| Garmin Forerunner 970 | Google Pixel Watch | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $749 | $399★ |
| Subscription | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr | ℹ️ Optional — $99/yr |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 56g | 31g★ |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 50m |
| Battery | 15 days★ | 1.25 days |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ✅★ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ✅★ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | Android only |
| Tier | Sports GPS | Smartwatch |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | May 15, 2025 | Aug 20, 2026 |
| Cycle advice | neutral | good★ |
| Deals advice | great★ | good |
| Next model | — | — |
The FR970 is the first Forerunner with ECG and a built-in LED flashlight — plus a sapphire crystal lens and titanium DLC case for durability that rivals the Fenix 9.
Turn-by-turn navigation on preloaded worldwide TopoActive maps, combined with AI-powered Garmin Triathlon Coach structured training plans — a premium combination at any price.
Full biomechanics suite (cadence, vertical oscillation, ground contact time, running power) plus Garmin's most advanced heart rate sensor with skin temperature monitoring.
Pixel Watch 5 can detect when your heart stops and automatically call emergency services — a safety feature not found on Galaxy Watch or Apple Watch.
Three months of Google Health Premium comes with the watch, alongside a Readiness Score, HRV analysis, and blood pressure pattern tracking.
Google's cleanest Wear OS implementation with fast updates, Gemini on the wrist, Google Maps, and Google Wallet built in.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$696 vs $959 over 3 years.
15 days vs 1.25 days battery.
10 sensors.
31g.
Competitive runners, triathletes, and ultramarathon runners who want the complete Garmin premium running analytics suite: ECG, full maps, running dynamics, Triathlon Coach, and the most durable build in the Forerunner line. Replaces the FR965 as Garmin's top running watch.
Full details →Pixel phone owners and Android users who want clean Wear OS integration, Google Health (formerly Fitbit) tracking, and safety-focused features. Ideal for fitness-focused users who prefer Google's approach over Samsung's more feature-packed ecosystem.
Full details →