Garmin introduced the new Forerunner 965 and Forerunner 265 smartwatches with one major improvement – the screens are now AMOLED, moving away from the transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) solution. According to the official numbers, the 900-series flagship could live 23 days on a single charge, while the 200-series should offer up to 15 days.
The Garmin Forerunner 965 is targeted toward elite athletes. The new type of display is just one of the changes; other features include a new titanium bezel, a slightly thinner body and a 1.4” (35.4 mm) screen. Standalone GPS, detailed heart rate and specific features such as Run Power Zones and Training Readiness.
The AMOLED display will now allow for colorful maps, which is an improvement, albeit minuscule in real-life training scenarios.
Garmin Forerunner 265 also comes with an AMOLED display, but is targeted at more casual runners. It comes in two sizes – 42mm and 46mm, with the larger one promising a longer battery life of two weeks. This device still offers SpO2 and VO2Max calculations and measurements, but some software features available in the 965 remain off the table.
The Garmin Forerunner 965 is priced at $600 in three color combinations, while the Forerunner 265 costs $450. Both can be purchased today, but shipping will commence in 5-8 weeks.
