter most; pick the Galaxy Watch Ultra for premium durability, healthcare features, and a more versatile smartwatch experience.
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 Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra if…
- →Premium titanium build with 10ATM water resistance and MIL-STD durability
- →Bright 3000-nit Super AMOLED display with sapphire crystal protection
- →Dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5) for precise outdoor 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
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Pros
- Premium titanium build with 10ATM water resistance and MIL-STD durability
- Bright 3000-nit Super AMOLED display with sapphire crystal protection
- Dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5) for precise outdoor tracking
- Big 590 mAh battery delivers up to 100 hours in Power Saving mode
- Customizable Quick Button for fast access to workouts and apps
Cons
- Very expensive at $649 — Samsung's priciest watch yet
- Only one 47mm size, too large for smaller wrists
- BioActive sensor and BP/ECG features require Samsung phone
- Design closely mimics Apple Watch Ultra
- Limited third-party app ecosystem versus Apple Watch
Full Specifications
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 965 | Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Garmin OS | Wear OS 5 with One UI Watch 6 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 53 g | 60.5 g |
| Case material | Fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium bezel | Titanium Grade 4 |
| Water resistance | 10 ATM | 10ATM + IP68 + MIL-STD-810H |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 23 days smartwatch mode, 31 hrs GPS | Up to 60 hours in Power Saving mode (590 mAh) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 1.4 inch | 47mm (1.5") |
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED with Sapphire Crystal glass, up to 3000 nits |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 454 x 454 | 480 x 480 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Garmin proprietary | Samsung Exynos W1000 (3nm, 5-core) |
| RAM | — | 2 GB |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
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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 Samsung products. View full details for the Garmin Forerunner 965 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra.