Yep! The Forerunner 970 has a built-in speaker and microphone, so you can actually take and make phone calls right from your wrist.
How it works:
When your phone is connected via Bluetooth and within range, you can answer incoming calls on the watch. Just tap accept, speak into the microphone near the watch, and hear the caller through the little speaker. You can also initiate calls by scrolling through your recent calls or contacts that sync from your phone.
Is the quality good?
Honestly? It's fine for quick calls. Think "Hey, I'm on my way" or "Can you pick up milk?" rather than hour-long conversations. The speaker has improved compared to older Garmins, but you'll probably want to switch to your phone or earbuds for anything lengthy.
Where this really helps:
- You're mid-run and your partner calls with something urgent
- Your phone is in your gym bag and you hear it ringing
- You need to make a quick call but your hands are full
What you need to know:
The watch doesn't have its own cellular connection. It's using your phone's data via Bluetooth. So your phone needs to be within range (usually about 30 feet) for calls to work.
Bonus features:
Beyond calls, the speaker and mic also let you:
- Use voice commands to control the watch hands-free
- Hear turn-by-turn navigation directions out loud
- Play music through the speaker (though headphones sound way better)
This is a feature that previously only showed up on watches like the Venu 3 and Fenix 8, so it's nice to see it on a running-focused watch.
We may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. How ShopSavvy makes money
How we researched this
Where this comes from: this answer draws on the product's published specifications and the reviews ShopSavvy collected for it, alongside prices from ShopSavvy's price data.
📚More About Garmin Forerunner 970
Considering the Garmin Forerunner 970?
Here's our "TLDR" Review
Download ShopSavvy App
Compare prices across tens of thousands of stores, set price alerts, watch for deals by keyword, and much more.
Install ShopSavvy Browser Extension
Compare and track prices automatically while you shop online at thousands of websites.
More Answers
If you're still curious about the Garmin Forerunner 970, here are some other answers you might find interesting:
- Is the Garmin Forerunner 970 worth the price?
At $749.99, the Forerunner 970 isn't an impulse purchase. Let me help you figure out if it makes sense for you. When the 970 IS worth every penny: If you're...
- How good is the Garmin Forerunner 970 display?
The display on the Forerunner 970 is, frankly, gorgeous. It's the best screen Garmin has ever put on a running watch. The specs: You're looking at a 1.4-inch...
- What are the known bugs and issues with the Garmin Forerunner 970?
Let's be honest here: the Forerunner 970, like a lot of complex smartwatches, launched with some bugs. The good news? Garmin's been pretty active about fixing...
- Is the Garmin Forerunner 970 waterproof for swimming?
Yes, you can definitely swim with the Forerunner 970. It's rated to 5 ATM, which means it handles pool swimming, open water swimming, and showering without...
- Does the Garmin Forerunner 970 have maps and navigation?
Yes! Full-color maps with actual turn-by-turn navigation. This isn't just a breadcrumb trail. You get real maps on that beautiful AMOLED screen. What comes...
- Should I buy the Garmin Forerunner 970 or Fenix 8?
This is one of the most common questions I see, and the answer really depends on what matters most to you. Let's start with price: Forerunner 970: $749.99...
- Does the Garmin Forerunner 970 have a flashlight?
Yes! And honestly, this is one of my favorite features on the 970. The Forerunner 970 is the first Forerunner to include a built-in LED flashlight. Previously,...
- Is the Garmin Forerunner 970 good for triathlons?
If you're training for a triathlon, the Forerunner 970 was literally built for you. It's one of the best multisport watches out there. Ready-to-go multisport...
- Does the Garmin Forerunner 970 have an ECG feature?
Yes! The Forerunner 970 is actually the first Forerunner to include ECG capability. This was previously only available on watches like the Venu 3 and Fenix...
- What is the difference between the Garmin Forerunner 970 and 965?
If you're trying to decide between upgrading from a 965 or choosing between the two, here's what actually matters. The 970 brings some genuinely useful...
