| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Garmin |
| Type | Entry-level GPS running smartwatch |
| Series | Forerunner |
| Released | 15 May 2026 (announced 12 May 2026) |
| Price at launch | GBP 219.99 / USD 249.99 |
| Predecessor | Forerunner 55 |
| Successor | Not yet announced. See Release Radar. |
| Sizes | 43mm (small) |
| Colours | Citron, Soft Pink, Tidal Blue, Cool Lavender, Black, Whitestone |
Specifications and features as at launch.
Jump to: Expert opinion | What’s new | Specifications | Battery life | Features | Activity profiles | Further reading
Expert opinion
The Garmin Forerunner 70 is the company’s entry-level option, introducing modern hardware and major firmware upgrades to Garmin’s budget tier.
The Forerunner 70 replaces the Forerunner 55, Garmin’s best-selling Forerunner. It moves the entry tier to an AMOLED touchscreen from the previous MIP display, adds the prior-generation Elevate Gen 4 heart rate sensor, and brings Training Readiness, Training Status, wrist-based Running Power, and Running Dynamics down to the budget price point for the first time. It runs the same watch software platform as the Forerunner 570, Forerunner 970 and Fenix 8. Garmin continues to gatekeep certain features: there are no onboard maps, no ClimbPro, and no music storage. Battery life is up to 13 days in smartwatch mode and 23 hours in GPS mode.
What’s new versus the Forerunner 55
Hardware
- 1.2 inch AMOLED touchscreen, replacing the MIP display
- Elevate Gen 4 optical heart rate sensor
- 43mm fibre-reinforced polymer case at 40g
- Five-button design retained alongside the touchscreen
Software
- Modern Garmin watch interface shared with the Forerunner 570, 970 and Fenix 8
- Training Readiness
- Training Status
- Wrist-based Running Power
- Wrist-based Running Dynamics
- Quick Workouts on-device generator, new to Garmin
- Garmin Coach run and walk adaptive plans
- Lifestyle Logging
- Health Status
- Evening Report
- 80+ built-in sports apps, up from the Forerunner 55
Specifications
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Size | 1.2 inch (30.4mm) |
| Type | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 390 x 390 pixels |
| Lens | Chemically strengthened glass |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Physical | |
| Case size | 43mm |
| Weight | 40g |
| Case material | Fibre-reinforced polymer |
| Buttons | Five physical buttons |
| Water rating | 5 ATM (50m) |
| Sensors and positioning | |
| GPS | Multi-GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS), single-frequency |
| Heart rate | Elevate Gen 4 |
| Other sensors | Pulse Ox, accelerometer, ambient light sensor |
| Connectivity and storage | |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth Smart, ANT+, USB-C charging |
| Music storage | No |
| Onboard maps | No |
Battery life
| Mode | Battery life |
|---|---|
| Smartwatch | Up to 13 days (5 days always-on display) |
| GPS mode | Up to 23 hours |
Features
Feature explanations are covered in the relevant the5krunner Garmin features hub.
Plan
- Daily Suggested Workouts with run-walk option
- Garmin Coach adaptive training plans
- HRV Status
- Morning Report
- Evening Report
- Recovery Time
- Sleep Coach
- Nap Detection
- Body Battery
- Courses
- Course Planner
- Race Predictor
- Breathing Variations
- Women’s Health Tracking
Prepare
- Wrist-based heart rate
- Wrist-based running dynamics
- VO2 Max
- Intensity Minutes
- Acute Load
- Pulse Ox
- Quick Workout on-device generator
- Voice alerts
- Stress Tracking
- Health Snapshot
- Lifestyle Logging
- Health Status
- Cross Training
- Activity Tracking
- Fitness Age
- Mobility
Perform
- Built-in GNSS, multiple satellite systems
- Wrist-based Running Power
- 80+ built-in sports apps
- PacePro pacing strategies
- Track Running
Connect
- Safety and incident detection with live location
- LiveTrack location sharing
- Smart Notifications
- On-wrist texting (Android or Garmin Messenger)
- Garmin Connect app
- Connect IQ Store
- Google Maps app turn-by-turn on wrist (Android)
- Garmin Share
- Colour filters and watch face customisation
Activity profiles
| Category | Profiles |
|---|---|
| Outdoor running | Running, Outdoor Track Running, Trail Running, Ultra Running, Obstacle Racing |
| Indoor running | Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running, Virtual Running |
| Cycling | Biking, Road Biking, Mountain Biking, Gravel Biking, Bike Commuting, Bike Touring, eBiking, eMountain Biking, Indoor Biking, Cyclocross |
| Swim | Pool Swimming |
| On the water | Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Kayaking, Snorkeling |
| Gym | Strength, HIIT, Cardio, Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Jump Roping |
| Wellness | Walking, Pilates, Yoga, Indoor Walking, Mobility, Breathwork |
| Outdoor recreation | Hiking, Rucking, Mountaineering, Horseback Riding, Disc Golf, Archery |
| Racket sports | Tennis, Pickleball, Badminton, Squash, Table Tennis, Padel, Platform Tennis, Racquetball |
| Snow and winter | Skiing, Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, XC Skate Skiing, Ice Skating, Snowshoeing |
| Team sports | Basketball, Volleyball, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Football, American Football, Lacrosse, Rugby, Ultimate Disc, Cricket, Softball, Baseball |
| In the ring | Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts |
| Motor sports | Motorcycling, Overlanding, Motocrossing, ATVing, Snowmobiling |
| Other | Inline Skating |
Further reading
- the5krunner Forerunner 70 launch coverage
- Garmin watch specifications
- Release Radar: upcoming Garmin watches
Related watches
Looking at alternatives to the Forerunner 70?
- Predecessor: Garmin Forerunner 55, the previous entry-level model.
- Also consider: Coros Pace 3 or the Polar Pacer, two entry-level alternatives.
