New Garmin products in spring 2025
Continuing in this new series of articles that will be published throughout spring 2025, we will talk about all the new features and improvements in our Garmin product range for 2025. We will even make some product comparisons to show you what’s best in 2025!
Forerunner 570
- To start with, Garmin has just recently launched its new Forerunner line up. The FR570 as well as the FR970. We will look over the FR970 shortly. First, let's highlight some new features in the FR570 and make a few comparisons with the FR265.
- To put things simply, the FR570 is designed to fill the void between the FR265 and FR965. What Garmin has done here will allow every athlete the chance to experience the Forerunner family, regardless of their needs and budget. Forerunner now has multiple price points which provide more adaptability and flexibility for the buyer. From the FR55 - FR165 - FR265 - FR570 - FR965 - and now the FR970, Garmin has you covered!
- This also means of course that the FR265 and FR965 will slowly get phased out over the next few seasons to allow room for the FR570 and FR970. We can expect more discounts in the coming future from these great models.
What's new with the FR570?
- Bright new colour options!
- The Elevate Gen5 Optical Heart Rate sensor, found in some of Garmin’s top models. This is honestly a huge upgrade for Garmin’s mid-range models! (ECG not included)
- Integrated Speaker + microphone (with phone)
- Evening Report. Similar to Morning Report, this added feature gives you a summary of your daily activity, needed sleep (Sleep Coach), and the following days planned training suggestions!
- Garmin Triathlon Coach programs
- Over 20 new Sport Profiles (including: Indoor Pool Triathlon, Golf, Fish, Hunt, Cyclocross, Duathlon, and many more!)
- A raised aluminium bezel with a cool catch! The great part about aluminium is you can easily change the colour! Making Garmin colour options super unique and flashy if that's your style!
The FR265 vs FR570
- When we compare the 265 with the 570 we automatically notice that both models have very similar shape and exterior design. Not much has changed here aside from the obvious and flashy raised aluminium bezel on the 570.
- Both models continue to support the bright AMOLED touch screen. Gone are the days of MIP display’s in the Forerunner Family. We will find the MIP screen’s in the Fenix Family from now on.
- The biggest upgrade in the 570 compared to the 265 is going to be the microphone and speaker integration. Allowing for a hands free experience when connected to your phone and additional voice commands for certain watch functions.
- The only slight downside to the new 570 is its overall battery life. Specific battery saving functions will allow the watch to last slightly longer than the 265 (ex: when in GPS + Multi + Music mode). But in general, the 570 SmartWatch mode will not last as long as the 265. This is in large part due to the brighter AMOLED screen found on the 570.
Forerunner 970
- The brand new FR970 brings the Forerunner Family into a whole new market. Price market that is! The FR970 is as close as you’ll get to owning a Fenix watch but with all of the Forerunner characteristics included. These added functions come at a cost of course, but Forerunner’s new top dog will likely stay the course for many years to come as the best running watch you can get, money aside.
What's new with the FR970?
- A new Sapphire crystal lens for added protection.
- FlashLight integration.
- Speaker and Microphone functions similar to the Fenix 8 system. Allowing for a hands free experience when connected to your phone and additional voice commands for certain watch functions.
- Evening Report. Similar to Morning Report, this added feature gives you a summary of your daily activity, needed sleep (Sleep Coach), and the following days planned training suggestions!
- The Elevate Gen5 Optical Heart Rate sensor, found in some of Garmin’s top models. This is honestly a huge upgrade for Garmin’s mid-range models! (The FR970 now has the integrated ECG readings and skin temperature scans for added health tracking features found in premium watches)
- Added Activity Profiles and running dynamics. Most notably are the Running Economy and Running Tolerance features included in the FR970!
- Running Economy basically calculates your individual capacity to run specific paces at specific distances, a calculation done often to adjust to your running improvement over time.
- Running Tolerance reports your recommended mileage for the week ahead based on current physical shape. Running Tolerance will also adjust its report based on your running surface and gradient depending on the locations you choose to run in most often.
The FR965 vs FR970
- The FR970 is basically a “Fenix 8 lite”. With flashlight integration, a new sapphire crystal lens, and its new speaker/microphone function, the FR970 is all you could ask for out of a top end Forerunner model.
- Although the FR970 brings new structural and hardware features to the table, the big comparison is its battery life. Similar to the FR570, the FR970 seems to struggle slightly with battery life when compared to its predecessor the FR965. That being said, this seems to only be the case in SmartWatch function and GPS-only modes. When the watches (both FR570 and FR970) are in Multi-Band and Music modes they seem to last longer than their predecessors. We seem to be noticing a trend in battery efficiency here… I guess it all comes down to individual preference.
- Reasons for the battery discrepancy might be related to the brighter AMOLED screen available in the FR570 and FR970 models. Additionally the Elevate Gen5 Optical Heart Rate sensor might take up more battery life.
- Temperature tracking and ECG scans are a big bonus feature here when we compare to the FR965. If skin temperature and hot conditions are an issue in your area during big summer training blocks, the FR970 might be the watch for you, to better keep track of recovery etc…
