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Garmin Forerunner 165 vs COROS Pace 3

Shoppers weighing the Garmin Forerunner 165 against the COROS Pace 3 are looking at two smartwatches within $20 of each other, which puts the real decision on which one's feature set actually fits how it'll be worn day to day.

Garmin Forerunner 165

The Garmin Forerunner 165 is built around a 1.2" display, 11 days of typical battery life, built-in GPS.

$249

Global reference price

COROS Pace 3

The COROS Pace 3 packs a 1.2" display, 24 days of typical battery life, built-in GPS, 5ATM water resistance.

$229

Global reference price

Specification Comparison

Garmin Forerunner 165COROS Pace 3
Screen Size1.2 inch1.2 inch
Battery Life11 days24 days
Water ResistanceUnknown5ATM
Built-in GPSYesYes
Cellular ConnectivityNoNo

Key Differences

Battery life is a major gap here: the COROS Pace 3 is rated for 24 days against the Garmin Forerunner 165's 11, meaning far fewer trips to the charger.

Pros & Cons

Garmin Forerunner 165

Pros

  • Built-in GPS

Cons

  • Shorter battery life (11 days)
  • Costs a bit more

COROS Pace 3

Pros

  • Much longer battery life (24 days)
  • Lower price
  • Built-in GPS

Cons

  • No significant weakness versus the alternative at this price

Which One Is Right For You?

  • Garmin Forerunner 165: Best for someone who prefers Garmin's ecosystem and design.
  • COROS Pace 3: A good fit for buyers who wants to charge as infrequently as possible and wants to spend a little less.

Conclusion

The two trade advantages on different fronts rather than one clearly beating the other outright, so the better fit depends on what matters most for daily wear.

Summary

Garmin Forerunner 165

Strengths

  • Built-in GPS

Weaknesses

  • Shorter battery life (11 days)
  • Costs a bit more

COROS Pace 3

Strengths

  • Much longer battery life (24 days)
  • Lower price
  • Built-in GPS

Weaknesses

  • No significant weakness versus the alternative at this price

Weigh the tradeoffs above against actual use: battery life, screen size, and connectivity matter differently depending on how the watch will be worn day to day.