The Garmin Forerunner 965 and 265 might arrive much, much sooner than expected. Usually, Garmin lets its watches settle for at least two years before releasing an updated version. That is reportedly regarding to change, frustrating fans who thought they were buying the ultimate model last year.
The Garmin Forerunner 945 and 245 arrived in 2019, and their update with the Garmin Forerunner 955 and 255 didn’t land until 2022, three years later. The technology had advanced to such an extent that updates were considered necessary, as newer watches featured better recovery metrics, better fitness tracking, and more advanced GPS tools. Therefore, both watches have earned their place in our list of the best Garmin watches.
However, a series of rumors suggest that the 965 and 265 watches will arrive this year, breaking with tradition. If that’s true, Garmin might decide on an annual release for Forerunners, just like Apple does with its own watches.
The rumors started when the5Krunner (opens in a new tab) posted an image of a prototype Garmin Forerunner 265, which the site said came from an anonymous but reliable source. A new AMOLED display was the main feature, replacing the old LCD display with Memory In Pixel (transflective MIP) technology, common to current Garmin watches.
A first listing on a golf website, (opens in a new tab) published and quickly removed according to our partner site Advnture (opens in a new tab), hinted at more details for the 965 and 265, including pricing, colorways and that the 265 will feature Workout Readiness Score, an updated version of Garmin’s Body Battery introduced with the Forerunner 955. and subsequently deployed on the Garmin Fenix range. More retailer leaks followed, like the one below, suggesting the watches are ready to launch.
RunningDirect is the third online retailer to list the incoming Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 965 and the first to confirm projected prices of €499.99 and €649.99.#garmin #forerunner #running #sports #wearables pic.twitter.com/kDvGbhEOqVJanuary 26, 2023
Analysis: Copying Apple for the wrong reasons
In our last reviews of the Apple Watch 7 and Apple Watch 8, we praised the watches, but complained that the releases were overwhelming. Very few technical changes have been spotted in the Apple Watch over the past few generations, and often only a few key features are introduced each year.
Each time an improved version is released that is not significantly different, the incentive to purchase a new watch diminishes. If the technology is basically the same, why not buy the older, cheaper model?
If Garmin wants to update its Forerunner range less than a year following the last model, will the brand fall into the same trap? People who bought a Garmin Forerunner 255 over the holidays will understandably be annoyed if the 265 makes its appearance in April, with a better screen and updated features. However, the 955 already uses the driveability system. So the new model will have to debut something more, like a long-talked-regarding skin temperature sensor, as well as a new AMOLED display, to justify the new model’s existence.
Will the manufacturer Garmin move to annual releases for other watches, in addition to the Forerunner? If the rumors turn out to be true and this launch brings in a lot of money, Garmin might consider changing its strategy to regular, iterative updates rather than revamping its watches every two years. We prefer the current strategy, as each new watch seems far more innovative, but there’s no denying that new, flamboyant models are catching everyone’s attention.
It works for Apple because there are only a handful of watches in the lineup: the 8, the SE 2 and the Ultra. Garmin has a huge catalog of watches for every occasion, from the ultra-premium Garmin Enduro 2 to the inexpensive Vivoactive range, and everything in between. With such an array of watches already available, do we really need new watches every year? No. But cash is king.
