Garmin Forerunner 970 vs. Garmin Forerunner 570 - Which Running Watch Wins?

As the world of smart sports watches continues to evolve, Garmin Forerunner 970 vs. Garmin Forerunner 570 has quickly become a hot topic among professional runners and fitness enthusiasts alike. More than just new models, these two watches mark a significant leap forward in Garmin's pursuit of smarter, more personalized training tools. You can also check the article in our website of Garmin Forerunner 970 Review.

With the release of the Forerunner 970 and 570, Garmin brings a fresh wave of innovation to its flagship Forerunner lineup. Both models feature stunning AMOLED displays that enhance readability in all lighting conditions, while built-in speakers and microphones open up new possibilities for voice control and smart notifications. The Forerunner 970 takes it a step further with an integrated LED flashlight and advanced running metrics - such as pace loss, endurance score, and running efficiency - providing a deeper look into performance for serious athletes.

Battery life is also impressive: the Forerunner 570 lasts up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, while the 970 stretches it to 15 days, minimizing downtime and maximizing focus on training. Garmin has also introduced new features likeSleep InsightsandTriathlon Coach,making both watches more intelligent and athlete-friendly than ever before.

So, when it comes to Garmin Forerunner 970 vs. Garmin Forerunner 570, which one is the better fit for your training style and performance goals? Read on as we break down the key differences in design, features, and user experience to help you make the right choice. 

Also read other Garmin Forerunner watch models review or comparison below:

Garmin Forerunner 970 vs Fenix 8

Garmin Forerunner 965 Review

Garmin Forerunner 955 vs Garmin Forerunner 965

Garmin 970 vs 965

Garmin Forerunner 970 vs. Garmin Forerunner 570 - Positioning and Pricing

When comparing the Garmin Forerunner 970 vs. Garmin Forerunner 570, price and market positioning stand out as the key differences. The Forerunner 570 is priced at $550, targeting the mid-range segment and appealing to general runners and fitness enthusiasts who prioritize practicality and value. On the other hand, the Forerunner 970 commands a premium $750 price tag, positioned as a flagship model designed for professional athletes and serious trainers with more comprehensive features and a higher-end focus.

Compared to their predecessors, the 570 sees only a slight price increase but gains significant upgrades, while the 970 jumps considerably from the Forerunner 965's $600 to $750, clearly marketed as a flagship device close to the Fenix series. This pricing gap reflects Garmin's strategic product tiering.

Winner: Forerunner 570

With a more reasonable price and essential features that cover most users'needs, the 570 offers the best value in the current lineup. For those on a budget who still want to experience Garmin's smart training ecosystem, it is undoubtedly the more attractive choice.

Garmin Forerunner 970 vs. Garmin Forerunner 570 - Design

In the Garmin Forerunner 970 vs. Garmin Forerunner 570 design comparison, both models focus on different styles and material quality. The Forerunner 970 inherits the titanium bezel from its predecessor, the 965, combined with a more scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass. This not only enhances durability but also gives the watch a more professional and slightly business-like appearance. In terms of details, the 970 features metal button guards and a built-in LED flashlight, balancing functionality with premium design, reflecting its flagship status.

In contrast, the Forerunner 570 uses an aluminum bezel and Corning Gorilla Glass 3, making it lighter overall. Its bold and youthful color options, including semi-transparent straps, add vibrancy and a modern touch. The redesigned buttons and the brighter AMOLED display further improve its visual appeal, though it lacks the metal guards and flashlight found on the 970.

Overall, the 970 emphasizes durability and professionalism, suited for users seeking a solid build and multifunctionality. Meanwhile, the 570 attracts younger, active users with its lighter, livelier design and rich color choices, combining practicality with style. Though both have plastic main bodies, the differences in materials and design details highlight their distinct positioning and target audiences.

Winner: Garmin Forerunner 970

Thanks to its titanium bezel, sapphire glass, and practical LED flashlight, the Forerunner 970 leads in durability and functional design, making it the better choice for users who value professional quality and comprehensive features.

Garmin Forerunner 970 vs. Garmin Forerunner 570 - Size and Weight

In the Garmin Forerunner 970 vs. Garmin Forerunner 570 comparison, the two models differ notably in size and weight. The Forerunner 970 offers a single 47mm size, measuring 47×47×12.9mm and weighing 56g. It features a titanium bezel and sapphire glass, combining durability with a professional feel. The Forerunner 570, on the other hand, comes in two sizes—42mm and 47mm—weighing 42g and 50g respectively. Its aluminum bezel design makes it lighter and more suitable for those with smaller wrists or who prefer a lighter watch.

Overall, the 570's variety of sizes and lighter build offer greater comfort and flexibility, while the 970 emphasizes premium materials and sturdiness.

Winner: Garmin Forerunner 570

With more size options and lighter weight, the Forerunner 570 provides better wearing comfort and broader appeal, making it ideal for everyday users and those seeking a lighter sports watch.

Garmin Forerunner 970 vs. Garmin Forerunner 570 - Display

Both the Garmin Forerunner 970 and the 570 (47mm version) feature a 1.4-inch AMOLED display with a sharp 454×454 resolution, offering vibrant colors and crisp detail that effectively present rich workout data and map information. These screens maintain excellent visibility even under direct sunlight, enhancing usability for outdoor activities. Notably, the Forerunner 970 boasts the brightest AMOLED panel in the Forerunner lineup to date, delivering superior outdoor brightness that is ideal for long runs or triathlon sessions.

In contrast, the Forerunner 570 also offers a smaller 42mm model with a 1.2-inch, 390×390 resolution display, catering to users with slimmer wrists or those preferring a more compact watch. While the 570's screen still delivers impressive color and clarity, its brightness is slightly lower than the 970's, resulting in less impactful outdoor visibility. Overall, both watches provide high-quality displays, with the 570 focusing on daily comfort and practicality, while the 970 pushes the envelope in brightness and visual performance.

Winner: Garmin Forerunner 970

Thanks to its superior screen brightness and enhanced outdoor visibility, the Forerunner 970 stands out as the better choice for users who demand the best display experience in

Garmin Forerunner 970 vs. Garmin Forerunner 570 - Navigation and Mapping

The Garmin Forerunner 970 comes with full built-in maps, offering various map styles such as topographic and golf course maps, providing users with rich geographic information and real-time route planning. It supports dynamic route adjustments based on user needs, gives alerts when off the preset path, and includes a finish line timing correction feature, greatly enhancing outdoor navigation accuracy and convenience. Additionally, the 970 allows for points of interest search, multi-person tracking, estimated time of arrival calculations, and fast GPS lock, even indoors near windows.

In contrast, the Forerunner 570 lacks built-in maps and only supports importing route files for basic breadcrumb navigation. It doesn't offer detailed map information or turn-by-turn guidance, which can make navigating complex or poorly marked routes challenging. The 570 also has smaller storage capacity, simpler navigation functions, and slower GPS lock times, resulting in a less robust user experience.

Winner: Garmin Forerunner 970

Thanks to its comprehensive built-in maps, advanced navigation features, and faster GPS locking, the Forerunner 970 delivers a significantly better navigation experience, making it ideal for professional users and outdoor enthusiasts who need precise route guidance.

Garmin Forerunner 970 vs. Garmin Forerunner 570 - Battery Life

When it comes to battery life, the Garmin Forerunner 970 stands out with up to 15 days in smartwatch mode, significantly surpassing the Forerunner 570's 10 to 11 days depending on the model. In GPS mode, the 970 can last over 24 hours, making it ideal for long outdoor activities such as marathons and trail running.

In contrast, the 570 offers 14 to 20 hours of GPS battery life, which meets daily training needs but falls short for extended use. In real-world usage, the 970 is more power-efficient, consuming about 4% to 5% battery per hour compared to the 570, thanks to its more flexible power-saving modes that allow users to optimize battery life based on their activities.

Additionally, the 970 supports fast charging and includes a built-in LED flashlight. Despite the extra power draw from these features, it still delivers longer overall battery life than the 570. The 570 is lighter and smaller, appealing to everyday users, but sacrifices some battery longevity.

Overall, the Forerunner 970's superior battery life and customizable power management make it the better choice for users who require extended outdoor use, while the 570 offers a good balance of battery life and portability for casual athletes.

Winner: Garmin Forerunner 970

With its leading battery performance and versatile power-saving options, the Forerunner 970 provides more reliable power for long-duration activities, making it the top pick for users with high battery demands.

Garmin Forerunner 970 vs. Garmin Forerunner 570 - Health Monitoring and Training Features

Fifth-Generation Heart Rate Sensor and Optical Monitoring Upgrade

Both the 970 and 570 feature the latest 5th-generation Garmin Elevate heart rate sensor, with a combination of green and red LEDs that improve accuracy in heart rate and blood oxygen measurements, optimizing optical design for high-intensity activities while conserving battery life.

Skin Temperature and Women's Health Tracking

The 970 supports skin temperature monitoring and features like ovulation prediction for women's health, which the 570 does not have.

Good Night Report: Scientific Sleep and Recovery Planning

Both watches offer the “Good Night Report,” providing daily activity summaries, recovery status, and next-day training suggestions.

Advanced Running Metrics (970 Exclusive)

Paired with the HRM600 heart rate strap, the 970 delivers advanced running data including running endurance, running economy, and speed loss, helping to optimize training; the 570 lacks these features.

Fenix 8 Series Training Support (970 Only)

Includes hill climb score, climb assistant, endurance score, and cycling FTP calculation, supporting complex terrain training—features missing on the 570.

Automatic Finish Line Detection and Timing

Both models detect when the user approaches the finish line during preloaded races and prompt to stop the activity, improving race data accuracy.

Training Profiles and Real-Time Endurance Data

The 970 offers richer training profiles and real-time energy expenditure monitoring, while the 570 focuses on basic activity tracking.

ECG Functionality Comparison

Although both have the same hardware, only the 970 enables ECG measurement on the wrist; the 570 is restricted from using this feature.

Summary

The Forerunner 970 stands out with comprehensive health monitoring and professional training support, ideal for users seeking in-depth data and performance. The Forerunner 570 suits those needing basic fitness tracking and entry-level running features.

Winner: Garmin Forerunner 970

Its extensive health functions and exclusive advanced running metrics provide a more precise and professional training experience.

Garmin Forerunner 970 vs. Garmin Forerunner 570 - Smart Features

The Garmin Forerunner 970 features both a touchscreen and physical buttons for flexible operation, supporting calls, texts, and various notifications. The 570 only has physical buttons and basic notifications. The 970 supports built-in music playback (including Spotify and Deezer) and Garmin Pay wireless payments, which the 570 does not.

For navigation, the 970 comes with full maps and dynamic routing, ideal for outdoor activities, while the 570 only supports basic route tracking. The 970 also includes an LED flashlight and SOS function for enhanced safety at night. Both support Garmin Connect, but the 970 offers more comprehensive features and a better user experience.

Winner: Garmin Forerunner 970 - thanks to its richer smart features and powerful navigation, it meets more daily and sports needs.

Conclusion & Recommendation - How to Choose Between Garmin Forerunner 970 and 570?

If you are a professional athlete or a dedicated fitness enthusiast seeking precise training data and comprehensive health tracking, the Garmin Forerunner 970 is the better choice. It features the latest Gen5 heart rate sensor and supports advanced running metrics like running economy and speed loss (with the optional HRM600 heart rate strap).

The 970 also offers built-in maps, an LED flashlight, skin temperature tracking, and a durable design with a titanium bezel and sapphire glass - ideal for outdoor adventures and long training sessions. For those with a sufficient budget and higher demands for screen color and touchscreen experience, the 970 will meet professional needs more effectively.

On the other hand, if you are a casual fitness user focused on everyday running or cycling and value cost-effectiveness and long battery life, the Forerunner 570 is an excellent choice. It retains essential health monitoring features and core sports modes, supports Good Night and Morning Reports, and offers 8GB of music storage. The 570’s MIP display provides excellent outdoor visibility, and its smart mode battery life lasts up to 14 days—perfect for daily use without the need for built-in maps or NFC payments.

In summary, the decision between the 970 and 570 depends on your need for advanced sports data, smart features, and outdoor navigation. The Forerunner 970 is recommended for professionals and extreme athletes, while the Forerunner 570 suits regular fitness enthusiasts seeking practicality and value. If you want to know more information about Garmin Watch Straps of Forerunner series, you can explore:

Garmin Forerunner Watch straps

Garmin Forerunner 945 Watch straps

Garmin Forerunner 955 Watch straps

Garmin Forerunner 965 Watch straps

Garmin Forerunner 970 Watch straps