Garmin Forerunner 165

May find it useful

Runners who deliberately want on-device GPS, pace and workout features and who understand the optional Garmin Connect data trade-offs, if the security-support position is first resolved.

May not need it

Casual walkers, people satisfied with a phone, basic pedometer or training log, anyone who finds continuous metrics unhelpful, and readers expecting medical-grade measurements, emergency protection or a current documented support commitment.

Advantages

• Garmin lists built-in GPS running functions, a 30.4 mm AMOLED touchscreen, physical controls and up-to-11-day smartwatch-mode battery under its stated test conditions.
• Garmin says the watch can be used without consenting to activity upload, and uploaded activity data is private by default.

Limitations

• The latest located UK declaration states a security-support period only until 20 February 2026, which has passed. Publication is blocked until Garmin provides a current position or NST replaces this candidate.
• NST has not tested heart rate, GPS, sleep, Pulse Ox, calories, recovery metrics, battery, water resistance, fit, comfort, durability, notifications or app quality.
• Garmin states the watch is not a medical device. Heart-rate alerts do not diagnose or treat a condition.
• Connected use can process sensitive activity, heart-rate, sleep, location and profile data. Upload is optional, but many Connect functions require the relevant account, app, connection and permissions.
• Assistance, incident detection and LiveTrack are supplemental, depend on a paired phone with data coverage and do not contact emergency services on the user’s behalf.
• The 5 ATM rating and manufacturer battery estimates have stated conditions and are not guarantees of damage-free use or individual runtime.
• The exact UK colour/SKU, current availability and any future security-support commitment must be verified before publication.
• No price, star rating, review count or product image is recorded.