Compare Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Xiaomi Redmi Watch 5

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

The flashlight received a brief positive usefulness mention as a handy quick setting.

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

Mapping and navigation are weak because reviewers noted no native map apps, offline maps, or GPX-style navigation.

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

Stress tracking was criticized in one review as slow and sensitive to movement, making continuous tracking less reliable.

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

Auto-detection is useful but basic: one reviewer saw workout prompts work well, while another liked the feature but wanted more control.

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

Reviewers found the app ecosystem limited, citing missing major apps and only a small number of add-on apps.

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 mostly good for quick wrist calls, but reviewers noted limits such as modest loudness, occasional lag, or uneven clarity.

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 weak because reviewers noted no native major music/map apps, no third-party apps, and limited accessory support.

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

Smartphone notifications are a common weakness because messages can be viewed but usually cannot be acted on or replied to.

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

Durability evidence is positive but limited, with reviewers reporting no scratches or scuffs after use.

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

Health tracking accuracy is adequate for general use but not advanced, with reviewers warning against medical-grade expectations while noting some improvements.

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 mixed-positive: several reviewers praised the aluminum feel, while one felt the casing was plasticky.

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

Wellness insights are mixed: Vitality and sleep routine suggestions are appreciated, but deeper personalized advice is scarce.

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

Cross-platform compatibility is useful but compromised, with reviewers noting broader phone support alongside reduced functionality on some platforms.

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

Wi-Fi connectivity is absent and criticized because file transfers depend on slower Bluetooth methods.

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

ECG functionality is missing, and one reviewer treated the absent advanced sensors as nice-to-have but not expected at the price.

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 mixed: some tests were close to chest straps, while other reviewers found lag, high readings, or odd spikes.

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

Contactless payments are a clear limitation because global reviewers repeatedly noted the lack of NFC payment support.

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

Smartwatch features cover the basics well for the price, but reviewers repeatedly frame them as limited compared with richer smartwatch platforms.

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

Fitness tracking accuracy is mixed: some casual and heart-rate workout results impressed reviewers, while others found it basic or not ideal for serious tracking.

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

Software smoothness is mostly good, with smooth navigation in several reviews, but some reported stutters, lag, or touch delays.

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

Watch face quality is strong, with reviewers praising the large, stylish, free, and varied watch-face library.

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

Music controls are basic but useful for quickly pausing, resuming, skipping tracks, and changing volume.

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 a major strength, but not universal: most reviewers call it excellent value, while one felt it was overpriced against cheaper alternatives.

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

Water resistance is reassuring for swimming and showers, with reviewers noting 5ATM support and successful pool/shower use.

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

GPS accuracy is mixed-positive: many reviewers found it accurate or reliable for casual runs, but some saw overreporting or slight inaccuracies.

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

Band feedback is mostly positive for comfort, swapping, and optional materials, though some reviewers disliked proprietary straps or unremarkable fit.

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

Touchscreen responsiveness is positive, with reviewers praising swipes, taps, and even wet-screen responsiveness.

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

Workout tracking variety is strong, with reviewers praising broad activity coverage, many sports, and useful running/workout modes.

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

The operating system is smooth and functional for basics, but reviewers criticized HyperOS limitations and missing richer smartwatch integrations.

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

LTE connectivity is a drawback on the global model, with reviewers noting the lack of global LTE/eSIM support.

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

Bluetooth connectivity was praised in limited evidence for stable, lower-latency calling and audio support.

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

The Mi Fitness companion app is generally viewed as clean, visual, and easy to use, but some reviewers found it basic or behind stronger rivals.

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

Sleep tracking accuracy is mixed: some reviewers found it close for sleep duration, while others saw inconsistent sleep stages and overestimated deep sleep.

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

Materials quality is budget-appropriate: reviewers noted aluminum alloy and better materials, but not a fancy feel.

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

Charging convenience is mixed: the magnetic connection can be secure and cable-sharing helps, but several reviewers disliked the proprietary pogo-pin cable.

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

Customization is mixed: photo faces, watch faces, and UI options are praised, but some reviewers wanted deeper watch-face customization.

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 the strongest consensus point, with most reviewers reporting unusually long endurance for a budget smartwatch despite one heavier-use outlier.

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

Onboard music storage is useful for phone-free workouts but inconsistent across phones and hurt by slow Bluetooth transfers.

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

Safety features received limited positive evidence from the SOS function, which the reviewer considered useful for emergencies.

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

Step counting accuracy received limited but very positive evidence, with one reviewer finding exercise-mode counts nearly exact.

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

Style and design are mostly praised for looking modern, smart, and not cheap, although several reviewers criticized the Apple-like originality.

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

Display quality is one of the most praised areas, with reviewers consistently highlighting the large, vibrant, sharp AMOLED screen.

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

Charging speed is generally acceptable to strong, with reviewers noting quick top-ups, one-hour charging, or reasonable full-charge times.

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

Fit is split: one reviewer found alternative straps did not fit well, while another found the watch balanced on the wrist.

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

Coaching features are useful for budget fitness guidance, including running courses, guided workouts, breathing exercises, and export options.

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

The user interface is generally easy and smooth, with straightforward layouts and good navigation for a budget watch.

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

Size options are a weakness because the large one-size design can feel overwhelming or bulky on smaller wrists.

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

Reliability evidence is limited but positive, with one reviewer reporting no stutters or hiccups in use.

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 broadly praised because the watch is light and wearable day and night, though its size can still matter for smaller wrists.

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

Outdoor visibility is strongly praised thanks to the bright AMOLED panel and readable screen in direct sunlight.

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

Brightness is widely praised, with reviewers repeatedly calling the AMOLED panel bright enough for outdoor use and high peak brightness.

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

Recovery insights received limited positive evidence through beneficial breathing and running features tied to training and recovery.

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

Menu navigation is generally easy, with praise for app finding, crown scrolling, and text-labeled icon layouts.

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

The rotating crown and button controls are generally liked for tactile feedback and navigation, though one reviewer wished for more button functionality.

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

Blood oxygen tracking received limited but positive accuracy evidence, with one reviewer saying readings were close in testing.

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

Pairing reliability has limited but positive evidence, with no issues reported for pairing and syncing.

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

Voice assistant quality is poor because the reviewer noted effectively no voice assistant support.

Body temperature tracking is effectively absent; the reviewer grouped the missing temperature sensor with features that would have been nice to have.

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

Voice notes are useful but mixed: reviewers liked recording and audio notes, while others noted loudness, access, or sharing limitations.