965 vs 955? Advice Wanted

The Fenix seemed a little pricey for not many extra features. I also liked how the forerunner is thinner than the instinct and Fenix. 

I also don’t really have a location to try on the different models… that would make the decision a lot easier 

OLED screen almost always has danger of burn-in. If the screen is more bigger and more lower resolution, the danger od burn in more unlikely. But OLED screen is more bright than mips screen. I think you choose forerunner 955 or 965, is the same you choose mips screen or oled screen.

I've been very happy with the 955 Solar. No problems viewing screen indoors, outside, bright sun - all fine. Screen is ever so slightly recessed in the bezel, so damage seems unlikely. I use a tempered glass protector anyway. Battery life is much, much better than either the 945 or 935.

Have not had the significant firmware issues reported here, though I use mine mainly for basic running and cycling. Updates seem frequent enough to me, but like I said I'm not seeing the rough problems some have had to deal with.

As for software, bugs, updates etc. - Garmin is Garmin. 935 & 945 had things what needed fixing, same as 955. Sometimes Garmin got things fixed quickly, sometimes not. Most important, Garmin continues to support older models like the 945 with software updates, and that's at least what, three years old? Four? So I expect similar for the 955. Not likely to be abandoned or hit end-of-life any time soon.

For my part I prefer the longer battery life over the "better" screen. Again, I've had no screen clarity / visibility issues with the 955 so what the 965 offers in that regard isn't persuasive for me.

I'd vote 955. :)

Well, unless internally (cpu, storage speed, etc) something has changed the only real difference indeed seems to be the screen and as a result of that also battery life.

FR955: MIPS screen, excently visible in bright/outside conditions and very effficient wrt battery. Needs the backlight for inside use and doesn't shine (hah!) there. Always on but more "flat" (color wise), more grainy, etc. Battery life is pretty great, you don't need gestures to look at your time or data, etc.Bit thicker then the 965 and only slightly less large.

FR965: OLED screen, bigger and sharper. Uses way more battery and needs high(er) brightness settings to make it properly visible in brighter (outside) conditions. Vibrant colors but not always on (well, it might be able to be always on at the cost of a lot of battery). Bit larger but also a bit thinner.

I am very curious about the 965 for the screen only, would love a larger and sharper screen on the 955 solar which I have now but I would still prefer the MIPS screen.

Oh yeah, and I really don't likee the new OS UI.... makes it seems childish, gimmicky and cheap imo. But might be something you'll get used to.

Waiting for a great offer on the 965 myself and then might give it a try, but for now it doesn't offer nearly enough to go full price (again, higher res/larger display is THE attraction for me, this in combination with maps, more data on the screen, etc)

I had a Venu before the 955. Always on was turned off and despite that, my display burned out after 2.5 years, so the oled is definitely not for me

How this? How can I imagine this concerning the display?

S.M.R. has some good insights here.

I was in the same situation and decided on the 955. I love my 955. It's easy readable in almost any conditions. I not had good experiences with smartwatchs from other brands with Amoled display. The Burn-In is present, a technology inherent problem, maybe in 10 or 18 months depending of your use, but is present. +1 for MIP screen and 955 Series. Maybe in 3 years, and after look how result de 965 I would give a try.

I've tried to use the 955 solar for a year, trail and pool/open water swim. While is very robust and light, battery long lasting, and could be superb, the software sucks. Time and date are the only real accurate data it feeds you, everything else ends up being a deception. Dynamics are vastly inaccurate. Lots of promises, very little delivery. 100% would not buy again, nor recommend to anyone!