Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar vs Forerunner 970
Size, specs & wrist fit compared
Which one fits you
Both need much the same wrist: neither overhangs from 16.5 cm (6.5 in) round, and both are in their sweet spot around 17.5–19.5 cm. Wrist size will not decide between these two.
What else differs
- Screen: the Forerunner 970 has the larger screen, 1.4 in across against 1.3 in on the Forerunner 955 Solar, and the Forerunner 955 Solar uses a memory-in-pixel screen that is easy to read in sunlight and sips battery, the Forerunner 970 a bright AMOLED screen.
- Battery: about 15 days each in everyday use; 42 hours for the Forerunner 955 Solar against 26 hours for the Forerunner 970 with GPS on.
- Only the Forerunner 970 has a sapphire lens.
1.5mm thinner, the Forerunner 970 is the one that slides under a shirt cuff.
The Forerunner 970 is 0.5mm wider, 1.5mm thinner and 3g heavier than the Forerunner 955 Solar.
Forerunner 955 Solar
Forerunner 970
Case width
46.5mm
47mm+0.5mm
Thickness
14.4mm
12.9mm−1.5mm
Weight
53g
56g+3g
Forerunner 955 Solar or Forerunner 970 by wrist size
| Wrist round (mm left each side) | Forerunner 955 Solar≈53.5mm lug to lug, est. | Forerunner 970≈54mm lug to lug, est. |
|---|---|---|
| 14 cm / 5.5 in | Overhangs (4.2mm over) | Overhangs (4.4mm over) |
| 15 cm / 5.9 in | Overhangs (2.6mm over) | Overhangs (2.8mm over) |
| 16 cm / 6.3 in | Overhangs (0.9mm over) | Overhangs (1.2mm over) |
| 17 cm / 6.7 in | Bold (0.7mm) | Bold (0.4mm) |
| 18 cm / 7.1 in | Sweet spot (2.3mm) | Sweet spot (2mm) |
| 19 cm / 7.5 in | Sweet spot (3.9mm) | Sweet spot (3.6mm) |
| 20 cm / 7.9 in | Balanced (5.5mm) | Balanced (5.3mm) |
Switch or add watches
Garmin
Forerunner 955 Solar
Garmin
Forerunner 970
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Battery life compared
Furthest apart in GPS with music mode, where the Forerunner 955 Solar lasts 3.0× as long as the Forerunner 970 (42 hours against 14 hours).
Forerunner 955 SolarForerunner 970
Smartwatch
15 days +20 days15 daysUltratrac
80 hours +110 hours—GPS with music
42 hours +49 hours14 hoursGPS only
—26 hoursAll systems + multi-band
—21 hoursAll systems + multi-band with music
20 hours +22 hours12 hours
Amber figures are the solar-assisted runtime the manufacturer publishes for that mode.
More comparisons
2D Dimension Schematics
- Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar 46.5mm × ≈53.5mm (est.) · 14.4mm thick
- Garmin Forerunner 970 47mm × ≈54mm (est.) · 12.9mm thick
3D preview
Forerunner 955 Solar vs Forerunner 970 on a wrist
Specifications
The short version
7 key specs| Spec | GarminForerunner 955 Solar | GarminForerunner 970 |
|---|---|---|
| Case Width | 46.5mm | 47mm |
| Thickness | 14.4mm | 12.9mm |
| Weight | 53g | 56g |
| Shape | Circular | Circular |
| Display type | Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) | AMOLED (optional always-on mode) |
| Battery life | Smartwatch mode: Up to 15 days/20 days with solar* GPS-only mode without music: Up to 42 hours/49 hours with solar** All-Systems GNSS mode plus Multi-Band with music: Up to 8.5 hours All Systems GNSS mode plus Multi-Band without music: Up to 20 hours/22 hours with solar** Ultratrac mode: Up to 80 hours/110 hours with solar** See Details *Solar charging, assuming all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions ** Solar charging, assuming use in 50,000 lux conditions | Smartwatch 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 |
| Released | 2022 | 2025 |
Where the specifications differ
19 differences| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar | Garmin Forerunner 970 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Battery life | Smartwatch mode: Up to 15 days/20 days with solar* GPS-only mode without music: Up to 42 hours/49 hours with solar** All-Systems GNSS mode plus Multi-Band with music: Up to 8.5 hours All Systems GNSS mode plus Multi-Band without music: Up to 20 hours/22 hours with solar** Ultratrac mode: Up to 80 hours/110 hours with solar** See Details *Solar charging, assuming all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions ** Solar charging, assuming use in 50,000 lux conditions | Smartwatch 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 Size | 1.3" (33 mm) diameter | 1.4" (35.3 mm) diameter |
| Lens Material | Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 DX | Sapphire Crystal |
| Bezel Material | fiber-reinforced polymer | titanium |
| Display resolution | 260 x 260 pixels | 454 x 454 pixels |
| QuickFit® watch band compatible | yes (22 mm compatible) | yes (22 mm) |
| Product Info | ||
| Main SKU | 010-02638-00 | 010-02969-00 |
| Product ID | 777730 | 1462801 |
| Product Name | Forerunner® 955 Solar | Forerunner® 970 |
| Release Date | 6/1/2022 | 5/15/2025 |
| Product Variation | Black | Carbon Gray DLC Titanium with Black Case and Black/Translucent Whitestone Band |
| Running Features | ||
| Ground contact time and balance | Yes | yes (GCT balance with accessory) |
| What You'll Love | ||
| Display type | Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) | AMOLED (optional always-on mode) |
| Battery life (smartwatch mode) | Up to 15 days20 days with solar | Up to 15 days |
| Activity Profiles | ||
| Wellness | Walking, Pilates, Yoga, Indoor Walking | Walking, Pilates, Yoga, Indoor Walking, Mobility |
| Multisport | Swimming/Running, Triathlon | Triathlon, Duathlon, Brick, Pool Triathlon, Swimming/Running |
| On the Water | Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Kayaking | Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Kayaking, Fishing, Boating, Sailing, Sail Racing, Snorkeling, Sailing Expedition |
| Outdoor running | Running, Outdoor Track Running, Trail Running, Ultra Running | Running, Outdoor Track Running, Trail Running, Ultra Running, Obstacle Racing |
| Outdoor recreation | Hiking, Indoor Climbing, Bouldering, Climbing, Golfing, Disc Golf, Archery | Hiking, Rucking, Mountaineering, Indoor Climbing, Bouldering, Hunting, Horseback Riding, Golfing, Disc Golf, Archery |
The other 251 specifications both list are identical.
Full Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar specifications →Full Garmin Forerunner 970 specifications →