| Garmin Forerunner 970 | COROS Apex | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $749 | $429★ |
| Subscription | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr | ✓ None |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 56g | 40g★ |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 5ATM |
| Battery | 15 days | 24 days★ |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ❌ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Sports GPS | Sports GPS |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | May 15, 2025 | Oct 15, 2025 |
| Cycle advice | good | good |
| Deals advice | neutral | neutral |
| Next model | — | — |
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 46mm Apex 4 delivers 65 hours of GPS tracking and 24 days typical use — enough for multi-day mountain events without charging. The 42mm offers 41h GPS and 15 days.
Global topographic maps with instant rendering, turn-by-turn navigation, POIs, and an underwater depth gauge — the Apex 4 is the first COROS mid-tier with a depth sensor.
Audio alerts, hands-free calling, and voice pin recording — a first for the Apex line, adding practical trail and daily-wear convenience to this mountain sports watch.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$429 vs $959 over 3 years · no required subscription.
24 days vs 15 days battery.
9 sensors.
40g · no required subscription.
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 →Trail runners, ultramarathon athletes, and multisport competitors who want full offline maps and long GPS battery without paying Vertix 2S prices. The speaker and depth gauge make the Apex 4 more capable than any previous Apex for mixed adventure and triathlon use.
Full details →