| Garmin Forerunner 165 | Apple Watch SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $249 | $249 |
| Subscription | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr | ✓ None |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 39g | 26g★ |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 50m |
| Battery | 11 days★ | 18h |
| 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 | good★ |
| Deals advice | good★ | neutral |
| Next model | Garmin Forerunner 170 (Expected March 2026) | Apple Watch SE 4 (Expected fall 2027) |
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.
Access the entire watchOS app ecosystem, Apple Pay, Siri, and Family Setup — for $150 less than the Series 11.
Emergency SOS, fall detection, and Crash Detection give real safety value even without premium health sensors.
Available in Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and (PRODUCT)RED with a wide range of Apple Watch-compatible bands.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$249 vs $459 over 3 years · no required subscription.
11 days vs 18h battery.
5 sensors.
26g · 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 Apple Watch's core experience — activity tracking, notifications, crash detection, and Apple Pay — at a lower price point. Ideal for kids, teens, or anyone upgrading from a much older watch without needing the advanced health sensors.
Full details →