Garmin Forerunner 165 Review Australia 2026 β Best Beginner GPS Watch?
The Garmin Forerunner 165 brings Garmin's AMOLED display technology and advanced training metrics to its most accessible price point yet. After six weeks of testing in Australia, here is whether it lives up to the hype.
The Garmin Forerunner 165 in Australia
Garmin released the Forerunner 165 as its most accessible AMOLED running watch, bringing the bright, colourful display technology previously reserved for AU$500+ models down to the AU$349-399 price range. In Australia, it is available at JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, rebel Sport, Garmin's Australian website, and Running Warehouse AU.
After six weeks of daily use and testing across road running, gym sessions, and everyday wear in Australian conditions, here is our full verdict.
Key Specs
- Price: AU$349 (standard) / AU$399 (Music version)
- Weight: 39g
- Display: 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen
- GPS Battery: 19 hours standard GPS
- Smartwatch Battery: Up to 11 days
- Water Resistance: 5 ATM (50 metres)
- GPS: Single-frequency multi-GNSS with SatIQ
- Heart Rate: Elevate Gen 4 optical sensor
Design and Display β Where It Shines
The Forerunner 165 is the most attractive running watch at this price point in Australia and it is not particularly close. The 1.2-inch AMOLED display is vivid, responsive, and genuinely pleasant to look at during and after runs. Metrics are displayed in crisp, colourful graphics that make data easy to process at a glance.
In direct Australian sunlight β the harshest test for any display β the AMOLED remains readable with the brightness setting turned up, though MIP displays on watches like the COROS PACE 3 have a slight edge in maximum-brightness outdoor legibility.
At 39g the Forerunner 165 is comfortable for all-day wear. The 43mm case fits most wrist sizes well and does not look out of place in an office environment the way chunkier watches like the Garmin Fenix do.
GPS Performance β Solid for Australian Roads
The Forerunner 165 uses Garmin's SatIQ technology, which automatically selects the best available GPS system for your current conditions. In practice this provides reliable accuracy on open roads and footpaths throughout Australian suburbs and cities.
On more technical terrain β particularly under the dense tree canopy common on Australian bush trails β accuracy degrades more than dual-frequency watches like the COROS PACE 3 or Garmin's own higher-end models. Distance errors of 3-5% on heavily canopied trail routes are not uncommon. For road runners this is irrelevant. For trail runners doing technical routes, it is a limitation worth knowing about.
GPS lock time is fast β typically under 10 seconds in open conditions β and the watch maintains consistent tracking during Australian summer running, handling the temperature fluctuations between air-conditioned gyms and hot outdoor conditions without issue.
Battery Life β The Main Limitation
Nineteen hours of GPS battery and 11 days of smartwatch mode sounds adequate, but in daily use the Forerunner 165 requires charging every four to five days with typical usage patterns. This means charging roughly once a week minimum, more frequently if you run multiple times daily or use GPS heavily.
For Australian runners targeting events over 15 hours β ultra events are increasingly popular β the 19-hour GPS limit is a real constraint. The watch will need to be switched to extended battery mode for events like Ultra-Trail Australia (100km, typically 15-25 hours for recreational runners).
For most recreational Australian runners doing 3-5 runs per week up to 3 hours, the battery is adequate. It is only runners targeting longer events or those who regularly forget to charge who will find it limiting.
Training Features β Garmin's Strength
The Forerunner 165 inherits Garmin's best-in-class training ecosystem and this is its strongest selling point. Garmin Coach provides guided training plans for 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon β the plans adapt to your performance and adjust dynamically as your fitness develops. For beginner Australian runners this feature alone can substitute for a running coach at a fraction of the cost.
Daily Suggested Workouts recommends specific sessions based on your recent training load and recovery β a feature that takes the guesswork out of structuring training weeks. The Morning Report gives an overview of your sleep, Body Battery level, and training outlook for the day.
Body Battery is Garmin's proprietary daily readiness score, combining sleep quality, HRV, stress, and activity to estimate your available energy. It is more nuanced and more actionable than simpler recovery metrics. Experienced runners who train by feel may find it redundant; beginners find it genuinely useful for learning when to push and when to rest.
Smartwatch Features β More Complete Than COROS
The Forerunner 165 handles smartphone notifications reliably for both Android and iOS users. The Connect IQ app store provides access to watch faces, data fields, and third-party apps including Spotify controls, weather apps, and custom training tools.
The standard Forerunner 165 does not include music storage β that requires the Music version at AU$399. If music during runs is important to you, factor in this AU$50 premium or use a phone paired via Bluetooth.
Garmin Pay (NFC contactless payments) is not included on the 165, which is a surprising omission given the price point. If tapping your watch to pay for coffee after a run is important, you will need to look at the Garmin Forerunner 265 or Venu series.
Heart Rate Accuracy
The Elevate Gen 4 optical heart rate sensor performs well for steady-state running, maintaining accuracy within 3-5 BPM of a chest strap across most of our test runs. Like all wrist-based optical sensors, accuracy degrades during high-intensity intervals and in cold conditions. For the majority of Australian recreational running, the accuracy is more than sufficient.
Who Should Buy the Garmin Forerunner 165 in Australia?
The Forerunner 165 is the ideal first serious GPS running watch for Australian runners who:
- Want a watch that looks attractive for daily wear, not just running
- Are beginning structured training and want guided plans from Garmin Coach
- Run mostly on roads and do not need trail-specific GPS accuracy
- Want access to Garmin's mature app ecosystem
- Value polished recovery analytics over raw GPS performance
- Plan to run events up to marathon distance (not ultras)
Where to Buy in Australia
- JB Hi-Fi β most competitive pricing, regular discounts
- Harvey Norman β price matching available
- Garmin Australia (garmin.com/en-AU) β official warranty, full range
- rebel Sport β accessible nationwide, good for seeing in person
- Running Warehouse AU β specialist knowledge, running-focused advice
The Forerunner 165 regularly goes on sale at JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman β discounts of AU$50-80 are common. Worth checking before buying at full price.
Our Verdict
The Garmin Forerunner 165 earns its place as the best entry-level Garmin for Australian runners. The AMOLED display, Garmin Coach training plans, and Body Battery recovery data make it a genuinely useful training tool that beginners will actually use rather than ignore.
Its limitations β battery life relative to COROS, single-frequency GPS, no contactless payments β are real but manageable for most Australian road runners. If you run trails extensively, do ultra events, or want the most running performance per dollar, the COROS PACE 3 is the better choice. For everyone else starting their GPS watch journey, the Forerunner 165 is an excellent first watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Garmin Forerunner 165 worth it in Australia?
Yes, for most road runners and beginners. The AMOLED display, Garmin Coach, and Body Battery make it a genuinely useful training tool. Trail runners and ultra runners should consider the COROS PACE 3 instead for better battery life and GPS accuracy.
What is the difference between Garmin Forerunner 165 and 165 Music?
The Music version adds onboard music storage and playback via Bluetooth headphones. In Australia it costs AU$399 versus AU$349 for the standard version. If you run with headphones regularly, the upgrade is worth the AU$50 premium.
Does the Garmin Forerunner 165 work in Australia?
Yes, fully. Australian mapping, Garmin Pay exclusion aside, all features work in Australia including Garmin Connect, live tracking, and integration with Strava and TrainingPeaks.
How long does the Garmin Forerunner 165 battery last?
Up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and 19 hours in GPS mode. In typical usage with 4-5 runs per week you will charge it every 4-5 days.
