| Suunto Vertical | Garmin Forerunner 165 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $599 | $249★ |
| Subscription | ✓ None | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 70g | 39g★ |
| Water resistance | 100m★ | 5ATM |
| Battery | 20 days★ | 11 days |
| Always-on display | ✅★ | ❌ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Sports GPS | Sports GPS |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Oct 15, 2025 | Mar 5, 2024 |
| Cycle advice | good★ | bad |
| Deals advice | neutral | good★ |
| Next model | — | Garmin Forerunner 170 (Expected March 2026) |
The Vertical 2 replaces the MIP screen with a bright 1.5" AMOLED LTPO — delivering vivid colour maps and improved night readability while still providing 65 hours of dual-band GPS.
An integrated LED flashlight is new to the Vertical 2, adding practical trail and camp utility without a separate device — especially useful for early morning and night runs.
Global topographic maps with dual-band GPS, 20-day smartwatch battery, and an AI Coach that personalises training load and recovery recommendations directly on the watch.
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 right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$459 vs $599 over 3 years · no required subscription.
20 days vs 11 days battery.
5 sensors.
39g · no required subscription.
Mountain runners, alpinists, and expedition athletes who want full offline maps, long GPS battery, and a bright AMOLED display in a rugged adventure watch. Suunto loyalists who need the brand's navigation precision and now want a readable colour display in the field.
Full details →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 →