Sunday Runday
In this weekly column, Android Central Wearables Editor Michael Hicks talks about the world of wearables, apps, and fitness tech related to running and health, in his quest to get faster and more fit.
Garmin-loving runners are eagerly awaiting a new Garmin Forerunner 975 or Forerunner 275. The last models launched in March 2023, but we’ve yet to see any concrete leaks despite the usual two-year gap.
The 5Krunner excited everyone by suggesting a mystery Garmin device at the FCC might be the Forerunner 975; a closer look suggested it’s a rectangular, non-watch device, meaning the Forerunners still aren’t imminent. But the mere suggestion set my brain racing on what the new 975 and 275 should offer whenever they do arrive.
I’ve reviewed about a dozen Garmin watches, and the Forerunner series has always catered directly to me as a runner and hiker. The Fenix 8 has obvious perks to justify the $1,100 price tag, but the Forerunner 965 remains my favorite smartwatch I’ve ever worn. I’m predictably excited for the next one!
Maybe Garmin thought March 2025 would put the new Forerunners too close to the Instinct 3 launch, or its schedule is still messy after the three-year wait for the MIP Forerunner 955, followed by a nine-month wait for the AMOLED 965.
Either way, I think it’s fair to expect a Forerunner 275 and 975 in the next three months, and I think it’ll be the most important launch Garmin has this year. Why? It’ll show whether Garmin has any new ideas for serious runners and their training — or if it’ll rely on incremental upgrades and gimmicks.
What’s the post-AMOLED plan, Garmin?
The Garmin Venu series started the company’s AMOLED experiment, but it was really the Garmin Forerunner 265 and 965 launch in 2023 that, in hindsight, kicked off AMOLED as the new normal. Since then, the Fenix, Vivoactive, and Instinct lineups have transitioned partially or fully to AMOLED.
Now the question is, what’s next?
Garmin spent the last few years pushing useful tools like multi-band GPS and improved Elevate health sensors across its sub-brands. Most recently, we’ve seen flashy hardware changes like the mic/speaker on the Venu 3 and the flashlight on the Instinct 3.
But there are signs that the rate of innovation is slowing down, especially for the mid-tier watches. Just look at the Instinct 3, which didn’t get the new Elevate v5 sensors for ECG and skin temp readings, nor the Fenix 8’s new UI or any kind of mapping support. It was a significant but safe upgrade over the Instinct 2.
The Forerunner 275 will clarify how Garmin’s tiered system will work moving forward — whether Garmin continues to price-lock features that you’ll see on much cheaper rival watches or not. The Forerunner 975 will show what Garmin has planned next to keep its core audience of serious runners and cyclists happy. Will it be flash or substance?
What’s the post-AMOLED plan, Garmin?
The Garmin Venu series started the company’s AMOLED experiment, but it was really the Garmin Forerunner 265 and 965 launch in 2023 that, in hindsight, kicked off AMOLED as the new normal. Since then, the Fenix, Vivoactive, and Instinct lineups have transitioned partially or fully to AMOLED.
Now the question is, what’s next?
Garmin spent the last few years pushing useful tools like multi-band GPS and improved Elevate health sensors across its sub-brands. Most recently, we’ve seen flashy hardware changes like the mic/speaker on the Venu 3 and the flashlight on the Instinct 3.
But there are signs that the rate of innovation is slowing down, especially for the mid-tier watches. Just look at the Instinct 3, which didn’t get the new Elevate v5 sensors for ECG and skin temp readings, nor the Fenix 8’s new UI or any kind of mapping support. It was a significant but safe upgrade over the Instinct 2.
The Forerunner 275 will clarify how Garmin’s tiered system will work moving forward — whether Garmin continues to price-lock features that you’ll see on much cheaper rival watches or not. The Forerunner 975 will show what Garmin has planned next to keep its core audience of serious runners and cyclists happy. Will it be flash or substance?