Garmin Forerunner 970
The Garmin Forerunner 970 is Garmin’s top‑end Forerunner, sitting above the 965 with major hardware upgrades, new sensors, and deeper training analytics. It’s essentially a lighter, runner‑focused alternative to the Fenix line — now with premium materials, an AMOLED display, and advanced health features.
Jumoka Cobbs 
Garmin Forerunner 970 Review Score
8 out of 8 reviewers highly recommend this product
8
Reviews
90.0
Highest
80.0
Lowest
Screen
47mm
Storage
32GB
Battery
Up to 15 days
Display
AMOLED
Water Resistant
5 ATM
Review Sources:
| Publication | Score (100) | Review Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android Central | Jul 7, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"The Garmin Forerunner 970 is the brand's most painfully expensive running watch yet. As someone who gave the Forerunner 965 an unreserved perfect score in 2023, I had sky-high expectations for its successor — as will anyone who sees that $750 p" | |||
| Tom's Guide | Jun 16, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"The Garmin Forerunner 970 is the best sports watch available for runners and triathletes, offering an upgraded design that's more attractive and durable than the Forerunner 965, reliably accurate tracking, and detailed training insights that go beyon" | |||
| Wareable | Jun 25, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"After six weeks with the Forerunner 970 strapped to my wrist, it's clear that Garmin's latest flagship running watch isn't here to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it's a story of meticulous refinement, adding a robust suite of features that make it a co" | |||
| Android Authority | Aug 23, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"The Garmin Forerunner 970 is everything you want in a running watch, and almost everything you'd need from a smartwatch. Yes, you'll pay like you're buying one of each, but it's a top-end wearable that you'll almost never have to take off your wrist," | |||
| Livescience | Aug 28, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"The Garmin Forerunner 970 offers a great spread of high-end watch features in a mostly non-intimidating package. New for this generation are even greater screen brightness, an LED flash and voice assistant support — not essential for everyone b" | |||
| Trusted Reviews | Jul 3, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"The Garmin Forerunner 970 is a superb running and sports tracking smartwatch, it’s just a shame that the price has gone up a lot and the battery life has dropped a little." | |||
| T3 | Nov 5, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"The Forerunner 970 is Garmin's most advanced triathlon watch yet, with elite-level metrics, premium materials, and a brighter display. But unless you're a serious multisport athlete, the upgrades feel incremental, especially given the added cost of t" | |||
| Wired | Jul 13, 2025 | Read Review → | |
"The Forerunner 970 does have some all-new training features. Most successful is the new Acute Impact Load data, which shows up for each run. Say you run three miles on flat ground at your normal pace. Garmin’s programming would say that is a regular " | |||
| * Price represents starting price. Price can increase based on product options and selection. | |||
🤓 Nerd Verdict
Updated: January 13, 2026
The Forerunner 970 is a top-tier triathlon watch, but it's pricey and best suited for serious athletes who need its advanced features. While it offers the brightest display and some unique capabilities like a built-in flashlight, it also has shortcomings in battery life and pricing.
✅ Strengths
- The Forerunner 970 boasts the brightest AMOLED screen on a smartwatch, which is praised by multiple sources including Wired and T3. It also includes useful features like a physical flashlight, speaker, and microphone, as noted by Brent Rose at Wired.
- Reviewers consistently highlight its advanced optical heart rate monitor (HRM), with The Verge commending its accuracy in comparison to chest strap monitors. Additionally, the Forerunner 970 provides detailed training suggestions that are appreciated by runners looking for improvement, as seen in T3's review.
⚠️ Weaknesses
- The primary weakness of the Forerunner 970 is its shortened battery life compared to its predecessor, which is a significant drawback mentioned across multiple reviews. For example, T3 notes that it offers about two weeks of GPS tracking on average with moderate use, whereas earlier models lasted longer.
- Another notable weakness is the added cost; while the Forerunner 965 was already expensive, the 970 pushes it even higher, making it less appealing to casual users as noted by T3 and Wired. The requirement for a new HRM 600 chest strap to unlock some features also limits its appeal, as this additional purchase is not necessary with older models.
💡 Bottom Line
The Forerunner 970 is ideal for serious athletes who demand the best in training metrics and features but should be skipped by casual users due to its high price and limited utility. At $749.99, it offers excellent value for professional triathletes or those needing advanced tracking capabilities, but most everyday fitness enthusiasts might find better options within their budget.
