Circle or square? Garmin or Apple Watch? I review smartwatches for a living, and I frequently get asked about the differences between these two smartwatch powerhouses. So, let’s break it down.

Compared across six categories, here’s how the popular, entry-level Garmin Forerunner 165 compares to the beloved, also entry-level Apple Watch SE 3. Short on time? Skip to my verdict at the end for the TLDR.

water resistance, enough for short, surface-level swims. Durability is also pretty similar, though the Garmin has a slightly raised bezel that protects the screen, while the Apple Watch does not.

Speaking of screens, the Forerunner 165 sports a 1.2-inch AMOLED panel with a max screen brightness of roughly 1,000 nits. The Apple Watch SE 3, meanwhile, sports either a 1.57-inch or 1.78-inch LTPO OLED screen, depending on which size you choose. It also maxes out at 1,000 nits.

The Forerunner 165 weighs a little more than the SE 3, but both wear quite comfortably on my 6.5-inch wrist. The Garmin offers more physical buttons on the side of the case, five in total, compared to two on the Apple Watch. Both devices are also touch-sensitive and quite responsive in use.

Winner: draw

Workout Buddy feature, for example, is designed to provide custom-tailored plans for folks prepping for a race or event. We found it useful from a motivational standpoint, but far less impressive than Garmin Coach, which similarly helps you prep for a running event, just way more effectively.

Overall, whether you’re a runner or not, Garmin’s training tools are a lot more extensive than Apple’s. For example, the Foreunner 165 provides adaptive training tips, completion time predictions (for runners), recovery time recommendations, daily workout suggestions, insights into heart rate variability (HRV), ‘training effect’ insights or how your workouts are impacting your overall performance, fitness age predictions, and more.

I also prefer the level of detail you get from Garmin’s nightly sleep tracking compared to Apple’s. Garmin’s Morning Reports tell you more than sleep time and how long you spent in each of the sleep cycles. It additionally provides a training outlook based on your quality of rest and recent workouts, along with your HRV status.

Apple Watch SE 3

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

When it comes to tracking accuracy, both watches have onboard GPS and altimeters for location and elevation data, without a paired smartphone. In my testing, the Apple Watch SE 3 and Garmin Forerunner 165 have each proven reliable fitness trackers, though the former occasionally spits out inflated elevation data after outdoor workouts, like runs, walks, and hikes. You can also expect highly accurate heart rate data from each.

Both watches track a wide range of workout types from indoor, gym-based exercises to more extreme outdoor activities like mountain climbing and snowboarding.

Ultimately, for casual athletes wishing to keep tabs on their physical fitness, the Apple Watch SE 3 should serve you fine. However, if fitness and training are your primary focus, the Garmin Forerunner 165 is going to be a better choice.

Winner: Garmin Forerunner 165

Notes app and Voice Memo app, to Apple Maps for navigation and Walkie-Talkie mode for quick communication.

The SE 3 also sports an onboard microphone and speaker for taking calls from the wrist. And if you opt for the 5G-capable model, you can even take and receive calls sans smartphone.

Winner: Apple Watch SE 3

Check In safety feature, which, like LiveTrack, keeps loved ones informed of your location. One safety tool that’s unique to the SE 3 is emergency SOS, which lets users contact 911 by holding the side button.

Ultimately, while this one is pretty close, the Apple Watch SE 3 offers slightly more ways to stay safe than the Garmin Forerunner 165.

Winner: Apple Watch SE 3

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