The Garmin Forerunner 70 presents itself as a commendable upgrade in the realm of running smartwatches, positioned for individuals embarking on their fitness journeys as well as seasoned athletes seeking essential tracking functionalities without the complexity of advanced features found in more premium models. This device showcases a marked evolution from its forerunner, the Forerunner 55, particularly in its software capabilities and display technology, albeit with an increased cost. Its compact design, comprehensive activity monitoring, and extended battery life underscore its appeal as a dedicated fitness companion.
Launched as the successor to the aging Forerunner 55, the Forerunner 70 aims to deliver a more refined and capable experience. This review, based on a month of continuous usage, delves into how effectively it tracks runs and manages other activities, assessing its suitability as a top-tier smartwatch for tracking various forms of exercise. Released in 2026 with a price tag of £219.99, the watch is designed for diverse sports tracking, featuring a 1.2-inch AMOLED display and a battery life that can extend up to 13 days under typical use, or nearly a month in battery-saving mode. Over 80 sports modes are available, providing ample choices for users.
Physically, the Forerunner 70 is a remarkably lightweight device, weighing just 40g, with a case size of 42.6mm and a thickness of 11.9mm. This makes it comfortable for continuous wear, both during workouts and in daily life. Available in four distinct colors, the watch’s polymer construction contributes to its light feel, catering to an active aesthetic. Interaction with the device is seamless, combining a responsive 1.2-inch, 390 x 390 resolution AMOLED touchscreen with five physical buttons. This dual-interface approach ensures user-friendly navigation through its functionalities. The display itself is praised for its vivid colors and absence of lag, with adjustable brightness for outdoor visibility and an optional always-on mode. Its 5ATM water resistance rating means it can withstand immersion up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming and showering. The watch also features a quick-release mechanism for its silicone strap, allowing for easy customization, though official replacement bands can be pricey.
Software-wise, the Forerunner 70 represents a substantial leap from its predecessor. While Garmin’s Connect companion app can still be a bit overwhelming for new users, ongoing efforts are making it more intuitive. The watch's interface is much easier to navigate, despite a wealth of hidden settings and features. A notable upgrade is the full integration with Garmin’s ConnectIQ Store, which now allows for downloading various apps, data fields, and watch faces, expanding its utility beyond simple timekeeping. Essential smartwatch functions, such as viewing notifications and controlling music playback, are well-optimized for the display. However, platform-specific differences exist, like Android users being able to reply to notifications while iOS users cannot. The inclusion of Garmin’s morning and evening reports provides personalized daily summaries, helping users track their progress and plan future activities based on their sleep and workout history.
The tracking capabilities of the Forerunner 70 are extensive and generally accurate, even without the latest multiband GPS technology found in more expensive models. Its multi-GNSS sensor setup performs well, maintaining good accuracy even in challenging environments with tall buildings, a testament to its robust design. Beyond running, it supports cycling, HIIT, yoga, and hiking, with the added benefit of breadcrumb navigation for uploaded routes. While it handles pool swimming effectively, advanced features like open water tracking or multisport modes are absent. The watch continuously monitors heart rate and blood oxygen, leveraging a reliable older generation optical sensor. Although it lacks the newest Elevate sensor technology for skin temperature or ECG measurements, its heart rate tracking is solid, and can be further enhanced by pairing with external monitors via Bluetooth. Daily activity and sleep monitoring also show strong performance, with data closely aligning with other high-end trackers, proving its effectiveness in providing actionable insights for improving health and fitness. A significant enhancement over the Forerunner 55 is the depth of training features, including Training Readiness, which offers a data-driven score to help users decide on appropriate workout intensity or rest, making it an invaluable tool for structured training plans, particularly for those new to organized fitness routines.
Regarding battery performance, the Forerunner 70 offers a respectable duration, though it doesn't match the longevity of Garmin's most expensive models. It can last up to 28 days in battery saver mode, which limits some features like continuous heart rate monitoring and Bluetooth connectivity. In regular use, with tracking workouts and utilizing smartwatch functions, the battery typically lasts between 5 to 13 days. In tests, it comfortably exceeded a week without the always-on display. However, with the always-on display and frequent GPS use, battery life shortened to approximately 4 days. When using GPS for outdoor activities, the battery drains at about 10% per hour, falling slightly short of the advertised 16 hours but still sufficient for several weekly workouts. The device charges using a standard Garmin proprietary cable, a ubiquitous design across the brand’s product line.
