Garmin dropped the Forerunner 570 and 970 last week, and if you’re the kind of runner who follows firmware updates like race results, you probably noticed something big: a whole suite of new features that, until now, didn’t exist on any Garmin watch.
The 970 in particular is loaded with next-gen performance tools, some useful, some just geeky enough to need a manual.
But as always with Garmin, there’s a catch. Most of those shiny new features? They’re staying put on the latest devices. And if you’ve got last year’s Forerunner 965 or a Fenix 7 Pro, you’re not getting them—at least not anytime soon.
Let’s break down what’s new, who gets what, and whether this is the beginning of a new Garmin era or just a return to their old tricks.
So, What’s Actually New?
Garmin’s list of new features on the 970 is long and dense. Here’s the greatest hits:
- Running Tolerance & Impact Load Factor: Metrics to help you figure out how hard you’re pushing, and how well your body is handling it.
- Projected Race Time: A more nuanced predictor that pulls from actual training data, not just a VO₂ max guesstimate.
- Running Economy & Step Speed Loss: Advanced biomechanics data (but you’ll need the new HRM-Fit or HRM-Pro Plus strap to use them).
- Garmin Triathlon Coach: A legit, adaptive tri training plan system baked into the watch.
- Evening Report: A slick daily recap of your training, recovery, and sleep—like a bedtime story for data nerds.
- Improved Ovulation Predictions (skin temp-based): Big step forward for Garmin’s women’s health features.
These are all brand-new-to-Garmin features—not just updates or renamed old stuff. And in a rare twist, Garmin confirmed a handful of watches will eventually get them.
Which Watches Are In?
So far, Garmin has confirmed that the following will get the new features at some point:
- Fenix 8 Series
- Enduro 3
- Tactix 8
But don’t hold your breath for a quick turnaround. Garmin says they’re planning to roll out these features in future software updates, with no hard release dates, and no guarantee that all the features will make it.
Translation: “We’ll try, but no promises.”
Who’s Left Out?
If you’re rocking a Forerunner 965, 265, Fenix 7 Pro, or Epix Pro, the news isn’t great. Garmin says these models won’t be getting the new features—at least not for now. That’s a pretty brutal pill to swallow for 965 users, since that watch just came out in 2023 and was marketed as a top-tier, long-term device.
To be clear, Garmin hasn’t said the hardware can’t handle the updates. They’re just… not doing it.
Is Garmin Going Backwards?
Let’s be honest—this feels like a throwback to the old Garmin playbook from the 2010s: new features = new watch. From 2020 through 2023, they got a lot better about updating existing models with new software. That shift earned them serious trust from users who didn’t want to buy a new watch every year.
Now? Not so much.
In contrast, Apple Watch models regularly get five or more years of updates. COROS used to be fast and generous with updates, though their pace has slowed. Suunto and Polar stick closer to current-gen only. Garmin’s now becoming the most restrictive of the bunch—but they’re also stuffing more features into each update than pretty much anyone else.
Apple does one big update per year. Garmin adds features throughout the year, often with surprising depth. The difference is that Apple usually gives those updates to everyone—Garmin doesn’t anymore.
Is This a Smart Move—or a Miss?
Garmin’s decision seems rooted in sales strategy. The Forerunner 970 costs $749. But if the Fenix 8—which will eventually get all the same features—is on sale for $799, it’s hard to justify not going with the more rugged, feature-rich model. Unless you’re looking for a lighter watch or care about the “Forerunner” label, the 970 starts to feel like a niche buy.
But if you’re a current 965 or Fenix 7 owner, it stings. You bought in with the promise of long-term updates, and now that pipeline seems closed. That’s a hard pivot from the company that won runner loyalty over the past few years with consistent updates across devices.
