When GPS watch is mentioned one of the names that comes up is Garmin, and in their arsenal is a long list of watches ranging from cheap ones like the Forerunner 55 to quite expensive ones like the Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire solar. The latest watch from Garmin is the entry-level Forerunner 165 which shares a lot in common with the cheaper Forerunner 55. While the Forerunner 55 succeeds the Forerunner 45 and has been around for quite a while, the recently released Forerunner 165 is a whole new model that falls in between the Forerunner 55 and 265.
| Price | Forerunner 55 | Forerunner 165 | Forerunner 165 Music |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $200 | $250 | $300 |
In this post, we’ll be comparing the difference between the $200 Forerunner 55 and $250 Forerunner 165. We will take a look at the designs, displays, activity tracking features and battery life to better understand the difference between these two.
In a few words, the Forerunner 165 is a more comprehensive watch than the Forerunner 55. While both watches are sturdily built, the Forerunner 165 with its bigger display lets you see more at a glance. It also has a more colorful AMOLED display and activity-tracking features. Though the Forerunner 55 has a longer battery life, thanks to its MIP display that is easier to read outdoors.
Forerunner 55 vs 165 Full Specifications Comparison
| Product Info |
 Garmin Forerunner 55 Specifications - Features - Pros - Cons and Prices |
 Garmin Forerunner 165 Full Specifications, Features and Price |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $299.99 |
| ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE |
| Device name | Garmin Forerunner 55 | Garmin Forerunner 165 |
| Device type | Fitness/Sport smartwatch | Fitness/Sport smartwatch |
| Gender | Unisex | Unisex |
| Release date | June, 2021 | February, 2024 |
| Predecessor | Garmin Forerunner 45 | None |
| Successor | — | — |
| Versions | — | — |
| BODY | BODY | BODY |
| Dimension | 42 x 42 x 11.6 mm | 43 x 43 x 11.6 mm |
| Weight | 37 grams | 39 grams |
| Shape | Circular | Circular |
| Case material | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Strap material | Silicone | Silicone |
| Bezel material | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Fiber polymer |
| Strap size | 20 mm | 20 mm |
| Interchangeable strap | 20mm, Yes | 20mm, Yes |
| Screen protection | Chemically strengthened glass | Chemically strengthened glass |
| Water resistance | Yes, 5ATM | Yes, 5ATM |
| Durability test | — | — |
| Swim-proof | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended |
| Color | Black, White | Berry case/lilac band (165 music), Black case/slate gray band, Black case/slate gray band (165 music), Mist-gray case/whitestone band, Mist-gray case/whitestone band (165 music), Turquoise case/aqua band (165 music) |
| DISPLAY | DISPLAY | DISPLAY |
| Display size | 1.04 inches | 1.2 inches |
| Display type | LCD, Memory-in-pixel (MIP), transflective | AMOLED |
| Display resolution | 208 x 208 pixels | 390 x 390 px |
| Pixel density | 282.8 PPI | 459 PPI |
| Always on | Yes | Yes |
| Custom watch face | Yes | Yes |
| Input type | (not touchscreen), 5 Physical buttons | 5 Physical buttons, Touchscreen |
| CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY |
| Bluetooth | ANT+, Bluetooth | ANT+, Bluetooth |
| Bluetooth calling | No | No |
| GPS | Galileo, GLONASS, GPS | Galileo, GLONASS, GPS |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No | Yes (Forerunner 165 Music) |
| MEMORY | MEMORY | MEMORY |
| RAM | N/A | — |
| ROM | N/A | 4GB |
| Memory card slot | No | No |
| CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY |
| Technology | None | None |
| SIM type | None | None |
| Band | — | — |
| NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS |
| SMS alert | Yes | Yes |
| Calls alert | Yes | Yes |
| Email alert | Yes | Yes |
| Event reminder | Yes | Yes |
| Third-party apps alert | Yes | Yes |
| Reply to Notifications | - | - |
| MEDIA | MEDIA | MEDIA |
| Audio | No | mp3/mp4 |
| Bluetooth music | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | No | No |
| Microphone | No | No |
| Camera | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| SENSORS | SENSORS | SENSORS |
| Sensor(s) | — | Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Barometric altimeter, Compass, Garmin Elevate heart rate sensor, Spo2 sensor, Thermometer |
| ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING |
| Blood oxygen | No | Yes |
| Blood Pressure | No | No |
| Calories | Yes | Yes |
| Distance | Yes | Yes |
| ECG tracking | No | No |
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Steps | Yes | Yes |
| Floors climbed | No | Yes |
| Stress | Yes | Yes |
| Fall detection | Yes | Yes |
| Menstrual cycle | Yes | Yes |
| VO2 Max | Yes | Yes |
| Swim-tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Underwater heart rate tracking | Yes | Yes |
| On-screen workout | No | No |
| Sport modes | Yes | Yes |
| BATTERY | BATTERY | BATTERY |
| Battery type | non-removable Lithium-polymer | non-removable Lithium-polymer |
| Battery capacity | — | — |
| Battery life | GPS mode: Up to 20 hours, Smartwatch mode: Up to 2 weeks | Smartwatch mode: Up to 11 days, Battery saver smartwatch mode: Up to 20 days |
| Charging type | Charging dock | Charging dock |
| Charging time | 1-2 hours | 1-2 hours |
| Solar charging | No | Yes |
| PLATFORM | PLATFORM | PLATFORM |
| Chipset | N/A | — |
| CPU | N/A | — |
| GPU | N/A | — |
| Operating system | Proprietary OS | Proprietary OS |
| MISC | MISC | MISC |
| Companion app | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect |
| Compatibility | Android 6.0+, iOS 13.0+ | Android 7.0+, iOS 15.0+ |
| Payment system | None | Garmin Pay |
| Voice command | No | No |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
| Box content | Charger, Garmin Forerunner 55, Manual, Straps | Charger, Manual, Straps, Garmin Forerunner 165 |
Forerunner 55 vs 165 Features Reviewed
Design
We start with the design, and in this regard, both watches have the same appearance. Apart from the slight difference in case size, it looks like Garmin used the same case of the Forerunner 55 for the 165. Both watches are 11.6mm thick and also have almost the same weight except that the Forerunner 55 weighs 2 grams less than the 165. Each of these two has a frame made of fiber-polymer paired with silicone straps. Meanwhile, a chemically strengthened glass protects the display on both watches. Each of these two is also rated 5ATM which means it is safe to wear any of these while swimming or taking a bath.
So as far as design is concerned, it is the same design quality for both the Forerunner 55 and 165. However, the 55 is slightly more compact.
Display
Because the Forerunner 55 is slightly more compact, it has a smaller 1.04 inches display compared to the 1.2 inches of the Forerunner 165 which lets you see more at a glance. Apart from having a bigger display, the Forerunner 165 also has a more colorful AMOLED display. Though the tested and trusted transflective MIP display of the Forerunner 55 is a lot easier to read outdoors.
Activity Tracking Features
Another difference between the Forerunner 55 and 165 is the available activity tracking features, and in this regard, the 165 has a lot more features than the 55 which of course explains why it costs $50 more.
Unlike the Forerunner 55, the Forerunner 165 is able to count floors climbed and features a health snapshot that gives you an overview of vital health stats like blood oxygen and heart rate at a glance. Moreover, the Forerunner 165 can also detect naps and track your blood oxygen which isn’t possible with the Forerunner 55. There is also a compass in the 165 but not in the 55. Additionally, the 165 also features more sports profiles.
Nonetheless, like the 165, the Forerunner 55 will track your heart rate, calories, sleep, stress and steps. It also has an inbuilt GPS for outdoor activity tracking and features a couple of sports profiles.
Music Storage
The Forerunner 165 comes in two models; a music and a non-music version. The music version is equipped with a 4GB storage capacity and wifi that will allow you to download music to the watch which you can listen to offline. The supported music streaming services include Spotify, Deezer and Amazon Music.
| Music Storage | Forerunner 55 | Forerunner 165 | Forerunner 165 Music |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music Storage | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
Meanwhile, like the Forerunner 55, the non-music version of the 165 doesn’t support onboard music storage.
Battery Life
| Battery Life | Forerunner 55 | Forerunner 165 | Forerunner 165 Music |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch Mode | Up to 14 days | Up to 11 days | Up to 11 days |
| GPS Mode | Up to 20 hours | Up to 17 hours | Up to 17 hours |
Obviously, thanks to the MIP display and the smaller display size, the Forerunner 55 boasts a longer battery life than the 165. While you can get up to 14 days of battery life with the Forerunner 55, the 165 has up to 11 days of battery life. Nonetheless, it’s interesting to note that each of these two will allow you to go multiple days from a single charge.
Forerunner 55 vs 165: Which is Better?
Clearly, the Forerunner 165 is a better watch than the Forerunner 55. Although the 55 has a longer battery life, the 165 has more activity tracking features and I prefer the AMOLED display to the transflective MIP display of the Forerunner 55.
Moreover, considering that the Forerunner 55 is almost 3 years old and going by Garmin’s tradition, the 165 will likely get newer features which won’t come to the 55.
So in all, the Forerunner 165 is a more comprehensive watch and for me, it’s totally worth the extra $50 or $100 if you choose to go with the Forerunner 165 Music.
