Entry-Level Forerunners Get a Serious Upgrade
Garmin’s new Garmin Forerunner 70 and Garmin Forerunner 170 mark a significant reset of what a budget running watch offers. Both models are billed as easy-to-use GPS running smartwatches for newer runners and casual athletes, but their spec sheets look closer to midrange devices. Each features a vibrant 1.2‑inch AMOLED display, a responsive touchscreen and a traditional five‑button layout, aiming to blend modern aesthetics with familiar controls. The watches track more than 80 activities, from running and cycling to swimming and strength training, while monitoring heart rate, pace, distance and energy levels through Garmin’s broader health metrics. Positioned as successors to the Forerunner 55, they are designed as gateway devices into Garmin’s ecosystem for people who want more than basic distance tracking. The catch is a higher starting price, which shifts the conversation from “cheap GPS watch” to “affordable sports watch with premium ambitions.”
Trickle-Down Training: Premium Tools in a Budget Running Watch
The standout story is how much high-end training tech Garmin has packed into these entry-level models. Both watches inherit running watch training features that were once reserved for pricier Forerunners, including Training Readiness, Training Status, wrist-based running power and running dynamics. Garmin Coach plans now adapt daily using recovery and performance data, with new beginner-friendly run/walk programs and lower-volume plans for cautious ramp-ups. A Quick Workouts feature lets runners choose sessions based on available time and preferred intensity, reducing setup friction. The Forerunner 70 also adds acute training load and load ratio tracking, sleep score, morning and evening reports, and a quick workout option over its predecessor. Combined with more than 80 built-in sports apps and continuous wellness monitoring, these tools position the Forerunner 70 and Forerunner 170 as serious training partners rather than simple GPS trackers, especially for runners ready to move beyond just logging miles.
Brighter AMOLED Displays and Everyday Smartwatch Features
Display quality is another key upgrade. Both watches move to bright AMOLED screens, addressing long-standing complaints that entry-level Forerunners looked dated next to sleek fitness wearables. The touch-enabled displays are paired with physical buttons, so runners can swipe through data in daily use but still rely on tactile controls mid-run. Beyond workouts, the watches bring a full slate of smartwatch and health features: advanced sleep tracking with a sleep coach, breathing variation monitoring, heart rate variability status, Pulse Ox and lifestyle logging. Smart notifications, safety and tracking tools, and LiveTrack support keep runners connected and visible when they head out. Battery life is tuned so users don’t have to recharge every night, even with the more power-hungry display. Taken together, the brighter screens, richer health insights and always-on connectivity turn these models into all-day companions, not just devices you strap on for a training session.
Price Hike and the Value Equation Against Rivals
All these upgrades come with a clear trade-off: higher prices. The Forerunner 70 launches at USD 249.99 (approx. RM1,170), while the Forerunner 170 starts at USD 299.99 (approx. RM1,400), with a Forerunner 170 Music edition at USD 349.99 (approx. RM1,630). That’s a step up from the older Forerunner 55, which debuted at USD 199.99 (approx. RM940), and puts Garmin head-to-head with rivals such as the Coros Pace 4 and Suunto Run at similar or lower prices. Competitors may offer dual-band GPS and more onboard music storage, where Garmin’s Forerunner 70 sticks to single-band GPS and modest storage. Garmin is effectively betting that its software ecosystem—sleep coaching, lifestyle logging, integrated coaching and multi-sport depth—will outweigh those spec sheet disadvantages. For runners, the question becomes whether they value Garmin’s training intelligence and ecosystem enough to justify the bump from “cheap” to “premium-leaning” entry-level pricing.
Who the Forerunner 70 and 170 Are Really For
Despite the price increase, Garmin is clearly positioning these watches as accessible options for runners looking to upgrade their training capabilities without jumping into full-blown multi-sport or high-end models. The Forerunner 70 targets beginners and progression-focused runners who want structured guidance, run/walk support and a modern-looking, affordable sports watch. The Forerunner 170 layers on additional conveniences like on-the-go features and a planned Music variant for those who prioritize phone-free listening. While elite athletes may still gravitate to top-tier devices or simpler watches that “just track runs,” the new Forerunners are aimed at the broad middle: people who care about training science, recovery and lifestyle data, but don’t want to pay flagship prices. In that niche, Garmin’s mix of brighter displays, software depth and entry-level positioning could make the Forerunner 70 and Forerunner 170 compelling stepping stones into more serious, data-driven running.