Forerunner 165 Music vs Garmin Forerunner 165
Side-by-side on the specs that matter, with category winners and an opinionated take to help you decide.
The VerdictAI-generated · editor-reviewed
The choice is between onboard music storage for phone-free runs or a slightly lower upfront cost.
AForerunner 165 Music
Pick Forerunner 165 Music if you want to leave your phone behind and stream or store music directly on the watch.
BGarmin Forerunner 165
Pick Garmin Forerunner 165 if you always run with your phone and prefer to save money on the core running features.
Trade-offs to own
- —The Music model adds storage for playlists and apps, the standard model does not.
- —The standard model relies on a connected phone for music playback.
- —Both watches share identical GPS, battery life, and training metrics.
Full specs
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Forerunner 165 Music
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Garmin Forerunner 165
Pindear may earn a commission when you buy through these links. Winners are determined by numeric spec comparisons only; non-numeric features (app quality, ecosystem, real-world feel) are covered in the verdict.