Garmin Forerunner 970 vs Garmin Forerunner 570
The Forerunner 970 is the better watch on paper: it lasts longer on GPS (26 hours), lasts longer (15 days) and has offline maps. Pick the Forerunner 570 only if it matters to you that it is lighter.
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Key differences
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Battery life
Forerunner 970 wins
The Garmin Forerunner 970 lasts up to 15 days against 10 days.
-
GPS
Forerunner 970 wins
The Garmin Forerunner 970 adds maps on the wrist.
-
Display
Forerunner 970 wins
Both are AMOLED, but the Garmin Forerunner 970's screen is bigger (1.4 in against 1.2 in).
-
Health
Evenly matched
Much the same health sensors.
-
Weight
Forerunner 570 wins
The Garmin Forerunner 570 is lighter: 42 g against 56 g.
Other differences
- Maps Forerunner 970 wins
The Forerunner 970 shows preloaded maps on the wrist; the Forerunner 570 only shows a breadcrumb trail.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Forerunner 970 if…
- You do long runs, rides or hikes: it's rated for 26 hours with GPS.
- You hate charging: it's rated for up to 15 days in smartwatch mode.
- You hike or explore new routes: it has maps on the wrist, no signal needed.
Choose the Forerunner 570 if…
- You wear it to bed or have small wrists: it weighs 42 g.
- You want the right fit for your wrist: it comes in more than one size.
Full spec comparison
The Forerunner 970 leads on battery life and GPS and navigation; elsewhere the two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Overview
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 970 | Garmin Forerunner 570 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Garmin | Garmin |
| Series | Forerunner | Forerunner |
| Versions | — | Forerunner 570 - 47 mm |
Platform & apps
Both work with the same phones and software.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 970 | Garmin Forerunner 570 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Garmin | Garmin |
| Works with | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
| Storage | 32 GB | 8 GB |
| App store | Yes | Yes |
Display
The Forerunner 970 is ahead on the display.
It has a bigger screen, and the Forerunner 570 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 970 | Garmin Forerunner 570 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Screen size | 1.4 in | 1.2 in |
| Resolution | 454 x 454 | 390 x 390 |
| Pixel density | 324 ppi | — |
| Colour display | Yes | Yes |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touchscreen, buttons | touchscreen |
Design & durability
Each watch has its strengths on size and durability.
The Forerunner 970 has a sapphire lens, while the Forerunner 570 is lighter and comes in 2 sizes.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 970 | Garmin Forerunner 570 |
|---|---|---|
| Case sizes | 47 mm | 42 / 47 mm |
| Case shape | Round | Round |
| Dimensions | 47 x 47 x 12.9 mm | 42.4 x 42.4 x 12.9 mm |
| Thickness | 12.9 mm | 12.9 mm |
| Weight (case) | 56 g | 42 g |
| Bezel material | titanium | Aluminum |
| Lens | Sapphire crystal | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Band material | silicone | silicone |
| Band width | 22 mm | 20 mm |
| Band fitting | QuickFit 22 mm | 20 mm quick release |
| Fits wrists | 135-205 mm | 115-178 mm |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
Battery
The Forerunner 970 is ahead on battery life.
It lasts longer on GPS (26 hours) and lasts longer (15 days), and the Forerunner 570 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 970 | Garmin Forerunner 570 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (smartwatch mode) | 15 days | 10 days |
| Battery (GPS) | 26 hours | 18 hours |
| Battery (multi-band GPS) | 21 hours | 13 hours |
| All battery modes | Smartwatch: 15 days; GPS: 26 hours; All satellite systems: 23 hours; Multi-band GPS: 21 hours; GPS: 14 hours; All satellite systems: 13 hours; Multi-band GPS + music: 12 hours | Smartwatch: 10 days; GPS: 18 hours; All satellite systems: 14 hours; Multi-band GPS: 13 hours; GPS: 9 hours; All satellite systems: 8 hours; Multi-band GPS + music: 8 hours |
| Battery type | Lithium ion | Lithium ion |
| Charging | proprietary-plug | proprietary-plug |
GPS & navigation
The Forerunner 970 is ahead on GPS and navigation.
It has offline maps, and the Forerunner 570 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 970 | Garmin Forerunner 570 |
|---|---|---|
| GPS | Built-in | Built-in |
| Multi-band GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite systems | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou |
| Automatic GNSS mode | Yes | Yes |
| Maps | Preloaded maps | Breadcrumb trail |
| Navigation features | back-to-start, round-trip routing, climb planner, waypoints, course guidance, point-to-point navigation, breadcrumb trail, TracBack | point-to-point navigation, breadcrumb trail, back-to-start, TracBack, Up Ahead, course guidance |
| Golf courses | 43,000 | — |
| Ski maps | Yes | — |
Health & sensors
Both track much the same health data.
Heart rate, sleep and the extra sensors line up closely.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 970 | Garmin Forerunner 570 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | optical HR, SpO2, skin temperature, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, compass, ambient light, thermometer | optical HR, SpO2, skin temperature, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, compass, ambient light, thermometer |
| Heart-rate sensor | Garmin Elevate | Garmin Elevate |
| Heart-rate tracking | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| ECG | Yes | — |
| High/low heart-rate alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Heart-rate variability | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | Yes | Yes |
| Skin temperature | Yes | Yes |
| Respiration rate | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Sleep coaching | Sleep coaching |
| Stress tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Energy score | Body Battery | Body Battery |
| Readiness score | Training Readiness | Training Readiness |
| Cycle tracking | Yes | Yes |
Safety
Both offer much the same safety features.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 970 | Garmin Forerunner 570 |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency SOS | — | Via phone |
| Incident detection | Yes | Yes |
| Live tracking | Yes | Yes |
Training
Training features are evenly matched.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 970 | Garmin Forerunner 570 |
|---|---|---|
| Auto activity detection | Yes | Yes |
| Triathlon / multisport | Yes | Yes |
| Swim tracking | Pool and open water | Pool and open water |
| Underwater heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| Training metrics | VO2 max, training load, training effect, recovery time, race predictor, endurance score, lactate threshold, HRV status | VO2 max, training load, training effect, recovery time, race predictor, lactate threshold, HRV status |
| Adaptive coaching | Yes | Yes |
| Running dynamics | Yes | Yes |
| Wrist running power | Yes | Yes |
| Strength rep counting | Yes | Yes |
| Heart-rate broadcast | Yes | Yes |
| External sensors | ANT+, Bluetooth HR strap, power meter, foot pod, speed/cadence, bike radar/lights, golf club tags | ANT+, Bluetooth HR strap, power meter, foot pod, speed/cadence, bike radar/lights, golf club tags |
| Smart trainer control | Yes | Yes |
Smart features
The Forerunner 970 is ahead on smart features.
It has more storage (32 GB), and the Forerunner 570 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 970 | Garmin Forerunner 570 |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Message replies | Android | Android |
| Calls on the watch | Yes | Yes |
| Speaker | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Voice assistant | maker voice | maker voice |
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Payment service | Garmin Pay | Garmin Pay |
| Cellular | — | None |
| Music storage | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | — |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
| Find my watch | Yes | Yes |
| Flashlight | Yes | — |
Diving, golf & more
Neither has a specialist edge here.
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 970 | Garmin Forerunner 570 |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist modes | golf, ski, hunting | golf, ski |