Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Forerunner 970
Size, specs & wrist fit compared
Which one fits you
Under 16.5 cm (6.5 in) round, the Forerunner 970's lugs overhang and the Forerunner 165's do not; the Forerunner 165 fills the wrist at 16–18 cm, the Forerunner 970 at 17.5–19.5 cm.
What else differs
- Screen: the Forerunner 970 has the larger screen, 1.4 in across against 1.2 in on the Forerunner 165.
- Battery: 15 days for the Forerunner 970 against 11 days for the Forerunner 165 in everyday use; 26 hours for the Forerunner 970 against 19 hours for the Forerunner 165 with GPS on.
- Only the Forerunner 970 has a sapphire lens.
The Forerunner 970 is 4mm wider, 1.3mm thicker and 17g heavier than the Forerunner 165.
Forerunner 165
Forerunner 970
Case width
43mm
47mm+4mm
Thickness
11.6mm
12.9mm+1.3mm
Weight
39g
56g+17g
Forerunner 165 or Forerunner 970 by wrist size
| Wrist round (mm left each side) | Forerunner 165≈49.5mm lug to lug, est. | Forerunner 970≈54mm lug to lug, est. |
|---|---|---|
| 14 cm / 5.5 in | Overhangs (2.2mm over) | Overhangs (4.4mm over) |
| 15 cm / 5.9 in | Overhangs (0.6mm over) | Overhangs (2.8mm over) |
| 16 cm / 6.3 in | Bold (1.1mm) | Overhangs (1.2mm over) |
| 17 cm / 6.7 in | Sweet spot (2.7mm) | Bold (0.4mm) |
| 18 cm / 7.1 in | Sweet spot (4.3mm) | Sweet spot (2mm) |
| 19 cm / 7.5 in | Balanced (5.9mm) | Sweet spot (3.6mm) |
| 20 cm / 7.9 in | Balanced (7.5mm) | Balanced (5.3mm) |
Switch or add watches
Garmin
Forerunner 165
Garmin
Forerunner 970
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Battery life compared
Forerunner 165Forerunner 970
Battery saver
20 days—Smartwatch
11 days15 daysGPS only
19 hours26 hoursAll systems + multi-band
—21 hoursAll systems
17 hours—GPS with music
—14 hoursAll systems + multi-band with music
—12 hours
More comparisons
2D Dimension Schematics
- Garmin Forerunner 165 43mm × ≈49.5mm (est.) · 11.6mm thick
- Garmin Forerunner 970 47mm × ≈54mm (est.) · 12.9mm thick
3D preview
Forerunner 165 vs Forerunner 970 on a wrist
Specifications
The short version
7 key specs| Spec | GarminForerunner 165 | GarminForerunner 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Case Width | 43mm | 47mm |
| Thickness | 11.6mm | 12.9mm |
| Weight | 39g | 56g |
| Shape | Circular | Circular |
| Display type | AMOLED (optional always-on mode) | AMOLED (optional always-on mode) |
| Battery life | Smartwatch mode: Up to 11 days Battery Saver Smartwatch mode: Up to 20 days GPS-Only GNSS mode: Up to 19 hours All-Systems GNSS mode: Up to 17 hours See Details | Smartwatch mode: Up to 15 days GPS-Only GNSS mode: Up to 26 hours SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS mode: Up to 23 hours All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band: Up to 21 hours GPS-Only GNSS mode with music: Up to 14 hours SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS mode with music: Up to 13 hours All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band with music: Up to 12 hours See Details |
| Released | 2024 | 2025 |
Where the specifications differ
24 differences| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 165 | Garmin Forerunner 970 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Battery life | Smartwatch mode: Up to 11 days Battery Saver Smartwatch mode: Up to 20 days GPS-Only GNSS mode: Up to 19 hours All-Systems GNSS mode: Up to 17 hours See Details | Smartwatch mode: Up to 15 days GPS-Only GNSS mode: Up to 26 hours SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS mode: Up to 23 hours All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band: Up to 21 hours GPS-Only GNSS mode with music: Up to 14 hours SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS mode with music: Up to 13 hours All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band with music: Up to 12 hours See Details |
| Display Size | 1.2" (30.4 mm) diameter | 1.4" (35.3 mm) diameter |
| Lens Material | chemically strengthened glass | Sapphire Crystal |
| Bezel Material | fiber-reinforced polymer | titanium |
| Memory/History | 4 GB | 32 GB |
| Display resolution | 390 x 390 pixels | 454 x 454 pixels |
| Product Info | ||
| Main SKU | 010-02863-20 | 010-02969-00 |
| Product ID | 1055469 | 1462801 |
| Product Name | Forerunner® 165 | Forerunner® 970 |
| Release Date | 2/20/2024 | 5/15/2025 |
| Product Variation | Black/Slate Gray | Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Black Case and Black/Translucent Whitestone Band |
| Running Features | ||
| Ground contact time and balance | yes (but not balance) | yes (GCT balance with accessory) |
| What You'll Love | ||
| Pulse Ox blood oxygen | yes (spot-check, during sleep, all day) | yes (spot-check, and optional all-day acclimation and in sleep) |
| Battery life (smartwatch mode) | Up to 11 days | Up to 15 days |
| Activity Profiles | ||
| Gym | Strength, HIIT, Cardio, Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Floor Climbing | Strength, HIIT, Cardio, Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Floor Climbing, Indoor Rowing, Jump Roping |
| Cycling | Biking, Indoor Biking | Biking, Road Biking, Mountain Biking, Gravel Biking, Bike Commuting, Bike Touring, eBiking, eMountain Biking, Indoor Biking, Cyclocross, BMX |
| Wellness | Walking, Pilates, Yoga, Indoor Walking | Walking, Pilates, Yoga, Indoor Walking, Mobility |
| Racket sports | Tennis, Pickleball, Padel | Tennis, Pickleball, Badminton, Squash, Table Tennis, Padel, Platform Tennis, Racquetball |
| Outdoor running | Running, Outdoor Track Running, Trail Running, Ultra Running | Running, Outdoor Track Running, Trail Running, Ultra Running, Obstacle Racing |
| Outdoor recreation | Hiking | Hiking, Rucking, Mountaineering, Indoor Climbing, Bouldering, Hunting, Horseback Riding, Golfing, Disc Golf, Archery |
| Outdoor Recreation | ||
| Sun and moon information | yes (via Connect IQ™) | Yes |
| Daily Smart Features | ||
| Connectivity | Bluetooth®, ANT+® | Bluetooth®, ANT+®, Wi-Fi® |
| Workout and Training Plans | ||
| Garmin Running Coach | yes (no strength add-on) | Yes |
| Training, Planning and Analysis Features | ||
| Respiration rate (during exercise) | Yoga and Breathwork only | yes (with compatible accessory) |
The other 163 specifications both list are identical.
Full Garmin Forerunner 165 specifications →Full Garmin Forerunner 970 specifications →