Last updated on April 5th, 2024 at 07:15 am

Incorporating premium features into an affordable design creates a superb mid-range smart sports tracker

Garmin’s latest smart sports watch condenses premium features from its higher-end Forerunner models into a more affordable, simpler running tracker, boasting a bright OLED screen and long battery life.

Priced at £250 (€280/$250/A$429), the Forerunner 165 serves as the new base model in Garmin’s lineup, compared to the £430 Forerunner 265.

Available in a variety of colors but only one size, the watch features a 1.2-inch screen and a 43mm case, fitting squarely between the small and large sizes of the more expensive 265.

The Forerunner 165 sports a compact, lightweight design with a clear OLED display that ensures easy readability at a glance.

With a user-friendly interface comprising both touchscreen and five buttons, the watch syncs data to an Android or iPhone through the Connect app, to a computer via USB cable, or directly to the internet through wifi, if you opt for the pricier version with offline music playback.

With the screen continuously on, tracking sleep overnight and a single 40-minute run, the battery of the Forerunner 165 lasts approximately five days between charges. While this falls a few days short of the 265’s battery life, it surpasses that of most mainstream smartwatch rivals, lasting more than double their duration. By setting the screen to activate only when you rotate your wrist, the battery life extends to more than 11 days. During runs, the battery depletes about 6% per hour, or 14% when using offline music from Spotify, which should suffice for most users. Recharging the watch via the USB-C cable takes about an hour for a full charge.

Specifications

Screen: 1.2-inch AMOLED
Case dimensions: 43mm
Case thickness: 11.6mm
Band width: standard 20mm
Weight: 39g
Storage: 4GB
Water resistance: 50 meters (5ATM)
Sensors: GNSS (GPS, Glonass, Galileo), compass, thermometer, heart rate, pulse Ox
Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+ (wifi with music)

Sport tracking prowess

The key distinction between the Forerunner 165 and Garmin’s higher-end models is the absence of multisport tracking, which includes automatic transitions between activities like running, cycling, and swimming for a triathlon. However, the Forerunner 165 does track a total of 24 individual sports, encompassing various forms of cycling, running, swimming, walking, hiking, gym activities, and racket sports. Notably, skiing and snowboarding are among the activities not included.

For running, the Forerunner 165 monitors standard metrics like time, distance, pace, cadence, and laps. Additionally, it offers running dynamics and power tracking, which are less common but appreciated features for more dedicated runners. During a workout, you can display up to four metrics on the screen simultaneously, providing a clear and easy-to-read display at a glance. In most running scenarios, the Forerunner 165 functions nearly identically to the 265 or the top-tier Forerunner 965, which is highly commendable.

However, it does not feature dual-band or “multiband” GPS, which theoretically makes its location tracking less precise than higher-end Garmin models in challenging environments like cities with tall buildings or dense forests. Nonetheless, in a direct comparison test with a 965 equipped with this feature, both watches quickly acquired a GPS lock and maintained a very accurate track and pace, which was impressive.

While the watch can alert you if you deviate from a planned route, it lacks full offline maps to display your exact location, a feature that remains exclusive to Garmin’s top-tier watches.

One of the key features absent from the Forerunner 165’s otherwise outstanding sport tracking capabilities is the lack of training readiness, status, and load metrics found in Garmin’s high-end watches. These metrics are valuable for gauging the effectiveness of training towards specific goals, such as improved fitness or marathon preparation.

However, the Forerunner 165 does include Garmin’s full range of general health tracking features, such as sleep and nap detection, daily calorie and step tracking, stress monitoring, and other typical smartwatch functions like phone notifications and contactless payments. The only missing feature is the ability to perform an ECG of your heart, which is arguably less crucial for a sports-oriented watch.

Sustainability

The Forerunner 165 is designed for repairability, with options for out-of-warranty exchange and refurbishment. Its battery is expected to last for several years of regular charging cycles while retaining at least 80% of its capacity. The watch does not incorporate any recycled materials. Garmin provides a minimum of two years of security updates from the release date, although it often supports its devices for longer periods. The company also offers trade-in programs for certain product lines and adheres to regulations such as WEEE and other local electronics recycling laws.

Price

The Garmin Forerunner 165 is available for £249.99 (€279.99/$249.99/A$429) or £289.99 (€329.99/$299.99/A$499) with offline music support.

In comparison, the Forerunner 265 is priced at £429.99, the Apple Watch Series 9 at £399, the Google Pixel Watch 2 at £349, the Coros Pace 3 at £219, and the Polar Pacer Pro at £289.

Verdict

The Forerunner 165 stands out as an exceptional running watch, consolidating the finest features of its top-tier counterparts into a simpler, more affordable model.

Its OLED screen is remarkable, offering clarity and brightness that make it easy to read while running. It provides all the necessary metrics for monitoring pace and performance, coupled with a long-lasting battery that caters to the needs of most users. The watch’s compact and lightweight design ensures comfort even during extended training sessions, and its combination of touchscreen and buttons sets a new standard in its class.

The main features lacking are offline maps and more advanced training metrics. Surprisingly, the absence of the advanced, multiband GPS tracking does not seem to significantly affect tracking accuracy, an area where Garmin remains a frontrunner.

The primary drawback is the price. Priced at £250 or £290 with offline music, it is more expensive than most entry-level running watches, although it aligns with OLED-equipped smartwatches from other tech companies and offers a £180 saving over the Forerunner 265. Unless you require triathlon tracking or offline maps, the Forerunner 165 is the new Garmin running watch to consider.