Too Close to Call
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
8.6
Outdoor enthusiasts and athletes wanting rugged Android smartwatch durability
VS
Garmin Forerunner 165
8.5
Runners and cyclists wanting accurate GPS and training metrics without premium prices
Score Comparison
Criteria
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Garmin Forerunner 165
Overall Score
8.6
8.5
Health Insights & AI
9.2
8.5
Sleep Tracking
8.8
8.0
Battery Life
7.5
8.8
Value for Money
6.5
8.5
Design & Comfort
9.2
8.2
Activity Tracking
9.0
9.0
App & Ecosystem
9.0
8.0
Pricing & Features
Specification
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Garmin Forerunner 165
Price
$649
$250
Released
25-Jul-25
20-Feb-24
Making Your Decision
When to Choose Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Outdoor enthusiasts and athletes wanting rugged Android smartwatch durability
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra brings rugged adventure-ready features to Android users, offering a compelling alternative to Apple Watch Ultra for those in the Samsung ecosystem.
Strengths
- Rugged titanium construction for extreme sports
- 100-hour battery in power saving mode
- Dual-frequency GPS for superior accuracy
- Water resistant to 10ATM (100m)
Limitations
- Premium $649 price tag
- Large 47mm case may overwhelm smaller wrists
- Still shorter battery than Garmin alternatives
When to Choose Garmin Forerunner 165
Runners and cyclists wanting accurate GPS and training metrics without premium prices
The Forerunner 165 brings Garmin's renowned GPS accuracy and training features to a more accessible price point with a stunning AMOLED screen.
Strengths
- Excellent GPS accuracy
- Beautiful AMOLED display
- Body Battery and Training Readiness
- Garmin Coach adaptive plans
Limitations
- Limited advanced analytics vs higher models
- No music storage
- Plastic case feels less premium