| Fitbit Charge | Garmin Forerunner 970 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $120★ | $749 |
| Subscription | ℹ️ Optional — $79/yr | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 15g★ | 56g |
| Water resistance | 50m | 5ATM |
| Battery | 7 days | 15 days★ |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ❌ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Fitness Tracker | Sports GPS |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Sep 28, 2023 | May 15, 2025 |
| Cycle advice | bad | good★ |
| Deals advice | great★ | neutral |
| Next model | Fitbit Charge 7 (Expected 2026) | — |
Full ECG, electrodermal activity stress sensing, SpO2, and continuous heart rate in a tracker thinner than most smartwatches.
Google Maps navigation, Google Wallet NFC payments, and YouTube Music controls — more useful on-device apps than any previous Charge.
7 days of typical use, dropping to around 30 minutes per GPS workout session before needing a charge.
The FR970 is the first Forerunner with ECG and a built-in LED flashlight — plus a sapphire crystal lens and titanium DLC case for durability that rivals the Fenix 8.
Turn-by-turn navigation on preloaded worldwide TopoActive maps, combined with AI-powered Garmin Triathlon Coach structured training plans — a premium combination at any price.
Full biomechanics suite (cadence, vertical oscillation, ground contact time, running power) plus Garmin's most advanced heart rate sensor with skin temperature monitoring.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$357 vs $959 over 3 years · no required subscription.
15 days vs 7 days battery.
9 sensors.
15g · no required subscription.
Anyone who wants serious health and fitness tracking without the bulk or cost of a full smartwatch. Works with both Android and iPhone, making it the most accessible Fitbit tracker in the lineup.
Full details →Competitive runners, triathletes, and ultramarathon runners who want the complete Garmin premium running analytics suite: ECG, full maps, running dynamics, Triathlon Coach, and the most durable build in the Forerunner line. Replaces the FR965 as Garmin's top running watch.
Full details →