Garmin Forerunner 570 Review: Just Short of Greatness

Garmin’s newest mid-range running and multisport smartwatch, the Forerunner 570, offers a host of upgrades, including a vibrant OLED screen, improved sensors, and a smarter interface. Positioned between the older Forerunner 265 and the flagship Forerunner 970, the 570 aims to provide top-tier features at a mid-range price. However, it doesn’t quite reach the finish line of perfection, especially when considering its price point.

Summary Table

Design and Build Quality

The Garmin Forerunner 570 is available in two sizes  42mm and 47mm  catering to a wider range of wrist sizes and preferences. The watch comes in multiple color variants, including playful hues and a classic black option for those who prefer a more professional or minimalist look.

The build quality is impressive, featuring a polycarbonate body, aluminium bezel, and metal buttons. These elements contribute to a robust yet lightweight design. The OLED touchscreen display is exceptionally bright and crisp, offering great visibility in various lighting conditions. It is also very responsive, improving the overall user experience significantly over older models.

Smarter Interface and Connectivity

One of the most notable improvements in the Forerunner 570 is its updated user interface, borrowed from the premium Forerunner 970. This new layout offers better access to widgets, faster navigation, and a more modern smartwatch feel.

The 570 also includes Garmin’s new offline voice command system, which allows users to initiate tasks like setting timers, starting workouts, or accessing settings hands-free. Additionally, the watch can interface with your smartphone’s voice assistant, whether that’s Google Assistant, Siri, or Gemini. Users can also take phone calls directly from their wrist when paired with a smartphone.

For Android users, Google Maps support is integrated, enhancing its utility for urban runners and cyclists. The watch can also display and manage smartphone notifications and music controls, making it a capable day-to-day smartwatch.

Music and Apps

The Forerunner 570 supports a range of music streaming apps, including:

• Spotify

• Amazon Music

• YouTube Music

Users can download playlists and tracks for offline listening, ideal for those who prefer to run without a phone. The Connect IQ app store provides access to additional watch faces, widgets, and third-party apps.

Garmin Pay is also available for contactless payments, but support for UK banks remains limited, which can hinder its usefulness depending on your location and bank provider.

Fitness and Sensor Upgrades

Garmin has upgraded the GPS and heart rate sensors in the Forerunner 570, providing more accurate tracking during workouts. This enhancement ensures better precision for runners, cyclists, and multisport athletes.

It includes a full suite of health and fitness features such as:

• Advanced sleep tracking

• VO2 Max estimation

• Pulse OX (blood oxygen) sensor

• HRV (heart rate variability) monitoring

• Training readiness and recovery scores

• Workout suggestions

• Race predictor and daily training prompts

While many of these features were present in the Forerunner 265, the 570 benefits from more accurate and faster data updates due to improved sensors and algorithms.

Battery Life

Battery life is slightly underwhelming compared to both the Forerunner 265 and 970. The 47mm version lasts around five days in smartwatch mode with the always-on display (AOD) enabled. Reducing the screen brightness by one level can stretch it to around six days.

If users choose to disable AOD, battery life extends to around 10 days, which is more in line with expectations. Despite these figures, the Forerunner 570 still trails behind competitors in its price category when it comes to endurance.

Price and Value

The Garmin Forerunner 570 retails at £450 / €550 / $550 / A$999. While it provides premium features, this pricing places it closer to high-end smartwatch territory, including Garmin’s own Forerunner 970 and some models from competitors like Coros and Polar.

Given that some flagship watches are only slightly more expensive, the 570 enters a tricky pricing zone. For many buyers, this raises questions about value for money, especially if features like limited Garmin Pay support or shorter battery life are seen as compromises.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)