gArmin’s latest flagship running watch, the Forerunner 970, aims to take the place of one of the top training and racing companions available. Will the integration of built-in torches, software enhancements, and voice control truly make an impact?
The latest version builds on the body of the previous Forerunner 965 while incorporating advanced tech from Garmin’s top-tier adventure watch, the Fenix 8, which includes a significantly brighter display and enhanced running analytics.
These enhancements come at a price of £630 (750 Euros/$750/$1,399) – £30 more than its predecessor, positioning it at the pinnacle of running and triathlon watches, yet still below the Fenix 8, priced at £780.
The Forerunner 970 is sizable but remains unobtrusive, fitting comfortably under your shirt cuffs while exercising. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The 970 retains the same dimensions as the Forerunner 965, featuring a 47mm case and a stunning, bright 1.4-inch OLED display. The touchscreen is shielded by robust sapphire glass, akin to luxury timepieces, while the titanium bezel compliments the polycarbonate body in three color variants.
A notable enhancement is the transition of features from the Fenix 8, transforming the 970 into a more versatile everyday smartwatch. Garmin’s new offline voice control system allows you to quickly set timers, alarms, adjust settings, or initiate activities. The watch connects to your phone’s voice assistant via Bluetooth.
The upgraded interface provides faster access to notifications from your smartphone by swiping down from the top of the screen. With an iPhone, you can view and dismiss text-only notifications, while Android users can interact with images and reply directly from the watch. Although bank support is limited, you can control music on your mobile device and download streaming playlists from services like Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music for hassle-free listening during workouts.
Having a built-in torch on the watch is something you won’t want to be without. I find myself using it at least five times a day. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The standout feature is the built-in LED torch on the top edge of the 970. It’s incredibly useful, recalling fond memories of the Fenix 8, and is my favorite addition to the Forerunner. The brightness is sufficient to illuminate dark streets at night or to search for items in dimly-lit cupboards, and it can be adjusted to a gentle red light to avoid disturbing anyone at home. It can also be utilized as a strobe light for visibility while running at night.
The battery life is approximately six days with typical smartwatch use including always-on display, health monitoring, night tracking, frequent notifications, and torch functionality. The screen features auto-brightness; however, I adjusted it one notch lower to ensure it’s visible outdoors, which slightly extends battery life. By adjusting always-on display settings, you can gain an additional 12-15 days.
Specifications
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Screen: 1.4in AMOLED (454×454)
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Case Size: 47mm
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Case Thickness: 13.2mm
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Band Size: Standard 22mm
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Weight: 56g
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Storage: 32GB
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Water Resistance: 50 meters (5ATM)
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Sensors: GNSS (Multiband GPS, GLONASS, Galileo), Compass, Thermometer, Heart Rate, Pulse Oximeter
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Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi
Running and Activity Tracking
This watch charges via a USB-C cable which connects next to the sensor cluster on the back, reaching 70% charge in about 40 minutes. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The predecessor was an excellent running watch, full of metrics, useful analytics, and features from which the 970 is built. The large screen allows for the clear display of up to eight data fields simultaneously. The maps are notably refined and user-friendly via touch.
Though it includes modern dual-band GPS, Garmin’s algorithm remains superior in tracking accuracy compared to its competitors, even those with similar technology. The upgraded Gen 5 enhances heart rate monitoring in challenging conditions with an improved sensor on the back, enabling ECG (arrhythmia) measurements.
The 970 boasts a top-tier collection of fitness, recovery, and training metrics, along with several new insights designed to help prevent injuries.
Impact load measures how demanding your run is on your body relative to its intensity compared to simple, flat running at slower paces. A 7km uphill run felt comparable to a gentle 12km run, highlighting how it affected my legs and the need for longer recovery before my next workout.
Impact load estimations assist in preventing overtraining by assessing the toll a run takes on your body. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Furthermore, the new running load feature monitors mileage over a week and advises if you’re fit to run without elevating the risk of injury. Many runners, including myself, have suffered injuries during race training when exceeding weekly mileage too soon.
The 970 also introduces a running economy feature tracking the efficiency of your form, including how much speed you lose upon foot strike. However, this requires Garmin’s latest heart rate monitor strap, an additional purchase of £150.
Battery life for performance mode averages over 11 hours while listening to offline music via Bluetooth headphones; without music, expect around 16 hours. Adjusting screen brightness can extend battery life by several hours, while reducing GPS accuracy mode can last up to 26 hours.
Robust General Health Monitoring
The Forerunner watches have vibrant colors on their bodies and straps, yet they remain distinctly sporty, making them less suitable for all occasions. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Garmin provides extensive tracking for running, triathlon, and over 30 other sports. Additionally, it boasts a comprehensive suite of general health monitoring tools, including sleep tracking, activity monitoring, stress levels, women’s health, and heart health metrics, comparable to the Apple Watch.
Garmin’s advanced training tools evaluate your recovery both day and night, advising on your bodily condition. These features encompass built-in sleep coaches, running and triathlon coaches, and various activity suggestions to determine when to engage in hard workouts versus low-intensity sessions. The daily recommended workouts are adaptive, based on your sleep and recovery, preventing you from undertaking intense workouts following a poor night’s sleep. These automatic workouts can also be adjusted using Garmin’s robust tools or third-party resources to align with your race calendar.
Sustainability
These watches are generally repairable, with support options available here. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not include recycled materials. Garmin assures security updates until at least May 21, 2027, but typically offers support for much longer. They also provide recycling programs with new purchases.
Price
The Garmin Forerunner 970 retails for £629.99 (749.99 Euros/$749.99/$1,399).
For comparison, the Garmin Fenix 8 starts at £780, the Forerunner 570 at £460, the Forerunner 965 at £499.99, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 at £799, and the Coros Pace Pro is priced at £349. The Suunto Race is available for £299, and the Polar Vantage V3 costs £519.
Verdict
Garmin continues to elevate the standard with the Forerunner 970. While it may not be a groundbreaking leap from the Forerunner 965, it enriches an already stellar design.
The display is brilliant, protected by scratch-resistant sapphire, and accented with titanium bezels for a luxury feel; the interface has become more modern and responsive. The incorporation of voice control and faster access to notifications enhances its usability as a smartwatch alternative. It signifies a sporty lifestyle when worn, differentiating itself from Apple or Pixel watches.
The upgraded heart rate sensor helps you optimize during challenging workouts and includes ECG measurements for thorough heart health tracking. Yet, the integrated torch stands out as an ideal addition for everyday utility—every watch should have one.
Moreover, the new impact load and durability features are incredibly beneficial in preventing overexertion and injuries, enhancing the already outstanding training and recovery metrics. Additionally, it offers top-tier running accuracy and detailed off-board maps for navigation.
For those seeking a premium running and triathlon watch packed with features, the Forerunner 970 remains an excellent choice, albeit at a high price point.
Pros: Comprehensive tracking and recovery analysis, ultra-bright OLED display, built-in torch, phone and offline voice control, Garmin Pay, and extensive support for running and various sports, complete offline mapping capabilities, responsive control through buttons and touch, and highly accurate GPS and ECG.
Cons: Despite its cost, Garmin Pay bank support is limited compared to Apple, Google, and Samsung watches, and it still lacks some smartwatch functions while having shorter battery life than some LCD competitors.
There is a wide range of customizable watch faces available from the Garmin IQ store to choose from. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Source: www.theguardian.com
