At a Glance: The Verdict
| COROS Pace 3 | Garmin Forerunner 165 |
|---|---|
|
Best For: Serious runners who want pro-grade GPS and battery for $229 A featherweight 30g training tool with multi-band GPS and 38 hours of GPS battery. Skip the smartwatch fluff, get the data. |
Best For: Casual runners who want a pretty AMOLED screen and Garmin Pay Garmin’s entry-level AMOLED runner with NFC payments and the polished Connect ecosystem. Slower GPS, shorter battery, $20 more. |
Quick Buy Path
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If these are already your two finalists, compare current pricing now, then keep reading for the full verdict.
Both watches target runners shopping under $250, but they make opposite trade-offs. The Pace 3 is a stripped-down training tool. The Forerunner 165 is a smartwatch-first device that happens to track runs.
Key Differences
- GPS: COROS Pace 3 has multi-band GPS. Forerunner 165 is single-band only.
- Display: Pace 3 uses an always-on memory LCD. Forerunner 165 has a sharper 390 x 390 AMOLED.
- Battery: Pace 3 lasts 15 days in smartwatch mode and 38 hours with GPS. Forerunner 165 manages 11 days and 19 hours.
- Payments: Forerunner 165 has NFC for Garmin Pay. Pace 3 does not.
- Weight: Pace 3 is 30g. Forerunner 165 is 39g.
- Price: Pace 3 launched at $229. Forerunner 165 launched at $249.99.
Deep Dive Comparison
Design & Comfort
Both use fiber-reinforced polymer cases and have nearly identical 1.2-inch screens. The Pace 3 is the lighter watch at 30g versus 39g for the 165 — a noticeable difference on long runs. Case sizes are close (41.9mm vs 43mm). Where they split is the screen tech: the Pace 3’s memory LCD is dim and matte but readable in direct sunlight without burning battery. The Forerunner 165’s 390 x 390 AMOLED is the prettier panel by a wide margin.
Battery Life
This is where the Pace 3 embarrasses its Garmin rival. 15 days of smartwatch use vs 11 days. 38 hours of GPS vs 19 hours. If you’re training for a marathon or ultra, the Pace 3 lets you go a full week of hard training between charges. The Forerunner 165 needs the cable more than twice as often during GPS sessions.
Health & Fitness Features
Both have optical heart rate, SpO2, barometric altimeter, and compass. The decisive difference is GPS. The Pace 3’s multi-band (dual-frequency) GPS locks faster and tracks more accurately in cities, under tree cover, and on twisty trails. The Forerunner 165’s single-band GPS is fine on open roads but will drift on technical routes. For training analytics, COROS gives you a solid free EvoLab platform with no subscription. Garmin Connect is more polished and has been around longer.
Smart Features
The Forerunner 165 wins this round. NFC for Garmin Pay means you can leave your wallet at home on long runs. The Pace 3 has no payments. Both handle phone notifications and music storage (4GB on each). Neither has a mic or speaker, so no on-wrist calls. Garmin’s app ecosystem (Connect IQ) is broader than what COROS offers.
Price & Value
The Pace 3 launched at $229 and the Forerunner 165 at $249.99. For $20 less, the COROS gives you better GPS, longer battery, and a lighter case. The Garmin’s extra $20 buys you the AMOLED display and contactless payments. If you’re a runner first and a smartwatch user second, the math favors COROS hard.
Technical Specs
| Spec | COROS Pace 3 | Garmin Forerunner 165 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Price | $229 | $249.99 |
| Weight | 30g | 39g |
| Case Size | 41.9mm | 43mm |
| Display | 1.2-inch Memory LCD, 240 x 240 | 1.2-inch AMOLED, 390 x 390 |
| Water Rating | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Battery (Smartwatch) | 360 hours (15 days) | 264 hours (11 days) |
| Battery (GPS) | 38 hours | 19 hours |
| GPS | Multi-band | Single-band |
| NFC Payments | No | Yes |
| Sensors | HR, SpO2, barometric altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, 3D compass, thermometer | HR, SpO2, accelerometer, barometric altimeter, compass, thermometer, ambient light |
| Storage | 4GB | 4GB |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, ANT+ |
The Verdict
Buy the COROS Pace 3 if you actually run. Multi-band GPS, 38-hour GPS battery, 30g weight, and a $229 price tag make this the smarter training tool. It’s the better watch for marathoners, trail runners, and anyone who logs serious mileage.
Buy the Garmin Forerunner 165 if you want a watch that looks great on your wrist all day, you’ll use Garmin Pay, and you’re already locked into the Garmin Connect ecosystem. The AMOLED is genuinely nicer to look at, and Garmin’s app store is deeper.
For most runners, the Pace 3 wins. The Forerunner 165 wins for people who care more about screen quality and contactless payments than GPS accuracy or battery life.
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Specs and features may change. Always verify details on the manufacturer’s official site before purchasing.
