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Approach J1 vs Forerunner 170

Garmin Approach J1 vs Garmin Forerunner 170

What Approach J1 does better (2) and where Forerunner 170 wins (2) — every spec side by side.

Garmin · 2026Approach J1

4.1Score

2 advantages≈ $300

Garmin · 2026Forerunner 170

4.3Score

2 advantages≈ $300

Higher score

6.3Display5.3

2.7Battery life2.9

2.5Sports & outdoor4.7

3.9Build & durability3.1

Dimensions

Size comparison

Approach J1Forerunner 170

	Approach J1	Forerunner 170	Difference
Height	43 mm	42.6 mm	+0.4 mm
Width	43 mm	42.6 mm	+0.4 mm
Thickness	11.4 mm	11.9 mm	−0.5 mm
Weight	29 g	41 g	−12 g

Drawn to the same scale from the official dimensions (front and side).

Why is Approach J1 better than Forerunner 170?

Weight29 g vs 41 g+41%
Thickness11.4 mm vs 11.9 mm+4%

Why is Forerunner 170 better than Approach J1?

GPS battery life15 h vs 20 h+33%
Sport profiles5 vs 7815.6×

Specifications

Side by side

Only differences	Garmin Approach J1≈ $3004.1	Garmin Forerunner 170≈ $3004.3
Design & durability
Case size	43 mm	43 mm
Weight	29 g	41 g
Thickness	11.4 mm	11.9 mm
Height	43 mm	42.6 mm
Width	43 mm	42.6 mm
Case material	Aluminium	Plastic / polymer
Sapphire crystal	No	No
Lens / cover glass	chemically strengthened glass	chemically strengthened glass
Strap material	elastic fabric hook and loop	silicone
Water resistance	5 ATM	5 ATM
Water rating (maker)	5 ATM	5 ATM
Display
Screen size	—	1.2″
Display technology	AMOLED	AMOLED
Panel	AMOLED	AMOLED
AMOLED / OLED display	Yes	Yes
Always-on display	Yes	Yes
Touchscreen	Yes	Yes
Resolution (width)	390 px	390 px
Resolution (height)	390 px	390 px
Pixel density	—	325 ppi
Battery
Battery life (smartwatch mode)	10 days	10 days
Battery life with always-on display	—	4 days
Battery saver mode	—	19 days
GPS battery life	15 h	20 h
Battery type	Lithium ion	Lithium ion
Wireless charging	No	No
Charging	Garmin proprietary plug charger	Garmin proprietary plug charger
Health sensors
Optical heart rate	—	Yes
Blood oxygen (SpO2)	—	Yes
Temperature sensor	—	Yes
HRV tracking	—	Yes
Sleep tracking	—	Yes
Sensors	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Compass, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Elevate wrist heart rate monitor, Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor, Barometric altimeter, Compass, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Thermometer, Ambient light sensor
Sports & navigation
Built-in GPS	Yes	Yes
Satellite systems	GLONASS, GALILEO	GLONASS, GALILEO
Barometric altimeter	—	Yes
Compass	Yes	Yes
Sport profiles	5	78
Connectivity
NFC payments	—	Yes
ANT+ sensors	—	Yes
Smart features
Storage	4 GB	4 GB
Third-party apps	—	Yes
Platform
Operating system	Garmin OS	Garmin OS
Platform	Proprietary	Proprietary
Works with	iOS, Android	iOS, Android