Garmin X video incorrectly implies LTE on the Forerunner 570. Hmmmm!
Garmin’s latest video on their X account features a runner on a 100m track receiving a call directly on her Forerunner 570. The message is clear: you can make and take calls from the watch while running with no need to handle your phone.
Here’s the caveat: the Forerunner 570 requires a Bluetooth connection to your phone for call functionality. The Bluetooth range typically extends to around 10–25 meters (33–82 feet), depending on the environmental conditions. In other words, you still need to carry your phone with you while running on a 100m track if you want call features.
Running without carrying a phone appeals to many athletes, including myself. Phones can be uncomfortable and often impractical.
Here’s where the ad becomes questionable. The runner shown in the video has no phone strapped to her arm, no running belt or pack, and no visible phone-sized pocket to the rear. She isn’t carrying a phone at all, and the call is fake.
This creates a misleading impression about how the feature works. While many regular readers understand the requirement for a connected phone and Bluetooth range, the broader audience may not, and may be led to believe either that the watch supports standalone calling via LTE or that they can make and take phone calls while running around a 100m track.
Take Out
Unless Garmin is quietly introducing LTE on the Forerunner 570 or 970, perhaps borrowing from the Fenix 8’s rumoured 4G plans, this ad misrepresents the product’s capabilities. And if LTE is indeed coming to the 570 (it isn’t), they’ve kept it quiet.
Or we could play a game, imagining how the video is not fake. For example, her coach is running ahead of her, filming her, and also carrying her phone. Maybe her dog is running just out of shot behind her, also carrying her phone. Perhaps there is a Bluetooth range-boosting device at the centre of the running track, and her phone somehow utilises that. Perhaps she has a calf-based phone-carrying device.
Hmmm. Let’s see how long the ad remains live. If it’s still up, I’m sure Garmin would appreciate some feedback on X; link below.
More: Twitter/X
Last Updated on 29 January 2026 by the5krunner
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors.
Overreaching, much? Yep, time to get rid of yet another RSS feed on my reader
It could be one of those sport bra designs that has the phone between her shoulder blades.
But in all seriousness maybe it would work if the phone was in your bag in the infield. That’s within BT range unobstructed. Just.
50m?
This clearly illustrates my problem with who garmin targets as consumers.
I train weekly on a track and I can assure you, I have nor the time nor the intention to answer calls.
Adding (bs) functions to a watch doesn’t make it a better sportwatch. But it will probably sell better, for a higher price. In that light, garmin is doing a great job.
I totally agree w/ you! Really don’t see the point.
The point of LTE is safety, once I badly twisted my ankle and did not have the phone with me but only a Garmin watch. Basically I had to further damage my ankle for 2km, to reach to a point where I could ask a stranger to lend me a phone to call for help. This is where Apple shines, you can use it as safety for around the block/city runs, and as added redundancy if you go hiking some place remote where it is important to have multiple communication devices.
safety AND convenience for sure.
I’ve never used my watch LTE for safety (but i can it just in case), i use it for the convenience of ebing tracked and making voice-texts and calls eg whilst on a 6 hour ride. – that 6 hours is at battery the limit of appel watch with lte.
On the track (where you sometimes pay for time spent there) not, but for long runs YES, at least for location and emergency. If I run 35 km training run for marathon, I´d really appreciate ability to contact the world and be located, in case of need.
2 things.
If garmin made an add telling “I’m on a long run, can I call you back” that would make an other statement.
If I do 30k+ runs I already have stuff with me. Adding a phone is not the big challenge.
Having my dog carry my phone sounds a great idea. Normally it is me carrying his water and treats, and my phone!!
I am however another person in the queue waiting for an LTE Garmin watch.
If Garmin wants to make LTE a thing, they would have to introduce it to a whole range of watches. Let’s say F8, FR 970/570, the new Venu 4 and so on IOT to attract many new customers buying into this, probably quite pricey feature. On the other hand, many early adopters of the new FRs would probably be really angry when they would issue an LTE version a few weeks after the launch of the non LTE versions. So, this is most likely one of the many bad shorts Garmin is flooding YT and other platforms nowadays with.
it looks like F8 pro is LTE (september ish, or as late as jan). there is also a new venu inbound (leaked) which i expect in late q3. that may well have an lte option (IDK if it has)
LTE is not bs, as a secondary backup phone it’s a crucial safety feature for any ultra-athlete. The only ridiculous thing here is that we’re still vaiting for Garmin’s take while Apple, Samsung and others have had LTE in their watches for years
indeed so.
an Apple also benefit with the Satellite link on the phones
An ultra running should not depend safety on lte. Better bring an inreach or a recent iPhone with satellite and rescue service
fwiw: I used to have a unihertz (android) phone just for running. It was a bit crappy but it was so small it would fit into the key pockets of my running clothes. More recent models might be better. Would still prefer this to an LTE watch within a closed ecosystem.
great piece from the 5krunner
IMO: clear case of false advertisement, remeber the dragged Fitbit to court because of the slogan ‘every heartbeat’