The Forerunner 970 is the first Forerunner that looks this much like a Fenix: titanium bezel, sapphire lens, flashlight, mic and speaker, Elevate Gen 5 heart rate sensor with ECG. The software is the Fenix 8’s: same menus, same maps, same training and health algorithms.
The two ranges have never been this close. As the name suggests, the Forerunner series is aimed at athletes, runners above all. The Fenix is Garmin’s do-it-all watch and the reference for anyone heading off the beaten track, with a tougher, bulkier case.
We compare the Fenix 8 AMOLED 47 mm Sapphire and the Garmin Forerunner 970 here to help you choose.
Garmin Forerunner 970
Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED 47 mm SapphireThe 970 bets on light, the Fenix 8 on tough. The 970 is a little thinner and 17 g lighter, with a plastic back. The Fenix 8 has a titanium bezel and back, sealed buttons and the MIL-STD-810 military standard. The 970 is far more comfortable to wear day in and day out, and overnight. The Fenix 8 is bulkier, but its design is objectively more refined, more premium, less plastic.
The 970’s display is noticeably brighter. The gap is obvious in full sun, and it costs battery. In always-on mode with 1 to 2 h of GPS a day, it lasts 2 to 3 days against 4 to 6 days for the Fenix 8. During an activity the Fenix 8 also runs longer, as the table below shows.
Note that the brightness setting and the map display change everything. Expect 9 h in GPS only with the map on screen and brightness at maximum. Expect triple that at two-thirds brightness with a data screen instead.
Garmin Forerunner 970Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED 47 mm SapphireSame dual-frequency GNSS, same heart rate sensor: accuracy is near identical, both for the GPS track and for heart rate. One exception: the 970’s track is weaker in open water swimming.
On sport and navigation, everything is identical. The 970 adds the duathlon and pool triathlon profiles, the Fenix 8 diving to 40 m and water sports. Both have mountaineering and climbing modes. The one miss is the lack of a multi-pitch mode to record each pitch separately.
At list price, the Fenix 8 Sapphire costs about $350 more. Deals narrow the gap, but watch out: at the same price it is often the steel version with Gorilla Glass.
Forerunner 970 or Fenix 8: Which Should You Choose?
For road running, day trail and triathlon, the Forerunner 970 is the obvious choice: lighter, brighter, just as complete and cheaper.
The Fenix 8 is the one for long multi-day outings such as ultra-trail and trekking, or if you dive. It also comes in 43 and 51 mm, and in a Solar version with a transflective display.
In short, the Forerunner 970 is a Fenix 8 in a light case, for less. The Fenix 8 gives you better battery life in a tougher build.
