Is Garmin’s Cheapest Watch Enough? Forerunner 70 Tested
CNET Senior Video Producer Owen Poole tested Garmin's new entry-level Forerunner 70 smartwatch, priced at $250. Poole compared it to his premium Forerunner 965, noting that while the 70 has a smaller display and a less premium band, its screen clarity is excellent. GPS accuracy on trail runs was found to be virtually identical to the more expensive model, though the 70 lacks a barometric altimeter, gyroscope, and compass, impacting ascent tracking accuracy. The Forerunner 70 also offers daily health reports and Garmin Coach features, with a battery life of over a week in testing, falling short of the 965's multi-week duration but still substantial.
The Forerunner 70 offers a compelling value proposition, providing many features of high-end smartwatches at a significantly lower price point, potentially making advanced fitness tracking accessible to a wider audience.