Garmin Forerunner 165 Review: Running GPS Watch with a beautiful AMOLED touchscreen
Today, we’re taking a closer look at the latest offering from Garmin, the Garmin Forerunner 165 running watch. Positioned as an affordable option, the Forerunner 165 is sure to catch the eye of those seeking a reliable Garmin watch priced under $300.
After a wait of two years and eight months, Garmin has finally unveiled the updated version of its entry-level sports watch. Packed with a plethora of new features, including an AMOLED screen, multi-GNSS support, recovery monitoring, and an upgraded optical sensor, the Forerunner 165 promises to deliver enhanced performance and functionality for users at an accessible price point.
However, the landscape of entry-level sports watches has evolved since Garmin’s last update, with increased competition in this segment. With this in mind, it’s essential to assess the value proposition of the Forerunner 165 and determine whether it can hold its own against rival offerings.
Garmin Forerunner 165: Video Review
| Specs | Garmin Forerunner 165 |
| Screen | 1.2 inch AMOLED Touchscreen, 390 x 390 pixels |
| Case size | 43 mm |
| Case thickness | 11.6 mm |
| Band size | standard 20 mm |
| Weight | 39g |
| Storage | 4GB |
| Water resistance | 50 metres (5ATM) |
| Sensors | GNSS (GPS, Glonass, Galileo), compass, thermometer, heart rate, pulse Ox |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, ANT+ (wifi with music) |
Garmin Forerunner 165: Design
The Garmin Forerunner 165 stays true to the familiar design language of its predecessors, embodying the quintessential sporty aesthetic that Garmin’s Forerunner lineup is known for. It maintains the tried-and-tested formula with its plastic construction and the customary five physical buttons located along the edge of the bezel, each labeled for easy navigation—Start/Stop, Back, Down, and so forth.
With a case size of 43 mm, the Forerunner 165 sits between the Forerunner 55 and the Forerunner 265, offering a balanced compromise in terms of size. Weighing in at a mere 39 grams, it strikes a harmonious balance between lightweight comfort and robust functionality.
The Forerunner 165 watch has a polymer body and is available in four colors: black, white, purple and turquoise. However, it’s worth noting that the last two additional color options are exclusive to the music variant, albeit at a slightly higher price.
While the Forerunner 165 may not be tailored for extreme off-road adventures, it boasts a water resistance rating of up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming sessions without any concerns. The back of the case houses the optical sensor and Garmin charging ports, although the lack of wireless charging can be seen as a missed opportunity for added convenience.
The watch features a 20mm silicone strap that effortlessly attaches to the case using the standard quick-release mechanism, ensuring a secure fit during activities. However, individuals with larger wrists may find the smaller size somewhat limiting.
Screen
The Garmin Forerunner 165 offers the same screen technology as your phone. Embracing the trend, the entire Forerunner range now boasts an AMOLED version, elevating the visual experience with vibrant colors and exceptional brightness.
Featuring a 1.2-inch screen with a resolution of 390 x 390 pixels, the Forerunner 165 is a balance between the compact Forerunner 55 and the wider Forerunner 265. This size and resolution combination ensures a crisp and immersive viewing experience.
One hallmark feature of AMOLED screens is the Always-On Display functionality, and the Forerunner 165 fully embraces this capability. Users can choose from three levels of customization:
- Always-On Display always disabled
- Always-On Display only enabled during activities
- Always-On Display always enabled.
Furthermore, Garmin provides users with a plethora of watch faces to choose from, along with the ability to customize complications and colors to suit individual preferences. This level of personalization adds a touch of personality to the watch, allowing users to tailor their experience to their unique style and needs.
Interface
The Garmin Forerunner 165 maintains consistency with other Garmin models by utilizing a familiar interface, albeit with a subtle update to accommodate its AMOLED screen. Borrowing the slightly refreshed icons from its more advanced counterparts like the Forerunner 265 and 965, the Forerunner 165 ensures optimal utilization of its display technology.
While we won’t delve into a comprehensive overview of the interface, it’s worth reiterating that Garmin’s interface is renowned for its comprehensiveness, albeit requiring a brief adjustment period for new users. However, compared to Garmin’s higher-tier models, the Forerunner 165 offers a slightly streamlined interface, with fewer options and features.
Navigation within the interface can be accomplished using the five physical buttons or via touch interaction. Daily usage is seamless, with occasional minor slowdowns but overall fluid and dependent performance.
In terms of technical specifications, the Forerunner 165 is equipped with 4 GB of internal storage—double the capacity of its predecessor, the Forerunner 55, which had only 32 MB. While this storage may seem modest compared to higher-end models like the Forerunner 265, it proves more than adequate considering the Forerunner 165’s primary focus on core functionalities rather than advanced features like map loading.
Application
The Garmin Forerunner 165 intersects with a pivotal moment in the evolution of Garmin’s ecosystem, particularly its companion application. The Garmin Connect app has long been synonymous with comprehensive data tracking but has faced criticism for its busy interface. However, with the announcement of a beta version in January 2024, Garmin signals a shift towards a more personalized and user-centric experience, a change that reverberates through the Forerunner 165 experience.
In terms of ergonomics, Garmin endeavors to infuse a sense of freshness into the interface. Yet, while there’s a discernible effort to rejuvenate the design, the results may not meet the lofty expectations of some users. The interface retains a somewhat raw aesthetic, lacking the polished finesse of competitors’ offerings, which feature smoother lines and elements.
However, where the update truly shines is in its personalized display feature. Upon launching the application, users are prompted to provide insights into their preferences and expectations. Leveraging this information, the app tailors the home screen to align with individual needs and goals.
The revamped home screen is subdivided into several customizable blocks, offering a holistic view of pertinent information:
- Today’s activities: Displays recent and upcoming workout sessions.
- Focus: Provides in-depth insights into selected metrics such as sleep, training load, and overall activity overview.
- Overview: Offers a snapshot of customizable metrics like heart rate, floors climbed, and VO2 max.
- Events: Showcases upcoming races and events.
- Training programs: Features personalized training programs if utilized.
- Challenges: Presents ongoing challenges and achievements.
Crucially, users have the flexibility to deactivate sections that are not relevant to their needs, fostering a tailored experience.
Garmin Forerunner 165: Health
The Garmin Forerunner 165, positioned as an entry-level offering within Garmin’s extensive lineup, strikes a balance between affordability and essential functionality.
The Forerunner 165 is equipped with a robust set of features, including:
- Multi-GNSS chip: Provides reliable tracking of location during outdoor activities.
- Garmin Elevate Gen 4 heart rate monitor: Offers accurate heart rate tracking for workouts and daily monitoring.
- Pulse oximeter: Allows users to monitor blood oxygen saturation levels, particularly useful for high-altitude activities.
- Barometric altimeter: Provides precise altitude data, essential for activities such as hiking and climbing.
In addition to basic step and floor tracking, the Forerunner 165 supports over twenty indoor and outdoor sports profiles, catering to a wide range of fitness activities, from running and cycling to yoga and weight training.
However, there are some limitations worth noting. Some advanced features, such as dedicated winter sports profiles and multisport mode for triathlon, are missing.
One notable omission is the absence of training load and training status features, which provide insights into workout intensity and recovery. While the watch offers an estimated recovery time feature, it lacks the comprehensive analysis provided by its higher-end counterparts. Similarly, advanced training metrics like PacePro mode and running dynamics are absent.
Nevertheless, the Forerunner 165 still offers valuable features for recovery and performance tracking. It monitors sleep quality and includes heart rate variability status, essential metrics for gauging recovery readiness. The morning report feature summarizes sleep data, HRV trends, upcoming events, and weather forecasts, providing users with valuable insights to start their day.
GPS tracking
The Garmin Forerunner 165, although lacking a multi-band mode, impresses with its commendable precision in GPS tracking. Garmin’s expertise in this area is well-established, and the Forerunner 165’s performance in multi-GNSS mode is more than adequate for both road and trail use, catering to users of all levels of experience.
Through approximately twenty running sessions, we observed no significant instances of missed routes or inaccuracies, affirming the reliability of the Forerunner 165’s GPS tracking capabilities.
Heart rate tracking
When it comes to heart rate tracking, the Forerunner 165 utilizes Garmin’s Elevate Gen 4 sensor, which is not the most advanced option available from Garmin. While this sensor has performed well in testing with other Garmin models, it has exhibited some shortcomings on the Forerunner 165.
Heart rate tracking is generally reliable during jogging and cycling sessions. However, some inconsistencies were noted during interval workouts, suggesting room for improvement in this area. Despite expectations for enhanced precision due to the watch’s compact form factor, the Elevate Gen 4 sensor’s performance on the Forerunner 165 fell slightly short of expectations.
Autonomy
Battery life is a crucial consideration for any sports watch, especially one equipped with an AMOLED screen. The Forerunner 165 offers respectable longevity, with Garmin claiming up to 11 days of usage. In real-world scenarios, the watch comfortably lasted 6 days in the most precise GNSS mode with the screen off during the day, and around 11 hours in GPS mode only. Activating the Always-On Display mode reduced battery life to less than 5 days, albeit with extensive outdoor activity.
The watch’s comfortable battery life is well-suited for regular athletes, offering ample usage between charges. Additionally, the quick recharge time of less than 1 hour and 10 minutes via Garmin’s proprietary charging port ensures minimal downtime between workouts, although the absence of wireless charging remains a drawback.
Call and communication
The Garmin Forerunner 165 surprises users with the inclusion of Garmin Pay, a convenient feature allowing contactless payments directly from the watch, eliminating the need to carry a phone or wallet. This addition enhances the practicality and versatility of the Forerunner 165, particularly for users on the go, provided their bank is compatible with Garmin Pay.
For music enthusiasts, the Forerunner 165 offers a Music variant, allowing users to store and listen to their favorite tracks directly from the watch. With compatibility for popular streaming services like Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer, users can download songs for offline playback, enhancing their workout experience without the need for a smartphone.
In addition to music capabilities, the Forerunner 165 supports notifications and event reminders, ensuring users stay connected and informed throughout their day. While calls can be answered from the watch, users will need to continue the conversation on their phone, highlighting a minor limitation in call handling functionality.
Garmin Forerunner 165: Conclusion
Garmin strategically positioned the Forerunner 165 in its lineup. It offers a compelling balance of features and affordability without sacrificing the cost of its more expensive counterparts.
The Forerunner 165 competes directly with models like the Coros Pace 3 and the Garmin Forerunner 255. While these competitors may offer features like multi-band GNSS and better battery life, they typically feature MIP screens rather than the vibrant AMOLED display found on the Forerunner 165 .
Overall, for users seeking a sports watch with an AMOLED screen at an attractive price point, the Garmin Forerunner 165 stands out as a compelling option. Its combination of Garmin’s brand reputation, stunning display, and essential features make it a strong contender in its class, offering excellent value for money compared to alternatives like the Amazfit Cheetah, which may sacrifice features for a lower price point.
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