If you are shopping for a budget-friendly running watch, the Garmin Forerunner line offers two compelling options. The Forerunner 55 arrived in 2021 and quickly became a go-to for new runners. Now the Forerunner 70 has stepped onto the scene with several noteworthy improvements. The question is whether those improvements justify the higher price tag or if the older model still holds its ground. Below, we examine the five biggest upgrades the Forerunner 70 brings over the Forerunner 55, covering each change in detail so you can decide which watch fits your needs.
First Look at the Key Specs
Before diving into the upgrades, a quick glance at the core specifications reveals the most obvious differences. The Forerunner 70 launched at $249, while the Forerunner 55 debuted at $199. Inflation aside, the Forerunner 55 now often sells for $169 or less, making it the more affordable pick. However, the Forerunner 70 packs a larger 1.2‑inch AMOLED display, a touchscreen interface, and support for over 80 workout types. The Forerunner 55 sticks with a 1.04‑inch MIP display, button‑only controls, and 18 workout types. Both watches offer 50 meters of water resistance, GPS tracking, and a similar plastic‑case design. The Forerunner 70 weighs 40 grams, the Forerunner 55 comes in at 37 grams. Battery life is nearly identical, with the Forerunner 55 claiming 14 days and the Forerunner 70 claiming 13 days.
The Five Biggest Upgrades Explained
Upgrade 1: The AMOLED Display and Touchscreen
The Forerunner 55 uses a Memory‑in‑Pixel (MIP) display. MIP screens are known for excellent outdoor visibility and low power consumption, but they lack the vibrant colors and deep contrast of modern AMOLED panels. The Forerunner 70 swaps to a 1.2‑inch AMOLED touchscreen. This change alone transforms the daily interaction with the watch. Colors pop, text appears sharper, and the screen feels larger thanks to the higher resolution.
Touchscreen functionality adds convenience for scrolling through menus and data fields. The Forerunner 55 relies solely on its five physical buttons, which work well but can feel slower when navigating lengthy lists. The Forerunner 70 still keeps the same five buttons, so you have the option to use either touch or buttons depending on your activity. During a rain‑soaked run, buttons remain reliable. During casual browsing, the touchscreen feels more intuitive.
One trade‑off is battery life. AMOLED displays tend to consume more power than MIP screens, especially when using the always‑on mode. The Forerunner 70 compensates with a larger battery—its 13‑day typical endurance still matches the Forerunner 55’s 14‑day claim in real‑world use, but heavy touchscreen use may reduce that slightly.
Upgrade 2: A Much Larger Library of Workout Types
The Forerunner 55 supports 18 workout types, which covers the essentials—running, cycling, swimming, treadmill, and a few others. For a dedicated runner who rarely does anything else, 18 might be sufficient. But many active users also strength train, practice yoga, hike, or do indoor rowing. The Forerunner 70 supports over 80 workout types, including niche activities like pilates, HIIT, stair stepping, and even wheelchair sports.
This jump matters because each workout type has its own data fields and metrics. For example, strength training profiles automatically count reps and detect exercise types. A yoga profile tracks session duration and heart rate. The Forerunner 55 cannot offer these tailored experiences; it lumps non‑running activities into a generic “cardio” or “other” category. If you cross‑train regularly or enjoy variety in your fitness routine, the Forerunner 70’s expanded library is a clear upgrade.
Upgrade 3: Advanced Training Metrics for Serious Runners
The Forerunner 55 provides solid basics: distance, pace, heart rate, recovery advice, race time predictions, and daily workout suggestions. It also tracks sleep and Body Battery, a metric that estimates your energy reserve throughout the day. These features are excellent for beginners and intermediate runners who want guidance without overwhelm.
The Forerunner 70 adds several advanced metrics that were previously exclusive to higher‑end models like the Forerunner 265 or 955. These include Training Load, Training Status, Training Readiness, HRV (heart rate variability) tracking, running dynamics (cadence, stride length, ground contact time), running power, and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2).
Training Load measures the total volume of your recent workouts and compares it to your historical data. Training Status tells you whether you are maintaining, peaking, or overreaching. Training Readiness combines sleep quality, recovery status, and recent strain to give a daily readiness score out of 100. HRV data appears each morning after a night of wear, helping you understand how your nervous system is recovering. For a runner who wants to optimize training and avoid injury, these metrics provide actionable insights that the Forerunner 55 cannot deliver.
Upgrade 4: Running Dynamics and Power Without Accessories
The Forerunner 55 tracks pace, distance, and heart rate accurately, but it does not capture running dynamics such as cadence, vertical oscillation, or ground contact time. Those metrics usually require an additional foot pod or a chest‑strap heart rate monitor. The Forerunner 70 includes running dynamics directly from the wrist, using its optical sensor suite. It also estimates running power—a metric that measures the effort you are putting into each stride.
Running power is particularly useful for hilly routes because it gives a consistent measure of intensity regardless of terrain. On flat ground, pace works fine. On steep inclines, heart rate lags behind, and pace drops. Power provides an immediate, terrain‑independent number. The Forerunner 55 cannot offer this feature without external gear. The Forerunner 70’s built‑in power measurement makes hill training more precise.
Upgrade 5: Improved Battery Life Under GPS Use
Both watches claim similar typical battery life—13 days for the Forerunner 70 versus 14 days for the Forerunner 55—but the real difference appears during GPS activity. The Forerunner 55 lasts about 20 hours in standard GPS mode. The Forerunner 70 extends that to 23 hours. For runners who train for long events like half marathons or ultramarathons, those extra three hours can matter. It also means fewer charges per week if you run daily.
The Forerunner 70 also supports the newer GPS mode that uses multiple satellite systems simultaneously (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo). The Forerunner 55 uses GPS and GLONASS only. The additional satellite support can improve accuracy in dense urban areas or heavily forested trails, though the impact on battery life is minimal. The 23‑hour GPS endurance makes the Forerunner 70 a more capable companion for long‑distance training runs and races.
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Forerunner 70 vs 55: Cost and Value Considerations
Price often decides which watch wins. The Forerunner 55 debuted at $199, but as of 2026 it can be found for $169 or less. The Forerunner 70 launched at $249 and has seen occasional discounts down to around $220. The $50–$80 difference is significant for a budget conscious buyer. The Forerunner 55 remains the better value if you only need basic running metrics, daily suggestions, and reliable GPS.
However, consider the total cost of ownership. If you later want advanced training metrics or more workout types, you would need to buy a new watch. The Forerunner 70 includes those features from day one. For runners who plan to stick with the sport for years, the extra upfront cost may save money in the long run. For casual joggers who just want distance and heart rate, the Forerunner 55 offers everything necessary at a lower entry price.
Forerunner 70 vs 55: Design and Comfort
Physical design differences are minimal. The Forerunner 70 measures 42.6 x 42.6 x 11.9 mm, while the Forerunner 55 is 42 x 42 x 11.6 mm. Both have a lightweight plastic case, a five‑button layout, and a comfortable fit on wrists ranging from 5.5 to 7.5 inches. The Forerunner 70 weighs 40 grams, three grams more than the Forerunner 55’s 37 grams. That difference is barely noticeable during wear.
Both watches use chemically strengthened glass with a raised bezel for scratch protection. Neither offers sapphire crystal, but the bezel provides decent drop protection. Water resistance is rated at 50 meters on both models, sufficient for shallow pool swims and rain‑soaked runs. From a pure design standpoint, these watches are nearly identical, so the choice comes down to screen technology and internal features rather than aesthetics or fit.
Forerunner 70 vs 55: Smart Features and Everyday Use
Both watches offer smartphone notifications, Garmin Pay (in the Forerunner 70, but the Forerunner 55 lacks this), and compatibility with Android and iOS. The Forerunner 70 includes music controls and a “find my phone” function, while the Forerunner 55 skips music controls. The Forerunner 70 also supports Garmin’s new “Race Day” widget that shows upcoming events and countdown timers, though the Forerunner 55 can display race predictions from Garmin Connect.
Sleep tracking on both devices captures sleep stages (light, deep, REM) and provides a sleep score. The Forerunner 70 adds a “sleep coach” that suggests target bedtimes based on your sleep history and readiness score. The Forerunner 55 gives a sleep score but no personalized coaching. For casual use, these smart features are modest upgrades; neither watch competes with a dedicated smartwatch like an Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch in terms of app support or cellular connectivity.
Which Watch Should You Choose?
The answer depends entirely on your running ambitions and budget. Choose the Forerunner 55 if you want a reliable, simple running watch with excellent battery life, and you do not need advanced training metrics or a bright color screen. It is a perfect entry‑level companion for runners who primarily run, log a few miles per week, and want basic data like distance, pace, and heart rate.
Choose the Forerunner 70 if you plan to train more seriously, want to analyze your training load and readiness, or enjoy a modern AMOLED display with touch interaction. The extra workout types, running dynamics, and power metrics make it a more versatile tool for cross‑trainers and competitive runners. The slightly higher cost is justified if you use those features regularly.
Ultimately, the Forerunner 70 is the superior watch in terms of screen quality, training depth, and future‑proofing. The Forerunner 55 remains the champion of pure value. Both watches serve their purpose well, and neither will disappoint. The right choice comes down to how much you want to invest in your running data and experience.
