← Back to Smartwatches
2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerGarmin Forerunner 965 vs Withings ScanWatch Nova
Get the Garmin Forerunner 965 unless you prioritize health metrics in a stylish design. The numbers: 23 days of battery life vs 30 days, and a vibrant 1.4" AMOLED display vs a small monochrome 0.63" screen on the Withings ScanWatch Nova. In real-world use, the Forerunner 965 shines with its full-color maps and advanced training features, perfect for serious athletes. Meanwhile, the ScanWatch Nova offers clinical-grade health monitoring, but its reliance on phone GPS and smaller display could frustrate active users.
⚖️ Weight: 1.87 oz vs 2.22 oz🔋 Battery: 23 days vs 30 days💧 Water Resistance: 5 ATM (50m) vs 10 ATM (100m)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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
Check Amazon Price→
Withings ScanWatch Nova
★4
(268)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone (iOS 15+) and Android (Android 9+)
Operating System:HealthSense™ OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:42mm (42 mm diameter / 1.65 in; 12.8 mm thickness)
Case Material:Case: Polished stainless steel; Bezel: Ceramic and stainless steel (rotating); Glass: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Check Amazon Price→
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
Withings ScanWatch Nova
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Garmin Forerunner 965
1.4 in (35.4 mm) diameter
Withings ScanWatch Nova
0.63 in (digital screen)
Resolution
Garmin Forerunner 965
454 x 454 pixels
Withings ScanWatch Nova
14,504 pixels (282 PPI)
Performance1 specs
Storage
Garmin Forerunner 965
32GB
Withings ScanWatch Nova
Free unlimited online storage; 7 days of data stored on watch
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
Withings ScanWatch Nova
Up to 30 days (Standard use); Rechargeable Lithium-ion
Design2 specs
Weight
Garmin Forerunner 965
53 gWinner
Withings ScanWatch Nova
63 g (2.22 oz) without wristband
Water Resistance
Garmin Forerunner 965
5 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 50 meters); Swimproof
Withings ScanWatch Nova
10 ATM (100 meters)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Garmin Forerunner 965
Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Withings ScanWatch Nova
HealthSense™ OS (Proprietary)
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Garmin Forerunner 965
Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi
Withings ScanWatch Nova
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
+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 Withings ScanWatch Nova
Garmin Forerunner 965
★4.7(1,717)Amazon
Withings ScanWatch Nova
★4(268)Amazon
| Criterion | Garmin Forerunner 965 | Withings ScanWatch Nova |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(1,717)Amazon | ★4(268)Amazon |
Compatibility | iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required) | iPhone (iOS 15+) and Android (Android 9+) |
Operating System | Garmin OS (Proprietary) | HealthSense™ OS (Proprietary) |
Case Size | 47.2 x 47.2 x 13.2 mm | 42mm (42 mm diameter / 1.65 in; 12.8 mm thickness) |
Case Material | Fiber-reinforced polymer case; Titanium bezel; Corning Gorilla Glass 3 DX lens | Case: Polished stainless steel; Bezel: Ceramic and stainless steel (rotating); Glass: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal |
Display Type | AMOLED; Always-On Mode available | Grayscale OLED (0.63 inch) + Analog hands (Hybrid) |
Display Size | 1.4 in (35.4 mm) diameter | 0.63 in (digital screen) |
Resolution | 454 x 454 pixels | 14,504 pixels (282 PPI) |
Always On Display | Yes (optional) | Yes (Analog hands always visible) |
Water Resistance | 5 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 50 meters); Swimproof | 10 ATM (100 meters) |
Durability | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 DX lens; Titanium bezel adds rigidity | Sapphire crystal face; Stainless steel case; Ceramic bezel; 5-year guarantee (region dependent) |
GPS | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | Connected GPS (Requires smartphone connection) |
Connectivity | Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi | Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) |
NFC Payments | Garmin Pay | No (Not supported) |
Sensors | Elevate Gen 4 optical heart rate sensor; Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer; Ambient light sensor | Multi-wavelength PPG (Heart rate/SpO2); TempTech24/7 Module (Body temp); High Dynamic Range Accelerometer; Altimeter; ECG electrodes |
Health Features | Morning Report; Training Readiness; HRV Status; Sleep Score; Body Battery; Pulse Ox; Women’s Health Tracking; Health Snapshot | ECG (AFib detection); Body temperature variation (day/night); Blood oxygen (SpO2); Sleep quality score; Respiratory scan; Heart rate variability (HRV) |
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 | 40+ sports modes; Automatic activity detection (Walking, Running, Swimming, Cycling); Fitness Level (VO2 max estimation) |
Storage | 32GB | Free unlimited online storage; 7 days of data stored on watch |
Speaker Mic | None (Audio prompts via connected Bluetooth headphones only) | No (No built-in speaker or microphone) |
Calls | No (Can accept/decline calls to control phone; Android users can send text replies) | No (Notification alerts only) |
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 | Up to 30 days (Standard use); Rechargeable Lithium-ion |
Charging | Garmin proprietary plug charger (USB-C cable included) | USB-C compatible docking station (approx. 2 hours to 100%) |
Weight | 53 g | 63 g (2.22 oz) without wristband |
Band Sizes | Fits wrists 135–205 mm (Silicone band included); Compatible with 22mm QuickFit bands (requires tool to remove original pin) | Fits wrist sizes (approx. 163–239 mm); Standard 20 mm lug width |
Extras | Preloaded TopoActive Maps; Full-color mapping navigation; Garmin Music (Spotify/Deezer/Amazon Music offline); PacePro; ClimbPro; Real-time Stamina | Luminova hands/indexes; Digital crown for navigation; Stopwatch; Timer; Alarm; Breathwork; Apple Health & Google Fit sync |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. | Check Price on Amazon→ | Check Price on Amazon→ |
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.
Check Price on Amazon→
Withings ScanWatch Nova
Rating:★4(268)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone (iOS 15+) and Android (Android 9+)
Operating System:HealthSense™ OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:42mm (42 mm diameter / 1.65 in; 12.8 mm thickness)
Case Material:Case: Polished stainless steel; Bezel: Ceramic and stainless steel (rotating); Glass: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Display Type:Grayscale OLED (0.63 inch) + Analog hands (Hybrid)
Display Size:0.63 in (digital screen)
Resolution:14,504 pixels (282 PPI)
Always On Display:Yes (Analog hands always visible)
Water Resistance:10 ATM (100 meters)
Durability:Sapphire crystal face; Stainless steel case; Ceramic bezel; 5-year guarantee (region dependent)
GPS:Connected GPS (Requires smartphone connection)
Connectivity:Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
NFC Payments:No (Not supported)
Sensors:Multi-wavelength PPG (Heart rate/SpO2); TempTech24/7 Module (Body temp); High Dynamic Range Accelerometer; Altimeter; ECG electrodes
Health Features:ECG (AFib detection); Body temperature variation (day/night); Blood oxygen (SpO2); Sleep quality score; Respiratory scan; Heart rate variability (HRV)
Workout Modes:40+ sports modes; Automatic activity detection (Walking, Running, Swimming, Cycling); Fitness Level (VO2 max estimation)
Storage:Free unlimited online storage; 7 days of data stored on watch
Speaker Mic:No (No built-in speaker or microphone)
Calls:No (Notification alerts only)
Battery:Up to 30 days (Standard use); Rechargeable Lithium-ion
Charging:USB-C compatible docking station (approx. 2 hours to 100%)
Weight:63 g (2.22 oz) without wristband
Band Sizes:Fits wrist sizes (approx. 163–239 mm); Standard 20 mm lug width
Extras:Luminova hands/indexes; Digital crown for navigation; Stopwatch; Timer; Alarm; Breathwork; Apple Health & Google Fit sync
✓ Pros:
- • Elegant 'diver' aesthetic with ceramic bezel and sapphire glass
- • Clinical-grade health sensors (ECG, SpO2, Temperature) in a non-intrusive form factor
- • Exceptional battery life (30 days) compared to standard smartwatches
- • Water-resistant to 10 ATM (100m), suitable for swimming and snorkeling
- • Distraction-free interface with a small, discreet digital screen
✗ Cons:
- • Small monochrome screen limits notification readability and smart features
- • No built-in GPS (relies on phone connection for tracking routes)
- • No music controls, NFC payments, or third-party apps
- • Heavy on the wrist (63g watch head only) due to steel construction
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Which one is better?
The Garmin Forerunner 965 is the better buy for most people - its stunning 1.4" AMOLED display crushes the Withings ScanWatch Nova's small screen. That said, grab the ScanWatch Nova if you want a sleek design with clinical health features - it's 10 days similar-weight on battery life.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Garmin Forerunner 965 if: you want advanced training metrics, prefer a bright display for navigation, or need a longer battery life. (1.87 oz weight)
Choose the Withings ScanWatch Nova if: you appreciate a luxurious design, want clinical health sensors, or prioritize battery life for less frequent charging. (2.22 oz weight)
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. Withings ScanWatch Nova is better if you prioritize elegant 'diver' aesthetic with ceramic bezel and sapphire glass. 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
PageBen uses Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This supports independent content for US shoppers.