Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Epix 2

Garmin Forerunner 965 is the latest in the series of Forerunner watches. It was released in March 2023. Epix 2 has been around since January 2022 but makes for a very compelling choice as a smartwatch.

We look at the main features, capabilities, and points of distinction between the Forerunner 965 and Epix 2 general edition smartwatches below.

Smartwatch features covered in this post

Main differences between Forerunner 965 and Epix 2

One of the significant differences between Forerunner 965 and Epix 2 is cost. Epix 2 is costlier than Forerunner 965 by $300.
Forerunner 965 supports multi-band GPS while Epix 2 general edition does not support it. Epix 2 Sapphire edition does support multi-band GPS.
Forerunner 965 has a better battery backup than Epix 2.
Forerunner 965 has higher device storage than Epix 2 general edition watch. However, Forerunner 965 and Epix 2 Sapphire have equivalent device storage.
Forerunner 965 is broader and thinner than Epix 2.
Epix 2 supports Golf and is compatible with Garmin Golf. Forerunner 965 does not have Golf support.

We look at all these points in detail below.

Display

Forerunner 965 has a newer display glass than Epix 2. Both watches come with AMOLED display and support Always-on-display or AOD feature.

We look at the most significant display features of Forerunner 965 and Epix general edition in a side by side comparison

Display specifications	Forerunner 965	Epix 2
Display lens	Corning Gorilla Glass 3 DX	Corning Gorilla Glass
Display type	AMOLED	AMOLED
Display size	1.4″ or 36 mm	1.3″ or 33 mm
Display resolution	454 x 454 pixels	416 x 416 pixels
Pixel density	458 ppi	350 ppi
Color display	Yes	Yes
Touchscreen	Yes	Yes
LED Flashlight	No	No

The difference in display lens is pretty significant and one that you may want to know more about.

Forerunner 965 has a DX coated Corning Gorilla Glass 3 which is equivalent to saying that it has 3rd generation Corning Gorilla Glass with DX coating.

The DX coating of the display screen is an anti-reflective coating. It helps in improving readability under the bright sun. Corning does share some interesting aspects about DX coating.

DX coated screens have:

up to 75% improvement in front surface reflection thereby leading to better display readability
up to 50% improvement in the display contrast ratio

You can read more about the DX coating of Corning on this page.

Forerunner 965 has a better and newer display lens than Epix 2 standard edition.

Physical specifications

Forerunner 965 is a broader and thinner watch. We look at other hardware specifications of both watches below.

Specifications	Forerunner 965	Epix 2
Watch size	47.2 x 47.2 x 13.2 mm	47 x 47 x 14.5 mm
Thickness	13.2 mm	14.5 mm
Watch weight	53 g	53 g
Watch body	Fiber-enforced polymer	Fiber-enforced polymer with steel rear cover
Bezel	Fiber-enforced polymer	Passivated Stainless Steel
Band material	Silicone	Silicone
Band size	22 mm	22 mm
Band options	Silicone	Silicone, Leather, Metal, Fabric
Recommended wrist circumference (silicone band)	135-205 mm	125-208 mm
Device memory	32 GB	16 GB
Water rating	5 ATM	10 ATM
Swimming profile	Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Swimming/Running	Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Swimming/Running
Charging device	Garmin wire charger	Garmin wire charger
NFC app	Garmin Pay	Garmin Pay
GPS	GPS, GLONASS and Galileo	GPS, GLONASS and Galileo
Wireless Connectivity	ANT+, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth	ANT+, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
iOS compatibility	Yes	Yes
Android compatibility	Yes	Yes

Epix 2 has been designed to look fancier. It does have a steel bezel while the Forerunner 965 is entirely made of fiber-enforced polymer.

Epix 2 has a better water resistance of 100 meters while Forerunner 965 has double the storage of Epix 2. Forerunner 965 is broader, yet slimmer.

GPS

Forerunner 965 has a multi-frequency positioning sensor. This sensor enables multi-band GPS capability in Forerunner 965.

Multi-band GPS improves GPS data accuracy. At any point, you can get GPS data from multiple satellites. Multi-band GPS helps in salvaging poor GPS signal situations. Most runners will appreciate the multi-band GPS mode.

Multi-band GPS also causes significant battery drain.

To manage battery in a better way, Garmin has also added the SatIQ technology in Forerunner 965. SatIQ is an intelligent technology.

SatIQ can automatically toggle on or off the multi-band GPS. If the GPS signal is weak, SatIQ will turn on the multi-band GPS mode. As and when the GPS signal quality improves, SatIQ will turn off the multi-band GPS mode and use the simple GPS mode instead.

Combination of multi-band GPS and SatIQ technology in Forerunner 965 leads to better GPS experience than Epix 2 standard edition.

Epix 2 Sapphire, though, supports multi-band GPS and Sat IQ.

Battery

Forerunner 965 has an extended battery life. The smartwatch has been created to be a reliable watch for runners.

But on the GPS modes, it is the Epix 2 that offers longer battery backup.

We compare the battery backup provided by the Forerunner 965 and Epix 2 standard edition watches in different watch modes below.

Watch modes	Forerunner 965	Epix 2
Smartwatch mode	Up to 23 days	Up to 16 days (6 days always-on)
GPS mode without music	Up to 31 hours	Up to 42 hours (30 hours always-on )
All Satellite Systems	Up to 24 hours	Up to 32 hours (24 hours always-on)
All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band	Up to 19 hours	Multi-band not available
GPS-Only GNSS mode with music	Up to 10.5 hours	Up to 10 hours (9 hours always-on)
SatIQ AutoSelect GNSS Mode without Music	Up to 22 hours	SatIQ not available
SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS Mode with Music	Up to 9.5 hours	SatIQ not available

The backup offered by Forerunner 965 is closer to Epix 2 battery backup on the various GPS modes. There is not a clear winner between Forerunner 965 and Epix 2 for battery backup.

The difference in battery backup offered by Forerunner 965 and Epix 2 is insignificant. Both watches are designed to keep the battery in good health for an extended time duration.

Miscellaneous features

There are a few features that merit consideration between the Forerunner 965 and Epix 2 standard edition.

Forerunner 965 has the safety feature of spectator messaging. With spectator messaging, your followers can send you audio or text messages through the paired smartphone’s connection.
Epix 2 has additional profiles in outdoor recreation.
Epix 2 has additional profiles for cycling.
Epix 2 has a jet lag indicator feature.

Costs

Epix 2 standard edition costs $899.99 and Epix 2 Sapphire edition comes for $999.9. Forerunner 965 comes at a list price of $599.99.

Final verdict

There can be no better watch than Forerunner 965 for runners. And, there are reasons why we say this:

AMOLED display
DX coated Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Above-average battery backup
Multi-band GPS for reliable GPS data

Epix 2 is definitely fancier looking than Forerunner 965. It also does offer Golf support. Epix 2 is pitched as a premium smartwatch.

The shortcomings of the Epix 2 generation edition are adequately covered in the Epix 2 Sapphire edition watch.

Our recommendation would be to choose the Epix 2 Sapphire instead of the Epix 2 general edition watch. That is assuming you prefer an Epix 2 over the Forerunner 965 smartwatch.