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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerGarmin Forerunner 965 vs Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm)
Time to compare Garmin Forerunner 965 with Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm). We will cover the essentials so you can buy with confidence.
Ratings: 4.7★ vs 4.4★
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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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Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm)
★4.4
(1,794)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android 10.0 or newer (requires Google Account and Pixel Watch app); Not compatible with iOS
Operating System:Wear OS 5.0
Case Size:45mm diameter x 12.3mm height
Case Material:100% recycled aluminum housing; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5
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Comparison: Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm)
Garmin Forerunner 965
★4.7(1,717)Amazon
Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm)
★4.4(1,794)Amazon
| Criterion | Garmin Forerunner 965 | Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(1,717)Amazon | ★4.4(1,794)Amazon |
Compatibility | iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required) | Android 10.0 or newer (requires Google Account and Pixel Watch app); Not compatible with iOS |
Operating System | Garmin OS (Proprietary) | Wear OS 5.0 |
Case Size | 47.2 x 47.2 x 13.2 mm | 45mm diameter x 12.3mm height |
Case Material | Fiber-reinforced polymer case; Titanium bezel; Corning Gorilla Glass 3 DX lens | 100% recycled aluminum housing; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
Display Type | AMOLED; Always-On Mode available | Actua Display (AMOLED LTPO); 1–60Hz responsive refresh rate; Peak brightness 2000 nits; Minimum 1 nit |
Display Size | 1.4 in (35.4 mm) diameter | 1.4 in (approx. 40% more screen area than Pixel Watch 2) |
Resolution | 454 x 454 pixels | 456 x 456 pixels (320 ppi); DCI-P3 color |
Always On Display | Yes (optional) | Yes |
Water Resistance | 5 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 50 meters); Swimproof | 5 ATM (ISO 22810:2010); IP68 (Dust and water resistant) |
Durability | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 DX lens; Titanium bezel adds rigidity | IP68 dust and water resistance rating; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
GPS | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS |
Connectivity | Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi | 4G LTE (optional); Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 2.4GHz + 5GHz; Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; Ultra-Wideband (UWB) |
NFC Payments | Garmin Pay | Google Wallet |
Sensors | Elevate Gen 4 optical heart rate sensor; Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer; Ambient light sensor | Compass; Altimeter; Red and infrared sensors for oxygen saturation (SpO2); Multipurpose electrical sensors (ECG); Multi-path optical heart rate sensor; 3-axis accelerometer; Gyroscope; Ambient light sensor; cEDA sensor (stress); Skin temperature sensor; Ultra-Wideband |
Health Features | Morning Report; Training Readiness; HRV Status; Sleep Score; Body Battery; Pulse Ox; Women’s Health Tracking; Health Snapshot | Loss of Pulse Detection; Daily Readiness; Cardio Load; Target Load; Sleep Profile; ECG app; SpO2; High/low heart rate notifications; Irregular heart rhythm notifications; Skin temperature variations; Body Response (stress detection) |
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 | Advanced Running Form (Cadence, Stride Length, Vertical Oscillation, Ground Contact Time); Custom Runs; Interval Training; 40+ exercise modes including HIIT, Pilates, Strength, Cross-country skiing, and more |
Storage | 32GB | 32GB eMMC flash |
Speaker Mic | None (Audio prompts via connected Bluetooth headphones only) | Built-in speaker; Built-in microphone |
Calls | No (Can accept/decline calls to control phone; Android users can send text replies) | Yes (Bluetooth); LTE models support standalone 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 | 420 mAh (typical); Up to 24 hours (Always-on Display enabled); Up to 36 hours (Battery Saver mode) |
Charging | Garmin proprietary plug charger (USB-C cable included) | USB-C Fast Charging Cable (included); 0–50% in ~28 min; 0–80% in ~50 min; 0–100% in ~80 min |
Weight | 53 g | 37 g (without band) |
Band Sizes | Fits wrists 135–205 mm (Silicone band included); Compatible with 22mm QuickFit bands (requires tool to remove original pin) | Active Band: Small fits 150–185 mm wrists; Large fits 165–215 mm wrists |
Extras | Preloaded TopoActive Maps; Full-color mapping navigation; Garmin Music (Spotify/Deezer/Amazon Music offline); PacePro; ClimbPro; Real-time Stamina | UWB for Watch Unlock and finding devices; Google Home control; Camera Remote for Pixel phones; Offline Google Maps; Recorder app |
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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)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm)
Rating:★4.4(1,794)Amazon
Compatibility:Android 10.0 or newer (requires Google Account and Pixel Watch app); Not compatible with iOS
Operating System:Wear OS 5.0
Case Size:45mm diameter x 12.3mm height
Case Material:100% recycled aluminum housing; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Display Type:Actua Display (AMOLED LTPO); 1–60Hz responsive refresh rate; Peak brightness 2000 nits; Minimum 1 nit
Display Size:1.4 in (approx. 40% more screen area than Pixel Watch 2)
Resolution:456 x 456 pixels (320 ppi); DCI-P3 color
Always On Display:Yes
Water Resistance:5 ATM (ISO 22810:2010); IP68 (Dust and water resistant)
Durability:IP68 dust and water resistance rating; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5
GPS:GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS
Connectivity:4G LTE (optional); Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 2.4GHz + 5GHz; Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; Ultra-Wideband (UWB)
NFC Payments:Google Wallet
Sensors:Compass; Altimeter; Red and infrared sensors for oxygen saturation (SpO2); Multipurpose electrical sensors (ECG); Multi-path optical heart rate sensor; 3-axis accelerometer; Gyroscope; Ambient light sensor; cEDA sensor (stress); Skin temperature sensor; Ultra-Wideband
Health Features:Loss of Pulse Detection; Daily Readiness; Cardio Load; Target Load; Sleep Profile; ECG app; SpO2; High/low heart rate notifications; Irregular heart rhythm notifications; Skin temperature variations; Body Response (stress detection)
Workout Modes:Advanced Running Form (Cadence, Stride Length, Vertical Oscillation, Ground Contact Time); Custom Runs; Interval Training; 40+ exercise modes including HIIT, Pilates, Strength, Cross-country skiing, and more
Storage:32GB eMMC flash
Speaker Mic:Built-in speaker; Built-in microphone
Calls:Yes (Bluetooth); LTE models support standalone calls
Battery:420 mAh (typical); Up to 24 hours (Always-on Display enabled); Up to 36 hours (Battery Saver mode)
Charging:USB-C Fast Charging Cable (included); 0–50% in ~28 min; 0–80% in ~50 min; 0–100% in ~80 min
Weight:37 g (without band)
Band Sizes:Active Band: Small fits 150–185 mm wrists; Large fits 165–215 mm wrists
Extras:UWB for Watch Unlock and finding devices; Google Home control; Camera Remote for Pixel phones; Offline Google Maps; Recorder app
✓ Pros:
- • Significantly larger and brighter display (2000 nits) than predecessors
- • Advanced running metrics (stride, oscillation) without external pods
- • Unique 'Loss of Pulse Detection' safety feature (first-of-kind)
- • Deepest integration with Google ecosystem (Nest, Maps, Pixel Camera)
- • Fast charging helps offset the 24-hour daily battery cycle
✗ Cons:
- • Battery life rated for only 24h with AOD (daily charging required)
- • Strictly incompatible with iPhone (Android 10+ only)
- • Some advanced health insights require Fitbit Premium subscription
- • Uses proprietary charging pin connection (not standard Qi wireless)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Which one is better?
Overall, Garmin Forerunner 965 delivers better satisfaction. Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) is still a quality option with specific strengths worth considering.
Who should buy each?
Choose Garmin Forerunner 965 if:
- You want Bright, high-resolution 1.4" AMOLED makes maps easy to read, Lightweight (53g) and slim profile ideal for racing and sleep
- Rating: 4.7★ (1717 reviews)
Choose Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) if:
- You prefer Significantly larger and brighter display (2000 nits) than predecessors, Advanced running metrics (stride, oscillation) without external pods
- Rating: 4.4★ (1794 reviews)
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
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. Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) is better if you prioritize significantly larger and brighter display (2000 nits) than predecessors. 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.
Affiliate disclosure
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