In this article, we’re going to compare two of Garmin’s latest offerings, the newly launched Forerunner 165 and the Venu 3 series, which also represents a fresh lineup.

The primary distinction between these two models lies in their target audience and functionality. The Forerunner 165 is designed as a sports watch, making it more suitable for runners or athletes who prioritize fitness tracking in their routines.

On the other hand, the Venu 3 is a more versatile, fitness-focused smartwatch that aims to match all purposes, catering to a broader audience. If you’re in the market for a new Garmin watch, these two models may have caught your eye.

To help you decide which one is right for you, this article will compare both models’ specs side by side, providing a clear overview of what each has to offer.

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Venu 3: Price & Availability

The Forerunner 165, which hit the market in February 2024, is tailored for those passionate about fitness. It’s especially attractive for its budget-friendly price, starting at around $250. This makes it an ideal choice for fitness enthusiasts looking for a high-quality experience without breaking the bank.

On the flip side, the Venu 3 series, unveiled in August 2023, offers a wider array of features that cater to general wellness tracking. This series includes the Venu 3 and 3s models, which stand out for their comprehensive sensor setups, advanced health-tracking capabilities, and superior build quality. Given the enhanced features and premium construction, the Venu 3 series is priced higher, at about $450.

In simple terms, if you’re looking for a watch that focuses on fitness and is kind to your wallet, the Forerunner 165 is a fantastic option. But if you’re willing to invest more for a broader range of wellness features and a touch of luxury, the Venu 3 series could be the perfect match.

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Venu 3: Specs Comparison

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Venu 3: Design & Display

Right off the bat, the Forerunner 165 and Venu 3 show off their distinct styles, despite both featuring round faces.

The Forerunner 165 sticks to its sporty roots with a tough design, boasting a case made of lightweight, fiber-reinforced polymer and a lens that’s toughened up chemically. It’s sized just right for many wrists at 43 x 43 x 11.6 mm.

The Venu 3, on the other hand, shines in the style department with its sleek stainless steel construction. It also offers a bit more choice in size with the standard Venu 3 measuring 45 x 45 x 12 mm, and the Venu 3S, which is a bit smaller, at 41 x 41 x 12 mm. So, whether you’ve got a smaller wrist or prefer something a bit larger, there’s a Venu 3 model for you. The Forerunner 165, however, comes in just one size.

When it comes to controls, the Forerunner 165 goes for practicality with five physical buttons, making it super easy to navigate, especially when you’re on the move and a touchscreen might not be the most convenient. The Venu 3 series opts for a cleaner look with just three buttons, striking a balance between ease of use and a sleek design.

Both watches step up their game with bright AMOLED displays, marking a big leap from the older models. The Venu 3’s screen is a bit bigger at 1.4 inches compared to the Forerunner 165 and Venu 3S’s 1.2-inch displays, but all three boast sharp visuals that make everything easy to see, whether you’re checking your stats or just telling the time. And with a bunch of colors to choose from, you can pick a watch that matches your style, whether you like keeping it subtle or standing out.

In terms of water resistance, both the Forerunner 165 and the Venu 3 series can take a splash, thanks to their 5 ATM rating. This means they’re all set for your swim sessions, and daily showers, and can handle a bit more pressure if you decide to dive a little deeper.

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Venu 3: Health & Fitness Tracking

When exploring what the Garmin Forerunner 165 and Venu 3 series have to offer in health and fitness tracking, you’ll notice they’re both equipped with a bunch of handy sensors. They’ve got the basics covered with an accelerometer to count your steps, a barometric altimeter for measuring elevation gains, a compass to guide your way, an ambient light sensor to adjust screen brightness, and a Pulse Ox sensor for monitoring blood oxygen levels. Plus, both feature Garmin’s Elevate heart rate sensors, with the Venu 3 series benefiting from the latest version for even more precise heart rate tracking.

Both these Garmin families are great at keeping an eye on your health. They monitor your heart rate all day and night, track your sleep to see if you’re getting enough rest, calculate stress levels to help you manage your day better, and include features for women’s health tracking. They also integrate well with the Garmin Connect app, giving you a deeper look into your health stats.

What sets the Venu 3 apart are its extra health tracking capabilities. It comes with an ECG sensor to check for atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm that’s good to keep an eye on. It also has skin temperature tracking, giving you more insights into how your body reacts to different situations like stress, workouts, or changes in your environment. This can be really useful for tracking your overall health and recovery.

Both devices are designed to support your fitness journey. They offer specific profiles for running and cycling, providing essential data such as distance, pace, and heart rate. They’re versatile enough to handle various types of workouts, including strength, HIIT, and cardio sessions. The Forerunner 165 is particularly geared towards runners, offering features tailored for them. Meanwhile, the Venu 3 is a bit more versatile, with additional profiles for a wide range of activities like hiking, climbing, and even racket sports, making it a great companion for those who enjoy a variety of sports.

The Venu 3 also steps up the fitness game with on-screen workout animations and muscle maps. This cool feature helps you make sure you’re doing your exercises correctly, adding a visual element to your workout routine that can really help improve your form and effectiveness.

For those who like to wander off the beaten path or just need accurate tracking on their runs, both the Forerunner 165 and Venu 3 come equipped with multi-GNSS support. This means they use multiple satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO) to ensure you get reliable location tracking wherever your adventures take you. This feature is super handy for outdoor enthusiasts who want to keep accurate logs of their activities.

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Venu 3: Other Features

When you look at what these Garmin models offer beyond health and fitness tracking, you start to see where each shines in its own way.

The Forerunner 165 keeps things straightforward but effective in the smartwatch department. It gives you all the basics like showing your notifications, reminding you of calendar events, and letting you control music on your phone. For those who love to have their music without needing their phone nearby, there’s a version of the Forerunner 165 that allows for music storage and offline listening. It also comes with NFC, meaning you can tap your watch to make contactless payments through Garmin Pay – super handy for when you’re out and about.

Music storage is one point where these two diverge. The Forerunner 165 makes it an option, so if tunes are essential to your workout vibe but you don’t want to lug your phone around, it’s got you covered. The Venu 3 series, however, includes music storage as a basic feature, so your favorite playlists are always just a wrist-tap away.

But the Venu 3 series takes the smartwatch experience a bit further. With its built-in microphone and speakers, you can take or make calls right from your wrist as long as your phone is connected. Plus, you can talk to your voice assistant without having to reach for your phone. This bumps up the Venu 3 series to a more all-in-one gadget, perfect for those who are looking for a bit more from their smartwatch. Whether you need to keep things simple or want the added convenience of calls and voice commands, Garmin offers a watch that fits the bill.

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Venu 3: Battery Life

When it comes to staying powered up, the Garmin Forerunner 165 and Venu 3 series each bring something special to the table. The Forerunner 165 shines with a battery life that stretches up to 11 days when used as a smartwatch. This means you can keep an eye on your daily steps, health stats, and even get your notifications without worrying about your watch dying on you too soon. If you’re someone who loves to explore or hit the tracks with GPS tracking turned on, the Forerunner 165 won’t let you down – it can go for about 19 hours, which is plenty for most adventurers and fitness buffs.

On the other side, the Venu 3 series takes battery performance up a notch. The Venu 3, with its display always on, promises up to 14 days of battery life in smartwatch mode. This is a big deal for anyone who hates the idea of frequent charges interrupting their flow. Plus, it’s a step up from earlier models, making it a solid choice for those who want their tech to last longer. The Venu 3s, although a tad smaller, doesn’t fall short in the battery department either, offering a respectable 10 days of juice in smartwatch mode with the display always on. However, like the Forerunner 165, turning on GPS mode will see these numbers drop significantly.

Both watches are designed to meet the demands of daily wear and intense workout sessions without leaving you constantly reaching for the charger. Whether you’re a casual user or a fitness enthusiast, Garmin’s got you covered with these options, ensuring your watch keeps up with your lifestyle.

Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Venu 3: Which should you buy?

Hope you’ve noticed the differences between the two. Making a choice becomes simpler if you’re a runner who prefers a sporty watch over a typical smartwatch. For the runners out there looking for a durable fitness tracker that’s all about those run-centric features, the Forerunner 165 is a steal. It stands out with its great battery life and specialized functions, making it the perfect partner for athletes who put tracking their performance at the top of their list.

However, if you’re after a wider view of your health, fancy a larger variety of sports modes, and appreciate those extra smartwatch perks, then the Venu 3 series is where it’s at. With its advanced health sensors like the ECG, skin temperature monitoring, and built-in microphone for making calls from your wrist, it offers a comprehensive take on both your fitness and daily tech needs. Yes, it’s on the pricier side, but for those looking for a top-notch smartwatch that doesn’t skimp on fitness features, the Venu 3 series is worth every penny.

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