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【Hardcore Gadget Geek's Review】Garmin Forerunner 170 Review: Out May 28, JPY 47,800, 41g With About 10 Days of Battery, Suica Payments and an Altimeter
The Garmin Forerunner 170 is a running smartwatch with a 1.2-inch AMOLED display and built-in GPS. It went on sale May 28, 2026 at JPY 47,800 (tax included). It weighs 41g and lasts about 10 days, or about 20 hours in GPS mode. Over the Forerunner 70 it adds Garmin Pay with Suica support, an altimeter, a barometer and an electronic compass for JPY 8,000.
Key points
- Release date: May 28, 2026. JPY 47,800 tax included (JPY 55,800 for the 170 Music)
- 41g, a 1.2-inch AMOLED (390 x 390), 5 ATM water resistance
- About 10 days of battery, about 20 hours in GPS mode. 3 days and 3 hours less than the Forerunner 70
[Released May 28, 2026] Garmin Forerunner 170
The Forerunner 170 is the 70 plus Suica and an altimeter
The Forerunner 170 is a Garmin running watch that went on sale May 28, 2026. At JPY 47,800 (tax included) it sits above the Forerunner 70 (JPY 39,800) that came out the same day.
The display is a 1.2-inch AMOLED (390 x 390 pixels), the same as the 70. It weighs 41g, just 1g more than the 70.
As an IT consultant (SE), I build the difference table first. This article is built around the subtraction from the 70.
How I judged it
First, what you add. The 170 gets an altimeter, barometer, electronic compass, gyro sensor and Garmin Pay (Suica support). That helps people who run hilly roads or want to run without a wallet.
Next, the price and the battery you lose. The gap is JPY 8,000, about 20% of the 70 (8,000 / 39,800). Battery is about 10 vs 13 days in watch mode, and about 20 vs 23 hours with GPS.
Over a year the 170 costs about JPY 131 a day (47,800 / 365). The JPY 8,000 gap alone is about JPY 22 a day (8,000 / 365).
If you can't decide, take the 170. The reason: Suica-ready Garmin Pay and an altimeter come with a JPY 8,000 gap.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Garmin Forerunner 170
Rakuten Ichiba is a Japanese marketplace. Overseas shipping depends on the shop.
Buying from outside Japan? Sign up free for Rakuten Global Express (Rakuten's official forwarding service) and check out with its Japan warehouse address → full guide
When did the Forerunner 170 come out? Price and specs
| Item | Forerunner 170 |
|---|---|
| Release date | May 28, 2026 (pre-orders from May 21) |
| Price (tax incl.) | JPY 47,800 (170 Music: JPY 55,800) |
| Weight | 41g |
| Size | 42.6 x 42.6 x 11.9mm |
| Display | 1.2-inch AMOLED, 390 x 390 |
| Battery (smartwatch mode) | About 10 days |
| Battery (GPS mode) | About 20 hours |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM |
| Sensors, payments | Altimeter, barometer, compass, gyro / Garmin Pay (Suica) |
Only the 170 Music stores music on the watch, with about 6.5 hours in music mode. Wi-Fi is also a 170 Music feature.
How does it differ from the Forerunner 70?
| Item | Forerunner 170 | Forerunner 70 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (tax incl.) | JPY 47,800 | JPY 39,800 | +JPY 8,000 (about +20%) |
| Weight | 41g | 40g | +1g |
| Battery (watch mode) | About 10 days | About 13 days | -3 days (about -23%) |
| Battery (GPS) | About 20 hours | About 23 hours | -3 hours (about -13%) |
| Garmin Pay (Suica) | Yes | ― | 170 only |
| Altimeter, barometer, compass | Yes | ― | 170 only |
Take the 70 for battery, the 170 for Suica and the altimeter. For the 70's numbers, see the Forerunner 70 review.
If lightness and price come first, I also wrote up the band-type CIRQA Smart Band.
Strengths and things to note
Strengths
Suica works. With Garmin Pay you can pay with Suica from your wrist, without taking out a wallet or phone.
More numbers for hills. The altimeter and barometer measure how high you climb and drop.
41g and about 10 days. You get that weight and battery even with an AMOLED display.
Things to note
Battery is shorter than the 70's, at about 20 hours in GPS mode. Music storage and Wi-Fi are only on the higher 170 Music. It costs JPY 8,000 more than the 70.
Who is it for?
People who run courses with hills and want to see altitude. People who want to pay with Suica from the wrist and run without a wallet.
If battery length and price come first, the Forerunner 70 is another way to choose.
Price and where to buy
JPY 47,800 tax included, sold at Garmin's Rakuten Ichiba store and others. Over a year, that is about JPY 131 a day (47,800 / 365).
If you can't decide, take the 170. The reason: for JPY 8,000 more you get Suica-ready Garmin Pay and an altimeter, barometer and compass.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Garmin Forerunner 170
Rakuten Ichiba is a Japanese marketplace. Overseas shipping depends on the shop.
Buying from outside Japan? Sign up free for Rakuten Global Express (Rakuten's official forwarding service) and check out with its Japan warehouse address → full guide
For all three Garmin models side by side, see the best Garmin smartwatches. If you want to hear your surroundings while you run, read the best open-ear and bone-conduction earphones too.
FAQ
When did the Forerunner 170 come out?
It went on sale May 28, 2026, with pre-orders from May 21, at JPY 47,800 (tax included).
How is it different from the Forerunner 70?
It costs JPY 8,000 more and has 3 days (watch mode) and 3 hours (GPS) less battery, but adds Garmin Pay (Suica), an altimeter, a barometer, a compass and a gyro.
What is the difference from the 170 Music?
The 170 Music costs JPY 55,800 (JPY 8,000 more) and stores music on the watch, with about 6.5 hours in music mode. Wi-Fi is also a 170 Music feature.
About the writer and sources
Written by a gadget nerd who works as an IT consultant (SE). At work I start from the difference table, and I built this article's numbers as a subtraction from the Forerunner 70 first.
Release date and price were re-checked on Oct 27 against Garmin Japan's announcement. Last updated Oct 27. Sources are listed below.
