Forerunner 165 vs 165 Music: the additional cost, when do you make it profitable?

Running without a phone is a luxury. Not a whim. The silence, the comfort, the breathing… you see.

You want to avoid the classic scam: paying for “Music”, then finally running with the phone “just in case”. There you lose both. Money + freedom.

The difference 165 vs 165 Music only makes sense if you check this use case:

“I often go with just the watch + headphones.”

Offline Music: How It Works (Really)

The watch does not stream like a smartphone. She download playlists over Wi-Fi (Spotify / Deezer / Amazon Music), stores them (4 GB), then plays them over Bluetooth. It's a standalone player, not an Apple Watch LTE in disguise.

The more independent it is, the more you have to prepare in advance. Like a trail bag. It's obvious.

The most cited galleys (and how to kill them)

On the Garmin forums, you see three recurring complaints. Not always, but enough to be taken seriously:

1) Audio cuts/stuttering while runningIt’s like “everything was fine for 10–15 minutes, then it’s gone”. Often linked to the combo: headphones + firmware + wrist position (some headsets are more sensitive). The simple fix: updated firmware, clean re-pairing, test with another headset. And you avoid running into a crowd of active BT connections (phone, car, headphones, speaker… in short).

2) Bluetooth disconnecting every 2–3 minutesThis is the hardcore version: Spotify stops, the watch restarts, you lose your rhythm. If this happens to you: reset the Bluetooth, delete the devices, completely restart, then “watch only” test (without phone) to isolate. If it persists with several headsets, it's after-sales service. Yes.

3) Music lagging in sync / playlists not fully syncedThis often comes from unstable Wi-Fi or sync started at the wrong time. The right reflex: charged watch, solid Wi-Fi, sync placed next to the router. You do this once properly, then it's smooth.

And that's exactly what the 165 Music offers — an “I'm going for a run, period” mode, as long as you take 15 minutes at the start to make the ecosystem stable.

Forerunner 165 precision GPS: clean… except when the city bites

Do you want a useful opinion? We talk about context. Because “precise GPS” without context is nonsense.

The heart of the matter: no double frequency

The Forerunner 165 Music uses multi-system GNSS, but it does not have multi-band. In practice: in the countryside/open roads, it does the job. In dense cities (buildings, narrow streets), you can see tracks that “cut” turns or slightly erratic paces. Nothing infamous. Just the reality of the segment.

Two settings that avoid 80% of bad marks

Fix satellites before departure: you wait a few seconds. Yes, even if you are in a hurry. This is the basis.

Registration : if you want a cleaner trace, choose the finest recording (at the cost of a bit more battery). This is often where gaps arise.

Wrist cardio: good tool, not a medical sensor

The optical cardio is good for endurance, and more fragile on violent intervals (like the majority of watches). Do you want a simple truth? Wearing it on your wrist does half the job. A notch higher on the bracelet, stable, not on the bone. And you win.

And no: SpO2, sleep, HRV… these are indicators, not diagnoses. Wanting “medical” here is lying to yourself.

The detail that pleases: “serious” running metrics

You have Garmin Coach, daily suggestions, VO2 max, load/training effect, and even running dynamics metrics (cadence, stride length, etc.). It structures. It guides. And it takes you out of “I run by feeling and I stagnate”.

Battery life Forerunner 165 Music: the truth of the settings

Yes, logical: autonomy means tranquility. And there, Garmin was rather honest… but you have to read the fine lines.

Benchmarks (those that count)

Official announcement: up to 11 days in watch mode, until 7 p.m. in GPS-only. And if you switch to “economy”, Garmin announces up to 20 days (battery saver). Alright.

But the real rocker is the music:

GPS-only + music: until ~7 a.m.All-systems + music: until ~6.5 h.

Do you see the thing? For long outings + music each time, you will recharge more often. Not a bug. A choice.

“Weird” drains: why Reddit is on fire

You find posts from people who lose 10% per day “without doing anything”, or who find the battery too short as promised. And often, it comes down to very simple settings: Always-On, brightness too high, watchface Connect IQ that consumes a lot, PulseOx at night, burst notifications, Wi-Fi that activates...

Frankly: put the watch on the original 48-hour dial, cut out the excess, then judge. Otherwise you judge… your bad setup.

Clean settings (simple, effective)

Here is the useful version, not the perfect list:

• Always-On: OFF if you want days, not hours.
• Brightness: down a notch. Most of the time you don't see any difference.
• Wi-Fi: ON only when you sync the music.
• Notifications: keep what is strictly necessary (otherwise the watch lives to the rhythm of your phone... and your battery too).
• Watchfaces: “stylish” dials can be expensive in terms of battery life. Test for 24 hours, you'll see.

Alternatives + purchasing experience: choose without regret (255 Music, 265, Coros)

The 165 Music is a coherent solution... if you accept its role. AMOLED running watch, period. Not a Swiss army knife.

Alternative Forerunner 255 Music

If you want a more “serious” training/multisport orientation (and often a more comfortable range), the 255 Music remains a smart option when it goes on sale. Different screen, different feeling. But very solid.

Forerunner 165 vs 265

The 265 goes up a notch in the arsenal (notably on training functions, and depending on versions on GPS). If you train 5–6 times/week, you can justify the difference. If you are on 3 outings and a little reinforcement, the 165 is more than enough.

If you want to put the 165 back in the range without getting lost, read this guide: best Garmin watches for running and progressing.

Alternative Coros (Pace 4): the logical rival

Coros has an argument that Garmin does not have here: multi-band on certain equivalent models, and autonomy that is often more generous. Opposite, Garmin responds with the ecosystem (Connect IQ), Garmin Pay, and better integrated music. You choose a philosophy as much as a watch.

And if you're hesitant about “Garmin or Apple Watch” (it happens all the time), start with this comparison: Garmin or Apple Watch for serious sport.

Purchasing experience: the detail that makes the difference

The 165 Music, at the right price, is a steal. At the wrong price, you get closer to a 255/265 on sale... and then you can regret. So watch for gaps, calmly.

Two simple tips (and a little boring, yes):

1) buy from a seller with easy returns (if you come across a capricious unit on the Bluetooth/battery side).2) day 1: update + restart + clean re-pairing of the headset. You “stabilize” the base.

Verdict

If your need is clear — AMOLED, running, offline music, simplicity — so yes, the Forerunner 165 Music ticks the essentials. It gives you this discreet luxury: going for a run with nothing, just you and the rhythm.

If you're looking for an ultra watch, triathlon watch, multi-band watch, maps watch... you're going to push it out of its zone. And it often ends the same: frustration, resale. Brief.

Final recap (clear):

• To buy if you often run without a phone and want Spotify/Deezer/Amazon Music offline.
• To avoid if you want advanced multisport/triathlon or “ultra” GPS accuracy in dense cities.
• Sensitive point : Bluetooth stability according to headphones (quick test recommended upon receipt).
• Strong point : AMOLED screen + featherweight, and real, simple Garmin coaching.
• The thing that changes everything : your settings (Always-On, Wi-Fi, watchface). Without that, your “opinion” is biased.

Signature: David Deteve — L’Swiss Made Watch.