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Garmin Approach S50 vs Garmin Approach S70

The Approach S70 is the better watch on paper: it lasts longer on GPS (20 hours) and lasts longer (16 days). Pick the Approach S50 only if it matters to you that it is lighter.

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Approach S50 Check price
Approach S70 Check price

Key differences

  • Battery life

    Approach S70 wins

    The Garmin Approach S70 lasts up to 16 days against 10 days.

  • GPS

    Approach S70 wins

    The Garmin Approach S70 adds multi-band GPS for more accurate tracks.

  • Display

    Approach S70 wins

    Both are AMOLED, but the Garmin Approach S70's screen is bigger (1.4 in against 1.2 in).

  • Health

    Evenly matched

    Much the same health sensors.

  • Weight

    Approach S50 wins

    The Garmin Approach S50 is lighter: 29 g against 56 g.

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Approach S50 if…

  • You wear it to bed or have small wrists: it weighs 29 g.
  • You want it to slide under a sleeve: it's 11.4 mm thick.

Choose the Approach S70 if…

  • You do long runs, rides or hikes: it's rated for 20 hours with GPS.
  • You hate charging: it's rated for up to 16 days in smartwatch mode.
  • You want maps and stats easy to read: it has the bigger screen.

Full spec comparison

The Approach S50 leads on size and durability, while the Approach S70 leads on battery life.

Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.

Overview

Overview: Garmin Approach S50 vs Garmin Approach S70
Spec Garmin Approach S50Garmin Approach S70
Brand GarminGarmin
Series ApproachApproach
Versions Ivory (S/M), Black (M/L)Approach S70 - 42 mm
Colours Ivory, Black—

Platform & apps

Both work with the same phones and software.

Platform & apps: Garmin Approach S50 vs Garmin Approach S70
Spec Garmin Approach S50Garmin Approach S70
Operating system GarminGarmin
Works with iPhone and AndroidiPhone and Android
Storage 4 GB16 GB
App store YesYes
Subscription OptionalOptional
Subscription name Garmin Golf membershipGarmin Golf membership
Subscription features Full vector map, Touch-targeting, Green ContoursGreen Contours

Display

The Approach S70 is ahead on the display.

It has a bigger screen, and the Approach S50 doesn't beat it on anything here.

Display: Garmin Approach S50 vs Garmin Approach S70
Spec Garmin Approach S50Garmin Approach S70
Display type AMOLEDAMOLED
Screen size 1.2 in1.4 in
Resolution 390 x 390454 x 454
Colour display YesYes
Always-on display YesYes
Touchscreen YesYes
Controls touchscreentouchscreen

Design & durability

Each watch has its strengths on size and durability.

The Approach S50 is lighter and is slimmer, while the Approach S70 comes in 2 sizes.

Design & durability: Garmin Approach S50 vs Garmin Approach S70
Spec Garmin Approach S50Garmin Approach S70
Case sizes 43 mm42 / 47 mm
Case shape RoundRound
Dimensions 43 x 43 x 11.4 mm47 x 47 x 13.4 mm
Thickness 11.4 mm13.4 mm
Weight (case) 29 g56 g
Bezel material anodized aluminumceramic
Lens Corning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Band material ComfortFit nylonsilicone
Band width 20 mm22 mm
Band fitting 20 mm quick release (industry standard)QuickFit 22 mm
Fits wrists 127-190 mm130-205 mm
Water resistance 5 ATM5 ATM

Battery

The Approach S70 is ahead on battery life.

It lasts longer on GPS (20 hours) and lasts longer (16 days), and the Approach S50 doesn't beat it on anything here.

Battery: Garmin Approach S50 vs Garmin Approach S70
Spec Garmin Approach S50Garmin Approach S70
Battery (smartwatch mode) 10 days16 days
Battery (GPS) 15 hours20 hours
All battery modes Smartwatch: 10 days; GPS: 15 hoursSmartwatch: 16 days; GPS: 20 hours
Charging proprietary-plugproprietary-plug

GPS & navigation

Both have built-in GPS with similar capabilities.

GPS & navigation: Garmin Approach S50 vs Garmin Approach S70
Spec Garmin Approach S50Garmin Approach S70
GPS Built-inBuilt-in
Multi-band GPS —Yes
Satellite systems GPS, GLONASS, GalileoGPS, GLONASS, Galileo
Automatic GNSS mode —Yes
Golf courses 43,00043,000

Health & sensors

Both track much the same health data.

Heart rate, sleep and the extra sensors line up closely.

Health & sensors: Garmin Approach S50 vs Garmin Approach S70
Spec Garmin Approach S50Garmin Approach S70
Sensors optical HR, SpO2, gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, ambient lightoptical HR, SpO2, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, compass, ambient light
Heart-rate sensor Garmin ElevateGarmin Elevate
Heart-rate tracking 24/724/7
High/low heart-rate alerts YesYes
Heart-rate variability YesYes
Blood oxygen (SpO2) YesYes
Respiration rate YesYes
Sleep tracking Sleep coachingSleep coaching
Stress tracking YesYes
Energy score Body BatteryBody Battery
Cycle tracking YesYes

Safety

Both offer much the same safety features.

Safety: Garmin Approach S50 vs Garmin Approach S70
Spec Garmin Approach S50Garmin Approach S70
Emergency SOS —Via phone
Incident detection YesYes

Training

The Approach S70 is ahead on training features.

It has more training metrics, and the Approach S50 doesn't beat it on anything here.

Training: Garmin Approach S50 vs Garmin Approach S70
Spec Garmin Approach S50Garmin Approach S70
Auto activity detection YesYes
Swim tracking Pool and open waterPool
Underwater heart rate YesYes
Training metrics VO2 max, recovery time, HRV statusVO2 max, training load, training effect, recovery time, HRV status
Strength rep counting YesYes
Heart-rate broadcast YesYes
External sensors speed/cadence, golf club tagsANT+, foot pod, speed/cadence, golf club tags

Smart features

The Approach S70 is ahead on smart features.

It has more storage (16 GB), and the Approach S50 doesn't beat it on anything here.

Smart features: Garmin Approach S50 vs Garmin Approach S70
Spec Garmin Approach S50Garmin Approach S70
Notifications YesYes
Message replies AndroidAndroid
Contactless payments YesYes
Payment service Garmin PayGarmin Pay
Music storage YesYes
Find my phone YesYes
Find my watch YesYes

Diving, golf & more

Neither has a specialist edge here.

Diving, golf & more: Garmin Approach S50 vs Garmin Approach S70
Spec Garmin Approach S50Garmin Approach S70
Specialist modes golfgolf