| Garmin Forerunner 165 | Apple Watch | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $249★ | $399 |
| Subscription | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr | ✓ None |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 39g | 30g★ |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 50m |
| Battery | 11 days★ | 1 days |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ✅★ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ✅★ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS only |
| Tier | Sports GPS | Smartwatch |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Mar 5, 2024 | Sep 19, 2025 |
| Cycle advice | bad | neutral★ |
| Deals advice | good★ | neutral |
| Next model | Garmin Forerunner 170 (Expected March 2026) | Apple Watch Series 12 (Expected fall 2026) |
The FR165 is the first Garmin entry-level running watch with an AMOLED display — dramatically more readable than the LCD it replaces.
Training load, recovery time, Body Battery, HRV status, VO2 max estimation — the same analytics found on watches costing twice as much.
11 days typical use and roughly 19 hours GPS — enough for most training blocks without mid-week charging.
The Series 11 is the first mainstream smartwatch to offer FDA-cleared hypertension (high blood pressure) detection — a feature that could flag silent health risks.
At 9.7mm, the Series 11 is significantly slimmer than previous models — noticeably lighter on the wrist for all-day and sleep tracking.
On-demand ECG, continuous blood oxygen monitoring, and sleep apnea detection (FDA-cleared) make this one of the most medically relevant consumer wearables available.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$399 vs $459 over 3 years · no required subscription.
11 days vs 1 days battery.
10 sensors.
30g · no required subscription.
Beginner and intermediate runners who want real GPS accuracy and Garmin's analytics depth without the price of the 265 or 965. Also ideal as a first serious GPS watch for anyone moving up from a fitness tracker.
Full details →iPhone users who want the most capable smartwatch health experience available. Ideal for anyone who values medical-grade monitoring (ECG, blood pressure, SpO2), a premium always-on display, and the best Apple Watch workout tracking. If health is your priority, this is the one to get.
Full details →