Garmin Just Launched Two New Running Watches
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Credit: Image courtesy of Garmin.
Garmin has unveiled two new entry-level running watches: the Precursor 70 And Precursor 170. Both are available starting May 15, 2026, priced at $249.99 and $299.99, respectively, with a Forerunner 170 Music edition priced at $349.99. Right off the bat, the biggest selling points are the AMOLED touchscreens, as well as a suite of training tools that go beyond what I’d call “entry-level.” On paper, these watches are positioned as improvements to the Forerunner 55 and Forerunner 165, but it’s more complicated to know if they actually deliver on that promise. Here’s what we know so far.
What we know about the Garmin Forerunner 70
To quote Beth Skwarecki, editor-in-chief of Lifehacker, “It’s time for Garmin to offer a modern watch for under $250.” The Forerunner 70 is certainly a shine over the Forerunner 55 (originally $199.99), adding an AMOLED touchscreen, Garmin Run Coach, advanced training features, acute load tracking and load ratio, sleep score, morning and evening reports, and a quick workout option. The run/walk workout feature is an especially nice touch for beginners getting into a running routine.
That said, context matters. At $249.99, is the Forerunner 70 really competitive with other brands in this price range? THE Coros Pace 4 also costs $249 and includes dual-band GPS and 4GB of offline music storage. THE Suunto Run is even more affordable at $199, and also manages to offer dual-band GPS and 4GB of music storage. The Forerunner 70, by comparison, has single-band GPS and only 0.5 GB of storage.
Now, where the 70 is making a name for itself is through Garmin’s software ecosystem. Some features that neither Suunto nor Coros typically offer include battery data overviews, sleep coaching with suggested bedtimes, lifestyle logging, weight tracking, sports results, and a fitness trainer that combines strength training and cardio without requiring you to commit to a specific sport. As with all things Garmin, it’s aimed at people looking for more than just tracking runs. (Even though watches that “just track runs” are exactly what London marathon winners wear.)
A quick note here: Garmin’s website currently lists the 70 and 170 as one product, which is a bit strange. Whether it’s a placeholder or something more intentional, I’ll keep an eye on it.
What we know about the Garmin Forerunner 170
Just like the 70 is an upgrade to the 55, the Forerunner 170 is positioned as an upgrade to the Precursor 165 (originally $249.99 at launch in April 2024, with the Music edition at $299.99). However, it might be more accurate to compare this watch to the fan favorite watch. Precursor 265which originally cost $449, but now regularly goes on sale for $349.99 (which is the current MSRP of the 170 Music).
The 170 actually has shorter battery life than the 165: it has 10 days versus 11-13. It’s not a crazy compromise, considering all the software updates. As Garmin says, the advantage of the Forerunner 170 is the expanded feature set.
However, the 170 lacks a few features of the 265. It doesn’t have dual-band GPS, supports fewer GPS networks overall, doesn’t have cycle training or multisport support, and it’s unclear whether it can connect to a power meter (the 265 could; the 165 couldn’t). These are more complicated tradeoffs to weigh for anyone hoping for a simple upgrade.
What do you think of it so far?
Now, what the 170 brings is the type of software features that the Forerunner 570 received, that the -65 series missed. That means things like Garmin Run Coach (a newer, better version), advanced training features, a quick workout feature, a calculator, and a lifestyle record. Advanced training features, for context, include Training Readiness (which assesses your recovery), Training Status (which monitors training load), HRV Status (tracking heart rate variability), and Suggested Daily Workouts.
The heart rate sensor is the same as the 165, which is perfectly solid and on par with its competitors. However, the Forerunner 570 and 970 have a significantly better optical HR sensor than the 165/265 generation.
The essentials (for now)
On paper, both watches have their merits, especially for true beginners who want a reliable GPS smartwatch with solid Garmin software support. But for runners upgrading from previous Garmin models, or anyone considering Coros or Suunto, the value proposition isn’t ideal. To quote a Google chat from Beth: “I’m not impressed.”
Luckily, we’ll be putting both to the test soon. Beth will compare the Forerunner 70 with other low-cost running watches to see how it stacks up. And I have the Forerunner 165 Music, so I’ll be able to see how the 170 Music performs as a direct successor. Stay tuned for our in-depth verdicts.
