Compare Garmin Forerunner 165 vs Suunto Vertical

Connect IQ gives the watch a modest app ecosystem for watch faces, widgets, data fields, and extras, though it is not framed as a full smartwatch app platform.

Reviewers saw a useful SuuntoPlus and partner-app ecosystem, but one noted that only one SuuntoPlus app can run at a time.

Reviewers generally liked the soft, adjustable silicone strap and standard strap options, with no major comfort complaints about the band itself.

Band feedback was positive overall: reviewers liked the comfort, standard 22mm compatibility, ventilation, and secure strap design.

Battery life was praised as strong for an AMOLED Garmin in normal training use, but several reviewers said always-on display, music, or endurance use reduces its advantage.

Battery life was the clearest strength, with reviewers reporting week-plus daily use, strong GPS endurance, and class-leading longevity.

The watch includes blood oxygen or Pulse Ox tracking, but reviewers treated it as a useful health sensor rather than a headline reason to buy.

Blood oxygen was confirmed as an available widget/tracking view, but reviewers did not deeply validate SpO2 accuracy.

Bluetooth and ANT+ sensor/headphone support were viewed positively, with reviewers noting external sensor support and solid headphone connectivity.

Bluetooth support covers common external sport sensors, including heart-rate straps, though sensor management is not especially advanced.

Brightness was a clear strength, especially the bold AMOLED screen and usable bright-display behavior.

Brightness improved versus older Suunto models, with reviewers praising the backlight and quick wrist illumination.

Build quality was viewed as dependable for the price, with Garmin durability praised even though the plastic construction feels less premium.

Build quality was repeatedly described as premium, rugged, sturdy, and tank-like.

The five-button layout was one of the most consistently praised usability strengths, especially for workouts, gloves, sweat, and wet conditions.

Button feedback was mostly positive for gloves, solidity, and simplicity, though one reviewer wanted a five-button layout.

Call handling was limited to reliable call-related smartphone alerts rather than full on-watch calling.

Calorie tracking received weak support; one reviewer saw calorie burn data in strength mode but did not find that feature very useful.

Calorie estimates were viewed as more realistic than another tested watch in one review.

Charging convenience was mostly fine thanks to secure contacts and Garmin’s familiar proprietary cable, though it is not universal wireless charging.

Charging convenience was mixed: the magnetic charger attaches easily, but reviewers disliked proprietary/no-wireless charging and one reported charging trouble.

Charging speed was generally acceptable to good, with reviewers reporting around one hour to just under two hours depending on the source.

Charging speed was presented positively in the review evidence, with a full charge cited at about 90 minutes.

Coaching features were well supported through Garmin Coach, adaptive plans, structured workouts, daily suggestions, and race-related guidance.

Coaching and training tools include VO2-related tests, Suunto Coach, and personalized training/recovery guidance.

Comfort was a major point of agreement: reviewers repeatedly described the watch as light, compact, unobtrusive, and easy to wear day and night.

Comfort was good for a large outdoor watch, with reviewers saying it was not chunky and could be worn or slept in comfortably.

Garmin Connect was mostly praised for depth, workout analysis, and improving organization, though one reviewer found the redesign not dramatically easier.

The Suunto app was strongly praised for route planning, visual data, and a simpler organization than some competitors.

Garmin Pay was consistently mentioned as available and useful for contactless payments across models.

Contactless payments are a clear miss, with reviewers explicitly noting no NFC or tap-to-pay functionality.

Cross-platform compatibility is functional, but one reviewer noted the phone experience differs between iPhone and Android, especially for replies.

The route-planning experience extends beyond the phone, with one reviewer noting tablet and macOS desktop use.

Customization was strong, with configurable widgets, data fields, watch faces, and training screens noted across reviews.

Customization is strong across widgets, watch faces, activity profiles, buttons, and home-screen data.

Display quality was one of the strongest attributes, with reviewers repeatedly praising the vibrant, crisp AMOLED screen.

Display quality improved markedly, with a larger, readable MIP screen, though it is less flashy than AMOLED rivals.

Durability evidence was positive overall, including resistance to daily abuse, though not all reviewers considered it a rugged outdoor watch.

Durability evidence was strong, citing sapphire glass, MIL-level testing, and long-term rough-use confidence.

ECG functionality was consistently absent; reviewers repeatedly stated users need a different or higher-end Garmin for ECG/EKG.

ECG is not included, and one reviewer grouped it with other missing smartwatch-style features.

Fit was generally positive, with the small case sitting neatly on wrists and under layers without feeling oversized.

Fit was praised by one reviewer who found the watch lighter and less noticeable than a larger previous GPS watch.

Fitness tracking accuracy was praised across multiple reviews, especially for daily activity data, run metrics, and overall sensor reliability.

General fitness tracking was strong on land, but open-water swim tracking was a serious weak spot in one in-depth review.

GPS accuracy was a major strength; most reviewers found it accurate or solid despite the lack of dual-band GPS, with only occasional challenging-environment issues.

GPS accuracy received broad agreement as a major strength, with reviewers repeatedly calling the tracks accurate or best-in-class.

Health tracking accuracy was supported by the reliable sensor package and detailed data collection, but evidence was less extensive than for GPS and heart rate.

Health tracking evidence was limited but generally positive for training data realism, while other health metrics were mixed.

Heart rate accuracy was broadly positive, often matching chest straps or higher-end watches well, with occasional optical-sensor lag or spikes.

Heart-rate accuracy was the most consistent weakness, especially for sports, with several reviewers recommending or implying a chest strap.

Navigation is useful but limited: reviewers liked breadcrumb routing, courses, back-to-start, and GPX support, while noting the absence of full maps.

Materials quality was a tradeoff: the polymer/plastic body helps weight and price but feels less premium than metal.

Materials quality was a strength thanks to sapphire glass plus titanium or steel construction.

Menu navigation is flexible because Garmin allows almost everything to be controlled by buttons, reducing reliance on touch.

Menu navigation was described as intuitive and easy, with key settings and data not buried too deeply.

Music controls were a weak spot, with reviewers finding on-run controls unintuitive or limited without the Music model.

Music controls are available for controlling phone audio, but the feature does not extend to onboard playback.

Onboard music storage is useful on the Music edition, but reviews were split because syncing can be tedious and costs extra.

Onboard music storage is absent, and multiple reviewers called that a downside or missed opportunity.

The operating system experience felt Garmin-like and sport-focused, with solid hybrid smartwatch behavior but limitations versus true smartwatches.

The operating system was considered usable and intuitive enough, but not especially polished.

Outdoor visibility was a standout strength; reviewers repeatedly said the AMOLED screen was readable in sunlight and bright conditions.

Outdoor visibility was mostly strong in bright sun, though one long-term reviewer reported glare in some cloudy situations.

Pairing reliability was specifically praised for Bluetooth headphones in one review, with no broad pairing complaints across the review set.

Pairing and syncing evidence was positive for fast satellite acquisition and quick app syncing.

Recovery insights are useful through Recovery Time, Training Effect, HRV, Body Battery, and related tools, but the missing Training Readiness and Training Load limited depth.

Recovery insights were viewed positively through Suunto app metrics, training load, fitness change, and recovery guidance.

Reliability was praised in long-term and general-use terms, with reviewers describing the watch as dependable and accessible.

Reliability was supported by long-term battery stability and a reviewer describing it as dependable.

Safety features were positively noted through LiveTrack and incident detection, though the evidence came from one detailed review.

Safety-related tools include storm alerts, weather alerts, and sunset information, with storm accuracy described as useful but imperfect.

Size options were a weakness because reviewers repeatedly noted there is only one case size, despite the size working for many wrists.

Size options are limited, with one-size hardware and variation mainly by materials or straps.

Sleep tracking was mostly useful for sleep duration and scores, but opinions were mixed because at least one reviewer found missed restless sleep.

Sleep tracking was mixed: several reviewers liked sleep/wake timing, while another distrusted motion-based sleep data.

Smartphone notifications were considered reliable and readable, with texts, calls, and app alerts working well when paired.

Smartphone notifications work, but one reviewer noted weak emoji support.

Smartwatch features were solid for a sport watch, including notifications, wallet/payments, Find My Phone, music, and safety tools, but not full smartwatch depth.

Smartwatch features are limited compared with broader smartwatches, especially for music, payments, and richer smart functions.

Software smoothness was acceptable but not premium-watch smooth, with one review noting the refresh rate was not Apple Watch-like.

Software smoothness was a recurring complaint, though later software was described as noticeably improved.

Step counting accuracy was positively supported by one review that found it closely matched other tested devices.

Stress tracking was present as part of the broader Garmin health and sleep feature set.

Stress tracking appears through Suunto's resources metric, tying stress and recovery into energy-level feedback.

Style and design were viewed positively for a sporty, compact watch with a bright display that could be worn daily.

Style and design were widely liked, with reviewers praising the clean, rugged, premium Suunto look.

Third-party app support exists through Connect IQ widgets, watch faces, data fields, and apps, but reviewers did not portray it as a rich smartwatch store.

Third-party app support is useful through SuuntoPlus, partner apps, and an app store reviewers felt had caught up.

Touchscreen responsiveness was mostly praised as smooth and useful, though one reviewer noted accidental touches.

Touchscreen behavior was mixed: usable in rain and sweat, but repeatedly criticized for lag.

The user interface was considered approachable and easy to use, especially with the combined touchscreen and button approach.

The interface was generally understandable and organized, though hardware/software lag held it back.

Value for money was one of the strongest consensus points, with many reviewers calling the 165 a strong budget or sweet-spot Garmin.

Value was mixed: the watch is expensive, but some reviewers found it competitive versus Garmin and COROS alternatives.

Voice assistant quality is effectively absent because one reviewer explicitly noted there is no voice assistant.

Watch face quality was strong thanks to customizable stock faces and Connect IQ options.

Watch-face options exist and can be customized, but one reviewer still wanted better watch faces.

Water resistance was well supported for swimming, rain, sweat, and shallow water, with reviewers noting 5ATM or 50-meter resistance.

Water resistance was treated as suitable for swimming/snorkeling, with reviewers citing 100m specs and shallow-water use.

Wellness insights were strong through Morning Report, Body Battery, HRV, sleep, stress, recovery, and daily health glances.

Wellness insights include HRV and broader training/recovery context rather than deep medical-style health features.

Wi-Fi connectivity exists mainly for the Music edition and music syncing, but one review reported Wi-Fi troubleshooting friction.

Wi-Fi enables map downloads, but reviewers noted constraints such as needing normal Wi-Fi, a charger, and time.

Workout tracking variety covers most common running, cycling, swimming, gym, yoga, and fitness modes, but reviewers repeatedly noted missing triathlon, skiing, and other niche profiles.

Workout variety is broad, with reviewers citing more than 90 modes, up to 95 sport modes, and many sport profiles.