Compare Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Suunto Race S

One reviewer found blood oxygen readings close to a pulse oximeter, supporting strong SpO2 tracking confidence.

Blood oxygen tracking was only clearly evaluated in one review, and that reviewer called the nighttime SpO2 results poor.

Sensor connectivity was viewed as a strength because the watch supports broad ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart pairing.

Bluetooth connectivity is mostly discussed through sensor support, where reviewers criticized Suunto’s one-sensor limitations and weak pairing model.

Onboard music was praised for Spotify/offline support and 32GB storage for music and maps.

Onboard music storage is a notable weakness, with multiple reviewers calling out the absence of music downloads or internal playback.

Health tracking was praised for the breadth and quality of Garmin’s metrics, especially for active users.

A scientific review treated the broader health measurements as weak, especially because heart-rate and sleep-related results were not strong.

Step counting was tested as accurate, with a very low error rate in one review.

Step counting was mixed: one review found totals similar to comparison devices, while another found counts far enough off to be noticeable.

Build quality was mixed: reviewers liked Garmin durability in general but noted the flatter screen and bezel can be easier to hit or scratch.

Build quality is a strength, with reviewers praising the watch and strap construction, premium feel, and high-quality form factor.

Water resistance was strong in swim/shower-style use, with no accidental toggles and 50m/5ATM confidence noted.

Water resistance received limited opinionated evidence; one reviewer judged 50 meters acceptable for most but a downgrade for deeper use.

Sleep tracking was mixed: several reviewers found it excellent or improved, while others criticized sleep phases or felt results were off.

Sleep tracking drew mostly negative or cautious evidence, with reviewers reporting underreported sleep, inaccurate stages, or a lack of confidence in the data.

Buttons were consistently praised as tactile, easy to use during workouts, and a dependable alternative to touch controls.

Button controls are mixed, with several reviewers finding the digital crown fiddly, delayed, awkward, or unpredictable despite useful physical input.

Garmin Pay was treated as useful in concept but limited by inconsistent bank support, especially outside the US.

Contactless payments were clearly treated as missing in one review, making this a low-scoring feature for users who expect payments on-wrist.

Menu navigation was generally easy once learned, with reviewers calling controls frictionless or easy to get used to.

Menu navigation takes practice; reviewers liked short paths after learning the logic but criticized confusing menus and less-smooth swiping.

Size options were a weakness because the 965 comes in only one size and can feel large on small wrists.

Size options are useful but not universally ideal; some reviewers liked the midsize case, while one found it still suited to thicker wrists.

Value was context-dependent: reviewers praised the feature set and later discounts, but questioned the price for casual users or 955/265 owners.

Value for money is the clearest consensus strength, with nearly every reviewer framing the Race S as aggressively priced for its mapping, GPS, AMOLED, and training feature set.

Heart-rate accuracy was generally strong and often close to chest straps, though high-intensity intervals could show lag or spotty readings.

Heart-rate accuracy is the most divided attribute: several reviewers found the updated sensor solid or precise, while others reported poor readings and recommended an external strap.

Fitness tracking accuracy was broadly praised across distance, elevation, running dynamics, and sports metrics, with gym heart-rate caveats.

General fitness tracking was praised for workout capture in one review, but another scientific test found the accuracy only middling versus better devices.

Fit was positive for users comfortable with Garmin sizing, but the larger case was not ideal for smaller wrists.

Fit is praised for smaller wrists and secure sport use, especially where reviewers noted stable wear during activities.

The missing dedicated flashlight was repeatedly framed as a disappointment, especially compared with higher-end Garmin models.

Flashlight usefulness is limited because it is screen-based, though one reviewer still found it functional for basic low-light tasks.

Recovery insights were a standout, especially Training Readiness, which reviewers found actionable, digestible, and useful.

Recovery insights are useful when presented clearly, especially HRV and Progress-style metrics, but some reviewers found the packaging weak or the conclusions discouraging.

Durability was mixed: some reviewers saw scratch resistance and solid materials, while several reported scratches or durability concerns.

Durability is mostly positive, with strong scratch/impact evidence in one test, although Gorilla Glass and reduced water rating were noted as downgrades from larger models.

Garmin Connect was viewed as powerful and data-rich, but some reviewers found its organization confusing or dated.

The companion app was broadly praised for route planning, maps, layout, reliability, and modern design.

Wellness insights were valued for health, fitness, stress, body battery, and sleep context, though one reviewer ignored some metrics.

Wellness insights were polarizing; one reviewer liked the quieter data approach, while another thought Suunto’s resource-style metric lagged Garmin-like alternatives.

Music controls were adequate for basic use, but one reviewer noted playback issues when skipping or changing playlists.

Music controls worked adequately for phone playback, but reviewers consistently treated them as basic controls rather than a full music solution.

Suggested workouts, interval tools, race guidance, and on-wrist coaching were repeatedly described as helpful for training.

Coaching features are capable but uneven, with praise for structured workouts and training planning but criticism for missing Garmin-style suggested workouts and weaker presentation.

Materials were mostly praised for high-quality straps and a premium titanium bezel, though not all durability concerns disappeared.

Materials quality is highly regarded, especially the premium wrist feel, titanium option, and quality materials.

Call handling was mixed to weak: one review listed calls among lifestyle features, while others noted missing wrist-call or hands-free functionality.

Call handling is limited to alerts and message/call visibility, with one reviewer wishing reply functionality were available.

Wi-Fi was a weak point for large map downloads because the watch-side transfer was described as slow.

Wi-Fi connectivity was evaluated mainly through map downloads, which work but were criticized for slow transfer behavior.

Reliability was generally positive, with only minor bugs noted and one long-term reviewer saying it performed well in demanding use.

Reliability is mostly positive for workout operation and GPS logging, but one scientific review and one software-focused review noted broader metric concerns.

Software smoothness was praised, with the UI described as smoother, faster, and free of lag in normal use.

Software smoothness improved across reviews, with several reviewers calling the UI faster or fluid, though a few still saw polish issues or minor lag.

The interface was widely praised as easier, cleaner, more modern, and dramatically improved by AMOLED.

The user interface ranged from confusing at first to quick and easy once learned, with touch and app-driven navigation often helping.

The stock silicone/removable straps were generally praised as flexible, comfortable, good-looking, and easy to swap.

Band quality is mixed-positive, with comfort and secure designs praised but some straps criticized for tacky branding, stickiness, or glow-at-night drawbacks.

Comfort was mostly positive because the watch is light and wearable 24/7, though some reviewers found it bulky or heavy at first.

Comfort is generally strong, with reviewers praising all-day wear, unobtrusive feel, and smaller case comfort, though some disliked bulk at night.

Notifications were useful and more readable, but iOS limitations and limited message handling held them back.

Smartphone notifications generally worked, though reviewers framed them as basic and often noted limited interaction beyond reading alerts.

Style and design were praised as sporty, premium, modern, and among the better-looking Forerunner designs.

Style and design are among the strongest attributes, with reviewers repeatedly calling the Race S sleek, attractive, premium, or one of the best-looking sports watches.

Charging convenience was a repeated weakness due to Garmin’s proprietary connector, loose cable complaints, and lack of wireless charging.

Charging convenience is more mixed because reviewers liked quick charging but disliked the proprietary pad, alignment, or travel requirement.

The AMOLED display drew very strong praise for color, legibility, sharpness, maps, and overall upgrade value.

Display quality is a consistent strength, with repeated praise for the sharp AMOLED panel, color, clarity, and readability.

Smartwatch features were the main compromise: useful basics exist, but reviewers repeatedly called the experience barebones or limited.

Smartwatch features are intentionally limited: some reviewers liked the cleaner sports-watch focus, while others wanted a fuller smartwatch experience.

Workout variety was a major strength, with reviewers praising the large sport-mode library and deep multisport functionality.

Workout variety is a clear strength, with reviewers praising the broad sport-mode support for running, cycling, swimming, triathlon, MTB, and many other activities.

Reviewers found the AMOLED display bright enough indoors and at low settings, with clear improvements over older displays.

Brightness is consistently praised, with reviewers describing the screen as bright, vibrant, and easy to view in demanding conditions.

Safety-related features were praised through navigation alerts, LiveTrack, and situational-awareness benefits.

Safety features received limited but positive evidence, especially Find Back/navigation support that added peace of mind.

The OS experience was viewed as effective and more fun with the refreshed AMOLED-era interface.

The operating system experience is mixed-positive: reviewers saw a basic, sports-first platform that improved in responsiveness but is not a rich smartwatch OS.

Watch faces benefited from AMOLED and were sometimes called stunning, though one reviewer noted fewer choices than before.

Watch faces are improved and customizable, but one reviewer found accidental customization in the shower slightly annoying.

Touch controls were useful and optional, with reviewers appreciating that buttons can replace touch during workouts.

Touchscreen responsiveness is mostly positive after improvements, though moisture sensitivity and a less-slick feel kept scores from being perfect.

Mapping and navigation were major strengths, with detailed AMOLED maps, turn prompts, trail help, and strong route-following support.

Mapping and navigation are standout strengths, with repeated praise for offline maps, route planning, responsiveness, and trail usefulness, despite setup and routability limits.

Outdoor visibility was praised in sun, water, and all-light conditions, despite AMOLED battery tradeoffs.

Outdoor visibility is strong; reviewers reported readability in midday sun, normal sunlight, forest shade, and other outdoor conditions.

Third-party app support was mixed: Strava and Connect IQ are useful, but Garmin apps can feel clunky or less polished.

Third-party app support is useful but not fully baked in, with praise for the app store offset by criticism that some tools should be native.

GPS accuracy was one of the strongest points, repeatedly described as highly accurate, reliable, and often best-in-class.

GPS accuracy received the strongest overall praise, with many reviewers calling tracks precise, strong, pristine, or among the best they had tested.

Battery life was broadly praised as strong for everyday training and most races, with caveats around always-on AMOLED, GPS-heavy use, and ultra-distance events.

Battery life is strong overall for an AMOLED sports watch, but reviews vary from excellent to shorter-than-claimed depending on always-on display and navigation use.

Reviewers liked Garmin’s cloud sync, Strava/Apple Health integration, Connect IQ options, and lack of a required subscription, though it remains sports-first.

The app ecosystem was praised for useful SuuntoPlus tools, though one review said Suunto still lags Garmin on ecosystem depth.

Charging speed was praised as fast or at least on the better side, with reviewers noting quick top-ups.

Charging speed is consistently praised, with several reviewers reporting fast full charges or quick top-ups.

Customization was a clear strength, from data screens and watch faces to app and watch settings.

Customization is useful for routes, sport modes, complications, and modes, though it is not presented as a deep smartwatch-level customization system.

Pairing and syncing were positive, with quick phone pairing and seamless Strava syncing noted.

Pairing reliability had one clearly positive review, with setup and app pairing described as simple and straightforward.

Exercise auto-detection was criticized because training features require manually starting activities.

Calorie usefulness was split between helpful fueling alerts and weak diet/caloric-consumption tracking.

Cross-platform use was positive overall, with Android offering more watch interaction and Apple Health integration appreciated.

ECG was a recurring missing feature and was called disappointing or expected by several reviewers.

LTE was a clear omission; reviewers called Garmin’s lack of cellular connectivity a shame or noted it was not added.

Stress tracking was included in useful readiness and health context rather than treated as a standalone killer feature.

Voice assistant support was weak because the watch lacks true assistant, microphone, and call-smarts expected from fuller smartwatches.