Running watches have slowly evolved from being niche gadgets meant only for marathon runners into something much more mainstream. If you’re in the market for a running watch, the Garmin has something for you. The company has just launched the Garmin Forerunner 70 and Garmin Forerunner 170 series, two new running-focused smartwatches aimed at beginners and everyday fitness users. Both watches feature AMOLED displays, touchscreen support, and Garmin’s traditional five-button design that long-time users will instantly recognize.
Interestingly, Garmin isn’t positioning these as premium athlete-first devices. Instead, the focus here seems to be accessibility. The company says the new watches are designed to help users start their fitness journey while still bringing in several advanced training features from Garmin’s higher-end Forerunner lineup.
What’s the Forerunner 70 and the Forerunner 170 About?
The Garmin Forerunner 70 is built for people who want the essentials without getting overwhelmed. It comes with built-in GPS, wrist-based heart rate tracking, pace and distance monitoring, and quick workout suggestions based on fitness level and intensity preferences. Garmin is also bringing over features like Garmin Coach, daily suggested workouts, sleep tracking, Pulse Ox monitoring, HRV status, and training readiness tools. There are over 80 built-in sports modes as well, including swimming, cycling, and strength training.
Battery life also looks pretty solid. Garmin claims the watch can last up to 13 days in smartwatch mode, which is honestly refreshing in a world where most wearables still need charging every other day. The watch will be available in colors like citron, lavender, black, and whitestone.
On the other hand, the Garmin Forerunner 170 takes things a step further by adding additional recovery and performance-tracking tools. It includes features like training status, training readiness, and more structured Garmin Coach plans for runners training toward specific goals. Garmin is also launching a Music version of the watch, which will be available in brighter color variants like teal green and red pink. Battery life on the Forerunner 170 series is rated at up to 10 days in smartwatch mode.
The new Forerunner 70 and 170 series will launch in India in June 2026 after import certifications are completed. Garmin hasn’t revealed pricing yet.