idk.dev
Compare
Forerunner 165 vs Forerunner 170

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Garmin Forerunner 170

What Forerunner 165 does better (4) and where Forerunner 170 wins (2) — every spec side by side.

Garmin · 2024Forerunner 165

4.3Score

4 advantages≈ $250

Garmin · 2026Forerunner 170

4.3Score

2 advantages≈ $300

Higher score

5.4Display5.4

3.1Battery life2.9

4.9Health tracking4.9

2.7Sports & outdoor4.6

3.5Build & durability3.2

Dimensions

Size comparison

Forerunner 165Forerunner 170

	Forerunner 165	Forerunner 170	Difference
Height	43 mm	42.6 mm	+0.4 mm
Width	43 mm	42.6 mm	+0.4 mm
Thickness	11.6 mm	11.9 mm	−0.3 mm
Weight	39 g	41 g	−2 g

Drawn to the same scale from the official dimensions (front and side).

Why is Forerunner 165 better than Forerunner 170?

Battery life (smartwatch mode)11 days vs 10 days+10%
Weight39 g vs 41 g+5%
Battery saver mode20 days vs 19 days+5%
Thickness11.6 mm vs 11.9 mm+3%

Why is Forerunner 170 better than Forerunner 165?

Sport profiles25 vs 783.1×
GPS battery life19 h vs 20 h+5%

Specifications

Side by side

Only differences	Garmin Forerunner 165≈ $2504.3	Garmin Forerunner 170≈ $3004.3
Design & durability
Case size	43 mm	43 mm
Weight	39 g	41 g
Thickness	11.6 mm	11.9 mm
Height	43 mm	42.6 mm
Width	43 mm	42.6 mm
Case material	Plastic / polymer	Plastic / polymer
Sapphire crystal	No	No
Lens / cover glass	chemically strengthened glass	chemically strengthened glass
Strap material	silicone	silicone
Water resistance	5 ATM	5 ATM
Water rating (maker)	5 ATM	5 ATM
Display
Screen size	1.2″	1.2″
Display technology	AMOLED	AMOLED
Panel	AMOLED	AMOLED
AMOLED / OLED display	Yes	Yes
Always-on display	Yes	Yes
Touchscreen	Yes	Yes
Resolution (width)	390 px	390 px
Resolution (height)	390 px	390 px
Pixel density	325 ppi	325 ppi
Battery
Battery life (smartwatch mode)	11 days	10 days
Battery life with always-on display	—	4 days
Battery saver mode	20 days	19 days
GPS battery life	19 h	20 h
Battery type	Lithium ion	Lithium ion
Wireless charging	No	No
Charging	Garmin proprietary plug charger	Garmin proprietary plug charger
Health sensors
Optical heart rate	Yes	Yes
Blood oxygen (SpO2)	Yes	Yes
Temperature sensor	Yes	Yes
HRV tracking	Yes	Yes
Sleep tracking	Yes	Yes
Sensors	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Elevate wrist heart rate monitor, Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor, Barometric altimeter, Compass, Accelerometer, Thermometer, Ambient light sensor	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Elevate wrist heart rate monitor, Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor, Barometric altimeter, Compass, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Thermometer, Ambient light sensor
Sports & navigation
Built-in GPS	Yes	Yes
Satellite systems	GLONASS, GALILEO	GLONASS, GALILEO
Barometric altimeter	Yes	Yes
Compass	Yes	Yes
Sport profiles	25	78
Connectivity
NFC payments	Yes	Yes
ANT+ sensors	Yes	Yes
Smart features
Storage	4 GB	4 GB
Third-party apps	Yes	Yes
Platform
Operating system	Garmin OS	Garmin OS
Platform	Proprietary	Proprietary
Works with	iOS, Android	iOS, Android