Garmin Forerunner 570 vs 965 vs 265: How they stack up

Garmin has officially pulled the wraps off the Forerunner 570 today. It comes in at $550, sits between the 265 and 965 in price, and adds a mix of smart upgrades and sport-specific extras. Let’s see how exactly it fits into the lineup.

You can check out all three watches on Garmin’s website. Check Forerunner 570 price on Amazon.

Display and design land between the two extremes

The Forerunner 570 sticks with the AMOLED trend, offering a vibrant display that matches the 1.4 inch screen on the 965. There’s also a 42 mm version with a 1.2 inch panel for those with smaller wrists. Both use Gorilla Glass 3 and feature an aluminum bezel, which makes them look more refined than the plastic-heavy 265. At the same time, they don’t reach the premium feel of the titanium-clad 965.

Size-wise, the 570 and 965 are nearly identical, though the 570 is a touch thinner. Weight comes in at 50 grams, slightly heavier than the 265 but still lighter than the 965. Band support is the standard 22 mm across all three.

New smart features make the 570 feel more connected

Where the 570 really sets itself apart is with smart features that haven’t been seen in this part of the Forerunner range before. Bluetooth calling and voice assistant support are built in, along with a speaker and microphone. That puts it a notch above both the 265 and even the 965 in day-to-day usability.

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There’s also the addition of voice commands, evening reports, and skin temperature tracking. Garmin seems to be offering just enough extras to make this a more rounded device while still keeping its core focus on running and performance. Worth noting though is that the watch has the Elevate V5 sensor – so the latest version – but without the capability for ECG measurements.

Multi-sport depth without going overboard

The 570 includes Garmin Coach, race predictions, and real-time stamina, putting it in the same performance ballpark as the 965. It adds new profiles like Obstacle Racing and supports full multisport use including Duathlon, Brick sessions, and Pool Triathlon. There’s even Garmin Triathlon Coach baked in, which gives it an edge over the 265 for training plans.

Outdoor navigation is decent too, with NextFork, route planning, and ClimbPro included. You don’t get downloadable topo maps like on the 965, but it’s still a step up from the 265’s more limited options. Golf support is comprehensive, with over 43,000 courses and full tracking features, while cycling and winter sport profiles cover almost everything you’d expect at this tier.

Battery life settles right in the middle. Expect up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and around 18 hours with GPS. That’s enough for most users but falls short of the 965’s extended stamina.

At $550, the Forerunner 570 is not cheap. It’s better equipped than the 265 for both sport and daily use, but it doesn’t match the 965’s full spec sheet, as far as map storage and a few other bits a pieces.

You can check out all three watches on Garmin’s website. Check Forerunner 570 price on Amazon.

Tech specs comparison: Garmin Forerunner 570 vs 965 vs 265

Here is a simplified tech specs comparison table between the Garmin Forerunner 570, Forerunner 265, and Forerunner 965. Complex categories like golf, outdoor recreation, and cycling have been summarised for clarity. As mentioned, the 570 also comes in a smaller 42mm variant. That one is identical in terms of features as the large size, the main differences are to do with the size, weight and battery life.

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