Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Full details →| Fitbit Versa | Garmin Forerunner 970 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $150★ | $749 |
| Subscription | ℹ️ Optional — $79/yr | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 38g★ | 56g |
| Water resistance | 50m | 5ATM |
| Battery | 6 days | 15 days★ |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ❌ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Smartwatch | Sports GPS |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Sep 25, 2022 | May 15, 2025 |
| Cycle advice | bad | good★ |
| Deals advice | good★ | neutral |
| Next model | — | — |
Rare for a smartwatch with real GPS and health sensors to work fully on both platforms — Versa 4 does.
Turn-by-turn navigation and NFC payments without needing your phone in hand.
Sleep stages, daily readiness score, Active Zone Minutes, and SpO2 — all on a 6-day 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.
$387 vs $959 over 3 years · no required subscription.
15 days vs 6 days battery.
9 sensors.
38g · no required subscription.
Android or iPhone users who want a balanced smartwatch with solid Fitbit health tracking, multi-day battery, and a clean square watch design — without the premium price of a Galaxy Watch or Apple Watch.
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 →