Garmin
Garmin Forerunner 965
2023 · Fitness + health
88
/ 100
From $599
VS
Apple Watch Ultra 3 wins by 7
Apple
Apple Watch Ultra 3
S11 SiP · 49 mm titanium · Satellite
95
/ 100
From $799
Specdex verdict
Apple Watch Ultra 3 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Garmin Forerunner 965 lands at 88 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 at 95. That puts Apple Watch Ultra 3 ahead by 7 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Garmin Forerunner 965 if…
- ✓Multi-day fitness tracking
- ✓GPS + heart rate
- ✓Notification mirroring
Pick Apple Watch Ultra 3 if…
- ✓Satellite connectivity for emergency SOS off-grid
- ✓New blood-pressure trends
- ✓Action Button gets gesture support
Garmin Forerunner 965 88
vs 95 Apple Watch Ultra 3
Score breakdown
Garmin Forerunner 965
88 battery 94
display 88
fitness 88
health 86
durability 86
Apple Watch Ultra 3
95 battery 82
display 96
fitness 96
health 97
durability 96
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 965 | Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2023 | 2025 |
| Chip | — | Apple S11 SiP |
| Display | — | 49 mm LTPO OLED, 3000 nits |
| Battery | — | 48 h (96 h low-power) |
| Water | — | 100 m |
Garmin Forerunner 965
Pros
- +Multi-day fitness tracking
- +GPS + heart rate
- +Notification mirroring
Cons
- −Battery life varies dramatically
- −Companion phone required
- −Screen-on drains battery
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Pros
- +Satellite connectivity for emergency SOS off-grid
- +New blood-pressure trends
- +Action Button gets gesture support
Cons
- −~48 h battery still
- −Expensive
- −Large case
FAQ: Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3
Which is better, Garmin Forerunner 965 or Apple Watch Ultra 3? +
Apple Watch Ultra 3 scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 7. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Garmin Forerunner 965 worth the price? +
At $599, Garmin Forerunner 965 delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in battery.
Is Apple Watch Ultra 3 worth the price? +
At $799, Apple Watch Ultra 3 delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in health.
Does Garmin Forerunner 965 or Apple Watch Ultra 3 last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.