Garmin Forerunner 70

Where reviewers disagree

• ±Battery life · 1 positive, 2 negative, 2 mixed
  Which sources said this

  • Lifehacker — mixed: Measured about 9.5 days with the always-on display off and roughly six days with it on, against Garmin's 13-day smartwatch rating and five-day always-on rating.
  • The5KRunner — negative: Averaged 18.6 hours of GPS across four continuously recorded tests, with a worst case of 12.5 hours and a best of 25, which falls short of the headline 23-hour figure on the box.
  • The Run Testers — mixed: Measured about 4.5 days with the always-on display while running every day, and its specification card lists up to 10 days where Garmin claims 13.
  • Runner's World — positive: Used a full week in always-on display mode plus workouts before needing to charge, and its specification card lists seven days.
  • TechRadar — negative: An hour of running in the best available GPS mode took just under 10% of the battery, which it says does not add up to the 16 hours promised, and a week with the always-on display plus outdoor runs was not reached.

• ±Display · 2 positive, 1 negative, 1 mixed
  Which sources said this

  • Lifehacker — positive: Part of the agreement across the qualifying reviews that the 1.2-inch AMOLED panel is sharp, vivid and readable outdoors.
  • The5KRunner — negative: Writes that the screen can scratch easily, that the watch feels like it is made of plastic, and that the factory watch faces are poor; the panel itself is bright and vibrant.
  • Runnea — positive: Part of the agreement across the qualifying reviews that the 1.2-inch AMOLED panel is sharp, vivid and readable outdoors.
  • TechRadar — mixed: A sharp AMOLED screen that is readable outdoors, but in strong sun the brightness has to be raised, which has an impact on battery life.

• ±Software · 1 positive, 1 negative
  Which sources said this

  • DC Rainmaker — positive: Shares the same software platform as the Forerunner 570/970 and Fenix 8, with full Connect IQ Store access on the watch and up to eight data fields per page.
  • Runner's World — negative: Calls the workout-syncing process very temperamental and the biggest complaint it and other users have about Garmin.

• ±Value · 2 positive, 1 negative, 1 mixed
  Which sources said this

  • The5KRunner — mixed: Calls it decent value and recommended at the launch price, while noting that Garmin no longer sells a running watch below £200.
  • The Run Testers — positive: Calls it good value and in line with other entry-level running watches, and expects the price to fall below £200 and US$200 in the coming months.
  • Runner's World — positive: Treats the watch as good value for what it delivers at the launch price.
  • TechRadar — negative: Says the watch has lost a little of the beginner-friendly appeal and now feels mid-range, while the Coros Pace 4 and Suunto Run offer dual-frequency GPS at the same price or less.