Garmin showdown: Venu 3 vs Forerunner 965 vs Forerunner 265

Garmin’s wearable tech lineup has been going from strength to strength. Each year, the company unveils new devices, and 2023 is no exception. The recent additions to the Forerunner series— the 965 and 265/265s—alongside the Venu 3, have stirred the pot, offering a range of features that cater to various needs. This article aims to dissect the intricacies of these three devices. Read on for a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.

Broadly speaking, the Forerunner series is synonymous with high performance, targeting serious athletes and fitness-conscious individuals. On the other hand, the Venu 3 aims to strike a balance between lifestyle and fitness. It serves as Garmin’s answer to competitors such as the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch.

With overlapping features and distinct advantages, choosing among Garmin devices can be a daunting task. Let’s delve into the specifics.

All three devices are available on Garmin’s website. You can also pick them up on Amazon (Venu 3, Forerunner 965, Forerunner 265).

Jump to:

Hardware & design
Technical specs
Battery life
Functionality
The bottom line

Garmin Venu 3 vs Forerunner 965 vs 265: Hardware & design

Look & feel

When it comes to look and feel, each of these Garmin devices offers a unique aesthetic that aligns with its intended user base. The Forerunner 965, with its 47.1 x 47.1 x 13.2 mm dimensions and five physical buttons, is the largest of the bunch. It is designed for those who prefer a more substantial presence on the wrist. The watch packs a 1.4-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 454 x 454 pixels, providing crisp visuals. The case is made of fiber-reinforced polymer, and it’s paired with a silicone strap. This makes it both durable and comfortable for extended wear.

The Forerunner 265 and 265s have a similar design but they are slightly smaller. They offer a choice between a 46mm and 41mm fiber-reinforced case. The display size of the larger edition is 1.3 inches and of the smaller 1.1 inches.

Finally, the Venu 3, adds a touch of elegance with its stainless steel bezel. This makes it suitable for both fitness activities and casual wear. It comes in two sizes: 45 x 45 x 12 mm and 41 x 41 x 12 mm. The screen, once again, is an AMOLED with optional always-on mode. It comes in two resolutions: 454 x 454 pixels for the 1.4 inch and 390 x 390 pixels for the 1.2 inch edition.

All these devices are 5 ATM water-resistant. This makes them versatile choices for those who engage in water sports. The same applies for those who simply don’t want to worry about taking their watch off before a shower.

Under the hood

When it comes to internal specifications, all five models are equipped with a robust set of sensors. These include heart rate monitoring (Elevate 5 on Venu 3,3S), barometric altimeter, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, thermometer, and SpO2. The Venu 3S distinguishes itself with an additional ECG sensor and a skin temperature sensor.

All models share the same connectivity options, supporting Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi. When it comes to satellite connectivity, the Forerunner 265, 265S, and 965 offer multi-frequency positioning for more accurate location tracking. The Venu 3 and Venu 3S, on the other hand, support standard GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO.

Memory storage varies amongst the models. The Venu 3 and Forerunner 265 series offer 8GB of internal storage. In contrast, the Forerunner 965 provides a more generous 32GB, allowing for a larger music library. The watches are also compatible with Garmin Pay.

Technical specs

Here’s a table illustrating the technical specs differences.

Garmin Venu 3 vs Forerunner 965 vs 265: Battery life comparison

The Forerunner 965 leads the pack in battery longevity. It conjures up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and 31 hours in GPS-only GNSS mode. It’s an ideal choice for those who require extended battery life for outdoor activities and sports. When music is in play, the device still offers up to 10.5 hours, making it versatile for various scenarios.

The Forerunner 265 and 265S offer a balanced profile. They dish up to 13 and 15 days in smartwatch mode and 20 and 24 hours in GPS-only GNSS mode.

In contrast, the Venu 3 and Venu 3S are lifestyle-oriented with up to 14 and 10 days in smartwatch mode, respectively. Both offer a battery saver mode that can significantly extend usage.

Garmin Venu 3 vs Forerunner 965 vs Forerunner 265: Functionality

Fitness Tracking

The Garmin Venu 3, Forerunner 965, and Forerunner 265 are first and foremost fitness and sports watches. While they do offer some smartwatch functionalities, they are not designed to be direct competitors to devices like the Apple Watch. Instead, they excel in what they are primarily built for. All three models come with an array of features for fitness enthusiasts, from basic step counting and sleep tracking to advanced performance metrics. Plus you get the addition of skin temperature and ECG on the Venu.

The Forerunner series, in particular, is tailored for serious athletes. It offers a more comprehensive set of analytics, diving deep into various performance metrics that can be crucial for high-level training. On the other hand, the Venu 3 currently stands out for its unique features like Sleep Coach, nap detection, and Jet Lag advisor, which are not yet available on the Forerunner models. However, it’s worth noting that these features are likely to be rolled out to the Forerunner series through future firmware updates, further enhancing their capabilities.

Training, Planning and Analysis Features

It is no surprise, when it comes to training, planning, and analysis features, the Forerunner 965 and Forerunner 265 are the ones to go for. Both models offer a comprehensive set of metrics. Furthermore, Forerunner models offer features like “Heat and Altitude Acclimation,” “VO2 Max for Trail Run,” and “Realtime Stamina,” which are not available on the Venu 3.

And those are just a few example. The exhaustive list of differences can be seen below.

Running Features

In the domain of running features, the Forerunner 965 and 265 are tailored for serious runners, offering a comprehensive suite of advanced metrics not found in the Venu 3. These include “Running Dynamics,” “Vertical Oscillation and Ratio,” and “Stride Length in Real Time,” among others. These metrics provide in-depth insights into running form and efficiency, making the Forerunner models more suitable for those who are keen on optimizing their performance.

The Venu 3, while lacking in these advanced features, still offers basic run profiles like “Running, Treadmill Running, and Indoor Track Running.” It doesn’t provide the same level of granularity in running analytics as the Forerunners, making it more suited for casual runners or those who don’t require extensive data for training.

Furthermore, the Forerunner 965 and 265 models come equipped with dual-band satellite connectivity for more accurate and reliable tracking. This feature is particularly useful for athletes who often find themselves in challenging environments where GPS signals might be weak or obstructed. On the other hand, the Venu 3 offers a more basic GPS connectivity without the dual-band support, making it less reliable for tracking in complex terrains or dense urban areas.

Connectivity, payment and more

The Venu 3 and Forerunner 965 offer superior music storage, integrating seamlessly with Spotify and Deezer. All three models provide smartphone notifications, but the Venu 3 has the added advantage of displaying images from notifications for Android users. Additionally, Venu 3 is the only model that supports Bluetooth calling and voice assistant functionality.

While the Venu 3 offers a balanced set of smartwatch features suitable for everyday use, the Forerunner models are more specialized. They are tailored for serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, focusing on advanced tracking and navigation features. This specialization comes at the expense of some of the smartwatch conveniences found in the Venu 3.

Garmin Venu 3 vs Forerunner 965 vs Forerunner 265: Final thoughts

Navigating Garmin’s latest offerings can be a complex task, given the nuanced differences and overlapping features among them. The Venu 3 is designed for those who seek a balanced, all-arounder that can handle both lifestyle and basic fitness tracking. It stands out for its smartwatch features, including Bluetooth calling and voice assistant capabilities. Plus there’s the ECG and skin temperature tracking.

The Forerunner 265, on the other hand, is more focused on fitness and training. It offers a robust set of features that cater to athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

The 965, priced at $600, is the high-end option, targeting serious athletes who require all the advanced training metrics Garmin has on offer, along with long battery life. It justifies its higher price tag with a comprehensive set of specialized features, including advanced training, planning, and analysis options that are not available in the other two models. The Venu 3 and Forerunner 265, both priced at $450, offer a more budget-friendly set of features.

Essential reading: Best fitness trackers and health gadgets

If you’re looking for a device that offers a balanced set of features for both everyday use and fitness tracking, the Venu 3 is a strong contender. If your focus is more on rigorous training and fitness tracking, the Forerunner 265 offers a compelling package. Particularly for runners. For those who require the pinnacle of athletic tracking and are willing to invest in a premium device, the Forerunner 965 stands in a league of its own.

All three devices are available on Garmin’s website. You can also pick them up on Amazon (Venu 3, Forerunner 965, Forerunner 265).

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