| Amazfit Balance | Garmin Forerunner 170 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $369 | $299★ |
| Subscription | ✓ None | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 62g | 43g★ |
| Water resistance | 10ATM★ | 5ATM |
| Battery | 21 days★ | 10 days |
| Always-on display | ✅★ | ❌ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Smartwatch | Sports GPS |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Jun 2, 2026 | May 15, 2026 |
| Cycle advice | good | good |
| Deals advice | neutral | neutral |
| Next model | — | — |
The 1.5" AMOLED is 50% brighter than the Balance 2 at 3,000 nits, under scratch-resistant sapphire glass — with 21 days of typical use and 41 hours of Accuracy-Mode GPS.
An upgraded processor renders maps 2.5× faster, with dual-frequency L1+L5 GPS across six satellite systems, 64GB of storage, and turn-by-turn offline topo navigation.
A new dual-mode LED flashlight with white, red, and SOS modes joins official HYROX training, golf course maps, and more than 180 sport modes.
Training Readiness, full Training Status, and wrist-based running power — analytics previously reserved for Garmin's mid-range — now on a $299.99 watch.
A bright 1.2" AMOLED touchscreen with a traditional 5-button design, up to 10 days of battery in smartwatch mode and around 17 hours of GPS.
Contactless payments arrive on the entry Forerunner for the first time, alongside 80+ built-in sports apps and Garmin Coach adaptive training plans.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$369 vs $509 over 3 years.
21 days vs 10 days battery.
7 sensors.
43g.
Android and iPhone users who want a premium smartwatch experience — full offline maps, long battery, and a bright sapphire display — at a price below Apple Watch or Garmin equivalents. A strong choice for runners, hikers, and hybrid athletes who want GPS map navigation without a subscription.
Full details →Beginner and intermediate runners who want real GPS accuracy and Garmin's analytics depth without the price of the 570 or 970. With Training Readiness and running power now included, it closes much of the gap to Garmin's mid-range — the default first serious GPS watch.
Full details →