At a Glance: The Verdict
| Apple Watch SE 3 | Garmin Forerunner 165 |
|---|---|
|
Best For: iPhone users who want a capable everyday smartwatch The larger display, optional LTE, microphone, speaker, and 64GB of storage make the Apple Watch SE 3 the stronger wrist companion. Its 18-hour battery is the price you pay. |
Best For: Runners who want long battery life The Forerunner 165 lasts up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and 19 hours with GPS. It gives runners far more freedom from the charger at essentially the same launch price. |
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.
The Apple Watch SE 3 and Garmin Forerunner 165 launched at almost the same price, but they serve different buyers. Apple built the better smartwatch; Garmin built the better running watch and wins this comparison for fitness-focused shoppers.
Key Differences
- Battery: Garmin rates the Forerunner 165 for up to 11 days, compared with 18 hours for the Apple Watch SE 3.
- GPS endurance: Garmin offers up to 19 hours of GPS use. Apple lists 7 hours.
- Smartwatch hardware: Apple includes a microphone, speaker, 64GB of storage, Wi-Fi, and optional LTE. Garmin has no microphone or speaker and provides 4GB of storage.
- Display: Apple uses a larger 1.78-inch Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display. Garmin uses a smaller 1.2-inch AMOLED screen with a 390 x 390 resolution.
- Sensors: Garmin includes SpO2 alongside heart rate, a barometric altimeter, compass, thermometer, accelerometer, and ambient light sensor. Apple includes heart rate, temperature, compass, an always-on altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, and ambient light sensor.
- Weight: The 44mm Apple Watch SE 3 weighs 32.9 grams. The 43mm Forerunner 165 weighs 39 grams.
Deep Dive Comparison
Design & Comfort
The Apple Watch SE 3 has a 44mm aluminum case and weighs 32.9 grams. The Forerunner 165 has a slightly smaller 43mm fiber-reinforced polymer case but weighs 39 grams. Apple is 6.1 grams lighter, while Garmin’s round case looks more like a conventional sports watch.
Both can handle swimming and everyday water exposure. Apple lists water resistance to 50 meters, while Garmin rates the Forerunner 165 at 5 ATM.
Battery Life
Garmin wins by a huge margin. The Forerunner 165 is rated for 264 hours, or 11 days, in smartwatch mode. The Apple Watch SE 3 lasts 18 hours, or about 0.8 days, so daily charging will be part of ownership.
The gap remains large during recorded workouts. Garmin promises up to 19 hours of GPS use, while Apple lists 7 hours. Either watch can cover a typical run, but Garmin is the safer choice for long races, travel, and weekends away from a charger.
Health & Fitness Features
Both watches include optical heart-rate sensors and single-band GPS. The supplied specifications do not include controlled accuracy results, so neither watch gets an accuracy win on paper.
Garmin adds SpO2, a barometric altimeter, compass, thermometer, accelerometer, and ambient light sensor. Apple answers with a temperature sensor, compass, always-on altimeter, high-g accelerometer, high dynamic range gyroscope, and ambient light sensor. Garmin’s stronger battery and longer GPS runtime give it the practical edge for repeated training.
Smart Features
The Apple Watch SE 3 is far better equipped for use away from a phone. Optional LTE, Wi-Fi, a microphone, and a speaker support a much broader smartwatch role. Its 64GB of storage also dwarfs Garmin’s 4GB.
Both watches support NFC payments. The provided specifications do not confirm offline-music or notification details, so those features should be checked against the exact model and phone before purchase, especially because Garmin sometimes separates music capability by version.
Price & Value
The Apple Watch SE 3 launched at $249, while the Garmin Forerunner 165 launched at $249.99. That $0.99 difference is irrelevant.
At those prices, Garmin delivers more value for runners because its 11-day battery and 19-hour GPS rating affect every week of ownership. Apple gives iPhone users more smartwatch hardware for the money, including optional LTE, calling hardware, Wi-Fi, and 64GB of storage. Street prices change, so compare the final checkout prices rather than assuming either watch still sells at launch price.
Technical Specs
| Specification | Apple Watch SE 3 | Garmin Forerunner 165 |
|---|---|---|
| Case | 44mm aluminum | 43mm fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Weight | 32.9 grams | 39 grams |
| Display | 1.78-inch Always-On Retina LTPO OLED, 368 x 448 pixels | 1.2-inch AMOLED, 390 x 390 pixels |
| Water Rating | 50 meters | 5 ATM |
| Smartwatch Battery | 18 hours | 264 hours, or 11 days |
| GPS Battery | 7 hours | 19 hours |
| GPS | Single-band | Single-band |
| Sensors | Optical heart sensor, temperature sensor, compass, always-on altimeter, high-g accelerometer, high dynamic range gyroscope, ambient light sensor | Heart rate, SpO2, accelerometer, barometric altimeter, compass, thermometer, ambient light sensor |
| Connectivity | Optional LTE, Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth, ANT+ |
| Microphone and Speaker | Yes | No |
| Storage | 64GB | 4GB |
| NFC Payments | Yes | Yes |
| Launch Price | $249 | $249.99 |
The Verdict
Buy the Garmin Forerunner 165 if running and workout tracking drive the purchase. Its 11-day smartwatch battery and 19-hour GPS rating beat Apple’s 18-hour and 7-hour figures so decisively that Garmin is easier to train with and easier to live with.
Buy the Apple Watch SE 3 if you use an iPhone and want your watch to handle more daily communication. The larger screen, optional LTE, microphone, speaker, Wi-Fi, lower weight, and 64GB of storage make it the better smartwatch. Just expect to charge it every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, the Apple Watch SE 3 or Garmin Forerunner 165?
The Garmin Forerunner 165 is the better fitness purchase because it lasts up to 11 days and records up to 19 hours with GPS. The Apple Watch SE 3 is better for iPhone owners who place calls, connectivity, and everyday apps ahead of battery life.
Which watch should runners buy?
Runners should buy the Garmin Forerunner 165. Its GPS battery lasts 19 hours versus 7 hours for the Apple Watch SE 3, reducing the risk of a dead watch during long races or heavy training weeks.
Does the Garmin Forerunner 165 have features the Apple Watch SE 3 lacks?
Garmin includes SpO2 and ANT+ connectivity, neither of which appears in the supplied Apple specifications. Apple counters with optional LTE, Wi-Fi, a microphone, a speaker, and much more storage.
Is the Apple Watch SE 3 worth the price over the Garmin Forerunner 165?
The Apple costs $249 at launch, just below Garmin’s $249.99 launch price. It offers strong value if you will use its LTE option and communication hardware, but Garmin gives runners more useful battery life for essentially the same money.
Which watch is better for iPhone and Android users?
iPhone users who want deep smartwatch functions should choose the Apple Watch SE 3. Android users should choose the Garmin Forerunner 165 because Apple Watch compatibility centers on the iPhone ecosystem.
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