Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Garmin Forerunner 965: The Ultimate Showdown | Image Source: www.bestproducts.com
NEW YORK, 09 March 2025 – In today’s technology world, smart watches are more than accessories – they are essential tools for physical fitness monitoring, communication and even health surveillance. Two of the most talked about market wear at this time are the Apple Watch Series 10 and the Garmin Forerunner 965. But with the two brands that claim to offer the best experience, who really deserves a place on your wrist?
Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Garmin Forerunner 965: What does Them Apart establish?
Apple and Garmin have adopted very different approaches to smart watches. While the Apple ecosystem favours a perfect user experience and smart features, Garmin focuses on deep monitoring of the capacity and duration of the long battery. This fundamental difference makes a choice between the two a question of lifestyle preferences.
Design and visualization: Sleek vs Sporty
The Apple Watch Series 10 is all about elegance. With its thinner design and a vibrant OLED screen, it feels like an extension of your iPhone. The soft touch screen, customizable watch faces and a variety of elegant stripes make it a versatile option for everyday wear. Meanwhile, the Garmin Forerunner 965 takes a robust approach. With a 1.4-inch AMOLED display, a fiber reinforced polymer and a ceramic bezel, it is built to support intense training and outdoor adventures.
Battery life: a clear winner
One of the biggest pain points for Apple Watch users has always been battery life. Series 10 lasts between 18 and 36 hours, meaning that the daily load is inevitable. On the other hand, the Garmin Forerunner 965 features an incredible 23-day smartphone battery, making it a clear winner for those who prefer less frequent charging.
Health and fitness characteristics: Who follows best?
Apple takes a more holistic approach to health surveillance. The Vitals application provides real-time information on heart rate, wrist temperature and sleep quality, while its cycle monitoring functions even help predict ovulation. Apple Watch is ideal for general fitness enthusiasts who want a mix of wellness tools and smart features.
On the other hand, the Garmin Forerunner 965 is built for serious athletes. It tracks heart rate variability (HRV), max VO2, resistance levels and provides AI-guided training plans. The Garmin Connect in-depth application offers a performance analysis that can help users optimize their training. Garmin also gains in sleep tracking, providing detailed analysis of the REM cycle and a Body Battery score that helps users manage their energy level.
Smart Features: Apples
While Garmin stands out in fitness monitoring, Apple dominates smart functions. Series 10 supports text integration, called Apple Pay, Siri and App Store, which makes it feel like a miniature iPhone on the wrist. Garmin, on the other hand, has limited intelligent features. Although it allows users to receive notifications, it lacks the ability to respond to messages and has fewer application integrations.
GPS and navigation: Garmin Take the lead
For outdoor enthusiasts, GPS tracking is crucial. Garmin’s multiband GNSS (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo) ensures precise positioning even in dense forests or urban environments. In addition, the Forerunner 965 has an incident detection system that alerts emergency contacts in the event of an accident.
Apple GPS tracking is reliable for daily use but lacks advanced precision of Garmin multiband system. However, Series 10 offers the detection of falls and emergency SOS, which can be called automatically to help if the user experiences a hard fall or car accident.
What smart watch should you buy?
The choice between Apple Watch Series 10 and Garmin Forerunner 965 is reduced to priorities. If you want an elegant smart watch, all in one with advanced smart features, Apple Watch is the best choice. However, if you are an outdoor athlete or adventurer looking for a sustainable fitness partner, the Garmin Forerunner 965 is the best option.
Frequently asked questions
Can you make calls and send texts with both watches?
Apple Watch Series 10 supports call notifications, SMS and apps. Garmin Forerunner 965 receives calls and messages, but does not allow users to respond.
Which watch has better battery life?
Garmin gains in battery life, up to 23 days in smartwatch mode, while Apple Watch Series 10 requires a daily charge.
Is Garmin or Apple better for fitness tracking?
Garmin offers more detailed fitness measures for serious athletes, including VO2 max, resistance monitoring and AI training. Apple Watch best suits casual users who want basic health surveillance and smartwatch functionality.
Which smartwatch is more affordable?
The Apple Watch Series 10 typically costs between $300 and $400, while the Garmin Forerunner 965 is worth about $600, making it the most expensive option.
In the end, the two watches serve different users. Choose Apple Watch if you want an elegant and smart style, and go through the Garmin if you are focused on fitness and outdoor monitoring.
