| Fitbit Edge | Garmin Forerunner 970 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $179★ | $749 |
| Subscription | ℹ️ Optional — $99/yr | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 18g★ | 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 | Oct 27, 2026 | May 15, 2025 |
| Cycle advice | good★ | neutral |
| Deals advice | neutral | great★ |
| Next model | — | — |
A 1.34" AMOLED screen, 46% larger than the Charge 6's, with an optional always-on mode and a physical button.
Multi-system GPS for phone-free runs, an ECG app for AFib checks, SpO2 and skin temperature sensing, and an altimeter for elevation.
Up to 7 days per charge, a 5-minute top-up for about a day of use, and a battery you can replace yourself when it wears out.
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 9.
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.
$476 vs $959 over 3 years.
15 days vs 7 days battery.
9 sensors.
18g.
Anyone who wants a slim tracker with a screen, built-in GPS, and ECG rather than a full smartwatch. It suits Charge owners ready to upgrade, as long as they don't rely on Google Wallet payments or EDA stress scans. Works with both Android and iPhone via the Google Health app.
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 →