This model is no longer sold new. It has been replaced by the Garmin Forerunner 170 â
No longer sold new â clearance and second-hand prices are at their lowest. If you still want this model, now is the best time to buy. The current replacement is the Garmin Forerunner 170 â
| Model | Battery | GPS | Key Sensors | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forerunner 165 | 11 days | Yes (single-band) | Body Battery, HRV, SpO2, stress | Entry GPS running watch with AMOLED display. |
| Forerunner 165 Music | 11 days | Yes (single-band) | Body Battery, HRV, SpO2, stress | Same but with offline music storage. |
Beginner and intermediate runners who want real GPS accuracy and Garmin's analytics depth without the price of the 265 or 965. Also ideal as a first serious GPS watch for anyone moving up from a fitness tracker.
Key strengths
The FR165 is the first Garmin entry-level running watch with an AMOLED display â dramatically more readable than the LCD it replaces.
Training load, recovery time, Body Battery, HRV status, VO2 max estimation â the same analytics found on watches costing twice as much.
11 days typical use and roughly 19 hours GPS â enough for most training blocks without mid-week charging.
The Garmin Forerunner 165, released March 2024, brought AMOLED to Garmin's entry-level running lineup for the first time â with 11-day battery, Body Battery energy monitoring, HRV status, and all of Garmin's core running metrics. It has been replaced by the Forerunner 170 (May 2026).
Yes â the FR165 was replaced by the Forerunner 170 in May 2026. The FR170 adds Training Readiness, wrist-based running power, Garmin Pay, and a compass at $299.99. The FR165 may still be available at clearance prices.
The Garmin Forerunner 170 (May 2026) is the direct successor. It keeps the same AMOLED display and case size but adds Training Readiness, full Training Status, running power, Garmin Pay, and Openwater Swim and Floor Climb profiles.
Only at a significant clearance discount. The Forerunner 170 is the current model at $299.99 â if you can find the FR165 below $180, it remains an excellent entry GPS running watch.