Garmin has officially introduced its new connected running and triathlon watches, the Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 965. Now they benefit from an Amoled display.
The rumors were right. As expected, Garmin introduced two new sports smartwatches this Thursday, the new Garmin Forerunner 265 and Garmin Forerunner 965.
These two new watches are announced less than a year after the launch of the previous models, the Forerunner 255 and Forerunner 955. A relatively short span of time on Garmin’s schedule, as there were three years to wait between the Forerunner 245, released in 2019., and the 2022 Forerunner 255. Understandably, given the rather limited time between both models, the changes are quite limited.
Brighter, sharper displays
In fact, the main difference that this new generation of connected watch brings lies in the screen integrated into the Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 965. Instead of the transflective MIP screen used until now in the Forerunner range, Garmin has integrated AMOLED screens on this occasion. on your two connected watches. A technology that has advantages and disadvantages for sports watches.
As for the advantages, AMOLED will allow for a more defined screen, with a definition of 416 x 416 pixels for the Forerunner 265 (320 pixels per inch), 360 x 360 pixels for the Forerunner 265S (327 dpi) and 454 x 454 pixels for the Forerunner 965 (324 dpi).
For comparison, the Forerunner 255 was limited to a density of 200 pixels per inch. For its part, the Garmin Epix Gen 2, also equipped with an Amoled screen, but in an even more exclusive position, benefits from a 320 dpi resolution. In addition to this definition, AMOLED also allows you to enjoy a much more contrasted screen, with deep blacks and more vivid colors.
However, many athletes prefer transflective MIP technology for two reasons. First, the screen is readable, even in direct sunlight, without the need for a backlight. So this technology requires much less resources and generally allows much better autonomy. Garmin assures, however, that the panel used for its new Forerunner 265 and 965 is “super bright“, however give a measure of lightness.
Functions adapted to the sport
In addition to this Amoled screen, the two new Garmin watches can also be used by touch, in addition to the five traditional physical buttons of the American manufacturer. A feature that was already present in the Forerunner 955, but not in the Forerunner 255.
Of course, both watches take advantage of all the features offered in previous models. They will allow you to measure heart rate during exercise, SpO2 at rest, estimate your fitness level with Body Battery, follow your route with multi-GNSS compatible dual-frequency GPS, estimate your running power in watts, assess your score of “preparation for training(or Workout Prep, previously reserved for the Forerunner 9 range) or to measure your heart rate variability.
They can also take advantage of new measurements right on the wrist, without the need to connect a sensor to their running shoe or lap belt, such as ground contact time. Both watches also benefit from some functions unrelated to sports, such as receiving notifications on the wrist, contactless payment through Garmin Pay or the possibility of installing some third-party applications.
A Forerunner 965 with bigger battery and Stamina mode
As was the case previously with the Forerunner 9 and Forerunner 2 ranges, however, we will find some differences between the two new models.
Unlike the Garmin Forerunner 265, the new Forerunner 965 takes advantage of the map display and the Stamina feature to assess your energy reserves during exercise. The Forerunner 965 also benefits from 32 GB storage, compared to 8 GB on the Forerunner 265. Remember that, until now, only the Forerunner 255 Music allowed you to store music files. This is now the case for the entire range.
Regarding autonomy, Garmin announces up to 13 days for the Forerunner 265 (20 hours in GPS tracking), 15 days for the Forerunner 265S (24 hours in GPS tracking) and 23 days for the Forerunner 965 (31 hours in GPS tracking). .
The 46mm Garmin Forerunner 265 retails for $499.99, as does the 42mm version, the Forerunner 265S. For its part, the Garmin Forerunner 965, a little larger -47 mm- will be offered at 649.99 euros.
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