COROS Pace 3 vs Garmin 165 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

COROS Pace 3 & Garmin Forerunner 165 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the COROS Pace 3 rather than the Garmin Forerunner 165.

Table Of Contents hide

1 Why Do I Recommend The COROS Pace 3?

2 Side By Side Comparison

3 What Common Both Can Do?

4 Common Features

Why Do I Recommend The COROS Pace 3?

The COROS Pace 3 features dual-frequency GNSS tracking for more accurate positioning in dense urban areas and under heavy tree cover, whereas the Garmin Forerunner 165 uses single-band GNSS.
COROS Pace 3 comes with a transflective memory-in-pixel display for excellent outdoor readability and extended battery life during long runs, while the Garmin Forerunner 165 features an AMOLED display.
It has up to 38 hours battery life in GPS mode to support multi-day training or ultra-distance events, while the Garmin Forerunner 165 lasts around 19 hours under similar usage.
The COROS Pace 3 includes a lightweight nylon strap option to improve comfort and reduce wrist fatigue during extended wear, whereas the Garmin Forerunner 165 comes only with silicone bands.
COROS Pace 3 supports triathlon and multisport modes for seamless transitions between swim, bike, and run sessions, while the Garmin Forerunner 165 focuses mainly on single-sport profiles like running.
It features onboard music storage for listening through Bluetooth headphones without a phone, whereas the Garmin Forerunner 165 lacks Music storage.
The COROS Pace 3 comes with a digital crown control system for quick menu navigation and adjustments even with wet or gloved hands, while the Garmin Forerunner 165 uses only touchscreen and button controls.
COROS Pace 3 delivers up to 24 days battery life for fewer recharges during travel or training blocks, whereas the Garmin Forerunner 165 lasts up to 11 days in a single charge.

Maybe the Garmin Forerunner 165 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the COROS Pace 3. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

Check COROS Pace 3 Best Price

Check Forerunner 165 Best Price

Side By Side Comparison

Feature	COROS Pace 3	Garmin Forerunner 165
Display technology	Transflective MIP	AMOLED
Dual-frequency GNSS	Yes	No
Satellite modes	All-Systems+Dual	GPS
Battery life (smartwatch)	Up to ~24 days	Up to ~11 days
Battery life (GPS, standard)	Up to ~38 hours	Up to ~19 hours
Battery life (All-Systems)	Up to ~25 hours	Up to ~17 hours
Battery life (Dual-freq)	Up to ~15 hours	— (not supported)
Weight (nylon strap)	~30 g	— (no nylon variant)
Triathlon mode	Yes	No
On-device music (base model)	Yes	No
Controls	Digital crown + buttons	5-button + touchscreen
Always-on behavior	Always-on	Optional AOD
Course nav	Breadcrumb + GPX routes	Courses + guidance
Price	Check COROS Pace 3 Price	Check Forerunner 165 Price

What Common Both Can Do?

Touchscreen Display: Both watches include a touchscreen that simplifies menu navigation, workout control, and data viewing during activities.
Heart Rate Sensor: Each model continuously tracks heart rate, helping users monitor training intensity, rest periods, and overall cardiovascular health.
SpO2 (Blood Oxygen) Sensor: Both watches measure blood oxygen saturation, useful for evaluating sleep quality, altitude adaptation, and general wellness.
Accelerometer: Each device includes an accelerometer to detect motion and measure indoor activities such as treadmill runs or daily steps.
Gyroscope: Both models use a gyroscope for better motion tracking, improving metrics like cadence, stride, and stability in running and workouts.
VO2 Max: Both provide an estimated VO2 Max score to indicate aerobic fitness levels and performance trends over time.
Fitness Age Estimate: Each watch uses activity, heart rate, and VO2 data to estimate the user’s “fitness age,” offering a simple indicator of fitness progress.
Race Predictor: Both models can predict race times for common distances based on recent performance data, helping users plan realistic goals.
Interval Workouts: Each watch allows the creation and tracking of custom interval sessions for structured training and targeted performance improvement.
GPS + GLONASS + Galileo: Both watches support multiple satellite systems, ensuring accurate location tracking across varied environments.
Wrist-Based Running Power: Both can calculate running power directly from the wrist, helping runners measure effort in real time.
Training Load: Each device tracks training volume and intensity, helping users balance workouts to prevent overtraining or undertraining.
Recovery Time: Both models estimate recovery time after workouts, giving users guidance on when to train again for optimal performance.
Water Resistance: Both have a 5 ATM water rating, making them suitable for swimming and general water exposure without concern.
Bluetooth Connectivity: Each model syncs with smartphones via Bluetooth for data transfer, notifications, and app integration.
Smartphone Notifications: Both display call, message, and app alerts, allowing users to stay connected without reaching for their phone.

Check COROS Pace 3 Best Price

Check Forerunner 165 Best Price

Common Features

Feature	COROS Pace 3	Garmin Forerunner 165
Touchscreen Display	Yes	Yes
Heart Rate Sensor	Yes	Yes
SpO2 (Blood Oxygen) Sensor	Yes	Yes
Accelerometer	Yes	Yes
Gyroscope	Yes	Yes
Compass	Yes	Yes
Barometric Altimeter	Yes	Yes
Sleep Tracking	Yes	Yes
Stress Tracking	Yes	Yes
VO2 Max	Yes	Yes
Fitness Age Estimate	Yes	Yes
Race Predictor	Yes	Yes
Interval Workouts	Yes	Yes
GPS + GLONASS + Galileo	Yes	Yes
Wrist-Based Running Power	Yes	Yes
Training Load	Yes	Yes
Recovery Time	Yes	Yes
Water Resistance	5 ATM	5 ATM
Bluetooth Connectivity	Yes	Yes
Smartphone Notifications	Yes	Yes
Price	Check COROS Pace 3 Price	Check Forerunner 165 Price

FAQ

Is the COROS Pace 3 compatible with smartphones?
Yes, the COROS Pace 3 works with both Android and iOS devices through the COROS app, allowing users to sync workouts, notifications, and health metrics easily.

Does the Garmin Forerunner 165 have an AMOLED display?
Yes, the Forerunner 165 features a bright AMOLED display that delivers vivid colors and excellent readability indoors, making it feel more like a modern smartwatch.

Can both watches track swimming activities?
Yes, both the COROS Pace 3 and Garmin Forerunner 165 are water-resistant up to 5 ATM and can track pool swimming metrics such as distance, pace, and stroke count.

Do these watches support blood oxygen monitoring?
Yes, both models include SpO2 sensors to measure blood oxygen levels, which can be useful for sleep analysis, altitude training, and overall wellness tracking.

Which watch has longer battery life?
The COROS Pace 3 has significantly longer battery life, lasting up to about 24 days in smartwatch mode and around 38 hours in GPS mode, while the Forerunner 165 lasts about 11 days and 19 hours respectively.

Can I listen to music directly from these watches?
The COROS Pace 3 supports onboard music storage with playback through Bluetooth headphones, while the Forerunner 165 requires the Music Edition variant to enable local music playback.

Do both watches support dual-frequency GPS?
No, only the COROS Pace 3 supports dual-frequency GNSS for better accuracy in dense urban or forested environments, whereas the Forerunner 165 uses single-band GNSS.

Are both watches suitable for triathletes?
The COROS Pace 3 includes a dedicated triathlon mode allowing seamless sport transitions, while the Forerunner 165 focuses mainly on running and general fitness tracking.

Do they both support heart rate tracking during swimming?
Yes, both can track heart rate in the pool using optical sensors, though results may vary based on fit and water conditions.

Can both watches receive smartphone notifications?
Yes, both models can display call, text, and app notifications from connected smartphones, letting users stay informed without needing to check their phones.

Do either of these watches support Garmin Pay or similar payment options?
Only the Garmin Forerunner 165 includes Garmin Pay for contactless payments, while the COROS Pace 3 does not have any NFC payment feature.

How do their ecosystems differ for training analytics?
The Garmin Forerunner 165 benefits from Garmin Connect’s advanced metrics, coaching tools, and third-party app support, while the COROS Pace 3 uses the COROS app, which is simpler and focuses on core training and performance metrics.

Can both watches track stress and recovery?
Yes, both devices offer stress tracking based on heart rate variability and provide recovery time estimates after workouts to help manage training balance.

Do both support wrist-based running power?
Yes, both watches can measure running power directly from the wrist without external sensors, allowing athletes to gauge their effort more accurately in real time.

Which watch is better for everyday wear?
The Forerunner 165’s AMOLED screen and smartwatch features make it better suited for daily wear and notifications, while the COROS Pace 3’s lightweight design and long battery life are ideal for endurance athletes.