Video summary

Garmin Fenix 8 vs. Forerunner 970: Which Should You Buy?

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Products Compared

  • Garmin Fenix 8 (premium rugged outdoor watch; multiple versions)
  • Garmin Forerunner 970 (runner/triathlete-focused watch; lighter and thinner)

Key Differences & Features Mentioned

1) Design, Build Quality, and Durability (Major Theme)

Garmin Fenix 8

  • Outdoor-focused; very rugged
  • Case material: stainless steel or titanium (by version)
  • Weight: ~80–100 g
  • Leakproof buttons
  • Water resistance: up to 1080 m (explicitly suitable for diving)

Garmin Forerunner 970

  • Sport-focused toward runners
  • Bezel: titanium, display protected by sapphire glass
  • Much of the watch uses plastic (including back of case)
  • Weight: ~56 g (more comfortable for daily wear)
  • No leakproof buttons
  • Water resistance: up to 5 ATM

Review framing / verdict: The Fenix 8 is built more like a dive/outdoor tool, while the Forerunner is lighter and more wearable.

2) Size / Version Options

Garmin Forerunner 970

  • One version
  • 47 mm size; thinner than the Fenix 8

Garmin Fenix 8

  • Multiple configurations:
    • Case sizes: 43 mm, 47 mm, 51 mm
    • Display options: AMOLED or MIP solar
    • (Comparison excludes Fenix E)
  • The smaller 43 mm option exists but only as AMOLED (no MIP in 43 mm)

3) Display Comparison

47 mm AMOLED Fenix 8 vs 47 mm AMOLED Forerunner 970

  • Both: 1.4” full-color AMOLED, 454 × 454 px

  • Forerunner AMOLED is described as brighter than Fenix 8 AMOLED (Garmin claims “brightest yet,” but no nit rating given)

  • AMOLED overall: brighter, more vibrant, higher contrast, especially indoors

MIP solar / smaller Fenix 8 options

  • 47 mm MIP solar Fenix 8 and 43 mm AMOLED Fenix 8 have 1.3” displays
  • MIP is better in direct sunlight outdoors

4) Battery Life (Major Performance Advantage for Fenix 8)

Battery numbers are given relative to 47 mm versions, then expanded to other sizes.

Smartwatch Mode (everyday use)

  • Fenix 8 (47 mm AMOLED): up to 16 days
  • Fenix 8 (MIP Solar): 21 days, up to 28 days with optimal solar
  • Forerunner 970 (smartwatch mode): up to 15 days

Activity Drain (tracking)

  • Forerunner 970
    • GPS: ~4–5% per hour (depending on GPS), roughly 20–25 hours
    • Strength training (no GPS): ~1–2% per hour, 50+ hours
  • Fenix 8 (47 mm AMOLED)
    • GPS: ~3–4% per hour, about 25–30 hours
    • Strength training: ~1–2% per hour
  • Fenix 8 (51 mm solar)
    • ~3% per hour, about 35 hours (described as a noticeable improvement)

Intensive Real-World Usage Example

  • Forerunner 970: ~7 days
  • Fenix 8 47 mm AMOLED: ~10 days
  • Fenix 8 51 mm MIP solar: ~20+ days (around 3× the Forerunner, depending on solar)

Core reasoning stated: The Fenix 8 is thicker, enabling a bigger battery, which drives the battery-life win.

5) Fitness / Sports / Health Feature Differences

Both watches are described as premium and feature-rich; the review focuses on differences.

Forerunner 970 features (described as new/exclusive “right now”)

  • Running Tolerance
    • Estimates weekly distance before overtraining
    • Includes impact load after runs (strain from hills/terrain, speed, etc.)
  • Running Economy
    • Running efficiency/cost of running
    • Not measurable by the watch alone; requires compatible HRM600 chest strap (~$170 mentioned)
    • Fenix 8 “currently cannot,” but it’s suggested it may come via updates
  • Evening Report (Forerunner-only now)
    • Adds an evening summary/preview in addition to having Morning Report
  • Triathlon / multisport focus
    • Structured multisport records and upload to watch
    • Multisport profile selections including duathlon, “brick,” and pool triathlon
    • Race predictions
      • Set up a race in the app; see race-specific data on the watch
      • Also provides personalized predictions based on current training (vs standard distances on Fenix 8)

Fenix 8 strengths outside diving

  • The review suggests Fenix 8 is strong in other areas too, especially:
    • Golf features (non-expert evaluation)
      • Swing training tool
      • Wind speed/direction display
      • Swing tempo calculation

Uncertainty / possible updates

  • Several Forerunner training features are said to likely arrive on Fenix 8 via software updates (but diving limitations are described as structural).

6) Diving Features (Clear Differentiator)

Fenix 8

  • Leakproof buttons
  • 1080 m water resistance
  • Built-in water depth sensor (explicitly missing on Forerunner 970)
  • Specialized diving profiles:
    • Scuba diving, free diving, snorkeling
  • Automatically starts scuba diving when fully submerged
  • Dive planning and dive data in watch + app
  • Mentions “tight information” (exact term unclear, likely dive-related)

Forerunner 970

  • Usable for swimming, SUP, kayaking, snorkeling
  • Not suitable for scuba diving
  • Also not for high-speed water sports (examples: water skiing, wakeboarding, wind surfing, rafting)

Key point: This is framed as not fixable by software, due to hardware/design differences.

Pros / Cons Highlighted

Garmin Fenix 8 — Pros

  • More rugged/premium build quality
  • Designed for diving (1080 m, depth sensor, dive modes, leakproof buttons)
  • Much better battery life
  • Multiple sizes and AMOLED vs MIP solar options

Garmin Fenix 8 — Cons

  • Heavier (80–100 g)
  • Thicker than Forerunner (review notes thickness difference)
  • Lower-cost alternatives may be less comfortable for runners seeking ultralight options

Garmin Forerunner 970 — Pros

  • Much lighter and thinner; more comfortable day-to-day (~56 g)
  • New running metrics:
    • Running Tolerance (with impact load)
    • Running Economy (requires HRM600)
  • More triathlon-oriented features and personalized race prediction
  • Costs less at time of review (~$750)

Garmin Forerunner 970 — Cons

  • Not built for diving (only 5 ATM; lacks depth sensor/special buttons)
  • More plastic in construction
  • Battery life is weaker than Fenix 8 (especially during intensive use)

Price / Value Comparison (As Stated)

  • Forerunner 970: about $750
  • Fenix 8: $1,000–$1,200
  • Caveat: Fenix 8 often goes on sale, narrowing the gap.

Comparisons Explicitly Made

  • Design/build & water resistance: rugged diving-ready Fenix 8 vs runner-focused Forerunner 970
  • Display tech: AMOLED brightness/contrast vs MIP sunlight performance (and note that Forerunner AMOLED is especially bright)
  • Battery life: Fenix 8 superiority across models/sizes
  • Feature strategy: Forerunner leads with certain new running/tri features; Fenix leads in diving hardware and ruggedness
  • Golf features: Fenix 8 includes swing training/wind/swing tempo (Forerunner not discussed as matching this)

Overall Verdict / Recommendation (From the Reviewer’s Conclusion)

  • No single “clear winner.”
  • If choosing based on current prices today, the reviewer would probably pick the Forerunner 970.
  • The reviewer repeatedly frames the Fenix 8 as the better choice if you want:
    • diving capability
    • more rugged build
    • significantly better battery life
  • If you care most about comfort/light weight and newer running/tri metrics (and don’t need scuba-grade diving), the Forerunner 970 is recommended.

Unique Points Mentioned (Deduplicated)

  • Fenix 8: titanium/stainless options, ~80–100 g, leakproof buttons, 1080 m rating, diving profiles + automatic scuba start, built-in depth sensor, dive planning/data (“tight information”).
  • Forerunner 970: titanium bezel + sapphire glass, mostly plastic body/back, ~56 g, no leakproof buttons, 5 ATM, swim/SUP/kayak/snorkel supported but not scuba/high-speed water sports.
  • Fenix 8 sizing: 43/47/51 mm; AMOLED or MIP solar; 43 mm only AMOLED.
  • Forerunner 970 sizing: single version; 47 mm and thinner.
  • Displays: both 47 mm AMOLED are 1.4” 454×454; Forerunner AMOLED described as “brightest yet”; MIP good in sunlight.
  • Battery: smartwatch up to 15 (Forerunner), 16 (Fenix 8 AMOLED), 21/28 (Fenix 8 MIP); activity drain comparisons; real-world examples include ~7 days (Forerunner), ~10 (Fenix 47 AMOLED), and ~20+ (Fenix 51 MIP).
  • Training features (Forerunner): Running Tolerance (impact load), Running Economy via HRM600 (~$170), Evening Report, triathlon multisport structuring, personalized race predictions.
  • Training features (Fenix): golf toolset (swing training, wind, swing tempo) and standard (non-personalized) race predictions.
  • Future updates: several Forerunner training features likely coming to Fenix 8 (except diving limitations).
  • Price: Forerunner ~ $750; Fenix 8 $1,000–$1,200; Fenix often on sale.

Speakers / Perspectives

  • Single main speaker/reviewer perspective throughout; no co-speakers indicated.

Original video