Garmin released Forerunner 570 in May 2025. It can be called a decent mid-range smartwatch for runners.
How does it compare to the entry level Garmin Forerunner 165? Let us find out in a quick comparison below. Bear in mind that Forerunner 570 is costlier by $300.
Main differences
- Forerunner 570 supports multi-band GPS as it has a multi-band GPS sensor. Forerunner 165 does not support multi-band GPS.
- Forerunner 570 supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou GPS networks. Forerunner 165 only supports GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo networks.
- Forerunner 165 lacks music functionality.
- Forerunner 165 also lacks Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Forerunner 570 uses DX coated Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Forerunner 165 uses a chemically strengthened glass.
- Forerunner 570 has an in-built speaker and mic while Forerunner 165 lacks it.
- Forerunner 570 includes 8 GB internal storage and Forerunner 165 has 4 GB internal storage.
From our experience, we discuss the more significant feature additions in Forerunner 570 below.
GPS and Multi-band support
For a start, Garmin Forerunner 570 includes GPS sensors for QZSS and BeiDou networks in addition to the GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo networks.
QZSS is a Japanese GPS satellite network and BeiDou is Chinese GPS networks. With additional support for QZSS and BeiDou, you can expect vastly improved GPS accuracy and reliability for Asian users on a Forerunner 570.
Additionally, Garmin Forerunner 570 also supports multi-band GPS. Multi-band GPS or dual frequency GPS allows users to pull GPS data from mutliple satellites at any given point in time.
Multi-band GPS is of immense help when you are in remote areas or in dense areas laden with skyscraper buildings. When the GPS connections are poor, week or unreliable, multi-band GPS technology helps in fetching GPS data from alternate satellite systems with better connectivity.
Forerunner 570, therefore, offers a more reliable and accurate GPS experience than Forerunner 165.
Music and wireless connectivity
You get full music functionality on a Forerunner 570 device. But, Forerunner 165 lacks music functionality. (For folks interested in adding music functionality to Forerunner 165, we recommend getting an upgraded version Forerunner 165 Music edition.)
A downside of Forerunner 165 is the missing Wi-Fi connectivity. It may not mean much for people indoors. But, if you are outdoor, you would prefer to have a smartwatch with reliable Wi-Fi connectivity.
Forerunner 570 does support Wi-Fi or 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connectivity.