WatchFitTool

Garmin Descent™ G2 vs Garmin Forerunner® 970Size, Specs & Wrist Fit Compared

The Garmin Forerunner® 970 wears larger than the Garmin Descent™ G2 (47mm vs 45.5mm case), giving it more wrist presence — and needing a wider wrist to sit cleanly.

The Garmin Forerunner® 970 is the slimmer of the two (12.9mm vs 15.2mm), so it slides under a cuff more easily.

On the wrist the Garmin Forerunner® 970 feels lighter (56g vs 65g, case only).

Specification Comparison

SpecGarminDescent™ G2GarminForerunner® 970
Case Width45.5mm47mm
Thickness15.2mm12.9mm
Weight65g56g
ShapeCircularCircular
GPSYesYes
Battery LifeDive Mode: Up to 27 hours Smartwatch: Up to 10 days (4 days always-on) Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 12 days GPS Only: Up to 20 hours All Satellite Systems: Up to 15 hours Max Battery GPS: Up to 44 hours Expedition GPS: Up to 10 daysSmartwatch mode: Up to 15 days GPS-Only GNSS mode: Up to 26 hours SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS mode: Up to 23 hours All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band: Up to 21 hours GPS-Only GNSS mode with music: Up to 14 hours SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS mode with music: Up to 13 hours All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band with music: Up to 12 hours See Details
DisplayAMOLEDAMOLED (optional always-on mode)
Released20252025

Full Specification Comparison

348 specs
SpecGarmin Descent™ G2Garmin Forerunner® 970
Overview
FamilyGarminGarmin
General
Battery lifeDive Mode: Up to 27 hours Smartwatch: Up to 10 days (4 days always-on) Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 12 days GPS Only: Up to 20 hours All Satellite Systems: Up to 15 hours Max Battery GPS: Up to 44 hours Expedition GPS: Up to 10 daysSmartwatch mode: Up to 15 days GPS-Only GNSS mode: Up to 26 hours SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS mode: Up to 23 hours All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band: Up to 21 hours GPS-Only GNSS mode with music: Up to 14 hours SatIQ (AutoSelect) GNSS mode with music: Up to 13 hours All-Systems GNSS mode + Multi-Band with music: Up to 12 hours See Details
Display Size1.2" (30.4 mm) diameter1.4" (35.3 mm) diameter
Case materialfiber-reinforced ocean-bound plastic
Color displayYesYes
Lens Materialsapphire crystalSapphire Crystal
Bezel Materialfiber-reinforced ocean-bound plastictitanium
Memory/History4 GB32 GB
Strap materialsiliconesilicone
Charging methodGarmin proprietary clip chargerGarmin proprietary plug charger
Large font optionYesYes
Display resolution390 x 390 pixels454 x 454 pixels
Leakproof inductive buttonsYes
QuickFit® watch band compatibleyes (22 mm)yes (22 mm)
Battery typeLithium ion
Built-in speaker/microphoneYes
Sensors
GPSYesYes
CompassYesYes
GLONASSYesYes
GalileoYesYes
GyroscopeYesYes
ThermometerYesYes
Depth sensorYes
AccelerometerYesYes
Barometric altimeterYesYes
Pulse Ox Blood Oxygen Saturation MonitorYesYes
Garmin Elevate™ wrist heart rate monitorYesYes
QZSSYes
BeiDouYes
SatIQ™ TechnologyYes
Ambient light sensorYes
Product Info
Main SKU010-02986-00010-02969-00
Product ID15589771462801
Product NameDescent™ G2Forerunner® 970
Release Date2/14/20255/15/2025
Product VariationBlack with Black BandCarbon Gray DLC Titanium with Black Case and Black/Translucent Whitestone Band
Clock Features
TimerYesYes
StopwatchYesYes
Time/dateYesYes
Alarm clockYesYes
GPS Time SyncYesYes
Sunrise/sunset timesYesYes
Automatic daylight saving timeYesYes
Diving Features
PO2Up to 2.0 with customizable deco PO2 setting
TidesYes
Backlightyes (configurable time and intensity; auto-on at depth)
Gas mixesAir, Nitrox and Trimix up to 100% O2; 1 bottom gas and up to 11 deco and/or backup gasses.
APNEA modeYes
Deep Stopsyes (using custom gradient factors)
Gauge modeYes
Pool APNEAYes
No fly timeYes
Safety Stopyes (customizable off/3min/5min)
Dive planneryes (basic NDL + multi-gas deco planner)
Dive readinessYes
Multi-gas modeYes
Nitrox supportYes
Trimix supportYes
APNEA hunt modeYes
Alerts & alarmsAudible and vibration alarms for ascent rate, PO2, CNS/OTU, NDL, deco, gas switching. Customizable (up to 40) audible and/or vibration per dive mode, based on depth or time
Single-gas modeYes
3-axis dive compassyes (with adjustable heading, quick change to 90R, 90L and reciprocal). Indicates degrees and direction back to set heading
Auto start/end diveYes
Decompression modelBühlmann ZHL-16c with gradient factors
Missed Deco Lockoutyes (can be disabled prior to dive with user acknowledgement)
Custom end-dive timeoutyes (20s to 10 m)
Custom dive data screensYes
Customizable conservatismyes (low/medium/high or custom using gradient factors)
Surface diver status widgetyes (surface interval, N2/HE loading, CNS, OTU and tissue compartment status)
Automatic altitude adjustmentYes
Residual Tissue Loading Resetyes (on the surface with user acknowledgement)
Closed Circuit Rebreather (CCR)Yes
Dive ascent/descent rate indicatorYes
Dive activity maximum operating depth100 meters
Sync dive log to Garmin Dive™ Mobile appYes
Automatically saves dive entry and exit locationsYes
Gaming Features
Gaming ActivityYes
GameOn™ app compatibleYes
Cycling Features
CoursesYesYes
MTB Grit & FlowYesYes
Race an activityYesYes
Power meter compatibleYesYes
Advanced cycling dynamicsYesYes
Compatible with Varia™ lightsYesYes
FTP (Functional Threshold Power)yes (with compatible accessory)yes (with compatible accessory)
Speed and cadence sensor support (w/sensor)YesYes
Bike lap and lap maximum power (with power sensor)YesYes
Compatible with Varia™ radar (rear-facing radar)YesYes
Compatible with Vector™ and Rally™ (power meters)YesYes
Compatible with Varia Vision™ (head-mounted display)YesYes
Alerts (triggers alarm when you reach goals including time, distance, heart rate or calories)YesYes
Power guideYes
Power curve and % FTP workoutsYes
Compatible with Varia headlight cameraYes
Cycle Map (routable cycling-specific street map)Yes
Golfing Features
Tournament legalYesYes
Digital scorecardYesYes
Garmin AutoShot™YesYes
Round timer/odometerYesYes
Auto CourseView updatesYesYes
Yardage to layups/doglegsYesYes
Hazards and course targetsYesYes
Pairs with Garmin Golf appYesYes
Green View with manual pin positionYesYes
CT10 Automatic club tracking compatible (requires accessory)YesYes
Yardage to F/M/B (distance to front, middle and back of green)YesYes
Stat tracking (strokes, putts per round, greens and fairways hit)YesYes
Measures shot distance (calculates exact yardage for shots from anywhere on course)manualautomatic
PinPointerYes
Handicap scoringYes
Preloaded with 43,000 courses worldwideYes
Running Features
Run workoutsYesYes
Running powerYesYes
Race predictorYesYes
Foot pod capableYesYes
Running dynamicsYesYes
Lactate thresholdyes (with compatible accessory)Yes
Grade-adjusted paceYesYes
Trail run auto climbYesYes
Performance conditionYesYes
Run/Walk/Stand detectionYesYes
Stride length (real time)YesYes
PacePro™ Pacing StrategiesYesYes
Vertical oscillation and ratioYesYes
Ground contact time and balanceYesyes (GCT balance with accessory)
GPS-based distance, time and paceYesYes
Cadence (provides real-time number of steps per minute)YesYes
Hill scoreYes
Running Economyyes (with compatible accessory)
Step speed lossyes (with compatible accessory)
Running ToleranceYes
Projected race time and paceYes
Course- and weather-specific race predictorYes
What You'll Love
TouchscreenYesYes
Display typeAMOLEDAMOLED (optional always-on mode)
Water ratingDive (100 meters)5 ATM
Garmin Pay™YesYes
Training statusYesyes (improved)
Training readinessYesYes
Pulse Ox blood oxygenyes (spot-check, during sleep, all day)yes (spot-check, and optional all-day acclimation and in sleep)
Sleep score and insightsYesYes
Battery life (smartwatch mode)up to 10 days (4 days always-on)Up to 15 days
Music storageYes
Garmin ECG AppYes
LED flashlightYes
Multi-band GPSYes
Built-in mappingYes
Make calls and send texts via voiceyes (with paired compatible smartphone)
Activity Profiles
GymStrength, HIIT, Cardio, Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Floor Climbing, Indoor RowingStrength, HIIT, Cardio, Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Floor Climbing, Indoor Rowing, Jump Roping
DiveDiving
SwimPool Swimming, Open Water SwimmingPool Swimming, Open Water Swimming
CyclingBiking, Road Biking, Mountain Biking, Gravel Biking, Bike Commuting, Bike Touring, eBiking, eMountain Biking, Indoor Biking, Cyclocross, BMXBiking, Road Biking, Mountain Biking, Gravel Biking, Bike Commuting, Bike Touring, eBiking, eMountain Biking, Indoor Biking, Cyclocross, BMX
WellnessWalking, Pilates, Yoga , Indoor WalkingWalking, Pilates, Yoga, Indoor Walking, Mobility
MultisportSwimming/Running, TriathlonTriathlon, Duathlon, Brick, Pool Triathlon, Swimming/Running
In the ringBoxing, Mixed Martial ArtsBoxing, Mixed Martial Arts
Team sportsBasketball, Volleyball, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Football/Soccer, American Football, Lacrosse, Rugby, Ultimate Disc, Cricket, Softball, BaseballBasketball, Volleyball, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Football/Soccer, American Football, Lacrosse, Rugby, Ultimate Disc, Cricket, Softball, Baseball
Motor sportsMotorcycling, Overlanding, Motocrossing, ATVing, SnowmobilingMotorcycling, Overlanding, Motocrossing, ATVing, Snowmobiling
On the WaterStand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Kayaking, Surfing, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing, Fishing, Boating, Water Skiing, Wakeboarding, Wakesurfing, Tubing, Snorkeling, WhitewaterStand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Kayaking, Fishing, Boating, Sailing, Sail Racing, Snorkeling, Sailing Expedition
Racket sportsTennis, Pickleball, Badminton, Squash, Table Tennis, Padel, Platform Tennis, RacquetballTennis, Pickleball, Badminton, Squash, Table Tennis, Padel, Platform Tennis, Racquetball
Snow & winterSkiing, Snowboarding, Backcountry Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, Backcountry Skiing, Ice Skating, SnowshoeingSkiing, Snowboarding, Backcountry Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, XC Skate Skiing, Backcountry Skiing, Ice Skating, Snowshoeing
Indoor runningTreadmill Running, Indoor Track Running, Virtual RunningTreadmill Running, Indoor Track Running, Virtual Running
Outdoor runningRunning, Outdoor Track Running, Trail Running, Obstacle RacingRunning, Outdoor Track Running, Trail Running, Ultra Running, Obstacle Racing
Outdoor recreationHiking, Indoor Climbing, Bouldering, Climbing, Hunting, Horseback Riding, Golfing, Disc Golf, ArcheryHiking, Rucking, Mountaineering, Indoor Climbing, Bouldering, Hunting, Horseback Riding, Golfing, Disc Golf, Archery
Other activity profilesTactical, Inline SkatingInline skating
Swimming Features
Pool swim workoutsYesYes
Time and distance alertsYesYes
Auto rest (pool swim only)YesYes
Drill logging (pool swim only)YesYes
Countdown start (pool swim only)YesYes
Underwater wrist-based heart rateYesYes
"Repeat on" rest timer (pool swim only)YesYes
Basic rest timer (up from 0) (pool swim only)YesYes
Stroke type detection (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly) (pool swim only)YesYes
Pool swim metrics (lengths, distance, pace, stroke count, swim efficiency (SWOLF), calories)YesYes
Open-water swim metrics (distance, pace, stroke count/rate, stroke distance, swim efficiency (SWOLF), calories)YesYes
Heart rate from external HRM (real-time during rests, interval and session stats during rests, and automatic heart rate download post-swim)yes (with HRM-Tri, HRM-Swim, HRM-Pro or HRM-Pro Plus)yes (with HRM-Swim, HRM-Pro, HRM-Pro Plus or HRM 600)
Critical swim speedYes
Pacing alerts (pool swim only)Yes
Tactical Features
XERO™ LocationsYes
Dual grid coordinatesYes
Outdoor Recreation
TidesYes
TracBack®YesYes
Sight 'N GoYesYes
Tide glanceYes
Back to startYesYes
Fish forecastYesyes (via Connect IQ™)
UltraTrac modeYesYes
Vertical speedYesYes
GPS coordinatesYesYes
Reference pointYes
Area calculationyes (via Connect IQ™)yes (via Connect IQ™)
Elevation profileYesYes
Projected waypointYesYes
Total ascent/descentYesYes
Future elevation plotYesYes
Distance to destinationYesYes
Expedition GPS ActivityYesYes
Sun and moon informationYesYes
Point-to-point navigationYesYes
Rest Timer (Ultra Run only)YesYes
Bread crumb trail in real timeYesYes
Barometric trend indicator with Storm AlertYesYes
Up AheadYes
Auto restYes
Explore NearbyYes
NextFork™ navigationYes
Preloaded ski resort mapsYes
ClimbPro™ Ascent PlannerYes
Preloaded road and trail mapsYes
Downloadable cartography supportYes
Daily Smart Features
CalendarYesYes
ConnectivityBluetooth® Smart, ANT+®Bluetooth®, ANT+®, Wi-Fi®
Garmin ShareYesYes
Find My PhoneYesYes
Find My WatchYesYes
VIRB® RemoteYes
Morning reportYesYes
Red shift modeYesYes
Weather forecastsYesYes
Smart NotificationsYesYes
Smart trainer controlYesYes
Smartphone compatibilityiPhone®, Android™iPhone®, Android™
Controls smartphone musicYesYes
On-device Connect IQ™ StoreYesYes
Find My Phone during GPS activityYesYes
Pairs with Garmin Connect™ MobileYesYes
Compatible with Garmin Messenger appYesYes
Battery saver (customizable low power watch)YesYes
Realtime settings sync with Garmin Connect™ mobileYesYes
View images from notifications on watch (Android™ only)YesYes
Text response/reject phone call with text (Android™ only)YesYes
Connect IQ™ (downloadable watch faces, data fields and apps)YesYes
Stocksyes (optional Connect IQ app)
PasscodeYes
Voice commandYes
Evening reportYes
Plays and controls watch musicYes
Bluetooth phone calling and voice assistant supportYes
Activity Tracking Features
TrueUp™YesYes
Move IQ™YesYes
Step counterYesYes
Floors climbedYesYes
Calories burnedYesYes
Distance traveledYesYes
Intensity minutesYesYes
Automatic rep countingYesYes
Garmin Connect™ Challenges appyes (optional Connect IQ app)yes (optional Connect IQ app)
Move alerts (displays on device after a period of inactivity)YesYes
Auto goal (learns your activity level and assigns a daily step goal)YesYes
Workout and Training Plans
HIIT workoutsYesYes
Yoga workoutsYesYes
Cardio workoutsYesYes
Pilates workoutsYesYes
Strength workoutsYesYes
Garmin Cycling CoachYesYes
Garmin Running CoachYesYes
Garmin Running Coach ExpertsYesYes
On-screen workout animationsYesYes
On-screen workout muscle mapsYesYes
Daily Suggested Workout - CyclingYes
Daily Suggested Workout - RunningYes
Daily Suggested Workout - WalkingYes
Garmin Coach - Prebuilt Cycling PlansYesYes
Multisport workoutsYes
Garmin Triathlon CoachYes
Garmin Coach - StrengthYes
Daily Suggested Workout - Cycling (Pace and Heart Rate Based)Yes
Daily Suggested Workout - Running (Pace and Heart Rate Based)Yes
Health & Wellness Monitoring
SleepYesyes (advanced)
Hydrationyes (in Garmin Connect™)yes (in Garmin Connect™ and optional Connect IQ™ widget)
BreathworkYesYes
Fitness ageYesYes
Sleep coachYesYes
Nap detectionYesYes
All-day stressYesYes
Women's healthyes (in Garmin Connect™)yes (in Garmin Connect™ and optional Connect IQ™ widget)
Health snapshotYesYes
Respiration rateYesYes
Resting heart rateYesYes
Relaxation remindersYesYes
Abnormal heart rate alertsyes (high and low)yes (high and low)
Relaxation breathing timerYesYes
Body Battery™ energy monitorYesYes
Wrist-based heart rate (constant, every second)YesYes
MeditationYes
Jet lag adviserYes
Skin temperatureYes
Breathing variationsYes
Safety and Tracking Features
AssistanceYesYes
Live Event SharingYesAndroid™ Only
Incident Detection during select activitiesYesYes
Incident detection alert on phone for wearablesYesYes
Kid Activity Tracking Features
Toe-to-Toe™ Challenges appyes (optional Connect IQ Toe-to-Toe™ Challenges app)
Training, Planning and Analysis Features
% HRRYesYes
% HR maxYesYes
HR zonesYesYes
HR alertsYesYes
ShortcutsYesYes
HRV statusYesYes
Manual lapYesYes
Auto max HRYesYes
Auto scrollYesYes
Finish timeYesYes
HR caloriesYesYes
Voice alertsYesYes
Custom alertsYesYes
Physio TrueUpYesYes
Recovery timeYesYes
Training loadYesYes
VO2 Max (Run)YesYes
Course guidanceYesYes
Training effectYesYes
Virtual PartnerYesYes
Race an ActivityYesYes
Advanced workoutsYesYes
Interval trainingYesYes
Race glance/widgetYesYes
VO2 Max (Trail Run)YesYes
GPS speed and distanceYesYes
Configurable lap alertsYesYes
Customizable data pagesYesYes
Unified training statusYesYes
Touch and/or button lockYesYes
Activity history on watchYesYes
Downloadable training plansYesYes
Training effect (anaerobic)YesYes
Manual multisport activitiesYesYes
HRM running pace and distanceYesYes
Heat and altitude acclimationYesYes
Customizable activity profilesYesYes
Auto Pause® automatic timer haltYesYes
Respiration rate (during exercise)yes (with compatible accessory)yes (with compatible accessory)
Auto Lap® interval tracking featureYesYes
Primary benefit (Training Effect labels)YesYes
Power Modes - customizable in-activity battery settingsYesYes
HR broadcast (broadcasts HR data over ANT+® to paired devices)YesYes
Improved interval (includes open repeats, intervals data page, rest screen and auto detection)YesYes
Load ratioYes
Rest timerYes
Endurance scoreYes
Realtime staminaYes
Training load focusYes
Garmin Live SegmentsYes
Strava Live SegmentsYes
Improved recovery timeYes
Multisport auto transitionYes
Trendline™ Popularity RoutingYes
Round-trip course creator (running/cycling)Yes

Wrist Fit

Garmin Descent™ G2

Sits best on wrists ~4865mm wide (≈ 12.817.4cm circumference).

Garmin Forerunner® 970

Sits best on wrists ~4967mm wide (≈ 13.117.9cm circumference).

2D Dimension Schematics

Accurate scale drawings based on case dimensions. Drag to pan, Ctrl+scroll to zoom. Works for every watch regardless of photo availability.

Loading schematics…

Product Photos

Side-by-side product images at matched scale.

Garmin Descent™ G2 (010-02986-00)
Garmin Descent™ G2 (010-02986-00)
45.5mm × 45.5mm
Garmin Forerunner® 970 (010-02969-00)
Garmin Forerunner® 970 (010-02969-00)
47mm × 47mm

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Garmin Descent™ G2 bigger than the Garmin Forerunner® 970?

The Garmin Forerunner® 970 is bigger — 47mm vs 45.5mm case width.

Which fits a smaller wrist better, the Garmin Descent™ G2 or the Garmin Forerunner® 970?

The Garmin Descent™ G2 suits wrists around 48–65mm wide, and the Garmin Forerunner® 970 around 49–67mm. The one with the smaller lower bound is the safer pick for a small wrist.

Can I see the Garmin Descent™ G2 and Garmin Forerunner® 970 side by side at true scale?

Yes — the schematics and photos above show both watches at matched scale, and our fit tool overlays each on your wrist width.

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