Garmin recently unveiled its latest set of running watches, the Forerunner 970 and the Forerunner 570. Here’s how the brand-new 970 Forerunner compares to the existing Forerunner 965.
While the Forerunner 570 is a mid-range running watch, the Forerunner 970 sits at the top of Garmin’s running line-up, dethroning 2023’s Forerunner 965 as Garmin’s most advanced running-focussed smartwatch.
Keep reading to learn more about how the Forerunner 970 compares to its predecessor when it comes to design, features, activity tracking and more. We’d also recommend visiting our guides to the best Garmin watch and the best running watch for more of our favourite picks.
Price
The Garmin Forerunner 965 arrived in March 2023 at a price of $599.99/£599.99, though more recently that price has dropped to $499.99/£499.99.
The Garmin Forerunner 970, on the other hand, launched in May 2025. Prices start at $749.99/£629.99 and the smartwatch will be available to order from May 21.
The Garmin Forerunner 970 is more scratch-resistant
When it comes to their designs, the Forerunner 965 and Forerunner 970 appear very similar.
Aside from their different colour finishes, the two watches both have 1.4-inch circular faces with 454 x 454-pixel resolutions. Both watches also feature titanium bezels, silicone watch straps and share similar dimensions, with the Forerunner 970 being just slightly thinner and heavier than the Forerunner 965.
Garmin Forerunner 965
Garmin Forerunner 970
The Garmin Forerunner does seem to be a bit more scratch-resistant, however, thanks to its sapphire crystal lens. The Forerunner 965, on the other hand, features a Corning Gorilla Glass DX lens, which, while less scratch-resistant than sapphire glass, is more shatterproof.
The Garmin Forerunner 970 includes more fitness tracking features
If you’re considering picking up a Garmin wearable, you’re probably at least somewhat interested in tracking your health and fitness activity. When pitted against the Forerunner 965, the Forerunner 970 appears to offer more sports tracking modes.
While both smartwatches cover a wide range of activities, from strength training and pilates, to running, cycling, climbing and swimming (and many, many more), the Forerunner 970 offers a larger variety of modes.
Garmin Forerunner 965
Garmin Forerunner 970
For example, some modes that appear on the Forerunner 970 that don’t seem to be present on the Forerunner 965, including indoor walking, obstacle racing, hunting, horseback riding, archery, BMX, kayaking, sailing and snorkeling – to name a few.
The Forerunner 970 is also the first in its series to support the Garmin ECG app, making it possible to detect symptoms of AFib.
The Garmin Forerunner 970 supports voice commands
Another benefit to the Forerunner 970 is that the wearable supports voice commands, meaning you can make calls, send texts and access your voice assistant hands-free when connected to a compatible smartphone.
Garmin Forerunner 965
Garmin Forerunner 970
You can also control the watch functions with your voice, allowing you to start activity modes and access your stats while your hands are occupied with whatever sport or workout you’re partaking in.
The Garmin Forerunner 965 offers a longer battery life
One area in which the Forerunner 965 does continue to come out on top is battery life. The Forerunner 965 offers a huge up to 23-day battery life in smartwatch mode, though this number is reduced dramatically when using GPS or multi-band connections.
Garmin Forerunner 965
Garmin Forerunner 970
The same goes for the Forerunner 970, which tops out at 15 days in smartwatch mode. That’s a 34% decrease compared to the Forerunner 965, though the Forerunner 970 does have a slight advantage when it comes to endurance during multi-band connectivity.
Early verdict
The Garmin Forerunner 970 is a solid upgrade compared to the Garmin Forerunner 965, with a good number of improvements to offer across the board.
However, you’ll have to wait for our full review of the Forerunner 970 to learn whether the smartwatch would be worth upgrading if you already happily wear the Forerunner 965.
