A runner’s dream or another disappointing addition to the smartwatch category? That’s the question of the hour with the release of the Garmin Forerunner 970. Garmin just released two new smartwatches specifically designed for runners, the 570 and 970, and they both offer more detailed insights for dedicated athletes who want to track their pace and make improvements to their performance down to every millisecond. Today, we’ll focus on a Garmin Forerunner 970 review–the more premium of the two—to see what this watch in particular has to offer.
The new Garmin Forerunner 970 has a similar design and form as its predecessors, but it does have more interesting options in terms of color. The biggest disappointment so far has been the battery, but even with being inferior to the 965, it still packs a punch. Marketing itself as the best watch for runners, there are a couple of different features that make it a reliable race partner in terms of durability and GPS tracking.
Forerunner 970 Review—A Race Buddy on Your Wrists
The Garmin Forerunner 970 specs are designed for serious runners, triathletes, and endurance athletes looking for an edge in their performance. Due to its more niche target audience, the Forerunner series of watches is not necessarily designed for casual use or for someone who just wants to control their music easily when they go on a leisurely walk, but there are a couple of advantages to owning this powerhouse.
If you’re a small-wristed runner, then you may not enjoy the Forerunner 970’s single-sized 47mm offering, but if size is not an issue, then the new $749.99 smartwatch may still be of interest to you.
The Design and Build of the new Garmin Smartwatch
The titanium bezels aid in its durability while also adding a touch of style to the otherwise plain appearance, with a sapphire crystal lens for scratch resistance. The smartwatch is primarily made up of a polymer case, with a few metallic accents through the buttons to add to the look. The 5ATM rating makes it suitable for water-based activities or running outdoors in the bleakest of weather.
Apart from the bold color accents and the redefined button shapes, there are interesting color options this time to consider, with translucent bands that add a touch of spice to the overall design. The carbon gray titanium with the black case is the safest, most standard option.
If you want something more showy, there’s also a titanium with a Whitestone case and a yellow band, and another soft gold titanium variant with a French gray/translucent Indigo band. None of these are particularly loud, but Garmin is not one to design a device based on its aesthetics. Its line of rugged smartwatches are a clear sign of its commitment to function over form.
Garmin Forerunner 970 Specs—What Is the New Smartwatch Packing?
The new Garmin Forerunner 970 is a light 56g, making it easier to wield than the Fenix 8. Its 47mm size is complemented by a 1.4-inch AMOLED touchscreen at 454×454 pixel resolution, and it reportedly features the brightest display in the Garmin lineup for better visibility outdoors.
The Garmin Forerunner 970 specs mention a built-in speaker for calls on the go and an LED flashlight. There’s 32GB built-in storage for maps, apps, and music, and the smartwatch also supports contactless payments. As for the operating system, the Forerunner 970 uses Garmin’s proprietary OS with an updated UI adopting the Fenix line’s design language.
How’s the Battery on the Flagship Forerunner?
As for the Forerunner 970’s battery life, you can expect up to 15 days of use in smartwatch mode, but with each niche setting, the battery life comes down significantly. For example, the GPS-Only GNSS mode gives you up to 26 hours of use, and with each additional setting to the GNSS, it is brought down further.
Assuming you won’t be out running 24/7, the battery should rarely be a problem for you, allowing you to go days between charges. This is less than the 23-day battery life offered by the Forerunner 965, but you get more out of tracking your running with this new variant.
Garmin Forerunner 970 Features—What Makes It a Runner’s Best Friend?
A Forerunner 970 review wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging the features that make it so special. The smartwatch features the new Garmin Elevate Gen5 optical HR sensor for ECG support, exclusive to specific countries. Additionally, creating custom multi-sport workouts is easier than ever, allowing you to log an entire session of different activities as one workout.
Its full-color mapping and turn-by-turn directions make it easier to chart a course and stay on track with your route, which is very important for keeping up the pace without losing time. You can also make the most of the Garmin Triathlon Coach training plans for more structured programming for your triathlon.
The exclusive running metrics offered with the watch include running tolerance tracking for creating a more ideal running plan for yourself where you can perform without straining yourself. The auto lap feature is also interesting if you want to align with known race markers for accurate distance tracking. If you also want to track running economy estimations and step speed loss, you have to pair your $750 watch with the $169.99 HRM 600 chest strap for better results.
Should You Buy the Forerunner 970?
Our Forerunner 970 review primarily focused on the features specifically customized for runners, but the smartwatch also does everything else you’d expect from a smartwatch. It tracks heart rate, sleep, naps, stress, menstrual health, heart rate variability, and blood oxygen levels. It also provides a morning and evening report and shows your smartphone notifications on your watch the way you’d expect an Apple Watch to.
If you want a single smartwatch for your day-to-day activities as well as tracking your preparations for your marathon, this $750 watch could be perfect for you. On the other hand, if you aren’t a serious runner or aren’t preparing for any extraneous outdoor activities, there is little reason to splurge on this watch over a more affordable alternative that will serve you better.
The WHOOP band is another option for those who want to prioritize fitness tracking and it comes without the distraction of a screen. You can also consider the other new Garmin Forerunner watch, the $550 570, which will allow you to track your performance on the track or on the streets, albeit with more limited features. The Garmin Forerunner 255 remains a top option for many runners and it still hasn’t gone out of style if the latest model is too pricey for you.
Need a more detailed exploration of the best Garmin running watches on the market right now? Let us know and we’ll get right on it. For more gadget reviews and updates on all things tech, subscribe to Technowize.