Will the Garmin Forerunner 970 drop on Black Friday 2026?
A small cut in its first year. Still unreplaced, so expect a bit more.
HappenedBlack Friday 2025
Only a small cut in its launch year, reported on 27 November.
ForecastBlack Friday 2026
Likely a moderate drop
- Last year the older Forerunner 965 fell almost twice as far
- No successor announced, so no clear-out sale yet
Should you wait for Black Friday?
Worth waiting if you can. A second Black Friday usually beats the first, but Garmin has no reason to slash its newest runner. If maps matter less than price, the 965 did much better last year.
The cheaper picks: what they really did
The percentages are real Black Friday 2025 cuts, as reported that week. The right column is our 2026 forecast.
Garmin Forerunner 965
Out since 2023
−25%Likely a big drop
Maps and AMOLED too; replaced in 2025, so it's the one to clear.
Garmin Forerunner 570
Out since 2025
−18%Likely a moderate drop
Same newer look and sensors, minus maps and torch.
Garmin Forerunner 265
Out since 2023
−33%Likely a big drop
Two generations back, yet still a superb training watch.
What this means: The older the Forerunner, the deeper last year's cut. The 965 is the closest swap; the 265 is the biggest saving.
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Questions people ask
What does the Forerunner 970 add over the 965?
A built-in LED torch and an ECG app, plus Garmin's newer heart-rate sensor. Maps, training load and the AMOLED screen are on both.
Is the Forerunner 970 good for triathlon?
Yes. It has open-water swim, bike and multisport modes, and its built-in maps help on unfamiliar bike routes.
Will the Forerunner 970 get a successor soon?
Garmin hasn't announced one. It launched in May 2025 and is still the newest Forerunner with maps.
How we reached this
Last year's cuts are the ones named outlets reported during Black Friday week 2025, against the regular price they quoted. The forecast is our reading of each model's age, its successors and last year's cuts. We never show prices.
We haven't tested these products ourselves. Our picks weigh independent expert reviews against each maker's published specs and the prices we checked. Opinions are ours; facts link to where they come from. How we choose.
Sources: Tom's Guide: Garmin Black Friday deals (27 Nov), Tom's Guide: Garmin Black Friday deals (20 Nov).