Apple Watch 11 vs Garmin Forerunner 970: Which GPS Watch Wins?

Overview

The Apple Watch 11 is a lifestyle smartwatch with fitness features bolted on, built exclusively for iPhone users who want health tracking and convenience in one device. The Garmin Forerunner 970 is a dedicated running and multisport watch built around training metrics, GPS reliability, and endurance use. These two devices share a price tier but almost nothing else in terms of purpose.

Specs at a glance

Price: Apple Watch 11 from $399; Garmin Forerunner 970 around £599 (~$750 USD equivalent)
GPS: Both use multi-band GNSS; real-world accuracy advantage is unclear and contested in available testing
Battery (GPS mode): Apple Watch 11 approximately 18 hours standard; Forerunner 970 significantly longer but exact GPS hours unconfirmed in source material
Heart rate sensor: Both use wrist optical PPG (light-based blood volume measurement, not electrical); Apple Watch 11 also includes ECG electrodes for on-demand electrical heart rhythm readings
Weight: Apple Watch 11 approximately 39g (41mm aluminum); Forerunner 970 weight unconfirmed but heavier at this feature tier
SpO2: Both include optical SpO2; Apple Watch 11 availability may vary by region due to patent restrictions
Skin temperature sensor: Both include it
Platform: Apple Watch 11 requires iPhone; Forerunner 970 works with Android and iOS

GPS and tracking accuracy

This is where both devices have credibility problems in the available data. The Apple Watch 11 introduces multi-band GPS, which should improve performance in urban canyons and under tree cover. However, the Watch 11 makes no meaningful hardware changes over the Watch 10, so real performance gains are marginal at best.

The Forerunner 970 story is more damaging. Controlled track testing showed the Forerunner 970 losing to a Huawei running watch on GPS accuracy. For Garmin's flagship running device, that is a poor result. Neither device emerges from the available review data as a clear GPS accuracy leader, and both carry caveats worth taking seriously before purchase.

Battery life

The Apple Watch 11 lasts approximately 18 hours in standard mode. That is enough for a marathon but not a 100-mile ultra or an iron-distance triathlon. Low-power GPS mode extends workout duration but reduces sensor fidelity, which defeats the purpose for athletes who need accurate heart rate and pace data over long efforts.

The Forerunner 970's exact GPS battery hours are not confirmed in the source material, but Garmin's flagship running tier consistently delivers 30-plus hours in GPS mode in comparable devices. For any effort over 18 hours, or for athletes who simply want buffer room, the Forerunner 970 wins this category without serious competition.

For athletes: who wins?

Road running: Forerunner 970. Deeper training metrics, longer battery, dedicated running platform. The GPS accuracy issue on the track is a concern but the overall package is stronger.
Trail and ultramarathon: Forerunner 970. The Apple Watch 11's 18-hour GPS limit rules it out for most trail ultras. No contest.
Triathlon: Forerunner 970. Multisport modes, longer battery for iron-distance efforts, and a mature triathlon ecosystem give it a clear edge.
Daily health tracking and recovery: Apple Watch 11, but only for iPhone users. The ECG, HRV tracking, sleep data, and smartphone integration are polished and practical for everyday use. The Forerunner 970 tracks recovery metrics too, but the Apple Watch 11 is easier to live with daily.

Verdict

For most athletes reading this comparison, the Garmin Forerunner 970 is the correct choice. Battery life alone eliminates the Apple Watch 11 from serious endurance consideration, and the Forerunner 970's training ecosystem is built specifically for runners and multisport athletes in a way the Apple Watch is not. The Forerunner 970's GPS accuracy result in track testing is a real concern, and Garmin should address it, but the overall platform is still more capable for athletic use. Buy the Apple Watch 11 if you are an iPhone user who wants a capable everyday health device and does not race beyond half-marathon distance. Buy the Forerunner 970 if training data, long-event battery, and a dedicated sports platform matter to you.