It looks like the big news isn’t over yet. Just yesterday, I told you about the Forerunner 170 appearing on a Russian shop’s website. Today, I found something even more surprising on that same site: the Garmin Forerunner 70.
While the Forerunner 170 was a great find, seeing the Forerunner 70 gives us a better idea of what Garmin is planning for 2026. This new watch looks like it will be the real replacement for the old Forerunner 55.
The Successor to the Forerunner 55?
Because of the name, the Forerunner 70 will likely replace the old Forerunner 55.
This makes sense because Garmin is updating all its watches. We have already seen the new Forerunner 570 take the place of the 265. We also saw the Forerunner 970 take the place of the 965. Now, it is time for the budget watches to change, too.
For a long time, the Forerunner 55 was the best choice for runners who wanted a good watch for a low price. But now, the Forerunner 165 is more expensive and uses a fancy AMOLED screen. This leaves a gap at the bottom for a basic, cheap watch. The Forerunner 70 is here to fill that gap.
Two Variants Spotted: Black and Whitestone
The russian retailer website has listed the watch in two variations.
- Forerunner 70 Black (SKU: 010-04307-01)
- Forerunner 70 Whitestone (SKU: 010-04307-00)
A Note on the News: I have seen many people saying this leak might not be real because it comes from a Russian website. It is always a good idea to be careful with early information. However, the website included specific SKUs (product codes). In my experience, when a store has these codes, the news is usually true. Still, please take this information with caution until Garmin makes an official announcement.
Blurry Pictures
Just like the 170 I found yesterday, the pictures of the Forerunner 70 are very blurry. The shop is likely using low-quality “placeholder” images until the watch is officially released.
Even though the photos are not clear, I have spent some time looking closely at them. The shape looks like a classic Garmin watch. It looks thin and light, which is perfect for running.
Positioning: Budget Over “Fancy”
The website listing did not show the official specs or the price. However, here is what I think we can expect:
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Low Price: This will likely be the cheapest new Garmin watch this year.
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Great Battery: Because an MIP screen uses very little power, the battery should last a long time.
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The Basics: Don’t expect fancy maps. It will focus on the basics like pace, distance, heart rate, and daily workout suggestions.
Final Thoughts
The fact that the Forerunner 170 and Forerunner 70 models are being released at the same time is an indication that the company has big plans and a major release is imminent. Although the 170 model will attract more attention because of its improved display, it is the Forerunner 70 model that will probably adorn many runners’ wrists this year.
I am currently combing the international regulatory bodies for any traces of the filing of the FCC or SIRIM documentation for these two SKUs. Watch this space for further updates once I receive any technical specs.
Also Read: I Just Spotted the Garmin Forerunner 170 on a Retailer Website—Release Seems Imminent!
