it’s an exciting time for beginner runners and fitness enthusiasts. Garmin just expanded its popular Forerunner lineup with two brand-new, accessible GPS smartwatches which we will compare in this article: the Forerunner 70 vs 170.
Both Garmin forerunner 170 and the Forerunner 70 were officially announced on May 12, 2026, and are available to order starting May 15, 2026.
These watches are designed to replace the older Forerunner 55 and Forerunner 165, bringing vibrant AMOLED displays and premium training features to a more affordable price point.
So, which one is right for you? Let’s break down every key difference and similarity to help you decide. ⚡
⌚ Build & Dimensions
At first glance, the Forerunner 70 and 170 look identical. They share the exact same physical design.
Garmin has crafted both watches with a lightweight fiber-reinforced polymer case and a comfortable silicone band. Despite having bright, beautiful displays, they are incredibly light, ensuring you’ll barely feel them on your wrist during a run or while you sleep.
Both models feature a 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen display with a resolution of 390 x 390 pixels. This is a major upgrade from older MIP displays, offering vivid colors and sharp clarity that looks much more modern.
🔋 Forerunner 170 Battery Life vs 70
This is one area where the more affordable model actually has an edge. While both watches offer multi-day battery life that beats most traditional smartwatches, they aren’t created equal.
The Forerunner 170 has a slightly shorter battery life due to its extra internal sensors and features.
Verdict: If you want the absolute longest time away from the charger, the Forerunner 70 is the winner. However, for most users, the 170’s 10-day battery is still excellent.
🏃Sports & Training Features
For runners, this is where the magic happens. Both watches are packed with an impressive suite of training tools borrowed from Garmin’s premium models.
You get access to Garmin Coach adaptive training plans, daily suggested workouts, wrist-based running power, running dynamics, and more than 80 sports apps.
A standout new feature on both is the “Quick Workouts” option, which lets you select an intensity and available time, and the watch will instantly generate a workout for you.
Both also support the new run/walk training plans, perfect for beginners building their endurance.
Key Difference: If you run in cities or on trails with lots of elevation changes, the Forerunner 170’s multi-band GPS and built-in altimeter will provide much more accurate data.
❤️ Health & Wellness Tracking
Garmin didn’t skimp on the health sensors. Both watches serve as 24/7 wellness companions.
They share the same Garmin Elevate Gen 4 optical heart rate sensor, which is a significant step up from older two-sensor designs found in Forerunner 55.
But Garmin has newer heart rate sensor, Elevate Gen 5 on higher priced watches like the Garmin Forerunner 570.
You’ll get a deep look into your overall wellness with features like Morning and Evening Reports, HRV Status, Pulse Ox, Sleep Coach, and Body Battery energy monitoring.
Important to Note: The Forerunner 170 can provide slightly more precise all-day data because of its extra sensors, like the barometric altimeter, which allows it to track floors climbed and get more accurate calorie burn during hikes.
💰 Garmin Forerunner 170 Price vs 70
This is the most straightforward comparison. Garmin has priced these watches competitively to shake up the entry-level market.
| Model | US Price | UK Price | Euro Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forerunner 70 | $249.99 | £219.99 | €249.99 |
| Forerunner 170 | $299.99 | £259.99 | €299.99 |
| Forerunner 170 Music | $349.99 | £299.99 | €349.99 |
A huge differentiator is that the Forerunner 170 adds NFC for Garmin Pay contactless payments, a feature completely missing from the Forerunner 70. For $50 more, the Forerunner 170 Music edition gives you 4GB of storage so you can download playlists from Spotify or Amazon Music and leave your phone at home.
🎯 Final Verdict: Which Watch Should You Buy?
You really can’t go wrong with either. But here’s how to choose:
Choose the Garmin Forerunner 70 if you…
- Are a new runner looking for your first serious GPS watch.
- Want the longest possible battery life.
- Always run with your phone for music and payments.
- Prefer to save the $50 for running shoes or race entries.
Choose the Garmin Forerunner 170 if you…
- Run in areas with tricky GPS signal, like dense cities or deep forests.
- Want accurate elevation and stair-climbing data during hikes.
- Want the convenience of leaving your wallet at home with Garmin Pay.
- Are looking to invest in a more comprehensive training tool that you won’t outgrow quickly.
Both watches represent a fantastic value, proving you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a premium training experience.
About the Author
