Forerunner 70 / 170
Forerunner 70 / 170 launched 12 May 2026 at $249+. New numbered entry line replaces FR 55/165 slot

The basics
- Brand
- Garmin
- Line
- Running
- Released
- 2026-05-12
- Launch price
- $249+
- Replaces
- Forerunner 165
- Family
- Forerunner entry
- Official site
- garmin.com ↗
New numbered entry line replaces FR 55/165 slot
Forerunner 70 vs 170
Same 43 mm AMOLED shell, same launch day, same battery claims — the $50 step-up buys the full sensor stack and training-load analysis.
| Forerunner 702026-05 | Forerunner 1702026-05 | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $249 | $299 |
| Display | 1.2″ AMOLED touch | 1.2″ AMOLED touch |
| Sizes | 43 mm | 43 mm |
| Thickness | 11.9 mm | 11.9 mm |
| Battery (smartwatch / GPS) | 11 days; 19 h | 11 days; 19 h |
| Wrist HR | Elevate v4 + Pulse Ox | Elevate v4 + Pulse Ox |
| Training Readiness | Yes | Yes |
| Barometric altimeter | — | Yes |
| Compass / gyro / thermometer | — | Yes |
| Training Load + Load Ratio | — | Yes |
| Workout animations | — | Yes |
| Power meter compatible | — | Yes |
| Music storage | — | 170 Music (+$50) |
Release history
- 2026-05-12Forerunner 70 / 170
- 2024-02-20Forerunner 165
- 2021-06-02Forerunner 55
Video coverage
All 79 videos
▶Garmin Forerunner 70 & 170 Hands-On! (Best Value Garmin Yet?)Chase the Summit · Sun, 24 May 2026
▶Garmin Forerunner 70 vs 170 Comparison: All 27 Differences Hands-On!DC Rainmaker · Thu, 21 May 2026
▶Garmin Forerunner 70 & 170 Review // Best Garmins on a Budget!DesFit · Thu, 21 May 2026
▶Garmin Forerunner 70 In-Depth Review: 77 New Things To Know!DC Rainmaker · Thu, 21 May 2026Forerunner 55 / 165 / 170 generation comparison
Full compare page| 70 / 1702026-05 | 1652024-02 | 552021-06 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $249 | $249 | $199 |
| Display | 1.2″ AMOLED touch | 1.2″ AMOLED touch | 1.04″ MIP, non-touch |
| Sizes | 43 mm | 43 mm | 42 mm |
| Thickness | 11.9 mm | 11.6 mm | 11.6 mm |
| Battery (smartwatch / GPS) | 10–13 days; 20–23 h | 11 days; 19 h | 2 weeks; 20 h |
| Wrist HR | Elevate v4 | Elevate v4 + Pulse Ox | Elevate v3 |
| Multi-band GPS | — | — | — |
| Maps | Breadcrumb, Up Ahead | Breadcrumb + courses | — |
| Music storage | 170 Music (+$50) | Music model (+$50) | Phone control only |
| Garmin Pay | 170 only | Yes | — |
| Signature | Training Readiness, Quick Workouts debut | AMOLED at $249, nap detection | PacePro, daily suggested workouts |
Battery figures are launch-day claims.
In the news
All coverage- Garmin Forerunner 70 Review: The Best Running Watch for Beginners Just Got a Major Upgrade
- Garmin Forerunner 70 Review: The Best Running Watch for Beginners Just Got a Major Upgrade
- Garmin Birthday Sale brings first discounts to Forerunner 70 and 170
- Garmin Birthday Sale brings first discounts to Forerunner 70 and 170
- I wore Coros and Garmin's sub-$300 sports watches - both are excellent, but one lasts longer