Garmin Forerunner 165 vs. Coros Pace 4: Which watch suits marathon runners?

In preparation for the Berlin Marathon, the author evaluated Garmin’s Forerunner 165 against Coros’s Pace 4, focusing on features that matter to long-distance runners. Garmin scores for its intuitive default screens, extensive sport modes—including diving and golf—and seamless music streaming via Garmin Connect, though its battery lasts only 11 days in smartwatch mode and 19 hours with GPS. Coros shines with a dual-frequency GNSS system that maintains accurate pacing in dense urban areas and a 19-day smartwatch battery that extends to 41 hours of GPS use, but it lacks a USB-C charger and its out-of-the-box metric layout can be overwhelming.

Voice control and voice-pin notes are unique to Coros, allowing hands-free run setup and location-tagged audio logs. Both watches feature 5 ATM water resistance and rubber bands that stay secure during sweaty sessions. After weighing the pros and cons, the reviewer chose the Garmin Forerunner 165 for its simplicity and clearer real-time data during the upcoming race.