Wear Radar

Garmin Forerunner 965vsSamsung Galaxy Watch

Garmin Forerunner 965
Buy/Wait:superseded

This model is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Garmin Forerunner 970.

Best for: Competitive runners, triathletes, and ultramarathon runners who want full maps, running dynamics, and premium build.

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Samsung Galaxy Watch
Buy/Wait:neutral

Reaching maturity, next model expected soon

Best for: Android users — especially those in the Samsung ecosystem — who want a premium smartwatch with comprehensive health tracking, Wear OS flexibility, and strong software support. The Ultra suits outdoor-active users who need longer battery life.

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Garmin Forerunner 965Samsung Galaxy Watch
TierSports GPSSmartwatch
PlatformiOS & AndroidAndroid only
Battery23 days1.5 days
Always-on display
GPS
Cellular
Health sensorshr, spo2, hrv, stress, body battery, training readiness, running dynamicsecg, blood pressure, spo2, skin temp, hrv, body comp
ReleasedMar 1, 2023Jul 25, 2025
Cycle length806 days366 days
Cycle advicesupersededneutral
Deals adviceclearanceneutral
Next modelGalaxy Watch 9 (Expected summer 2026)

Why buy each?

Garmin Forerunner 965

Full color topographic maps

Turn-by-turn navigation on full TopoActive maps — essential for trail running and mountain racing.

Running dynamics metrics

Cadence, stride length, vertical oscillation, ground contact time, and running power.

23-day battery and 31h GPS

Enough for week-long trail ultras without a charge.

Samsung Galaxy Watch

Best-in-class health tracking

ECG, blood pressure, body composition, SpO2, and advanced sleep coaching — all processed on-device with Galaxy AI.

Deep Samsung ecosystem integration

Answer calls, control SmartThings, and use Galaxy AI features seamlessly across Galaxy phones and tablets.

Full Wear OS with Google apps

Access Google Play, Google Maps, Google Wallet, and Samsung's polished One UI Watch 7 interface.