Garmin Forerunner 965 vs 265 vs Epix 2: comparison feature

Garmin now has three sports watches with AMOLED displays, thanks to the introduction of the Forerunner 965 and 265. They join Epix 2, which was released a little over a year ago. Each of these watches comes with unique characteristics that make them suitable for different types of activities and users. In this article, we compare and contrast the features and specifications of these three watches to assist you in selecting the one that best meets your needs.

The Forerunner collection is a line of high-performance sports watches aimed at athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone really who leads an active lifestyle. These watches include a variety of features that allow users to track their workouts, monitor their fitness goals, and stay connected while on the go. Today’s release date of the 265 and 965 actually coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Forerunner. The original was released on March 2nd, 2003.

The Epix 2 is a slightly different species. It is more of a watch for outdoor adventures. A companion for those who enjoy exploring the great outdoors and require a dependable tool to help them along the way.

So, how does the new duo stack up against the Epix 2? Continue reading to find out.

You can buy Epix 2 on Amazon (link: Epix 2). It can also be picked up on Garmin’s website, along with the Forerunner 965 and 265.

Garmin Forerunner 965 vs 265 vs Epix 2: Hardware

Look & feel

Garmin offers a variety of watches that are both fashionable and functional. These have a round display, which gives them a more traditional look and feel then the likes of the Apple Watch. Garmin has generally moved away from the square form-factor in recent years. With a few notable exceptions such as the Venu Sq.

This traditional look is adopted by the Forerunner 965, 265, and Epix 2. They all have the same general appearance and have five physical buttons. However, there are some design differences between them that you should be aware of.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

To begin with, the 965 and Epix 2 come in a single size that fits all. Both have a case diameter of around 47mm and are therefore better suited to those with larger wrists. Having said that, the 965 is slightly thinner (by 1.3mm) than Epix 2. The Forerunner 265 is more of a unisex device, with 46mm and 42mm size options.

As the most expensive of the three, it is no surprise that Epix comes with a more luxurious selection of materials. You can choose between stainless steel and titanium. There are also Sapphire variants with scratch-resistant sapphire faces.

The 965 and 265 have a less interesting fiber-reinforced polymer case. However, the bezel on the 965 is made of Carbon Gray DLC Titanium which gives it a slightly premium look. The polymer case keeps these devices light, weighing between 39 and 53 grams. Epix 2 weighs slightly more but it is thicker in size.

Nonetheless, all of these watches are tough and can withstand a lot of abuse. They are also extremely water-resistant. 10 ATM for Epix 2 and 5 ATM for the Forerunners.

AMOLED display

You will be very interested in the display if you buy one of these watches. The trio uses AMOLED technology and has touchscreen support. You can disable the touch functionality entirely if you prefer. Or restrict touch to specific use-cases, such as map navigation.

Surprisingly, the Forerunner 965 has the largest 1.4-inch display. This is 0.1 inch bigger than the Epix 2 and Forerunner 265. The 265s has the smallest screen of the bunch, measuring 1.1 inches.

As mentioned, the button configuration is the same. The only difference is that the top right button on the Forerunners is larger.

When compared to their predecessors, the main distinguishing feature of these watches is the display quality. MIP screens are great because they consume little battery power and are always on. In some cases, they are easier to read outside in bright sunlight. However, AMOLED screens have a higher resolution and provide better visibility indoors.

Under the hood

In terms of sensor technology, there isn’t much to distinguish these three watches. They include the latest Elevate Gen 4 heart rate sensor, as well as an accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, thermometer, Pulse Ox, and barometric altimeter.

Aside from that, the watches have an NFC chip for mobile payments and built-in memory for songs. The Epix 2 and Forerunner 965 have enough memory for around 2000 songs, while the 265 has only half that amount.

All three watches have GPS/GLONASS/Galileo built-in, which works with dual or multi-frequency GNSS in the case of the Forerunners. This means using multiple frequencies from each constellation to improve positioning in areas where obtaining a satellite signal is difficult. This should result in fairly significant improvements in connection speed and GPS accuracy. The Sapphire variant of Epix 2 has multi-frequency positioning as well, but not the regular variant.

Just like the 965, Sapphire models also have 32GB of storage and come preloaded with global topoactive maps. The non-sapphire models have half as much storage and only come preloaded with topoactive maps for your specific region. The Forerunner 265 lacks the extensive map support of the other two.

Garmin Forerunner 965 vs 265 vs Epix 2: Technical specs comparison

Here’s a table illustrating the hardware differences between the Forerunner 965, 265 and Epix 2.

Garmin Forerunner 965 vs 265 vs Epix 2: Battery life

Another distinction to be made between the various models is battery life. Unlike Apple, with each subsequent generation Garmin is making healthy gains.

With normal use, all of these watches will last at least two weeks between charges. This increases to 23 days in the case of the Forerunner 965.

With GPS enabled, the 265 and 265s have a battery life of about a day. The 965 takes this up to 31 hours and the Epix 2 to 42 hours. Power Modes and customizable in-activity battery settings are also available on the watches. The functionality gives you more control over how much battery power is consumed by the watch’s various functions. But Epix 2 is the only one that comes with customisable in-activity battery settings.

None of these options are solar-powered. For this, you’ll need to opt for a device in the Fenix 7 range, Forerunner 955, or another Garmin watch.

Here’s a table illustrating the battery differences for the Forerunner 965, 265 and Epix 2.

Garmin Forerunner 965 vs 265 vs Epix 2: Functionality

Despite being designed for different use cases, these two series have several similarities. First and foremost, both the Forerunner and Epix 2 watches feature built-in satellite technology that allows users to accurately track their location, speed, and distance traveled. They also have fitness tracking features such as heart rate monitoring, step counting, blood oxygen and sleep tracking. And let’s not forget the advanced performance metrics and support for a wide range of activities. Smart notifications are also supported by the watches, allowing users to receive alerts for incoming calls, texts, and other notifications directly on their wrist.

So let’s not waste much time and dive right into the differences.

Epix 2 doesn’t have all the features of the Forerunner 965

Multi-frequency positioning for all versions of the watch

Given that the 965 was released after Epix 2, it comes with some extras. For starters, only the Sapphire edition of Epix comes with support for multi-frequency positioning. This means you have an extra satellite connectivity option on the 965 (and 265), which ensures a more accurate signal as compared to the vanilla Epix 2 version. Securing a satellite connection is also quicker.

Wrist-based running dynamics

Most Garmin watches already include cadence and stride length. However, the 265 and 965 can track some additional running dynamics metrics from the wrist, including ground contact time, vertical oscillation, real-time stride length, and real-time steps per minute.

Epix 2 supports running dynamics only when paired with the Running Dynamics Pod or a compatible heart rate chest strap. But support from the wrist will be coming via a future firmware update.

Short-term and medium-term Load Ratio

You can track the ratio of short-term load to medium-term load on the Forerunner 965. By training at a well-balanced ratio, you can maintain your health and prevent performance stagnation. This is another software-based update that will come soon to the Epix 2.

Jet Lag Advisor

This is a feature that is available on Epix 2 but not on the Forerunners. Jet Lag Advisor helps you adjust to airplane flight effects and different time zones. The app and watch widget will inform you of the amount of jet lag you can expect. It will also advise you on your sleep needs and how to ease back into working out.

Features missing from the Forerunner 265

In addition to Load Ratio and Jet Lag Advisor, the Forerunner 265 also lacks a few other features.

Heat and altitude acclimation

A feature that can be found on the 965 and Epix 2 but not on the 265 is head and altitude acclimation. High temperatures and altitude have an impact on your training and performance. This is taken into account by the watch when calculating VO2Max and Training Status figures. The weather data used for the figures is obtained from your connected smartphone.

Real-time Stamina

The Real-time Stamina feature was introduced in 2022 with the unveiling of the Fenix 7 and Epix 2. Its goal is to assist users in managing exertion during running or biking activities. The goal is to avoid exhaustion before reaching the finish line. It’s a nice-to-have rather than a necessity. But it is something that is missing from the 265.

ClimbPro function

This feature allows runners and cyclists who train and compete in mountainous terrain to be more aware of their surroundings. It displays the grade, distance and elevation gain of each upcoming ascent, helping you gauge your effort over the remainder of your climb.

Maps

The 965 and Epix 2 include a slew of mapping and navigation features. Around Me mode, ClimbPro Ascent Planner, preloaded topographical maps, preloaded road and trail maps, and downloadable cartography support are all included.

To that end, the 965 and Epix 2 (Sapphire edition) have 32GB of memory, which is four times the 8GB found on the 265. These features will be useful for those who enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities. They will, however, make no difference to others.

Support for Golf and more

Finally, the 955 and Epix 2 come with a bunch of features to do with golf. The 265 doesn’t have much to support this sport. It also lacks a few activity profiles that can be found on the other two, along with some safety features.

The table below shows how the three devices compare in terms of functionality.

Garmin Forerunner 965 vs 265 vs Epix 2: Bottom line

Whichever of these three watches you choose, you can be confident that you are purchasing the best sports-tech available today. The 265, like its predecessor, is primarily aimed at runners. But now you get a snazzy AMOLED display and some extras such as Training Readiness and wrist-based running dynamics.

The 965 is a more feature-rich variant of the same. It starts at $600 and packs some performance stats that its lower-spec sibling lacks. Heat and altitude acclimation, real-time stamina, and a ClimbPro function are all included. It also comes with rich map support, more sports profiles (including golf), and slightly longer battery life.

If you don’t anticipate using most of these extra features, the 265 is an appealing option at $450. It is also the best option if you have small wrists because it comes in a variety of sizes. The 965 is for those who want pretty much all of the awesome functionality that Garmin currently has to offer.

As far as Epix 2, no doubt the 965 will eat into its sales. Starting at $900, it now looks expensive. It does offer a better build but little beyond that as compared to the high-end Forerunner. Plus it has a smaller display and is thicker than the 965.

You can buy Epix 2 on Amazon (link: Epix 2). It can also be picked up on Garmin’s website, along with the Forerunner 965 and 265.

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