Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Withings ScanWatch 2

The Verdict

Garmin Forerunner 965 and Withings ScanWatch 2 serve different priorities within the smartwatch market. Garmin's offering excels for serious athletes with its built-in GPS, AMOLED display (454 x 454 pixels), and exceptional 31-hour GPS battery life paired with 23 days in smartwatch mode. The 53g titanium-bezeled device delivers comprehensive training metrics and NFC payments. Withings ScanWatch 2 takes a different approach, prioritizing everyday wearability with its lighter 39g stainless steel build and hybrid analog display that blends traditional watchmaking with smart features. Its 30-day battery life outpaces Garmin's smartwatch mode, and it uniquely includes ECG capability compared to Forerunner 965's lack thereof. However, Withings omits GPS entirely, limiting its appeal to runners and cyclists who want accurate distance tracking without a phone. For fitness enthusiasts willing to spend $599, Garmin provides superior sports-specific features and mapping capabilities. At $349, Withings targets users valuing aesthetics, longevity, and casual health monitoring over advanced training data. Choose Garmin if you log serious miles, select Withings if traditional watch design and battery longevity matter most.