Garmin Forerunner 65 wishlist: All the features I want to see

Garmin’s watches are well known for their durable build and extensive feature kit, and the Forerunner 55 is no exception. I’d be hard-pressed to recommend another fitness-tracking watch to those on a budget. With that said, it is aging, and the Forerunner 65 could soon be on its way. Read on to find out every upgrade and change I want to see on the Garmin Forerunner 65.

Wallet-friendly pricing

While it’s always easy to ask for more features, a better build, and upgraded tools, my biggest hope is that the Forerunner 65 remains a ~$200 running watch. I want to see enough improvements to warrant the device’s launch, but I don’t want to see any customers priced out of the Forerunner family. Fortunately, Garmin doesn’t typically raise its prices significantly beyond what shoppers might expect with market inflation.

A colorful facelift

My go-to wish for the Forerunner 55 is an AMOLED display. I was thrilled to see this upgrade added to the Forerunner 165, 265, and the 965. However, I understand the 65 is meant to be a lower-priced wearable and, as such, may not be able to offer an elevated display while still keeping a low price point.

If the device doesn’t see an AMOLED upgrade, I hope Garmin improves the line’s MIP display with higher resolution. The Forerunner 55 looks quite dated with its pixelated screen. I don’t mind the line’s lack of a touchscreen because buttons are easier to use during sweaty runs, but I’d be happy to see a jump in display size.

Improved sleep tracking

Another feature of the Forerunner 55 that could be improved is sleep tracking. The device didn’t always capture overnight wake time during our review period. I would love for the next generation to iron out these hiccups and provide the same level of sleep data as other devices from Garmin’s stable. I’d be particularly impressed to see the automatic nap detection the company introduced on the Venu 3.

More Garmin training tools

Garmin dropped a bundle of training features ranging from Hill Score and Endurance Score to Training Readiness. I’d love to see some of these features trickle down to the company’s most affordable running watch. To be clear, the Forerunner 55 isn’t short on tools for athletes. The device offers everything from PacePro and daily suggested workouts to race predictions and women’s health tracking. I fully expect all of the 55’s offerings to reach the 65.

I’m a huge fan of Garmin’s toolkit and am excited to get access to every training advantage I can. I expect the same high-level GPS and heart rate accuracy I’ve grown to expect from Garmin watches. I wouldn’t be disappointed to see music storage added in as well.

Multiple case sizes

Inclusivity is a key facet of wearable tech that Garmin typically nails. I’ve seen more and more of the brand’s lineups offer multiple case sizes to provide a better fit for all customers. The Forerunner 55 is only available in a single 42mm build, despite the Forerunner 45 offering two sizes. I’m hoping Garmin brings more selection back to the next generation.

Will there be a Garmin Forerunner 65?

The Forerunner family is an extremely popular collection of wearables, with a device for shoppers at every price point. The 55 is still a great device, but it’s starting to show its age, especially regarding display quality. I can’t imagine Garmin abandoning its budget-conscious fan base and discontinuing updates to the lower tier. While the launch schedule for Garmin’s cheapest Forerunners hasn’t been especially regular, we’ve grown to expect a new generation about every two years or so. However, I have not yet heard any information about the device going into production.

While other companies have crept into the budget space, I consider Garmin’s training tools a cut above. For example, as much as I love the Apple Watch SE, comparing the Garmin vs Apple ecosystems still highlights the former as the best choice for dedicated athletes.

Should you wait for the Garmin Forerunner 65?

It’s always hard to recommend that readers wait for a device that hasn’t been announced officially (or even unofficially). With so little to go off, it’s impossible to say how long it will be before you can have your hands on a Forerunner 65. There’s no doubt in my mind that if the device lands, it will be well worth purchasing, but the best wearable is always the one helping you achieve fitness goals right now.

If you want a sub-$200 running watch today, the Forerunner 55 ($199.99 at Amazon) is my current recommendation. It packs tons of training tools and highly accurate GPS tracking. If you can spring for the Forerunner 165 ($249.99 at Garmin), I love the device’s AMOLED display and upgraded fitness platform. Meanwhile, Garmin also released the Venu 3 ($449.99 at Amazon), for anyone looking for more features beyond fitness tracking.