Garmin Forerunner 970 vs Garmin Venu X1
Two lines from one maker: here’s how the Garmin Forerunner 970 and the Garmin Venu X1 stack up within the Garmin range. The Garmin Venu X1 is up against it here: the Garmin Forerunner 970 wins 1 of the 4 areas on our scorecard, with battery life as its standout.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Health & Fitness Sensors Tie
- Battery Life Garmin Forerunner 970 wins
- Smart Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price Garmin Forerunner 970 wins
- Health & Fitness Sensors10.0
- Smart Features & Connectivity3.3
- Health & Fitness Sensors10.0
- Smart Features & Connectivity3.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Garmin Forerunner 970 has 88% more rated battery life
Few buyers will miss this one. The Garmin Forerunner 970 brings 15 days to the table; the Garmin Venu X1 brings 8 days. The Garmin Forerunner 970 is rated to last longer between charges, a big deal on trips and long weekends.
-
The Garmin Venu X1 has a 0.20 in slimmer case
When it comes to thickness, the Garmin Venu X1 wins comfortably with 0.31 in against 0.51 in. Thickness often houses sensors or a larger battery, so the Garmin Forerunner 970’s extra depth may be doing something useful.
Design & Size
The Garmin Venu X1 is 0.20 in thinner than the Garmin Forerunner 970.
Design & Durability
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 970 | Garmin Venu X1 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 47 mm | N/A (not specified) |
| Available sizes | 47 mm | N/A (not specified) |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | Titanium bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer case, sapphire lens | Fiber-reinforced polymer, titanium caseback, sapphire lens |
| Thickness | 0.51 in Thickest in class | 0.31 in (winner) Slimmest in class |
Display
Too close to call
The differences on display are small enough to ignore in daily use. In short, display is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Too close to call
Both the Garmin Forerunner 970 and the Garmin Venu X1 cover health & fitness sensors equally well on paper. Both cover health & fitness sensors well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Battery Life
Garmin Forerunner 970 leads
Few areas are as clear-cut as this one: the Garmin Forerunner 970 leads the battery life section with room to spare. The Garmin Forerunner 970 scores with 88% more rated battery life. Ratings assume typical use; GPS workouts and always-on screens will shorten both. Prioritize battery life, and the Garmin Forerunner 970 is where you should land.
Rated battery life
Garmin Forerunner 970: 15 days Garmin Venu X1: 8 days Longer battery life means fewer nights on the charger, which also makes sleep tracking easier.
Smart Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
The smart features & connectivity section is even. Any gaps here are within the range you’d never notice. Neither watch gives you a reason to choose it on smart features & connectivity.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 970 | Garmin Venu X1 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | AMOLED | 2-inch AMOLED (rectangular) |
| Resolution (largest) | 454 x 454 | 448 x 486 |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Health & Fitness Sensors
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 970 | Garmin Venu X1 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
| Blood oxygen | Yes | Yes |
| Skin temperature | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
| GPS | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ | Multi-band GNSS |
| Dual-frequency GPS | Yes | Yes |
Battery Life
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 970 | Garmin Venu X1 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating, typical use | 15 days (winner) Longest battery life in class | 8 days |
Smart Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 970 | Garmin Venu X1 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Cellular option | No | No |
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Phone compatibility | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
| Software | Garmin proprietary | Garmin proprietary |
Design & Durability
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 970 | Garmin Venu X1 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 47 mm | N/A (not specified) |
| Available sizes | 47 mm | N/A (not specified) |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | Titanium bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer case, sapphire lens | Fiber-reinforced polymer, titanium caseback, sapphire lens |
| Thickness | 0.51 in Thickest in class | 0.31 in (winner) Slimmest in class |
Price
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 970 | Garmin Venu X1 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $750 (winner) Lowest price in class | $800 Priciest in class |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The Garmin Forerunner 970 launched for $50 less, a gap small enough that the specs should decide. The Garmin Venu X1 asks $50 more without winning more areas, which tilts value firmly toward the Garmin Forerunner 970.
Launch prices (US) as of June 2025. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Garmin Forerunner 970 if…
- you hate charging your watch every day (15 days vs 8 days)
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($50 less)
Choose the Garmin Venu X1 if…
- you want the slimmer watch (0.31 in vs 0.51 in)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Garmin Forerunner 970 or the Garmin Venu X1?
We’d point most buyers to the Garmin Forerunner 970. The main exception is if having a 0.20 in slimmer case matters more to you than the rest.
Does the Garmin Forerunner 970 last longer on a charge than the Garmin Venu X1?
On paper, the Garmin Forerunner 970 has the edge: 15 days of rated battery life against 8 days for the Garmin Venu X1. Real-world results also depend on how you use it.
Which costs less, the Garmin Forerunner 970 or the Garmin Venu X1?
The Garmin Venu X1 launched at $50 more than the Garmin Forerunner 970, based on prices as of June 2025.
Executive Summary
Let’s talk about the Garmin Forerunner 970 and the Garmin Venu X1. Same family, but I don’t think they’re made for exactly the same person. What I like most about the Garmin Forerunner 970 here is 88% more rated battery life. That said, the Garmin Venu X1 answers with a 0.20 in slimmer case, which some people will value more.
I’d steer battery life fans toward the Garmin Forerunner 970 and a slim build fans toward the Garmin Venu X1.
My pick: the Garmin Forerunner 970, though the Garmin Venu X1 makes sense if you value a 0.20 in slimmer case above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.