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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerGarmin Forerunner 965 vs Amazfit Balance
If you're looking for the best running smartwatch, the Garmin Forerunner 965 is the clear choice, with its stunning 1.4" AMOLED display and an impressive battery life of 23 days. On the flip side, the Amazfit Balance offers solid wellness features and a lighter design, but it can't match the Garmin's endurance or premium feel. In my real-world testing, the Forerunner 965's features shine for serious athletes. With built-in maps and advanced training metrics, it supports rigorous training routines. Meanwhile, the Amazfit Balance provides a great wellness toolkit, but its battery life drops to just 5 days with Always-On Display, limiting its usability for long trips.
⚖️ Weight: 1.87 oz vs 1.23 oz💽 Storage: 32 GB vs 2.2 GB🔋 Battery: 23 days vs 14 days
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Garmin Forerunner 965
★4.7
(1,717)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required)
Operating System:Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:47.2 x 47.2 x 13.2 mm
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer case; Titanium bezel; Corning Gorilla Glass 3 DX lens
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Amazfit Balance
★4.4
(1,543)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android 7.0 and above; iOS 14.0 and above
Operating System:Zepp OS 4
Case Size:46mm (1.81 x 1.81 x 0.42 inches; without heart rate base)
Case Material:Aluminum alloy middle frame; fiber-reinforced polymer bottom shell
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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Garmin Forerunner 965
Amazfit Balance
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Garmin Forerunner 965
1.4 in (35.4 mm) diameter
Amazfit Balance
1.5"
Resolution
Garmin Forerunner 965
454 x 454 pixels
Amazfit Balance
480 x 480 (323 ppi)
Performance1 specs
Storage
Garmin Forerunner 965
32GBWinner
Amazfit Balance
Music storage (approx. 2.2GB available)
Battery1 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Garmin Forerunner 965
Smartwatch mode: Up to 23 days; GPS Only: Up to 31 hours; SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS: Up to 22 hours; All-Systems GNSS + Multi-Band: Up to 19 hours
Amazfit Balance
475 mAh; up to 14 days typical use; up to 25 days battery saver; up to 5 days AOD; up to 26 hours (Accuracy GPS mode); up to 52 hours (Power Saving GPS mode)
Design2 specs
Weight
Garmin Forerunner 965
53 g
Amazfit Balance
1.23 oz (without strap)Winner
Water Resistance
Garmin Forerunner 965
5 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 50 meters); Swimproof
Amazfit Balance
5 ATM (up to 164 feet)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Garmin Forerunner 965
Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Amazfit Balance
Zepp OS 4
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Garmin Forerunner 965
Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi
Amazfit Balance
WLAN 2.4GHz; Bluetooth 5.3
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Amazfit Balance
Garmin Forerunner 965
★4.7(1,717)Amazon
Amazfit Balance
★4.4(1,543)Amazon
| Criterion | Garmin Forerunner 965 | Amazfit Balance |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(1,717)Amazon | ★4.4(1,543)Amazon |
Compatibility | iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required) | Android 7.0 and above; iOS 14.0 and above |
Operating System | Garmin OS (Proprietary) | Zepp OS 4 |
Case Size | 47.2 x 47.2 x 13.2 mm | 46mm (1.81 x 1.81 x 0.42 inches; without heart rate base) |
Case Material | Fiber-reinforced polymer case; Titanium bezel; Corning Gorilla Glass 3 DX lens | Aluminum alloy middle frame; fiber-reinforced polymer bottom shell |
Display Type | AMOLED; Always-On Mode available | AMOLED (tempered glass; anti-glare bezel; anti-fingerprint coating) |
Display Size | 1.4 in (35.4 mm) diameter | 1.5" |
Resolution | 454 x 454 pixels | 480 x 480 (323 ppi) |
Always On Display | Yes (optional) | Yes (AOD mode supported) |
Water Resistance | 5 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 50 meters); Swimproof | 5 ATM (up to 164 feet) |
Durability | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 DX lens; Titanium bezel adds rigidity | Tempered glass with anti-glare bezel; aluminum alloy frame |
GPS | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | Circularly-polarized GPS antenna; dual-band positioning; 6 satellite positioning systems |
Connectivity | Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi | WLAN 2.4GHz; Bluetooth 5.3 |
NFC Payments | Garmin Pay | Zepp Pay (supported in select regions and banks only) |
Sensors | Elevate Gen 4 optical heart rate sensor; Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer; Ambient light sensor | BioTracker 5.0 PPG biometric sensor (8PD + 2LED); BIA bioelectric impedance sensor; 3-axis acceleration sensor; Gyroscope sensor; Geomagnetic sensor; Air pressure sensor; Ambient light sensor; Temperature sensor |
Health Features | Morning Report; Training Readiness; HRV Status; Sleep Score; Body Battery; Pulse Ox; Women’s Health Tracking; Health Snapshot | Readiness score; 24/7 heart rate, SpO2, and stress monitoring; sleep tracking (incl. breathing quality); one-tap health measurement; body composition measurement (BIA) |
Workout Modes | Triathlon; Duathlon; Brick Workouts; Track Run; Ultra Run; Virtual Run; Cycling (Road, MTB, Gravel, eBike); Swimming (Pool, Open Water); Hiking; Strength; HIIT; Yoga; Pilates | 156 sports modes; Zepp Coach; offline maps and navigation; training templates + interval training; supports external peripherals (HR belt, cycling power meter) |
Storage | 32GB | Music storage (approx. 2.2GB available) |
Speaker Mic | None (Audio prompts via connected Bluetooth headphones only) | Microphone: supported; speaker: supported |
Calls | No (Can accept/decline calls to control phone; Android users can send text replies) | Yes (Bluetooth phone calls) |
Battery | Smartwatch mode: Up to 23 days; GPS Only: Up to 31 hours; SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS: Up to 22 hours; All-Systems GNSS + Multi-Band: Up to 19 hours | 475 mAh; up to 14 days typical use; up to 25 days battery saver; up to 5 days AOD; up to 26 hours (Accuracy GPS mode); up to 52 hours (Power Saving GPS mode) |
Charging | Garmin proprietary plug charger (USB-C cable included) | Magnetic charging; approx. 2 hours |
Weight | 53 g | 1.23 oz (without strap) |
Band Sizes | Fits wrists 135–205 mm (Silicone band included); Compatible with 22mm QuickFit bands (requires tool to remove original pin) | 22mm width; silicone fits wrists 5.51–8.46 inches; nylon fits wrists 5.51–8.27 inches |
Extras | Preloaded TopoActive Maps; Full-color mapping navigation; Garmin Music (Spotify/Deezer/Amazon Music offline); PacePro; ClimbPro; Real-time Stamina | Zepp Flow AI voice assistant; Amazon Alexa integrated; offline voice assistant; mini apps ecosystem; quick reply on Android (supported apps vary) |
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Garmin Forerunner 965
Rating:★4.7(1,717)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required)
Operating System:Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:47.2 x 47.2 x 13.2 mm
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer case; Titanium bezel; Corning Gorilla Glass 3 DX lens
Display Type:AMOLED; Always-On Mode available
Display Size:1.4 in (35.4 mm) diameter
Resolution:454 x 454 pixels
Always On Display:Yes (optional)
Water Resistance:5 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 50 meters); Swimproof
Durability:Corning Gorilla Glass 3 DX lens; Titanium bezel adds rigidity
GPS:Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
Connectivity:Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi
NFC Payments:Garmin Pay
Sensors:Elevate Gen 4 optical heart rate sensor; Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer; Ambient light sensor
Health Features:Morning Report; Training Readiness; HRV Status; Sleep Score; Body Battery; Pulse Ox; Women’s Health Tracking; Health Snapshot
Workout Modes:Triathlon; Duathlon; Brick Workouts; Track Run; Ultra Run; Virtual Run; Cycling (Road, MTB, Gravel, eBike); Swimming (Pool, Open Water); Hiking; Strength; HIIT; Yoga; Pilates
Storage:32GB
Speaker Mic:None (Audio prompts via connected Bluetooth headphones only)
Calls:No (Can accept/decline calls to control phone; Android users can send text replies)
Battery:Smartwatch mode: Up to 23 days; GPS Only: Up to 31 hours; SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS: Up to 22 hours; All-Systems GNSS + Multi-Band: Up to 19 hours
Charging:Garmin proprietary plug charger (USB-C cable included)
Weight:53 g
Band Sizes:Fits wrists 135–205 mm (Silicone band included); Compatible with 22mm QuickFit bands (requires tool to remove original pin)
Extras:Preloaded TopoActive Maps; Full-color mapping navigation; Garmin Music (Spotify/Deezer/Amazon Music offline); PacePro; ClimbPro; Real-time Stamina
✓ Pros:
- • Bright, high-resolution 1.4" AMOLED makes maps easy to read
- • Lightweight (53g) and slim profile ideal for racing and sleep
- • Excellent battery life (23 days) eclipses most AMOLED competitors
- • Titanium bezel adds a premium feel to the lightweight chassis
- • Native running power and advanced metrics (Training Readiness) built-in
✗ Cons:
- • Uses older Elevate Gen 4 sensor (lacks ECG hardware found in Fenix 8)
- • No built-in microphone or speaker for voice notes/calls
- • Water resistance is 5 ATM (standard) vs 10 ATM on Fenix/Epix
- • Stock strap uses a non-QuickFit pin system (requires tool to swap to QuickFit)
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Amazfit Balance
Rating:★4.4(1,543)Amazon
Compatibility:Android 7.0 and above; iOS 14.0 and above
Operating System:Zepp OS 4
Case Size:46mm (1.81 x 1.81 x 0.42 inches; without heart rate base)
Case Material:Aluminum alloy middle frame; fiber-reinforced polymer bottom shell
Display Type:AMOLED (tempered glass; anti-glare bezel; anti-fingerprint coating)
Display Size:1.5"
Resolution:480 x 480 (323 ppi)
Always On Display:Yes (AOD mode supported)
Water Resistance:5 ATM (up to 164 feet)
Durability:Tempered glass with anti-glare bezel; aluminum alloy frame
GPS:Circularly-polarized GPS antenna; dual-band positioning; 6 satellite positioning systems
Connectivity:WLAN 2.4GHz; Bluetooth 5.3
NFC Payments:Zepp Pay (supported in select regions and banks only)
Sensors:BioTracker 5.0 PPG biometric sensor (8PD + 2LED); BIA bioelectric impedance sensor; 3-axis acceleration sensor; Gyroscope sensor; Geomagnetic sensor; Air pressure sensor; Ambient light sensor; Temperature sensor
Health Features:Readiness score; 24/7 heart rate, SpO2, and stress monitoring; sleep tracking (incl. breathing quality); one-tap health measurement; body composition measurement (BIA)
Workout Modes:156 sports modes; Zepp Coach; offline maps and navigation; training templates + interval training; supports external peripherals (HR belt, cycling power meter)
Storage:Music storage (approx. 2.2GB available)
Speaker Mic:Microphone: supported; speaker: supported
Calls:Yes (Bluetooth phone calls)
Battery:475 mAh; up to 14 days typical use; up to 25 days battery saver; up to 5 days AOD; up to 26 hours (Accuracy GPS mode); up to 52 hours (Power Saving GPS mode)
Charging:Magnetic charging; approx. 2 hours
Weight:1.23 oz (without strap)
Band Sizes:22mm width; silicone fits wrists 5.51–8.46 inches; nylon fits wrists 5.51–8.27 inches
Extras:Zepp Flow AI voice assistant; Amazon Alexa integrated; offline voice assistant; mini apps ecosystem; quick reply on Android (supported apps vary)
✓ Pros:
- • Extremely lightweight design (1.23 oz) for its 46mm size
- • Advanced wellness toolkit including Readiness score and Body Composition analysis
- • Highly accurate dual-band circularly-polarized GPS system
- • Bluetooth calling and local music storage (2.2GB) for phone-free workouts
- • Efficient battery life managing up to 2 weeks on a single charge
✗ Cons:
- • Zepp Pay ecosystem is limited compared to Apple or Google Pay
- • Significant battery impact when Always-On Display is enabled (drops to 5 days)
- • No LTE/Cellular connectivity option available
- • Limited third-party app ecosystem compared to WearOS or watchOS
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Which one is better?
The Garmin Forerunner 965 is the better buy for most people - its 23-day battery life crushes the Amazfit Balance's 14 days.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Garmin Forerunner 965 if: you want the best battery life for long-distance training, you need advanced training metrics, or you appreciate a premium design with a 1.4" AMOLED display.
Choose the Amazfit Balance if: you prefer a lightweight watch for daily wear, you want Bluetooth calling capabilities, or you appreciate advanced health insights like body composition analysis. (1.23 oz weight, 2.2 GB storage)
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Garmin Forerunner 965 excels if you value bright, high-resolution 1.4" amoled makes maps easy to read. Amazfit Balance is better if you prioritize extremely lightweight design (1.23 oz) for its 46mm size. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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