Smartwatches / Compare
Garmin Forerunner 970 vs Polar Vantage V3
Product A: Garmin
82 of 150 known
Change Garmin Forerunner 970
Product B: Polar
80 of 150 known
Change Polar Vantage V3
60 of 141 fields differ
- 30 different values
- 30 known for one only
- 30 the same
- 51 missing for both
Biggest differences
Each bar uses the scale of all 101 smartwatches.
- Battery lifeA: 360hB: 264hGarmin is 96 h higher.
Size, drawn to scale
Front and side.
- AGarmin: 47 × 47 mm
- BPolar: 47.3 × 47.3 mm
All 150 fields
Every value links to where we found it.


General
6 of 10 differ
Series
Model numbers
010-02969-00, 010-02969-01, 010-02969-02, 010-02969-10, 010-02969-11, 010-02969-121Maker product pagegarmin.com/en-US/p/1462801Read 30 September 2026US part numbers 010-02969-00, -01, -022Maker product pagegarmin.com/en-GB/p/1462801Read 30 September 2026
5P, 900108890, 900108892, 9001088931Maker product pagepolar.com/en/vantage/v3Read 13 October 2026Page JSON-LD lists SKUs 900108890 (Night Black), 900108892 (Sky Blue) and 900108893 (Sunrise Apricot). SKU 900108891 is Night Black with an H10 chest strap and is excluded. 5P is the model number printed in the manual and regulatory document.
GTIN / EAN
753759349899, 753759349905, 075375934991210Retailer pageabt.com/Garmin-Forerunner-970-Smartwatch-47mm-Carbon-Gray-DLC-Titanium-Case-with-Black-Translucent-Whitestone-Band-0100296900/p/224204.htmlRead 30 September 2026Visible UPC 753759349899 for 00, 753759349905 for 01, and related Product JSON-LD gtin13 0753759349912 for 02.11Retailer pageabt.com/Garmin-Forerunner-970-Smartwatch-47mm-Whitestone-Titanium-Case-with-Whitestone-Translucent-Amp-Yellow-Band-0100296901/p/224205.htmlRead 30 September 2026Visible UPC 753759349905 for exact 010-02969-01.
725882064437, 725882064451, 7258820644681Maker product pagepolar.com/en/vantage/v3Read 13 October 2026JSON-LD gtin12 values for the three watch-only SKUs.
Announced
Status
Predecessor
Garmin Forerunner 96517Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Forerunner-970-Garmin-replaces-Forerunner-965-with-new-smartwatch-that-arrives-for-749.1017596.0.htmlRead 23 October 2026Notebookcheck's headline says Garmin replaces the Forerunner 965 with the Forerunner 970 and the text says the 970 effectively succeeds the 965.
Not available
Successor
Not available
Not available
Launch price (US)
Launch price (EU)
€599.91Maker product pagepolar.com/en/vantage/v3Read 13 October 2026JSON-LD price 599.9 EUR on the global English store page, which matches the launch price in the press reprint. VAT included as published.21Press articleaphnetworks.com/news/27835-polar-announces-new-vantage-v3-watch-preorderRead 13 October 2026EUR 599.90 as printed in the reprint.
Markets
US, GB, DE, EU1Maker product pagegarmin.com/en-US/p/1462801Read 30 September 20262Maker product pagegarmin.com/en-GB/p/1462801Read 30 September 20263Maker product pagegarmin.com/de-DE/p/1462801Read 30 September 2026Same part numbers 010-02969-10, -11, -12
US, EU1Maker product pagepolar.com/en/vantage/v3Read 13 October 2026Global English store lists EUR prices. The US store page also sells it.2Maker product pagepolar.com/us-en/vantage/v3Read 13 October 2026US store page for the Vantage V3 is live. Its current price is higher than the launch price and is not used.
Colours
Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Black Case, Titanium with Whitestone Case, Soft Gold Titanium with French Gray Case1Maker product pagegarmin.com/en-US/p/1462801Read 30 September 2026
Segment
OS updates promised
Not available
Not available
Security updates until
Not available
Not available
Case
6 of 8 differ
Case size
Case shape
Case material
Case material (as published)
Fiber-reinforced polymer case with titanium bezel9Reviewirunfar.com/garmin-forerunner-970-reviewRead 30 September 2026Design and Fit section explicitly distinguishes the polymer case and titanium bezel.
Aerospace aluminium1Maker product pagepolar.com/en/vantage/v3Read 13 October 2026
Back
Not available
Not available
Case dimensions
Height47Width47Thickness12.9mm(1.9 × 1.9 × 0.5 in)1Maker product pagegarmin.com/en-US/p/1462801Read 30 September 2026
Height47.3Width47.3Thickness13.5mm(1.9 × 1.9 × 0.5 in)1Maker product pagepolar.com/en/vantage/v3Read 13 October 2026Tech specs: width 47.3 mm, height 47.3 mm, thickness 13.5 mm. The page does not say whether the sensor bump is included.
Weight (case only)
Not available
Durability
2 of 8 differ
Water resistance
Water resistance standard
Not available
Dust and water rating
Not available
Not available
Dive rating
Not available
Not available
Max dive depth
Not available
Not available
MIL-STD-810
Not available
Not available
MIL-STD-810 tests
Not available
Not available
Operating temperature
Min-20Max50°C1Maker product pagepolar.com/en/vantage/v3Read 13 October 20263Owner's manualsupport.polar.com/e_manuals/vantage-v3/polar-vantage-v3-user-manual-english/technical-specifications.htmRead 13 October 2026Operating temperature -20 to +50 degrees C. The manual battery page limits charging to 0 to 40 degrees C and storage to -10 to 50 degrees C.
Display
5 of 14 differ
Display type
Display type (as published)
Screen size
Resolution
Pixel density
Not available
Display area
Not available
Not available
Touchscreen
Max refresh rate
Not available
Not available
Min refresh rate
Not available
Not available
Minimum brightness
Not available
Not available
Always-on display
Display cover
Display cover (as published)
Sapphire Crystal1Maker product pagegarmin.com/en-US/p/1462801Read 30 September 2026Lens material: Sapphire Crystal. Bezel material: titanium
Corning Gorilla Glass 3 (AF + DLC coating), curved1Maker product pagepolar.com/en/vantage/v3Read 13 October 20263Owner's manualsupport.polar.com/e_manuals/vantage-v3/polar-vantage-v3-user-manual-english/technical-specifications.htmRead 13 October 2026Device materials: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 (AF + DLC coating), aluminum, PBT, silicone, stainless steel, PMMA, PA12+30GF, sapphire OHR lens.
Platform
6 of 15 differ
Platform
OS at launch
Not available
Not available
Software
Not available
Not available
Latest OS
Not available
Works with
Phone requirement
Current Garmin Connect app: iPhone with iOS 18.2 or later, or Android 9 or later with native Google Play Store support. Android Go is not supported.15Maker product pagesupport.garmin.com/en-SGRead 8 October 2026Current official FAQ read through the public search index: Android 9+, native Google Play Store required, Android Go unsupported. It gives general iOS 18+, while the current Garmin-published App Store listing more precisely requires iOS 18.2. The directly opened FAQ returned a script shell, so indexed access is qualified. Older indexed regional iOS 15/Android 7 text is not used as the current app-install requirement. Compatibility still depends on the phone, and Garmin lists some models that did not pass its tests.16Maker product pageapps.apple.com/us/app/garmin-connect/id583446403Read 8 October 2026Current Garmin International App Store listing explicitly requires iOS 18.2 or later and is for iPhone. This is the current companion-app installation minimum, not a claim that this was the watch's launch minimum or that standalone watch functions require an iPhone.
iOS 17 or later, or Android 8 or later with Bluetooth 4.0 capability, running the Polar Flow app17Maker product pagesupport.polar.com/ie-en/polar-flow-app-and-compatible-devicesRead 13 October 2026Minimum requirements for Polar devices: iOS 17 or later, Android 8 or later with Bluetooth 4.0 capability, or a Huawei phone with App Gallery and Huawei Mobile Services. The Vantage V3 is in the page's device list. Polar says compatibility varies between phone makers.
App store
Not available
Voice assistants
Voice Commands, Phone Assistant5Owner's manualwww8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-025D75CF-3445-49E1-8D81-1AA74AB4E00F/EN-US/Forerunner_970_OM_EN-US.pdfRead 8 October 2026Named manual sections Using Voice Commands and Using the Phone Assistant. Phone Assistant relies on the paired smartphone.
Not available
Chipset
Not available
Not available
Process
Not available
Not available
CPU cores
Not available
Not available
CPU configuration
AGarmin Forerunner 970
Not availableBPolar Vantage V3
| Max clock (GHz) |
|---|
| 0.275 |
Max CPU clock
Not available
0.275GHz
GPU
Not available
Not available
Low-power coprocessor
Not available
Not available
Memory
0 of 2 differ
RAM
Not available
Not available
Health sensors
1 of 8 differ
Heart rate sensor
Garmin Elevate Gen 57Reviewdcrainmaker.com/2025/06/garmin-forerunner-970-in-depth-review-brillance.htmlRead 30 September 2026Added Garmin Elevate Gen5 optical HR sensor
Polar Elixir optical heart rate sensor (OHR Gen 4)1Maker product pagepolar.com/en/vantage/v3Read 13 October 2026Tech specs list OHR GEN 4 under the Elixir biosensing set.3Owner's manualsupport.polar.com/e_manuals/vantage-v3/polar-vantage-v3-user-manual-english/technical-specifications.htmRead 13 October 2026Sensors: Elixir, ECG GEN 1, SpO2 GEN 1, Skin Temp GEN 1, OHR GEN 4.
ECG capability
Yes1Maker product pagepolar.com/en/vantage/v3Read 13 October 20263Owner's manualsupport.polar.com/e_manuals/vantage-v3/polar-vantage-v3-user-manual-english/technical-specifications.htmRead 13 October 20268Owner's manualsupport.polar.com/e_manuals/vantage-v3/polar-vantage-v3-user-manual-english/wrist-ecg-measurement.htmRead 13 October 2026Wrist ECG sensor with two electrodes, one on the top-left button and one on the back. For recordings at rest in 30 s. Not intended for medical use.
Blood oxygen sensing
Skin temperature sensing
Blood pressure feature
Not available
Not available
Body composition sensor
Not available
Not available
Skin conductance (EDA)
Not available
Not available
Medical clearances
Not available
Not available
Motion and environment sensors
0 of 9 differ
Accelerometer
Accelerometer range
Not available
Not available
Gyroscope
Barometric altimeter
Compass
Ambient light sensor
Depth gauge
Not available
Not available
Depth gauge range
Not available
Not available
Water temperature sensor
Not available
Not available
Health and fitness
4 of 5 differ
Health features
Continuous heart rate, Heart rate alerts, ECG app, Blood oxygen app, Heart rate variability, Sleep tracking, Stress tracking, Readiness score, Cycle tracking, Temperature-based ovulation1Maker product pagegarmin.com/en-US/p/1462801Read 30 September 2026Heart rate every second, abnormal heart rate alerts (high and low), Garmin ECG app, Pulse Ox, HRV status, advanced sleep, all-day stress, training readiness, women's health. Ovulation from the press release6Press releasegarmin.com/en-US/newsroom/press-release/sports-fitness/garmin-unveils-the-forerunner-570-and-forerunner-970-its-newest-gps-running-and-triathlon-smartwatches-for-performance-driven-athletesRead 30 September 2026Skin temperature helps provide improved period predictions and past ovulation estimates
Continuous heart rate, ECG app, Blood oxygen app, Heart rate variability, Sleep tracking, Sleep stages1Maker product pagepolar.com/en/vantage/v3Read 13 October 2026Feature list names Continuous Heart Rate, Wrist-ECG, SpO2 Test, Sleep Plus Stages, Nightly Recharge and the Orthostatic Test. HRV is shown in the ECG and Nightly Recharge results. ECG is a recording of the heart signal and is not a medical device (see manual and review).
Fitness features
VO2 max, Training load, Recovery advice, Running dynamics, Running power, Pool swim, Open water swim, Strength rep counting, Interval workouts, Route navigation, Turn-by-turn navigation, Trackback, Climb detection, Golf courses1Maker product pagegarmin.com/en-US/p/1462801Read 30 September 2026VO2 max, training load, recovery time, running dynamics, running power, pool and open-water swim, automatic rep counting, interval training, course guidance, TracBack, ClimbPro, 43,000 preloaded golf courses. Turn-by-turn from the press release6Press releasegarmin.com/en-US/newsroom/press-release/sports-fitness/garmin-unveils-the-forerunner-570-and-forerunner-970-its-newest-gps-running-and-triathlon-smartwatches-for-performance-driven-athletesRead 30 September 2026get turn-by-turn directions
VO2 max, Training load, Recovery advice, Running power, Pool swim, Open water swim, Interval workouts, Route navigation, Turn-by-turn navigation, Trackback, Climb detection1Maker product pagepolar.com/en/vantage/v3Read 13 October 2026Feature list: Training Load Pro, Recovery Pro, Wrist-Based Running Power, Swimming Metrics, Track Back, Route Guidance, Hill Splitter, Offline Maps. VO2max comes from the Fitness Test and Running Performance Test, not from a continuous running estimate.11Owner's manualsupport.polar.com/e_manuals/vantage-v3/polar-vantage-v3-user-manual-english/route-guidance.htmRead 13 October 2026Route Guidance with GPX, TCX, Komoot and Strava routes. Turn-by-turn guidance is available for the current route and is on by default for Komoot routes. Hill Splitter (hill-splitter page) detects uphill and downhill sections automatically from GPS speed, distance and barometric altitude. Pool and open water swim metrics are on the swimming-metrics page.
Sport profiles
Not available
Not available
Dive modes
Not available
External sensors
Heart rate strap, Power meter, Speed and cadence, Foot pod, Smart trainer1Maker product pagegarmin.com/en-US/p/1462801Read 30 September 2026HRM, power meter, speed and cadence sensor, foot pod, smart trainer control
Heart rate strap, Power meter, Speed and cadence, Foot pod10Owner's manualsupport.polar.com/e_manuals/vantage-v3/polar-vantage-v3-user-manual-english/compatible-sensors.htmRead 13 October 2026Compatible Bluetooth sensors: Polar H10, H9, Verity Sense and OH1, Polar speed and cadence sensors, third-party power sensors and a Bluetooth stride sensor (pairing-sensors page).
Safety
3 of 6 differ
Fall detection
Not available
Not available
Car crash detection
Not available
Not available
Emergency SOS
Not available
Emergency siren
Not available
Not available
Live location sharing
Not available
Positioning
1 of 3 differ
Positioning
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou1Maker product pagegarmin.com/en-US/p/1462801Read 30 September 2026
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS1Maker product pagepolar.com/en/vantage/v3Read 13 October 2026Tech specs: GPS, Glonass, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS all Yes.9Owner's manualsupport.polar.com/e_manuals/vantage-v3/polar-vantage-v3-user-manual-english/positioning-satellites.htmRead 13 October 2026The watch uses GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and QZSS systems simultaneously.
Dual-band GNSS
Yes1Maker product pagepolar.com/en/vantage/v3Read 13 October 2026Tech specs: Dual-frequency GPS Yes. Product page: L1 / L5 satellite signals.9Owner's manualsupport.polar.com/e_manuals/vantage-v3/polar-vantage-v3-user-manual-english/positioning-satellites.htmRead 13 October 2026Dual-frequency GPS is used by default. A power-save setting uses single-frequency.
Connectivity
6 of 15 differ
Bluetooth
Yes1Maker product pagepolar.com/en/vantage/v3Read 13 October 2026Tech specs: Bluetooth LE. No version number is published.3Owner's manualsupport.polar.com/e_manuals/vantage-v3/polar-vantage-v3-user-manual-english/technical-specifications.htmRead 13 October 2026The watch connects to the phone and sensors with Bluetooth wireless technology, 2.402 to 2.480 GHz.
Bluetooth version
Not available
Not available
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi standard
Not available
Not available
Cellular
Network
Not available
Not available
4G bands
Not available
Not available
5G bands
Not available
Not available
Contactless payments
Not available
Payment services
Not available
Ultra-wideband
Not available
Not available
Satellite
Not available
Not available
Audio
3 of 4 differ
Microphones
Not available
Not available
Calls on the watch
Not available
Controls
3 of 5 differ
Buttons
55Owner's manualwww8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-025D75CF-3445-49E1-8D81-1AA74AB4E00F/EN-US/Forerunner_970_OM_EN-US.pdfRead 8 October 2026Button Functions lists five buttons6Press releasegarmin.com/en-US/newsroom/press-release/sports-fitness/garmin-unveils-the-forerunner-570-and-forerunner-970-its-newest-gps-running-and-triathlon-smartwatches-for-performance-driven-athletesRead 30 September 2026purpose-built 5-button design
Named operating buttons
Upper-left button, Middle-left button, Lower-left button, Upper-right button, Lower-right button5Owner's manualwww8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-025D75CF-3445-49E1-8D81-1AA74AB4E00F/EN-US/Forerunner_970_OM_EN-US.pdfRead 8 October 2026Introduction > Button Functions, printed pages 6-7. These are the manual-published control names, not invented LIGHT/UP/BACK-LAP labels.
Crown
Rotating bezel
Not available
Gestures
Not available
Turn the wrist to switch on the backlight, Slap the display to mark a lap during training5Owner's manualsupport.polar.com/e_manuals/vantage-v3/polar-vantage-v3-user-manual-english/button-functions.htmRead 13 October 2026Backlight switches on when the wrist is turned. Slapping the display firmly marks a lap during training.
Battery and charging
6 of 13 differ
Battery capacity
Not available
Claimed battery life
AGarmin Forerunner 970
| Mode | With solar | Hours (h) |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch | No | 360 |
| GPS | No | 26 |
| GPS, automatic system selection | No | 23 |
| GPS, dual-band | No | 21 |
| GPS with music | No | 14 |
| GPS, automatic system selection with music | No | 13 |
| GPS, dual-band with music | No | 12 |
BPolar Vantage V3
| Mode | With solar | Hours (h) |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch | No | 264 |
| GPS, dual-band | No | 42 |
| GPS, dual-band, always-on display | No | 28 |
| Max battery GPS | No | 110 |
Source1Maker product pagepolar.com/en/vantage/v3Read 13 October 2026Tech specs: Performance training mode 42 h, Eco training mode 110 h, Smartwatch mode 11 days (264 h). The same page's marketing text still says up to 140 hours of training time, which the tech specs and the manual no longer match.3Owner's manualsupport.polar.com/e_manuals/vantage-v3/polar-vantage-v3-user-manual-english/technical-specifications.htmRead 13 October 2026Performance training mode up to 42 h (dual-frequency GPS, optical HR on, GPS rate every second). Eco training mode up to 110 h (single-frequency GPS, rate every 2 min). Smartwatch mode up to 11 days with continuous HR and phone notifications on.4Maker product pagesupport.polar.com/en/battery-lifetime-and-operational-time-vantage-v3Read 13 October 2026Support page scenarios, all with Always-on display off. Performance up to 42 h: OHR on, dual-frequency GPS every 1 s, running. Eco up to 110 h: OHR off, single-frequency GPS every 2 min, cycling. Smartwatch up to 11 days: 24/7 OHR on, phone notifications on, Do Not Disturb 8 h at night, no training. 11 days is 264 h. The Eco row is stored as the maximum-saving GPS mode.20Reviewdcrainmaker.com/2023/11/polar-vantage-v3-in-depth-review-test.htmlRead 13 October 2026Polar told the reviewer the battery lasts up to 28 h with always-on display, dual-frequency GPS and optical HR on, outside strong direct sunlight. About 12 h in strong direct sunlight. Stored as the always-on dual-frequency row.
Smartwatch mode (claimed)
360h
264h
AOD battery life (up to)
Not available
Not available
GPS mode (claimed)
26h
Not available
Solar charging
Not available
Not available
Charging method
Charging guidance
Not available
Charge with the included Polar Charge 2.0 cable (USB-C at the adapter end). A USB power adapter is not included. Polar asks for an adapter marked output 5 Vdc that provides at least 500 mA. The watch can charge during training.6Owner's manualsupport.polar.com/e_manuals/vantage-v3/polar-vantage-v3-user-manual-english/batteries.htmRead 13 October 2026Use the included USB cable. A wall charger is not included and must be marked output 5 Vdc with at least 500 mA. Charging during training is possible. Charge only between 0 and 40 degrees C.
Max charging power (watch)
Not available
Not available
Fast charging
Not available
Not available
Quick charge claim
Not available
Not available
Charge 0 to 80% (claimed)
Not available
Not available
Full charge time (claimed)
Not available
Not available
Measured
2 of 4 differ
Peak brightness (measured)
Not available
Not available
Battery life (measured)
Not available
Not available
Battery tests (measured)
AGarmin Forerunner 970
| Test | Hours (h) |
|---|---|
| GPS activity | 25 |
| Mixed use, always-on | 60 |
Source7Reviewdcrainmaker.com/2025/06/garmin-forerunner-970-in-depth-review-brillance.htmlRead 30 September 2026Basics > battery: observational 2.5 days with AOD and high default brightness, plus GPS workouts. 60 h is an exact conversion of the stated 2.5 days, but not a standardized lab benchmark.8Measurementoutdoorgearlab.com/reviews/camping-and-hiking/gps-watch/garmin-forerunner-970Read 30 September 2026Battery Life section: 25 hours continuously recorded in normal GPS mode. A separate 60 h mixed-use AOD observation from DC Rainmaker uses default high brightness and 1-3 h GPS workouts per day.
BPolar Vantage V3
Not availableFull charge time (measured)
95min8Measurementoutdoorgearlab.com/reviews/camping-and-hiking/gps-watch/garmin-forerunner-970Read 30 September 2026Measured Charging Time table: 95 min. Watch case 47 mm. Charger/adapter and precise endpoints are not specified on the product review page.13Reviewoutdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-gps-watchRead 30 September 2026Forerunner 970 table: measured charging time 95 min. Battery Life methodology describes empty-to-full charging and default settings. Charger/adapter not specified.
Not available
Strap
3 of 6 differ
Lug width
Quick-release strap
Strap system
Standard 22 mm spring bars with a quick-release knob. No adapters needed7Owner's manualsupport.polar.com/e_manuals/vantage-v3/polar-vantage-v3-user-manual-english/changeable-wristband.htmRead 13 October 2026Compatible with standard 22 mm wristbands, no adapters needed. Metal bands are not recommended because they can affect GPS accuracy.
Strap material
Strap
Not available
Polar Silicone Wristband, 22 mm1Maker product pagepolar.com/en/vantage/v3Read 13 October 2026What's included lists Polar Silicone Wristband, 22mm.
Strap sizes
AGarmin Forerunner 970
| Wrist (min) (mm) | Wrist (max) (mm) |
|---|---|
| 135 | 205 |
BPolar Vantage V3
Not availableRegulatory
1 of 3 differ
FCC ID
Not available
SAR limb (US)
Not available
Not available
SAR limb (EU)
Not available
Other certifications
Not available
Not available
In the box
1 of 2 differ
In the box
Forerunner 970 GPS running watch, Charging cable, Documentation1Maker product pagegarmin.com/en-US/p/1462801Read 30 September 2026In the Box tab
Polar Vantage V3, Polar Silicone Wristband, 22 mm, Polar Charge 2.01Maker product pagepolar.com/en/vantage/v3Read 13 October 2026What's included for Night Black: Polar Vantage V3, Polar Silicone Wristband 22mm, Polar Charge 2.0. A review unit also held a second, smaller strap, which the page does not list.
Links
Not compared
Product page
Spec sheet
Manual
EPREL registration number
Not available
Not available
Warranty
1 of 1 differ
Both are also in the API. Back to all smartwatches.













