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.
Full details →Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Best for: Competitive runners, triathletes, and ultramarathon runners who want the complete Garmin running analytics suite: full maps, running dynamics, training load, race predictor, and race day guidance — in the lightest, most running-optimised Garmin form factor.
Full details →| Samsung Galaxy Watch | Garmin Forerunner 965 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | Smartwatch | Sports GPS |
| Platform | Android only | iOS & Android |
| Battery | 1.5 days | 23 days |
| Always-on display | ✅ | ❌ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ✅ | ❌ |
| Health sensors | ecg, blood pressure, spo2, skin temp, hrv, body comp | hr, spo2, hrv, stress, body battery, training readiness, running dynamics |
| Released | Jul 25, 2025 | Mar 1, 2023 |
| Cycle length | 366 days | 1024 days |
| Cycle advice | neutral | bad |
| Deals advice | neutral | good |
| Next model | Galaxy Watch 9 (Expected summer 2026) | — |
ECG, blood pressure, body composition, SpO2, and advanced sleep coaching — all processed on-device with Galaxy AI.
Answer calls, control SmartThings, and use Galaxy AI features seamlessly across Galaxy phones and tablets.
Access Google Play, Google Maps, Google Wallet, and Samsung's polished One UI Watch 7 interface.
Turn-by-turn navigation on full TopoActive maps — the key differentiator from the FR265. Essential for trail running and mountain racing.
Cadence, stride length, vertical oscillation, ground contact time, and running power — the full biomechanics suite for optimising form and efficiency.
More than double the FR265 battery life. Enough for week-long trail ultras without a charge.