Garmin Forerunner 170: Next week release rumors and our feature wishlist

The Forerunner 165 was a massive shift for the entry-level lineup, bringing a vibrant AMOLED display to the “budget” tier for the first time. Now that we are firmly into March 2026, the rumor mill is churning with intense speculation about its successor: the Garmin Forerunner 170.

While Garmin has recently focused on its high-end 70-series (the Forerunner 570 and 970), the entry-level remains a critical battleground against competitors like Coros and Amazfit. Here is everything we know about the rumored Forerunner 170 and what is on our wishlist for the next great budget running watch.

The Release Date: Could it be next week?

Historically, Garmin followed a roughly two-year cycle for its entry-level watches. However, the Forerunner 165 arrived in February 2024, and the latest industry chatter suggests we might not have to wait until late 2026 for its successor.

• The “Spring Surprise” Rumor: Multiple reputable sources, including the5krunner and hints from DC Rainmaker, have pointed to a “significant drop” of “some goodness” arriving the week of March 23, 2026.

• A Potential Dual Launch: While the screenless Garmin CIRQA smart band (Garmin’s rumored Whoop-competitor) has been the main focus of recent leaks, there is a growing theory that Garmin will hold a major event next week to launch both the CIRQA and the Forerunner 170 simultaneously. Releasing a new Forerunner now would perfectly target athletes training for the peak spring marathon season.

• The “70” Naming Convention: Following the Forerunner 570 and 970 launches in 2025, it is almost certain Garmin will skip “166” or “175” and move straight to the 170 to align the entire 2026 ecosystem.

The Forerunner 170 Wishlist

The Forerunner 165 is already a powerhouse, but there are several clear gaps where Garmin could improve the experience without cannibalizing the mid-range FR265/570.

1. Dual-Band GNSS (Multi-Band)

The biggest omission on the FR165 was Multi-Band GPS. In 2026, dual-band is becoming standard even on sub-$200 watches. Adding this would significantly improve tracking accuracy in “urban canyons” or under heavy tree cover—features entry-level runners desperately need.

2. Training Readiness & Connect+ AI

Garmin currently keeps “Training Readiness” reserved for its mid-to-high-tier watches. However, as the brand leans further into AI-driven coaching (the rumored Connect+ AI features), bringing a version of Training Readiness to the 170 would make it a much more “complete” coaching tool for beginners.

3. Unified “Music” and “Non-Music” Models

The split between Music and Non-Music editions feels increasingly dated. We would love to see Garmin follow the path of the higher-end models and release a single FR170 version with built-in storage for music and Wi-Fi as standard.

4. The “Flashlight” & Garmin Share

After the success of the integrated LED flashlight on the Fenix and the newer Forerunner 970, a small LED at the top of the FR170 would be a game-changer for safety. Additionally, we expect the inclusion of Garmin Share, allowing users to beam workouts and courses directly between devices.

5. Elevate Gen 5 Sensor

The FR165 uses the older Gen 4 sensor. Moving to the Elevate Gen 5 would bring ECG capabilities and skin temperature tracking to the entry-level, aligning the health metrics with the rest of the 2026 lineup and supporting the advanced Health Status metrics appearing in the mobile app.

Potential Specs at a Glance

Final Thoughts

The Forerunner 170 doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel; it just needs to modernize the “entry-level” experience with the sensors and GPS tech that are now industry standards. If the rumors of a launch next week hold, Garmin is about to make a very big splash in the budget fitness market.

Also Read: The Best Garmin Watches of 2026: A Beginner’s Guide to the Ultimate Ecosystem