Garmin Forerunner 170 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch9 44mm: which should you buy?
Pick the Garmin Forerunner 170 at £259.99 if running and training come first and you want long battery life. Pick the Samsung Galaxy Watch9 at £379 if you mainly want a smartwatch for an Android phone, with apps and a bright screen, and you are happy to charge it every day.
Pick the Forerunner 170 if
Running and training are the point, you want days of battery between charges, and you would rather spend less.
Pick the Galaxy Watch9 44mm if
You use an Android phone, you want apps, payments and messages on your wrist, and charging daily does not bother you.
How do they compare side by side?
| Spec | Forerunner 170 | Galaxy Watch9 44mm |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Garmin | Samsung |
| Reference | 010-03920-50 | SM-L350 |
| Case diameter | 42.6 mm | 43.7 mm |
| Thickness | 11.9 mm | 8.6 mm (better) |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Movement | Smart | Smart |
| Crystal | Chemically strengthened glass | Not stated |
| Strap | Silicone, 20 mm quick release | Sport band with air pocket structure, Dynamic Lug System |
| Colourway | Black case, black and amp yellow strap | Graphite case, black band |
| Launched | May 2026 | August 2026 |
| Brand RRP | £259.99 (better) | £379 |
| Lug to lug | Not stated | 46 mm |
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A dot marks the better spec, where "better" is clear-cut (more water resistance, longer power reserve, a harder crystal). Specs from each brand's published information.
Read the first looks: Garmin Forerunner 170 · Samsung Galaxy Watch9 44mm
Questions people ask
Does the Galaxy Watch9 work with an iPhone?
No. Samsung's Galaxy Watch range needs an Android phone.
Which has the better battery life?
The Garmin. Garmin's running watches last days between charges, while the Galaxy Watch9 still needs charging about daily.