Smartwatches · owner-verdict comparison

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Galaxy Watch Ultra: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Galaxy Watch Ultra: 75% of 16 owners recommend it, vs 67% of 147 for the Garmin Forerunner 165.

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

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 →

Galaxy Watch Ultra

75%of 16 owners recommend
75% recommend · 6% neutral · 19% don't
Owners praise
  • Reported battery life is long for many owners, with people citing 2-5 days, 60 hours with AOD off, or 2 days 21 hours on a charge
  • Premium, eye-catching design that looks better in person than in photos, including the black and white colorways
  • Rugged, tank-like build quality that survives dust, scratches, and rough daily use (including construction work) without concern
Owners complain about
  • Battery life is the most common complaint, with many owners getting only 1-2.5 days per charge (some as low as 20-30 hours) despite Samsung's 2-4 day claims
  • Removal of the physical rotating bezel is a recurring dealbreaker, with owners missing it, wishing it returned, or refusing to buy without it
  • Health-tracking accuracy issues, especially sleep tracking that owners call a 'complete failure,' along with inconsistent heart rate and step counts
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

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
Get the Galaxy Watch Ultra if
  • ✓Samsung/Android phone owners wanting a rugged, premium-feeling smartwatch with WearOS features
  • ✓Outdoor and adventure users who value a bright always-on display and tough build over ultralight design
  • ✓Buyers upgrading from an older Galaxy Watch who want better performance and battery than the base models
  • ✓Wearers who prioritize looks and comfortable bands over multi-day battery life or a rotating bezel
Skip it if
  • Multi-day battery seekers, since owners consistently report only 1.5-3 days, far short of Garmin
  • Rotating-bezel loyalists from the Classic line, a recurring dealbreaker complaint

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

What Galaxy Watch Ultra owners say

“I have been enjoying my watch very much although the battery drains pretty quickly”
— @jesuscervantesj82 on YouTube
“I thought pictures of it were ugly, but when I saw it in the metal...wow!”
— @myfakeguuglaccount on YouTube
“Had it for couple of a days and we just didnt clicked so I sold it.”
— @0ISthisIT0 on YouTube

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Galaxy Watch Ultra: frequently asked questions

Is the Garmin Forerunner 165 or the Galaxy Watch Ultra better?

Real owners lean toward the Galaxy Watch Ultra: 75% of 16 owners recommend it, vs 67% of 147 for the Garmin Forerunner 165.

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.

Who should get the Galaxy Watch Ultra?

Owners point the Galaxy Watch Ultra at samsung/Android phone owners wanting a rugged, premium-feeling smartwatch with WearOS features, and outdoor and adventure users who value a bright always-on display and tough build over ultralight design.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Garmin Forerunner 165 is 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. For the Galaxy Watch Ultra, it's battery life is the most common complaint, with many owners getting only 1-2.5 days per charge (some as low as 20-30 hours) despite Samsung's 2-4 day claims.