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Forerunner 165 vs Pacer

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Polar Pacer

What Forerunner 165 does better (8) and where Pacer wins (1) — every spec side by side.

Garmin · 2024Forerunner 165

4.3Score

8 advantages≈ $250

Higher score

Polar · 2022Pacer

3.7Score

1 advantage≈ $260

5.3Display2.3

3.1Battery life3.5

4.9Health tracking2.1

2.7Sports & outdoor2.0

3.5Build & durability4.3

Dimensions

Size comparison

Forerunner 165Pacer

	Forerunner 165	Pacer	Difference
Height	43 mm	45 mm	−2 mm
Width	43 mm	45 mm	−2 mm
Thickness	11.6 mm	11.5 mm	+0.1 mm
Weight	39 g	40 g	−1 g

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

Why is Forerunner 165 better than Pacer?

Battery life (smartwatch mode)11 days vs 6.5 days+69%
AMOLED / OLED displayYes · Pacer: No
TouchscreenYes · Pacer: No
Barometric altimeterYes · Pacer: No
CompassYes · Pacer: No
Weight39 g vs 40 g+3%
Resolution (width)390 px vs 240 px+62%
Pixel density325 ppi vs 200 ppi+62%

Why is Pacer better than Forerunner 165?

GPS battery life19 h vs 32 h+68%

Specifications

Side by side

Only differences	Garmin Forerunner 165≈ $2504.3	Polar Pacer≈ $2603.7
Design & durability
Case size	43 mm	45 mm
Weight	39 g	40 g
Thickness	11.6 mm	11.5 mm
Height	43 mm	45 mm
Width	43 mm	45 mm
Case material	Plastic / polymer	Plastic / polymer
Sapphire crystal	No	—
Lens / cover glass	chemically strengthened glass	—
Strap material	silicone	—
Water resistance	5 ATM	5 ATM
Water rating (maker)	5 ATM	WR50
Colours	—	Night Black, Purple Dusk, Cloud White
Display
Screen size	1.2″	1.2″
Display technology	AMOLED	Memory-in-pixel (transflective)
Panel	AMOLED	MIP
AMOLED / OLED display	Yes	No
Always-on display	Yes	Yes
Touchscreen	Yes	No
Resolution (width)	390 px	240 px
Resolution (height)	390 px	240 px
Pixel density	325 ppi	200 ppi
Battery
Battery life (smartwatch mode)	11 days	6.5 days
Battery saver mode	20 days	—
GPS battery life	19 h	32 h
Battery capacity	—	265 mAh
Battery type	Lithium ion	Li-Pol
Wireless charging	No	—
Charging	Garmin proprietary plug charger	—
Health sensors
Optical heart rate	Yes	Yes
Blood oxygen (SpO2)	Yes	—
Skin temperature	—	No
Temperature sensor	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	Accelerometer
Sports & navigation
Built-in GPS	Yes	Yes
Satellite systems	GLONASS, GALILEO	—
Offline maps	—	No
Barometric altimeter	Yes	No
Compass	Yes	No
Sport profiles	25	—
LED flashlight	—	No
Connectivity
NFC payments	Yes	—
Bluetooth	—	5.1
ANT+ sensors	Yes	—
Smart features
Storage	4 GB	—
Third-party apps	Yes	—
Platform
Operating system	Garmin OS	Polar OS
Platform	Proprietary	Proprietary
Works with	iOS, Android	—