September 18, 2025

Both are premium GPS multisport smartwatches, but here’s how to choose which one is right for you.

If you’re thinking about buying Forerunner® 970, you’ve come to the right place.

But you might be wondering if it’s worth the upgrade from Forerunner 965. You need to understand the differences between Forerunner 965 and the new Forerunner 970 premium smartwatch to choose the right watch for you.

As a performance-driven athlete, you already know the Forerunner watch series is perfect for any runner, cyclist or triathlete and can help you set that next PR. You also know you can rely on your Garmin Forerunner watch on your way to the finish line or to your next workout. But which watch works best for you?

We’re going to compare Forerunner 965 to Forerunner 970 so you can choose.

Brighter display and premium materials

How do Forerunner 965 and 970 compare when it comes to display and materials?

• Better: Forerunner 965 offers a Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 DX lens and a titanium bezel.
• Best: Forerunner 970 delivers the brightest Garmin AMOLED display yet, along with a sapphire crystal lens (which is much harder to scratch than glass) and a titanium bezel for enhanced durability.

Improved battery life for intense situations

With all systems GNSS mode plus multi-band:

• Better:  Forerunner 965 offers up to 19 hours of battery life.
• Best: Forerunner 970 can provide up to 21 hours.

With all systems GNSS mode plus multi-band and music:

• Better: Forerunner 965 offers up to 8.5 hours of battery life.
• Best: Forerunner 970 provides up to 12 hours.

Bottom line, when you need effective navigation and your favorite playlist during that ultra-run, you can count on both smartwatches — but Forerunner 970 can take you those extra miles.

New training and running features

Forerunner 970 builds on Forerunner 965’s existing running and training features:

• Better: Forerunner 965  offers daily suggested workouts and Garmin Coach plans, including Garmin Run Coach, Garmin Cycling Coach and strength training plans.
• Best: Forerunner 970 builds on 965’s features and adds on Garmin Triathlon Coach so triathletes won’t have to question how much time they need to spend in the pool, cycling or running. Multisport athletes can also benefit from the added activities, including duathlon, brick and pool triathlon.

The running tolerance feature on Forerunner 970 can recommend a weekly maximum mileage, helping you better understand the impact of your runs.

Plus, when you use Forerunner 970 alongside HRM 600, running economy will show your overall energy efficiency while step speed loss shows how much you slow down when your foot hits the ground.

If you’re following a course during a run with Forerunner 970, the auto lap by timing gates feature will automatically trigger laps at cross mile or kilometer course points instead of using GPS-based miles or kilometers.

When it comes time for race day prep, the projected race time predictor on Forerunner 970 will show you an estimated race time and pace — if your training continues all the way to race day. On race day, if you’re running a course loaded for a race and forget to hit stop when you’re done, the watch’s suggested finish line feature can suggest trimming data to the finish line.

Additional Forerunner 970 upgrades

• Built-in LED flashlight: Get greater awareness in dark environments by quickly controlling the flashlight’s brightness from the display. It also offers a strobe mode, as well as a red light.
• Built-in speaker and microphone: Pair your Forerunner 970 to your phone to make and take phone calls. Plus, use your phone’s voice assistant to answer texts. You can also use voice commands to control certain watch functions (and you don’t need a phone to do it).
• Skin temperature: See how your average skin temperature¹ changes when you wear your watch to sleep. These changes can be related to activity, sleep, potential illness and more. This feature can also help improve period predictions and past ovulations estimates for female athletes².
• Evening report: Prepare for your next day with a reminder of sleep need, the next day’s workout, weather and events.
• ECG app³: Using sensors on the watch, the app will record the electrical signals that control how the heart beats. The app analyzes that recording to detect signs of an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation.

Which should you choose?

Forerunner 965, with a durable build and dedicated running and training features, is built for the determined athlete out for long runs.

Forerunner 970 is our latest premium GPS multisport smartwatch. With enhanced durability, a built-in flashlight, new running and training features so you can set that next PR, and even more upgrades, you’ll be able to take your sport to another level.

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