Garmin Forerunner 975 – buy the 965 now or wait for a potential 975?

The next generation of Garmin’s top-end triathlon watch is due in the first half of 2025. This article will highlight the risk of waiting for a watch that hasn’t yet been leaked, let alone released, against the attraction of a likely feature bump.

What Is The Forerunner 975, and When Will It Be Released?

The Garmin Forerunner 975 will be Garmin’s top-end triathlon watch, replacing the current Forerunner 965.

More: Garmin Forerunner 965 Review

The earliest release month is March 2025 as the triathlon season kicks off; perhaps more likely will be Q2.2025, but far less likely to be Q3.2025. For context, here is the release history:

• Garmin Forerunner 935: 29 March 2017
• Garmin Forerunner 945: 30 April 2019
• Garmin Forerunner 955/Solar: 1 June 2022. $500 (945LTE and Covid-19 delay from 2021)
• Garmin Forerunner 965: 1 March 2023. $600
• Garmin Forerunner 975: xx March 2025. $650

Alternative New Products

I would bet that Garmin will release a new triathlon watch in 2025. If you are waiting for the 975, one risk you face is that Garmin could release a related but different, product. For example, we may see a solar, small format, or LTE (5G) version of a premium triathlon watch.

• Why solar? A MIP screen plus solar gives a long battery life. It’s a premium feature to bag more of your dollars, and Garmin acquired a solar cell company a few years back, so there will be an inclination to leverage that investment. At some point, there will likely be an update to the 955 (non-AMOLED) Solar; whether it comes before, after or alongside an FR975, I can’t say.
• An update instead to the 955 MIP, non-Solar? That product variant might be ended, but it’s possible.
• A smaller, updated 965 with LTE/5G – perhaps with a catchy name like Forerunner 965s Pro (with Pro meaning 5G + Elevate 5). There is undoubtedly a gap in Garmin’s range for a smaller format top-end tri watch, and we all know that Garmin hates to leave any possible gap in its range! However, this gap was last filled with the 945 LTE (2021). Perhaps the small-wrist, top-end tri-watch market isn’t big enough for Garmin, and Garmin doesn’t have a 5G chip to test out on us. I would NOT bet on seeing this watch next year, but I would welcome it.
  • Don’t forget the existing forerunner 265/265s watches fill the gap for a highly competent, AMOLED, small-format triathlon watch.

A medium-sized Forerunner 975 AMOLED, non-solar, is the most likely bet out of all those options for the next Forerunner release. A 70% chance compared to all those other options added up to 30%.

What would be the attraction of an updated Forerunner 975 – hardware

The case size will remain at 47mm with a titanium bezel. Similarly, the strap size will stay at 22mm. It will be a standard silicone band and probably not QuickFit out-of-the-box, as before.

Inevitably, FR975 would have the latest Elevate Gen 5 ECG/SpO2 sensor and a beautiful AMOLED screen. I do NOT see this as the first Garmin watch with AMOLED+SOLAR.

When added to the FR965, the AMOLED screen was larger than the FR955. I don’t see the display size getting any bigger.

What else could tempt us with?

• ✅ Flashlight – yeah, it will probably get a flashlight for you to do one of those night triathlons you’ve longed to do for years.
• ✅Battery life – yep. It will be better, but FR965 is already good for the slowest Ironman.
• ❓Fenix 8 inductive buttons – these were pretty decent buttons/pressers. I’m not convinced FR975 will get them, but I would welcome them, as they are nice to press and aid waterproofing (dive features).
• ❓Sapphire lens – probably not. As before, the display hardness will be at least Gorilla glass DX. If upgraded, sapphire could provide ‘something’ to justify the PRO name.
• ❓LTE/5G – Garmin must surely add cellular data to its range in 2025. But to which model? The triathlon models do justify both the live tracking and safety aspects coming from a 5G connection, but you’d favour this feature to go on Fenix 8 Pro
• ❓Wireless charging – I doubt the need for this but would welcome any change from the existing charger, which I find unreliable for data transfer.
• ❓Improved audio playback and a new microphone – I sense Garmin sees these as top-end features aimed more toward the Venu watches but must also be on the top-end Fenix. The same logic doesn’t always apply to a top-end forerunner, so I’m unsure if FR975 will get this; I’d err toward FR975 NOT getting this, though it would be a good way to justify the price bump and new model.
  • Voice assistant
  • Take and make calls via a connected phone
• ❌Next-gen Elevate 6 – nope, I doubt FR975 will be the first device with a new generation of Elevate.
• ❌Next-gen GNSS – nope. It could have a slightly newer GNSS chipset, not next-gen. A slightly improved GNSS chipset wouldn’t offer any accuracy improvements or features, just lower power consumption and improved battery life.
• ❌Next-gen AMOLED+SOLAR – nope.

New SOFTWARE Features to Attract You?

The Forerunner 975 will have the latest interface, first shown on the Fenix 8. It is an improved UI, but it still needs some work.

These are the headline features from 2024, but your existing 965 already has them.

• Automatic Triathlon Transitions
• Lap Undo Feature
• Running Track Database expansions
• YouTube Music Support
• Heart Rate Dynamic Source Switching
• Garmin Ride/Run Share App
• Strength, Sleep & Cycling Coach Improvements

Garmin’s CIQ System 8 will be supported out of the box; so far, we know nothing about developments to CIQ.

What else can Garmin add feature-wise to an excellent, already feature-packed watch? Perhaps a niche physiology feature (like ST HR Segment analysis) or tweak existing features (like adding lap/step undo to structured workouts). All the low-hanging fruit was added years ago, with the core triathlon sports features nailed with Forerunners 920XT and 935. Perhaps the only two strategic directions available to Garmin are adding connected features via 5G and more group training/racing features.

Take Out – Is it worth buying FR965 now or waiting?

Though likely, there is no guarantee of a FR975 in March. If you need a bug-free watch for an important race in April or May, then FR975 is best skipped – Garmin does not have a good track record with bugs on new products (F8, Edge 1050).

So, all you’re waiting for will be slightly improved battery life, a new user interface, the current generation of Elevate (5, ECG) and maybe new buttons and flashlights. Is that worth the wait for you? Maybe FR975 will be slightly faster as well.

Go for the FR965 now unless you want the latest, greatest tech like me. In which case, won’t you buy one anyway?