Garmin Forerunner 165 vs COROS PACE 3 comes down to what you want to live with every day: an AMOLED screen and Garmin’s running guidance, or a lighter nylon-band setup with dual-frequency GPS and longer advertised GPS endurance. Both deserve a place on a runner’s shortlist, but the right choice depends on your training routine rather than a universal winner.
Research-based comparison: we reviewed manufacturer specifications and support documentation. We have not performed hands-on GPS, battery or heart-rate tests.
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Garmin Forerunner 165
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Choose Garmin for its display and running workflow; choose COROS for dual-frequency GPS, triathlon recording and longer standard-GPS endurance.
| Feature | Garmin Forerunner 165 | COROS PACE 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | AMOLED | MIP |
| GPS maximum | 19 hours GPS-only | 38 hours standard |
| Multi-band | No | Yes |
| Triathlon mode | No | Yes |
Pros
- AMOLED display
- Daily suggested running workouts
- Garmin Connect ecosystem
Cons
- No multi-band GPS
- Standard model lacks offline music
- No dedicated triathlon mode
Verdict
Forerunner 165 suits Garmin-focused runners; PACE 3 suits buyers prioritizing multisport and GPS endurance.
Quick verdict: which should you buy?
Choose the Forerunner 165 if you want Garmin’s interface, suggested running workouts and an AMOLED screen. It makes the most sense when you already use Garmin Connect or want a running watch that also feels useful between workouts.
Choose the PACE 3 if dual-frequency GPS, dedicated triathlon recording and charging less often during GPS use matter more. Its MIP screen has a different appearance from AMOLED; decide whether that trade-off suits your preferences before ordering.
Already happy with either watch? A change of ecosystem can mean rebuilding familiar settings and learning a new app. Identify a feature you actually miss before replacing a working watch.
Garmin Forerunner 165 vs COROS PACE 3: key differences
| Feature | Forerunner 165 | COROS PACE 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 1.2-inch AMOLED, 390 × 390 | 1.2-inch MIP, 240 × 240 |
| Case size | 43 × 43 × 11.6 mm | 41.9 × 41.9 × 11.7 mm |
| Published weight | 39 g | 30 g nylon / 38 g silicone |
| Satellite modes | GPS-only or all-systems; no multi-band | Standard, all-systems and dual-frequency |
| GPS battery maximum | Up to 19 hours, GPS-only | Up to 38 hours standard / 15 hours dual-frequency |
| Daily battery estimate | Up to 11 days | 17 days with sleep tracking / 15 with daily stress too |
| Controls | Touchscreen + five buttons | Touchscreen + digital dial and back button |
| Phone-free music | Requires the separate 165 Music model | Locally transferred MP3 files |
| Multisport race | No dedicated triathlon mode | Triathlon and multisport modes |
These are manufacturer figures, not our measured results. Battery modes are different, and music, navigation, lighting and settings affect runtime. This comparison covers the standard Forerunner 165, not the 165 Music.
Screen and controls: the difference you notice daily
Garmin uses AMOLED; COROS uses a transflective MIP display. In practical buying terms, think about how you read your watch: checking a colorful daily dashboard, glancing at pace outdoors, or viewing information in dim light. Screen preference is worth deciding in person if a retailer has both models available.
Also consider the controls. A five-button layout and a digital dial are different habits. If you often run in gloves or need to change screens while moving, try the interaction rather than judging from a product photo. Neither a touchscreen nor a specification sheet tells you which layout your fingers will prefer.
GPS: dual-frequency is a feature, not a test result
PACE 3 offers dual-frequency reception; the 165 does not. That gives COROS a hardware capability worth considering if demanding satellite conditions are part of your regular routes. It does not establish that every recorded PACE 3 route will be better. We have not run a controlled side-by-side test.
For open routes, ask whether satellite hardware is a problem you need to solve at all. For routes around tall buildings or heavy cover, it may carry more weight in your decision. Keep your priorities tied to where you train, rather than treating a longer feature list as an automatic reason to upgrade.
Battery: compare the mode you will actually use
COROS’s current support table lists 38 hours in standard GPS, 25 in all-systems and 15 in dual-frequency. Its daily estimates are 17 days with sleep tracking and 15 days when daily stress is also recorded. Older listings may still quote 24 days; we use the current support figures instead.
Garmin lists up to 19 hours GPS-only or 17 hours all-systems, with up to 11 days in smartwatch mode. A maximum is a planning reference, not a promise for your settings.
A buyer who needs dual-frequency should budget against its shorter runtime, not the 38-hour headline. Someone recording ordinary daily runs may care more about whether charging fits a weekly routine. Write down your longest activity and charging opportunities before choosing.
Running guidance or multisport recording?
The 165 includes daily suggested workouts, Garmin Coach, HRV status and recovery time. These can provide structure if you want your running watch to help organize training. For more background on this model, see our Forerunner 165 review.
COROS supports a triathlon activity with sport changes and transitions, plus a separate multisport mode. If you need one recording across swim, bike and run, that distinction matters more than whether a watch also lists each individual sport.
Both brands offer route guidance, but do not buy either expecting a full onboard map experience. Check a sample of the navigation screen against the kind of route finding you expect. A prepared course and a map with surrounding streets are different tools.
If you want to stay with Garmin while moving toward a broader training feature set, our 165 vs 265 comparison explains that alternative.
Music: check the model before checkout
The standard 165 controls music on your phone; offline watch music requires the 165 Music version. COROS supports MP3 files copied from a computer and played through Bluetooth audio, rather than Spotify or other streaming-service apps.
If music is important, start with your existing library and service. Owning tracks you can copy is different from having a streaming subscription. Do not order the standard 165 assuming a software setting will turn it into the Music model.
Fit and value: compare the actual listing
PACE 3 is slightly narrower, and the nylon version has a lower listed weight. That does not guarantee a better fit: strap adjustment, the shape of your wrist and the way the case sits all matter. Try a similar-size watch or check the seller’s return terms if you cannot try one first.
The COROS link below is the Chalk Nylon watch. Compare that exact strap option with the Garmin listing instead of mixing a nylon weight figure with a silicone purchase. Prices and stock vary, so we do not present a fixed Amazon price.
Check Forerunner 165 on Amazon
Check PACE 3 Chalk Nylon on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
Is COROS PACE 3 better than Garmin Forerunner 165?
It is our preference for buyers prioritizing dual-frequency GPS and triathlon recording. The 165 is our preference for buyers prioritizing AMOLED and Garmin’s running workflow. These are recommendations based on features, not a measured performance ranking.
Which is better for a beginner runner?
Start with the interface you understand and the training routine you will follow. If your friends or coach use one app, that familiarity may help more than a feature you rarely use. Neither watch is a requirement for starting to run.
Does PACE 3 support Spotify?
No streaming-service app is supported in COROS’s current music documentation. Its phone-free playback uses locally transferred MP3 files.
Should I consider a newer watch instead?
Yes, compare the total offer with current models before buying an older one. This guide answers the specific 165-versus-PACE-3 question; it does not claim these are the newest watches. Buy the feature set you need at terms you are comfortable with.
Final recommendation
For an everyday running setup built around AMOLED and Garmin guidance, pick the Forerunner 165. For dedicated multisport recording and dual-frequency GPS in a light nylon configuration, pick the COROS PACE 3. Choose the device whose compromises fit your week, rather than expecting either to win every category.
Sources and review method
We compared official product specifications, current battery guidance and music and multisport documentation. Recommendations are editorial judgments drawn from those features. We did not conduct physical testing or assign a numerical performance score.