Smartwatches · owner-verdict comparison

Fenix 8 vs Garmin Forerunner 165: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Garmin Forerunner 165: 67% of 147 owners recommend it, vs 59% of 110 for the Fenix 8.

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

Fenix 8

59%of 110 owners recommend
59% recommend · 16% neutral · 25% don't
Owners praise
  • Rock-solid reliability for many owners, repeated reports of zero bugs, zero issues, and smooth performance out of the box
  • Strong battery life, especially on Solar/MIP models, with owners citing 13+ day stretches and no more daily charging anxiety
  • Sharp, bright AMOLED display and a readable-in-sunlight MIP option praised as the best screen in the Fenix lineup
Owners complain about
  • Price is the single biggest complaint, many call the cost (often $1,000+) unjustified given how minor the upgrade feels
  • Software bugs and glitches at launch, with some saying Garmin released it too early or felt like a beta product
  • Missing cellular/LTE connectivity is a recurring dealbreaker for owners who wanted it
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 Fenix 8 if
  • ✓Hikers, divers, and outdoor athletes who want rugged multisport tracking with solar/long battery options
  • ✓Upgraders from older Fenix/Forerunner models wanting AMOLED or MIP display choice, buttons, and a bigger sunlight-readable screen
  • ✓Users who value the flashlight, mic/speaker, and offline voice commands for daily and outdoor use
  • ✓Owners who prioritize build quality and QUICK-FIT strap swapping over chasing every new smartwatch feature
Skip it if
  • Buyers on a budget, since many feel the price hike isn't justified by the incremental upgrades
  • Anyone needing built-in LTE/cellular, which the Fenix 8 lacks and reviewers repeatedly flag as a dealbreaker
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 Fenix 8 owners say

“Its amazing especially because it is an extremely dangerous sport when being a type 1 diabetic”
— @Tentoumushi69 on YouTube
“I came from Apple Watch to the Fenix 8 about 2 months ago, love it. Zero issues, zero bugs.”
— @rb3tactical145 on YouTube
“Price is ridiculous and the features do not justify it.”
— @bellosthomas on YouTube

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

Fenix 8 vs Garmin Forerunner 165: frequently asked questions

Is the Fenix 8 or the Garmin Forerunner 165 better?

Real owners lean toward the Garmin Forerunner 165: 67% of 147 owners recommend it, vs 59% of 110 for the Fenix 8.

Who should get the Fenix 8?

Owners point the Fenix 8 at hikers, divers, and outdoor athletes who want rugged multisport tracking with solar/long battery options, and upgraders from older Fenix/Forerunner models wanting AMOLED or MIP display choice, buttons, and a bigger sunlight-readable screen.

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 Fenix 8 is price is the single biggest complaint, many call the cost (often $1,000+) unjustified given how minor the upgrade feels. 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.