Garmin has expanded its entry-level lineup of smartwatches with the launch of the Forerunner 170 and Forerunner 70, targeting budget-conscious fitness enthusiasts looking for reliable features without the premium price tag.
In this review, Newsbytes.PH takes a closer look at the Forerunner 170, a smartwatch that offers a solid balance of functionality and affordability, making it a worthwhile investment for those serious about their fitness journey.
Design and Display
Crafted for comfort and usability, the Forerunner 170 features a sleek design with a 1.2-inch AMOLED display offering a sharp resolution of 390 x 390 pixels.
The interface is intuitive, combining five physical buttons with a touchscreen that can be disabled to prevent accidental inputs during workouts.
The display is protected by chemically strengthened glass and housed in a durable fiber-reinforced polymer case designed for long-term use.
Weighing just 41 grams, thanks in part to its silicone band, the Forerunner 170 is lightweight and comfortable enough for all-day wear.
However, it does have one notable drawback: the charging port is located underneath the watch and uses exposed pins that could be susceptible to moisture damage.
This design raises concerns about potential corrosion from sweat exposure, which could affect long-term durability. A more protected charging design would have been preferable.
Performance and Features
Designed primarily for runners, the Forerunner 170 does not compromise on performance. It comes equipped with built-in GPS to accurately track pace, distance, and routes. It also features wrist-based heart rate monitoring, making it easy for users to monitor their cardiovascular health during workouts.
The smartwatch goes beyond running by supporting a variety of activities through integrated sports apps. Whether for cycling, strength training, or other fitness pursuits, the Forerunner 170 serves as a versatile companion for tracking workouts and maintaining overall wellness.
Garmin’s health and fitness tracking technologies are widely regarded as accurate, adding to the device’s credibility.
Garmin further enhances the experience through its training ecosystem, offering adaptive training plans via Garmin Coach and personalized daily workout suggestions.
Other health and wellness tools, including sleep tracking and heart rate variability (HRV) insights, allow users to monitor their fitness levels and recovery, helping them develop more effective training routines.
Garmin Pay Integration
In addition to its fitness features, the Forerunner 170 incorporates Garmin Pay, allowing users to make secure transactions directly from their wrist.
The feature is particularly useful for those with active lifestyles who prefer the convenience of contactless payments.
Launched in the Philippines in partnership with GoTyme Bank and EastWest Bank, with support from Visa and Mastercard, Garmin Pay further expands the smartwatch’s everyday functionality.
Garmin Forerunner 170 Specs
- Strap Material: Silicone
- Lens Material: Chemically strengthened glass
- Bezel Material: Fiber-reinforced polymer
- Quick Release Bands: 20 mm, industry standard
- Watch Dimensions: 42.6 mm x 42.6 mm x 11.9 mm; fits wrists with a circumference of 126–203 mm
- Weight: 41 g
- Display: 30.4 mm (1.2-inch) AMOLED display
- Display Resolution: 390 x 390 pixels
- Battery Type: Lithium-ion
- Battery Life:
- Smartwatch Mode:
- Up to 10 days (4 days with always-on display)
- Battery Saver Smartwatch Mode: Up to 19 days
- GPS-only GNSS Mode: Up to 20 hours
- All-Systems GNSS Mode: Up to 14 hours
- Charging Method: Garmin proprietary charging cable
- Memory/History: 4 GB
- Clock Features: Time/date, GPS time sync, automatic daylight-saving time, alarm clock, smart wake alarm, timer, stopwatch, sunrise/sunset times
- Health & Wellness Monitoring: Wrist-based heart rate (constant, every second), daily resting heart rate, abnormal heart rate alerts (high and low), respiration rate (24/7), fitness age, Body Battery energy monitor, all-day stress tracking, relaxation reminders, relaxation breathing timer, breathwork, advanced sleep tracking, Sleep Coach, breathing variations, nap detection, hydration tracking, women’s health, Health Snapshot, lifestyle logging, health status
- Sensors: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate monitor, Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor, barometric altimeter, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, thermometer, ambient light sensor
- Activity Profiles: Gym, wellness, indoor running, outdoor running, outdoor recreation, cycling, swimming, on-the-water activities, motorsports, racket sports, snow and winter sports, team sports, in-the-ring activities, and other activity profiles
Verdict
With a retail price of P19,290, the Garmin Forerunner 170 presents a competitive offering that blurs the line between entry-level and mid-range smartwatches.
While it remains a significant investment compared to some competing models, Garmin’s proven reliability, health tracking capabilities, and training ecosystem make it an attractive option for serious runners and fitness enthusiasts.
Overall, the Forerunner 170 delivers most of the essential features found in Garmin’s higher-end models while remaining relatively accessible to budget-conscious buyers.
For users seeking a smartwatch that combines advanced health monitoring with everyday convenience, the Forerunner 170 could prove to be a worthwhile investment.
Pros
- Reliable Garmin health monitoring technology
- Lightweight design with interchangeable straps
- Garmin Pay enables convenient cashless payments on the go
Cons
- Expensive despite being positioned as an entry-level model
- Charging port placement may lead to corrosion or skin irritation over time
