Garmin S62 vs S70 - advanced comparison for golfers

In the golf GPS watch business, Garmin stands out by offering top-of-the-line features meant for enhancement on the course for any golfer. Among the many choices in the Garmin portfolio, two exceptional gems stand out: the Garmin Approach S62 and the Garmin Approach S70. Each of these models has unique features that serve a different purpose. By reading this article comparing Garmin S62 vs S70, you can know which model is right for your game.

Show and graphics

Garmin S62: For direct sunlight, the transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) on the Garmin S62 stands out - it looks perfect for golfing like there's no other color-screened watch - nicer even than an AMOLED screen, but none that can read in a display as well as in such direct sunlight.

Still, for golfing, for playing, it's rather a good compromise so practically useful - the expansive high-color touchscreen lets them intuitively access all its available golf features.

Garmin S70: The Garmin S70 sets the bar on display quality with a high-resolution AMOLED touchscreen that comes in two sizes: 42mm and 47mm. This screen type displays richer colors, sharper contrast, and a more visual experience overall.

The screen is bright enough to let you see details on the course map and interactive functions, making the game of golf more enjoyable. However, for those golfers who play largely in direct sunlight, it may still be the high contrast of the MIP of the S62 that gains the upper hand​.

Golf features

Each of the Garmin S62 and S70 is loaded with highly technical golfing tools created to help improve your game. Here's how the two compare on core golf features:

Virtual caddie

Garmin S62: The S62 was one of the first to include Garmin's Virtual Caddie, which offers club recommendations based on your shot history, wind data, and course layout. This virtual assistant will walk you through real-time as you play and give players club selection help for those shots and environmental considerations that happened before.

Garmin S70: The Virtual Caddie on the S70 has a superior version of this feature by using shot tracking and integrated club recommendation, thus very sophisticated. This watch has a built-in slope and elevation change, so the player will get a real insight into every shot. 

Course mapping and hazard view

Both watches allow over 42,000 preloaded golf courses worldwide with real-time course mapping that gives information about hazards and layup options. The database would be more helpful to the golfers who often travel and play in several different courses.

Garmin S70: The S70 introduces fresh Green Contouring on specific courses, and thus you will be able to visualize topographical details including slope and undulations on the green. This is, of course, exclusive only to the S70, however, offers more precise directing for putting players towards optimal results​.

Fitness and health monitoring

The Garmin S62 and S70 are, in effect, golf-specific but present an entire arsenal of different fitness and health tracking abilities that make for versatile activity wearables from the device.

Garmin S62: The Garmin S62 does have basic fitness tracking and includes step counting, heart rate monitoring, and some activity profiles. It comes with Garmin's Pulse Ox sensor, which measures your blood oxygen saturation, something that is great for knowing your overall health. Even for athletes who play sports aside from golf or participate in other fitness activities, there are running, cycling, and swimming profiles and the S62 is sure to be worth using out of the golf course for these reasons.

Garmin S70: This advanced version of the design takes it up a notch by improving its abilities using an advanced heart rate monitoring function and a more detailed fitness package. This particular version, as designed, allows monitoring of a range of physical activities, along with metrics for hikes, cycle rides, and high-detail swimming metrics. Applications in this version are more aimed at an individual wanting an actual fitness watch instead of solely a golf device.

Battery life

The battery life is also critical for those playing extended rounds or not wishing to charge too often. Here is how the Garmin S62 vs S70 compare.

Garmin S62: The S62 has approximately 20 hours of battery life in GPS mode and up to 14 days in smartwatch mode, making it one of the best options for golfers who need long battery life.

Garmin S70: For a minor bump, the S70 offers about 24 hours in GPS mode and up to 16 days in smartwatch which is good enough for users looking for a little more endurance. This slight step might be just enough for the regular golfer or the athlete who uses the watch for multiple rounds of another sport​.

Price and value

Probably equally important as the feature itself in determining the right golf GPS watch is the cost or value. Here are brief descriptions of each by way of a price range and an overall value.

Garmin S62: Generally, the S62 is less expensive than the S70, running around $500, but it has been discounted in certain markets. This watch provides excellent value for the premium golf features offered for users mainly focused on golf who don't need the most advanced display technology.

Garmin S70: This is a premium-priced watch due to its AMOLED display and added features. The S70 is for those who are willing to pay extra for the latest technology and best display quality. At around $600 and up, the S70 is a luxury item with features that will give you more bang for your buck for the serious golfer and fitness buff.

Garmin S62 vs S70 – which one fits your budget?

Which would one choose? That depends entirely on which one is prioritized both on and off the course.

Choose the Garmin S70 for a sharper display with graphics and greater functionality in tracking fitness. Such a device would be appropriate for the serious, tech-enabled golfer who enjoys visual detail; in this model, one will find contouring to aid golfers in a more detailed form of guidance with putt selection.

But, for a good all-round golf watch that has a very good set of features at a relatively competitive price, you may want to go for the Garmin S62. Its robust battery, its sunlight-readable display, and its versatility make it a great product for those golfers with functionality as their top preference rather than aesthetics.

Bottom line: Both Garmin S62 and S70 perform impressively as golf watches. S70 could be the perfect purchase for customers considering high-end gear and graphic intensity, and the S62 has impressive performance yet a cost with a pretty sweet middle balance.