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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerGarmin Forerunner 965 vs OnePlus Watch 2
The Garmin Forerunner 965 is the flagship option here, packing a remarkable 23-day battery life that crushes the OnePlus Watch 2's 100 hours. While the OnePlus boasts a vibrant 1.43" AMOLED display, the Garmin's 1.4" version is still top-notch for reading maps and stats during workouts. In real-world usage, the Forerunner 965's advanced training metrics give serious runners a competitive edge, while the OnePlus Watch 2 is built for those who want a stylish smartwatch with impressive battery life. However, if you need extensive workout modes, the OnePlus can handle over 100 activities, whereas Garmin offers about 30+ focused on serious training.
⚖️ Weight: 1.87 oz vs 1.73 oz🏷️ Battery Life: 23 days vs 100 hours🏷️ Workout Modes: 30+ vs 100+
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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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OnePlus Watch 2
★4.6
(538)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android 8.0+ only (requires GMS 23.45.23+); iOS and Android Go edition NOT supported
Operating System:Wear OS 4 + RTOS (Dual-Engine Architecture)
Case Size:47mm (47.0 x 46.6 x 12.1 mm / 1.85 x 1.83 x 0.47 in)
Case Material:Chassis: Stainless steel; Bottom: Plastic (PC/PC+glass fiber); Cover: 2.5D Sapphire Crystal
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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
OnePlus Watch 2
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Garmin Forerunner 965
1.4 in (35.4 mm) diameter
OnePlus Watch 2
1.43 in (3.63 cm)
Resolution
Garmin Forerunner 965
454 x 454 pixels
OnePlus Watch 2
466 x 466 pixels (326 ppi); 600 nits default brightness
Performance1 specs
Storage
Garmin Forerunner 965
32GB
OnePlus Watch 2
32 GB ROM + 2 GB RAM (Approx. 4GB reserved for RTOS)
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
OnePlus Watch 2
500 mAh; Up to 100 hours (Smart Mode); Up to 48 hours (Heavy Use); Up to 12 days (Power Saver Mode)
Design2 specs
Weight
Garmin Forerunner 965
53 g
OnePlus Watch 2
49 g (Watch only) / 80 g (with Fluororubber strap)Winner
Water Resistance
Garmin Forerunner 965
5 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 50 meters); Swimproof
OnePlus Watch 2
5 ATM (50 m) + IP68 (1.5m for 30 min)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Garmin Forerunner 965
Garmin OS (Proprietary)
OnePlus Watch 2
Wear OS 4 + RTOS (Dual-Engine Architecture)
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Garmin Forerunner 965
Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi
OnePlus Watch 2
Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz/5GHz (802.11 a/b/g/n)
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Garmin Forerunner 965 vs OnePlus Watch 2
Garmin Forerunner 965
★4.7(1,717)Amazon
OnePlus Watch 2
★4.6(538)Amazon
| Criterion | Garmin Forerunner 965 | OnePlus Watch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(1,717)Amazon | ★4.6(538)Amazon |
Compatibility | iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required) | Android 8.0+ only (requires GMS 23.45.23+); iOS and Android Go edition NOT supported |
Operating System | Garmin OS (Proprietary) | Wear OS 4 + RTOS (Dual-Engine Architecture) |
Case Size | 47.2 x 47.2 x 13.2 mm | 47mm (47.0 x 46.6 x 12.1 mm / 1.85 x 1.83 x 0.47 in) |
Case Material | Fiber-reinforced polymer case; Titanium bezel; Corning Gorilla Glass 3 DX lens | Chassis: Stainless steel; Bottom: Plastic (PC/PC+glass fiber); Cover: 2.5D Sapphire Crystal |
Display Type | AMOLED; Always-On Mode available | AMOLED touchscreen |
Display Size | 1.4 in (35.4 mm) diameter | 1.43 in (3.63 cm) |
Resolution | 454 x 454 pixels | 466 x 466 pixels (326 ppi); 600 nits default brightness |
Always On Display | Yes (optional) | Yes |
Water Resistance | 5 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 50 meters); Swimproof | 5 ATM (50 m) + IP68 (1.5m for 30 min) |
Durability | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 DX lens; Titanium bezel adds rigidity | MIL-STD-810H certified; Sapphire crystal face; Operating temp: -20°C to 55°C |
GPS | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | Dual-frequency L1 + L5; Beidou, GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS |
Connectivity | Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi | Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz/5GHz (802.11 a/b/g/n) |
NFC Payments | Garmin Pay | Yes (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 | Optical heart rate; optical pulse oximeter (SpO2); accelerometer; gyroscope; geomagnetic sensor; light sensor; barometer |
Health Features | Morning Report; Training Readiness; HRV Status; Sleep Score; Body Battery; Pulse Ox; Women’s Health Tracking; Health Snapshot | Sleep tracking (stages, score, snoring risk); OHealth breathing training; stress monitoring; heart rate (high/low alerts, resting); blood oxygen (SpO2) |
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 | 100+ sports modes; 6 auto-detection modes (running, walking, cycling, swimming, rowing, elliptical); professional analysis for running, tennis, skiing |
Storage | 32GB | 32 GB ROM + 2 GB RAM (Approx. 4GB reserved for RTOS) |
Speaker Mic | None (Audio prompts via connected Bluetooth headphones only) | Yes (Built-in speaker and microphone) |
Calls | No (Can accept/decline calls to control phone; Android users can send text replies) | Yes (Bluetooth calling supported in Smart and Power Saver modes) |
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 | 500 mAh; Up to 100 hours (Smart Mode); Up to 48 hours (Heavy Use); Up to 12 days (Power Saver Mode) |
Charging | Garmin proprietary plug charger (USB-C cable included) | VOOC Fast Charging (7.5W); 100% in 60 mins; 1 day power in 10 mins |
Weight | 53 g | 49 g (Watch only) / 80 g (with Fluororubber strap) |
Band Sizes | Fits wrists 135–205 mm (Silicone band included); Compatible with 22mm QuickFit bands (requires tool to remove original pin) | Fits wrist sizes 140–210 mm; standard 22 mm quick-release width |
Extras | Preloaded TopoActive Maps; Full-color mapping navigation; Garmin Music (Spotify/Deezer/Amazon Music offline); PacePro; ClimbPro; Real-time Stamina | Dual-Engine architecture (Snapdragon W5 + BES2700); Google Play Store; Google Maps; Google Assistant; Flashlight; Compass; Media controls |
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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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OnePlus Watch 2
Rating:★4.6(538)Amazon
Compatibility:Android 8.0+ only (requires GMS 23.45.23+); iOS and Android Go edition NOT supported
Operating System:Wear OS 4 + RTOS (Dual-Engine Architecture)
Case Size:47mm (47.0 x 46.6 x 12.1 mm / 1.85 x 1.83 x 0.47 in)
Case Material:Chassis: Stainless steel; Bottom: Plastic (PC/PC+glass fiber); Cover: 2.5D Sapphire Crystal
Display Type:AMOLED touchscreen
Display Size:1.43 in (3.63 cm)
Resolution:466 x 466 pixels (326 ppi); 600 nits default brightness
Always On Display:Yes
Water Resistance:5 ATM (50 m) + IP68 (1.5m for 30 min)
Durability:MIL-STD-810H certified; Sapphire crystal face; Operating temp: -20°C to 55°C
GPS:Dual-frequency L1 + L5; Beidou, GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS
Connectivity:Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz/5GHz (802.11 a/b/g/n)
NFC Payments:Yes (Google Wallet)
Sensors:Optical heart rate; optical pulse oximeter (SpO2); accelerometer; gyroscope; geomagnetic sensor; light sensor; barometer
Health Features:Sleep tracking (stages, score, snoring risk); OHealth breathing training; stress monitoring; heart rate (high/low alerts, resting); blood oxygen (SpO2)
Workout Modes:100+ sports modes; 6 auto-detection modes (running, walking, cycling, swimming, rowing, elliptical); professional analysis for running, tennis, skiing
Storage:32 GB ROM + 2 GB RAM (Approx. 4GB reserved for RTOS)
Speaker Mic:Yes (Built-in speaker and microphone)
Calls:Yes (Bluetooth calling supported in Smart and Power Saver modes)
Battery:500 mAh; Up to 100 hours (Smart Mode); Up to 48 hours (Heavy Use); Up to 12 days (Power Saver Mode)
Charging:VOOC Fast Charging (7.5W); 100% in 60 mins; 1 day power in 10 mins
Weight:49 g (Watch only) / 80 g (with Fluororubber strap)
Band Sizes:Fits wrist sizes 140–210 mm; standard 22 mm quick-release width
Extras:Dual-Engine architecture (Snapdragon W5 + BES2700); Google Play Store; Google Maps; Google Assistant; Flashlight; Compass; Media controls
✓ Pros:
- • Groundbreaking 100-hour battery life for a full-featured Wear OS watch
- • Premium build with stainless steel chassis and sapphire crystal standard
- • Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5) ensures high accuracy in urban environments
- • Fast charging provides a full day's power in just 10 minutes
- • Fluid performance via Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor
✗ Cons:
- • Available in only one large size (47mm), which may not fit small wrists
- • No LTE/Cellular option available
- • Strictly incompatible with iOS (iPhone)
- • Crown rotates but does not function for scrolling menus
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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 OnePlus Watch 2.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Garmin Forerunner 965 if: you’re a serious runner needing advanced training metrics, you want a similar-weight design at 1.87 oz, or you value long battery life up to 23 days.
Choose the OnePlus Watch 2 if: you prefer a premium design with stainless steel, you need over 100 workout modes for diverse activities, or you want a stylish smartwatch with Bluetooth calling features.
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
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. OnePlus Watch 2 is better if you prioritize groundbreaking 100-hour battery life for a full-featured wear os watch. 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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