Can a $249 running watch legitimately compete with a $599 flagship? The Coros Pace 4 and Garmin Forerunner 965 represent two very different philosophies in sports watch design: focused minimalism versus comprehensive capability. Both offer AMOLED displays, dual-frequency GPS, and advanced training metrics, yet one costs less than half the price.
For runners deciding between exceptional value and maximum features, understanding what you’re actually paying for is critical.
Quick Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Coros Pace 4 | Garmin Forerunner 965 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 | $599 (often $499–549 on sale) |
| Weight | 32g (nylon) / 40g (silicone) | 53g (without strap) |
| Case Size | 43.4mm | 47mm |
| Thickness | 11.8mm | 13.2mm |
| Display | 1.2″ AMOLED (390 × 390) | 1.4″ AMOLED (454 × 454) |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | Not specified |
| Lens Material | Standard glass | Gorilla Glass DX |
| Bezel Material | Polymer | Titanium |
| Water Resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Battery (Smartwatch) | 19 days / 6 days (AOD) | 23 days / 7 days (AOD) |
| Battery (GPS High) | 41 hours | 31 hours |
| Battery (GPS Multi-band) | 31 hours | 19 hours |
| GPS | Dual-frequency (5 systems) | Multi-band (3 systems) |
| Heart Rate Sensor | Redesigned 5-LED | Elevate Gen 4 |
| Microphone | Yes (voice notes/pins) | Yes (calls, assistant) |
| Speaker | No | Yes |
| Offline Maps | No | Yes |
| Navigation | Breadcrumb + turn alerts | Full maps + turn-by-turn |
| Music Storage | 4GB (MP3) | Up to 32GB |
| Contactless Payments | No | Garmin Pay |
| External Sensors | Bluetooth only | Bluetooth + ANT+ |
| Data Fields | Up to 8 | Up to 6 |
| App Ecosystem | Coros app | Garmin Connect |
| Best For | Value, simplicity | Full features, maps, ecosystem |
Quick Verdict
Choose the Coros Pace 4 if you:
- Want maximum value at $249
- Prioritize long GPS battery life
- Prefer an ultralight watch for racing
- Don’t need offline maps or payments
- Train on familiar routes
- Value simplicity over feature depth
Choose the Garmin Forerunner 965 if you:
- Need full-color offline maps
- Want Garmin’s full training ecosystem
- Value Body Battery and Training Readiness
- Need Garmin Pay and ANT+ support
- Want phone calls from the watch
- Are willing to pay a premium for features
Display and Design
The Forerunner 965’s 1.4-inch AMOLED display offers significantly more screen space and higher resolution than the Pace 4. The titanium bezel and Gorilla Glass lens add a premium feel, but at 53 grams, it’s noticeably heavier.
The Pace 4 counters with an ultra-light 32-gram design that virtually disappears on the wrist. While the materials feel less premium, most runners will value comfort over luxury—especially during long races. The 1500-nit AMOLED display remains bright and readable in all conditions.
Battery Life
Battery life is one of the Pace 4’s biggest advantages. It delivers up to 41 hours in high GPS mode and 31 hours in dual-frequency mode—significantly more than the Forerunner 965.
In smartwatch mode, Garmin holds a slight edge, but the difference is minimal in real-world use. The Forerunner charges faster, though for most athletes who charge overnight, this isn’t a deciding factor.
GPS and Tracking Accuracy
Both watches provide excellent GPS accuracy using dual-frequency technology. The Pace 4 supports more satellite systems, but real-world performance is nearly identical in cities, forests, and open terrain.
Heart rate accuracy is comparable for steady-state running. Both benefit from pairing with an external chest strap for high-intensity workouts.
Navigation
Navigation is where the Forerunner 965 clearly pulls ahead. Full-color topographic maps, turn-by-turn routing, ClimbPro, and course previews make it ideal for trail runners and explorers.
The Pace 4 relies on breadcrumb navigation. This works well for following known routes but lacks street names, rerouting, and map context. For road runners, this limitation is minor. For adventure runners, it’s significant.
Training Features
Both watches offer strong training analytics, including VO2 max, race prediction, training load, and recovery guidance.
Garmin adds Body Battery, Training Readiness, and more advanced running dynamics. Coros provides a simpler but effective EvoLab system and allows more data fields per screen.
For most runners, both offer more than enough insight. Garmin’s metrics are deeper, Coros’ are easier to digest.
Smart Features and Connectivity
The Forerunner 965 functions as a capable smartwatch, offering Garmin Pay, music storage, phone calls, ANT+ support, and limited third-party apps.
The Pace 4 is intentionally minimal. It lacks payments and calls but introduces unique voice notes and voice pins for training context. Sensor support is Bluetooth-only, which may matter to cyclists with ANT+-only gear.
App Ecosystem
Garmin Connect remains the most comprehensive fitness platform available, with deep analytics, social features, and broad third-party support.
The Coros app is clean, fast, and improving, but less feature-rich. It suits athletes who want straightforward insights without complexity.
Value Proposition
At $249, the Pace 4 delivers remarkable value, covering nearly all essential running features while offering superior GPS battery life.
At $599, the Forerunner 965 earns its price if you truly need maps, advanced smart features, and Garmin’s ecosystem. Otherwise, much of its capability may go unused.
Final Recommendation
The Coros Pace 4 is the smarter buy for most runners. It offers outstanding value, excellent battery life, and a featherweight design that excels for training and racing on known routes.
The Garmin Forerunner 965 is the better choice for feature-driven athletes. If you rely on offline maps, smart features, or Garmin’s ecosystem, the premium makes sense.
Both watches are excellent at their respective price points. The decision comes down to whether you want a focused, high-value training tool or a fully loaded multisport platform.