lack of smart featureslack of smart features
The new Forerunner 970 is here, but honestly, I’m disappointed. In my opinion, the price is highly inflated – currently around €750, which is simply too much for what you actually get. At this price point, I expected significantly more.
What surprised and disappointed me the most is the lack of smart features – such as the ability to take voice notes using the microphone, natively and without relying on third-party apps or hidden costs. I also expected better social media integration and features like a live AI coach with real-time motivation during activities. In my opinion, these should be standard for a premium product in 2025.
Take the Huawei Watch, for example – it's much more affordable and already includes features like blood pressure monitoring. Amazfit also delivers solid performance in many areas and offers great value at a much lower price. So it really makes me wonder why Garmin, in my view, is missing the mark when it comes to innovation and smart functionality.
The battery life has also worsened compared to the previous model, which adds to the overall disappointment. Sure, the Forerunner 970 has strengths – like precise elevation tracking and advanced performance metrics – but those alone don't justify a €750 price tag.
Personally, I’ll wait a month or two – I doubt many people will buy it at this price. In my view, €450 to €500 would be far more reasonable. Anything beyond that simply doesn’t align with the actual user value.
To be honest, I believe 90% of users don’t even need all the advanced features Garmin tries to pack in. And with the current strong competition and much lower prices from other brands, I’ll wait until Garmin comes back to reality and stops pursuing this detached and arrogant strategy.
This arrogance, in my opinion, is reflected in the lack of communication about updates and development, and in the weak branding that fails to create an emotional connection with users. If I’m spending that much money, I expect regular feature tips, usage ideas, and smart content to make the most of the product – not silence.
Frankly, the brand is starting to feel snobbish and focused solely on luxury – and that’s not something I want to support. I’m just a normal, active person. I don’t want to wear a device that makes me feel like a target of threats or attacks just because someone notices I’m wearing a Garmin.
I understand that there are expensive watches out there and that price should reflect features and performance – but here, the balance is missing.
What I want to express is my personal opinion that Garmin has a noticeable image and communication problem. My own experience with the Fenix 7 has left me disappointed and hesitant about future purchases.
After just 1.5 years of use, my Fenix 7's battery capacity dropped to 40%. If I buy a Forerunner for €750,- I expect longevity—or at least a clear battery replacement path. It’s unreasonable for such premium devices to degrade so quickly without proper support. Batteries naturally wear down, but having to consider a new watch after just two years feels neither sustainable nor cost-effective. To me, this is neither ecological nor justified for such an expensive product.
Beyond battery concerns, I’ve encountered other issues with the Fenix 7. What frustrates me most is Garmin’s lack of transparency when it comes to official statements, solutions, and warranty support. Without clear communication, it’s hard to trust that investing in another high-end Garmin device is worth it.
