Garmin Forerunner 975: Is It Real? Release Date and What to Buy Instead
There is no Garmin Forerunner 975: Garmin hasn't announced one and has given no release date. Here's what the current flagship, the Forerunner 970, offers and how it compares with the cheaper 965.
Searching for the Garmin Forerunner 975 release date? As of October 2026 there isn't one: Garmin has not announced a Forerunner 975, and nothing official about its name, specs, price or launch exists. An earlier version of this page presented unconfirmed speculation as if a 975 were on the way; we have rewritten it with what is actually known.
The newest model in the line is the Forerunner 970, released in May 2025.
Will there be a Forerunner 975?
Garmin doesn't pre-announce its watches, so the next Forerunner flagship will appear when Garmin launches it, under whatever name Garmin picks. The recent rhythm: Forerunner 945 in 2019, 955 in 2022, 965 in 2023 and 970 in 2025. Until Garmin says otherwise, treat any "975" specs, prices or dates you see online as guesswork.
Forerunner 970: the current flagship
- 1.4-inch AMOLED display (454×454) under sapphire glass
- Built-in LED flashlight
- Elevate Gen 5 heart-rate sensor with ECG (in supported countries)
- Speaker and microphone for calls through your phone and voice commands
- Up to 15 days in smartwatch mode, up to 26 hours with GPS
- Dual-frequency GPS and on-watch maps
Forerunner 965: the cheaper alternative
The Forerunner 965 (March 2023) has the same size AMOLED screen, dual-frequency GPS, maps and training metrics, and longer battery life: up to 23 days in smartwatch mode and up to 31 hours with GPS. It lacks the flashlight, ECG and speaker, but it usually costs noticeably less than the 970.
Which to buy
If you want the newest features, the flashlight or calls from the wrist, get the 970. If battery life and price matter more, the 965 is still an excellent running and triathlon watch. Compare other models in Garmin watches or all smartwatches.
