Smartwatches · owner-verdict comparison

Apple Watch Series 11 vs Garmin Forerunner 165: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Garmin Forerunner 165: 67% of 147 owners recommend it, vs 26% of 43 for the Apple Watch Series 11.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Apple Watch Series 11

26%of 43 owners recommend
26% recommend · 9% neutral · 65% don't
Owners praise
  • Does far more than single-purpose fitness trackers (Whoop, Garmin), calls, texts, apps, and daily-use features owners don't want to give up
  • Sensors and health data are rated consistently accurate, with owners pairing it with apps like Bevel for detailed analytics
Owners complain about
  • Screen and case scratch or chip easily, glass scuffed within a week for some, paint chipping within a year for others, often blamed on the band's clasp rubbing against the case
  • Daily charging is a recurring frustration, especially because it interrupts overnight sleep tracking and means charging every 12-16 hours
  • Some owners find the square/boxy design ugly, calling it a 'pillbox-on-a-string' and disliking the shape compared to traditional round watches
Full owner report →

Garmin Forerunner 165

67%of 147 owners recommend
67% recommend · 8% neutral · 25% don't
Owners praise
  • Excellent battery life for the price, often lasting close to a week (or ~12 days per some owners) and far outlasting Apple Watch/Samsung comparisons
  • Strong value for money, praised repeatedly as the 'budget'/entry-level Garmin that delivers most of the higher-tier features at a much lower price
  • Light and comfortable on the wrist, especially compared to bulkier models like the 255/265 or Apple Watch Ultra
Owners complain about
  • Firmware updates (notably the 27.09/27.10 releases) introduced real bugs, GPS drifting off track, heart rate stuck or inaccurate, steps not counting, freezing during activities, and unusual battery drain
  • Missing higher-end features owners wanted, especially power meter support, triathlon mode, and dual-band GPS/offline maps, pushing some to return it for the 265 or a Coros Pace
  • Menus, the on-screen keyboard, and overall navigation feel complicated or unresponsive for a 'basic' entry watch
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Apple Watch Series 11 if
  • ✓iPhone owners who want texts, calls, and always-on data without pulling out their phone
  • ✓Fitness trackers who value accurate sensors and detailed sleep/activity analytics
  • ✓People happy charging daily during a shower or set routine
  • ✓Buyers who want a simple, comfortable everyday watch, not a rugged sports tool
Skip it if
  • Divers, mountaineers, or heavy sport users needing a rugged, purpose-built watch
  • Anyone unwilling to charge every 12-16 hours or wear it while sleeping
Get the Garmin Forerunner 165 if
  • ✓Beginner or casual runners who just want accurate basics without complexity
  • ✓Buyers upgrading from a Forerunner 55 or basic Apple Watch on a budget
  • ✓Runners who value long battery life and a light, comfortable wrist feel
  • ✓People who mainly run/hike in open areas and don't need multisport or power meters
Skip it if
  • Triathletes or cyclists needing power meter support, multisport mode, or dual-band GPS
  • Runners training under tree canopy or in dense urban areas needing stronger GPS accuracy

What Apple Watch Series 11 owners say

“i have it. love it. so comfy and wear it every day. just have to pay attention when you put your watch on”
— facemusk on Reddit
“I’ve been charging my watch during my showers, and it has allowed me to track both my daily activity and sleep activity.”
— kyrie0401 on Reddit
“Apple Watch needs daily charging so I can’t sleep with it and charge during day time. If you don’t monitor your sleep daily you don’t get a good diagnostic.”
— Viplist on Reddit

What Garmin Forerunner 165 owners say

“This video has made me realise the 165 is for me.”
— @CGCGCG91 on YouTube
“ordered a 165 hahah wish I knew sooner!”
— @Joseeppph on YouTube
“To remove a feature that was previously there as soon as you release the product, which contains the hardware for the feature is a really bad look.”
— @Fernweh_8 on YouTube

Apple Watch Series 11 vs Garmin Forerunner 165: frequently asked questions

Is the Apple Watch Series 11 or the Garmin Forerunner 165 better?

Real owners lean toward the Garmin Forerunner 165: 67% of 147 owners recommend it, vs 26% of 43 for the Apple Watch Series 11.

Who should get the Apple Watch Series 11?

Owners point the Apple Watch Series 11 at iPhone owners who want texts, calls, and always-on data without pulling out their phone, and fitness trackers who value accurate sensors and detailed sleep/activity analytics.

Who should get the Garmin Forerunner 165?

Owners point the Garmin Forerunner 165 at beginner or casual runners who just want accurate basics without complexity, and buyers upgrading from a Forerunner 55 or basic Apple Watch on a budget.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Apple Watch Series 11 is screen and case scratch or chip easily, glass scuffed within a week for some, paint chipping within a year for others, often blamed on the band's clasp rubbing against the case. For the Garmin Forerunner 165, it's firmware updates (notably the 27.09/27.10 releases) introduced real bugs, GPS drifting off track, heart rate stuck or inaccurate, steps not counting, freezing during activities, and unusual battery drain.