Coros PACE 4 vs Garmin Forerunner 165
The Coros PACE 4 is the better watch on paper: it lasts longer on GPS (41 hours), lasts longer (19 days) and has offline maps. The Garmin Forerunner 165 doesn't beat it on any spec that matters.
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Key differences
-
Battery life
Coros PACE 4 wins
The Coros PACE 4 lasts up to 19 days against 11 days.
-
GPS
Coros PACE 4 wins
The Coros PACE 4 adds multi-band GPS for more accurate tracks.
-
Display
Evenly matched
Both have AMOLED screens of a similar size.
-
Health
Evenly matched
Much the same health sensors.
-
Weight
Coros PACE 4 wins
The Coros PACE 4 is lighter: 32 g against 39 g.
Other differences
- Maps Coros PACE 4 wins
The Coros PACE 4 shows downloadable maps on the wrist; the Garmin Forerunner 165 only shows a breadcrumb trail.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Coros PACE 4 if…
- You do long runs, rides or hikes: it's rated for 41 hours with GPS.
- You hate charging: it's rated for up to 19 days in smartwatch mode.
- You hike or explore new routes: it has maps on the wrist, no signal needed.
- You wear it to bed or have small wrists: it weighs 32 g.
Choose the Garmin Forerunner 165 if…
- You want to sleep better: it scores each night and tells you what to change.
- You want to pay from your wrist: it has contactless payments.
Full spec comparison
The Coros PACE 4 leads on battery life, GPS and navigation and size and durability; elsewhere the two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Overview
| Spec | Coros PACE 4 | Garmin Forerunner 165 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Coros | Garmin |
| Series | PACE | Forerunner |
| Released | 2025-11 | — |
| Replaces | PACE 3 | — |
| Colours | Black Crystal, Cloud White | — |
Platform & apps
Both work with the same phones and software.
| Spec | Coros PACE 4 | Garmin Forerunner 165 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Coros | Garmin |
| Works with | — | iPhone and Android |
| Storage | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| App store | — | Yes |
Display
The screens are closely matched.
| Spec | Coros PACE 4 | Garmin Forerunner 165 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Display name | AMOLED | — |
| Screen size | 1.2 in | 1.2 in |
| Resolution | 390 x 390 | 390 x 390 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 325 ppi |
| Colour display | Yes | Yes |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touchscreen, crown, buttons, action button | touchscreen |
Design & durability
The Coros PACE 4 is ahead on size and durability.
It is lighter, and the Garmin Forerunner 165 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Coros PACE 4 | Garmin Forerunner 165 |
|---|---|---|
| Case sizes | 43.4 mm | 43 mm |
| Case shape | — | Round |
| Dimensions | 43.4 x 43.4 x 11.8 mm | 43 x 43 x 11.6 mm |
| Thickness | 11.8 mm | 11.6 mm |
| Weight (case) | 32 g | 39 g |
| Weight with band | 40 g | — |
| Case material | Fiber Reinforced Polymer | — |
| Bezel material | 6000 Series Aluminum Alloy | fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Lens | Mineral Glass | chemically strengthened glass |
| Back material | Fiber Reinforced Polymer | — |
| Band material | Silicone / Nylon | silicone |
| Band width | 22 mm | 20 mm |
| Band fitting | Quick Release | 20 mm |
| Fits wrists | 130-215 mm | 126-203 mm |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Operating temperature | -20 to 50 °C | — |
Battery
The Coros PACE 4 is ahead on battery life.
It lasts longer on GPS (41 hours) and lasts longer (19 days), and the Garmin Forerunner 165 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Coros PACE 4 | Garmin Forerunner 165 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (smartwatch mode) | 19 days | 11 days |
| Battery (GPS) | — | 19 hours |
| Battery (multi-band GPS) | 31 hours | — |
| All battery modes | Smartwatch: 19 days; Always-on display: 6 days; All satellite systems: 41 hours; Multi-band GPS: 31 hours; Multi-band GPS + music: 12 hours | Smartwatch: 11 days; Battery saver: 20 days; GPS: 19 hours; All satellite systems: 17 hours |
| Battery type | — | Lithium ion |
| Charging | USB-C | proprietary-plug |
| Full charge time | 120 min | — |
GPS & navigation
The Coros PACE 4 is ahead on GPS and navigation.
It has offline maps and uses more satellite systems, and the Garmin Forerunner 165 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Coros PACE 4 | Garmin Forerunner 165 |
|---|---|---|
| GPS | Built-in | Built-in |
| Multi-band GPS | Yes | — |
| Satellite systems | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo |
| Maps | Downloadable maps | Breadcrumb trail |
| Navigation features | Checkpoint, back-to-start, Deviation Alert, Touchscreen-Enabled Map Control, Safety Alerts | point-to-point navigation, bread crumb trail, back-to-start, TracBack, course guidance |
Health & sensors
The Garmin Forerunner 165 is ahead on health tracking.
It tracks sleep in more depth, and the Coros PACE 4 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Coros PACE 4 | Garmin Forerunner 165 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | optical HR, SpO2, skin temperature, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, compass, thermometer | optical HR, SpO2, accelerometer, barometer, compass, thermometer, ambient light |
| Heart-rate sensor | — | Garmin Elevate |
| Heart-rate tracking | — | 24/7 |
| High/low heart-rate alerts | — | Yes |
| Heart-rate variability | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | Yes | Yes |
| Skin temperature | Yes | — |
| Respiration rate | — | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Sleep stages | Sleep score |
| Stress tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Energy score | — | Body Battery |
| Cycle tracking | Yes | Yes |
Safety
Both offer much the same safety features.
| Spec | Coros PACE 4 | Garmin Forerunner 165 |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency SOS | — | Via phone |
| Incident detection | — | Yes |
| Live tracking | — | Yes |
Training
Training features are evenly matched.
| Spec | Coros PACE 4 | Garmin Forerunner 165 |
|---|---|---|
| Auto activity detection | — | Yes |
| Triathlon / multisport | Yes | — |
| Swim tracking | — | Pool and open water |
| Underwater heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| Training metrics | VO2 max, training load, race predictor, recovery time, lactate threshold, HRV status | VO2 max, training effect, recovery time, race predictor, HRV status |
| Adaptive coaching | Yes | Yes |
| Running dynamics | — | Yes |
| Wrist running power | — | Yes |
| Strength rep counting | — | Yes |
| Heart-rate broadcast | — | Yes |
| External sensors | Bluetooth sensors | ANT+, foot pod, speed/cadence, bike radar/lights |
Smart features
Both offer much the same smart features.
| Spec | Coros PACE 4 | Garmin Forerunner 165 |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Message replies | — | Android |
| Microphone | Yes | — |
| Contactless payments | — | Yes |
| Payment service | — | Garmin Pay |
| Music storage | Yes | — |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | — |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
| Find my watch | Yes | Yes |
Diving, golf & more
Neither has a specialist edge here.
| Spec | Coros PACE 4 | Garmin Forerunner 165 |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist modes | road running, trail running, cycling, climbing, fishing | — |
| Diving | None | — |