In the past weeks, I’ve been going through all the FCC documentation and searching through the SIRIM website for clues about the Garmin Forerunner 170. With everything that was going on and based on the regular release process, I figured the official announcement couldn’t be far away, but today, my luck just turned.
While watching out for international retailers, I saw the device actually being offered by an online shop in Russia, which is known for its Garmin products. From the pictures, we can see that there will be at least two models: one in Black/Amp Yellow and another in Whitestone/Cloud Blue.
The Leak: Two Distinct Colorways
This particular retailer has outlined two distinct variations, each of which carries a SKU number that appears to be right on track with Garmin’s official numbering pattern:
- Black / Amp Yellow (010-03920-00): Traditional and sporty design. It features the traditional black body design with a sharp contrast to “Amp Yellow” accents, which appear to be on the buttons and the inside strap covering.
- Whitestone / Cloud Blue (010-03920-01): Clean and modern design. This watch comes with the white off-body paired with blue.
Visual Analysis: What Does it Look Like?
Unfortunately, the pictures of the product on the website have extremely low resolution and are blurry, typical of leaks. But after processing some pictures with sharpening and color-enhancing algorithms in order to remove any noise, a few design features can be observed (check the picture below).
From what I see, the Forerunner 170 retains all the advantages of its predecessor in terms of design, namely its slim and light design, which is so good for wearing on smaller wrists and running activities. The bezel looks better now, and the display, although it is hard to determine from the picture for sure, seems to be an AMOLED one, as Garmin stopped using MIPs for their lower-end Forerunner series.
As you may notice, the “Amp Yellow” used on the black version of the watch becomes visible after processing. It is used on the “start/stop” button, which became a trademark of the Forerunner family.
Why This Timing Makes Sense
This is something we’ve seen in cycles before, and since we saw the Forerunner 165 release at the beginning of 2024, a mid-2026 refresh was overdue. With retailers already creating landing pages for the watch, it appears that it will not be long before Garmin rolls out an “official press play.”
Final Thoughts
The fact that I could find this information means that Garmin has not missed a beat with its budget-friendly wearable technology. Even though there is no complete list of specifications yet, the use of these particular color schemes and the “170” naming convention gives me a pretty good idea of where this watch will be positioned.
Watch this space—since the retail floodgates are beginning to swing open, I am sure that more technical information will slip through regulatory agencies soon.
Also Read: My Garmin Forerunner 170 Wishlist: 5 Upgrades Garmin Can’t Afford to Skip
