Garmin Forerunner 970 was unveiled by Garmin in May 2025. How does it compare to the Forerunner 955? Should you upgrade from Forerunner 955 to the Forerunner 970?
Let us find out in the quick comparison below.
Main differences
I am going to focus only on the critical differences between Forerunner 970 and Forerunner 955 below.
- Forerunner 970 comes with AMOLED display while the Forerunner 955 has MIP or Memory-in-pixel screen.
- Expectedly, the display resolution of Forerunner 970 is almost twice the display resolution of the Forerunner 955.
- Forerunner 970 uses Sapphire glass and Forerunner 955 is a DX coated Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
- Forerunner 970 is compatible with the Garmin ECG app; Forerunner 955 is not compatible with the Garmin ECG app.
- Forerunner 970 has an in-built speaker and mic; Forerunner 955 misses these.
- Forerunner 970 has an ambient light sensor.
I discuss these differences in detail below.
Display
The biggest or the most significant difference between the Forerunner 970 and Forerunner 955 is the AMOLED display of Forerunner 970.
AMOLED display ensure better screen brightness and clarity. There is a marked improvement in display and readability experience on an AMOLED watch.
This is amply borne by the improved display resolution of AMOLED smartwatches.
Forerunner 970 has an AMOLED display (expensive) while Forerunner 955 uses the MIP or Memory-in-pixel screen.
The difference in display resolution of the two smartwatches is so huge.
- The display resolution of Forerunner 970 is 454 x 454 pixels.
- The display resolution of Forerunner 955 is 240 x 240 pixels.
Trust me, this display experience difference is a game changer as far as the Forerunner 970 is concerned.
Garmin ECG
The second most significant differentiator is the Garmin ECG app in Forerunner 970.
The Garmin ECG app is an FDA approved app to take on-demand electro cardiogram readings that can be shared with a medical specialist.
Forerunner 970 is fully compatible with the Garmin ECG app. So, you could use the app to monitor and track cardiac health more closely. Especially, the rhythm issues with heart.
Forerunner 955 is incompatible with the Garmin ECG app.
Sapphire glass
Forerunner 970 uses Sapphire display glass while the Forerunner 955 uses DX coated Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
Sapphire is the second hardest mineral naturally available in the world. Sapphire watches are scratch proof. These watches are considered more durable from the perspective of strong display glass.
Sapphire watches lend a premium look and feel to the wearer. So much so, that inspite of being thinner than the Forerunner 955, the Sapphire display lends it a larger and broader look.
Add to this the titanium bezel in Forerunner 970. The titanium bezel and sapphire glass are two attributes of a rich and premium smartwatch.
Forerunner 955 continues to use polymer in the watch bezel.
Speaker and mic
The Forerunner 970 has an in-built speaker and mic. This means you can issue voice commands to the Forerunner 970.
And, you can use the Forerunner 970 to make calls or answer calls right off your smartwatch.
Forerunner 955 does not have an in-built speaker or mic. It relies on the paired Bluetooth speaker for audio output.
Cost
The cost is a major differentiator. Forerunner 970 is available for a list price of $749.99 and Forerunner 955 comes for a list price of $499.99.
Summary
Forerunner 970 over Forerunner 955 comes down to two factors:
- Do you want the AMOLED display for a vastly improved display and usability experience?
- Do you need the Garmin ECG app?
If you need any of these two factors, you may consider getting a Forerunner 970. For other basic and core functionality, Forerunner 955 has been doing a great job for the past 3 years.
Other Forerunner 970 Comparisons