Apple Watch Series 12 vs. Garmin Forerunner 170: 5,000-Step Walk Test Comparison
In a head-to-head 5,000-step walk test, Tom's Guide found that both the Apple Watch Series 12 and Garmin Forerunner 170 tracked workout metrics with high accuracy against manual controls. The Garmin was slightly closer in step counts and elevation gain, while both logged identical distance and heart rate figures. The reviewer concluded that the $349 Forerunner excels for runners wanting dedicated training metrics and a lighter plastic build, whereas the Apple Watch (from $399) offers superior general smartwatch functionality and an aluminum case.
Published on Savlume: · Content updated: · Source published:
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AI brief
From the source report
Tom’s Guide reports that both watches tracked steps, distance, and heart rate closely during one 5,000-step walk, with the Forerunner 170 slightly closer on step count and climb and the Apple Watch Series 12 closer on pace. The results may help you choose based on your priorities, but they reflect a single walk test rather than performance across all workouts.
Best suited for Readers comparing the Apple Watch Series 12 and Garmin Forerunner 170 Music for walking and fitness tracking.
Highlights
In the author’s walk test, both watches recorded 129 bpm average and 162 bpm maximum heart rate, offering closely matching readings for that workout.
The Forerunner recorded 5,020 steps against the author’s manual count of 5,014; the Apple Watch recorded 5,003.
The Apple Watch’s elapsed pace was closer to the Strava control, while the Garmin recorded climb closer to the control.
Before you buy
The comparison describes one roughly 50-minute walk, so the reported tracking results do not establish performance across other activities or users.
The author says Apple reports elapsed pace rather than average moving pace, which may matter if moving pace is the metric you want.
Product facts & conditions
Written by AI from the source report, not a hands-on test. Read source ↗
Tom’s Guide found both watches close to the manual step count and matching on heart-rate readings in this walk test. The Forerunner 170 was slightly closer on step count and climb, while the Apple Watch Series 12 was closer on pace.
Who it may suit Readers weighing walking-tracking results and fitness features when comparing the Apple Watch Series 12 with the Garmin Forerunner 170 Music.
What the source liked
Both watches recorded step totals within 11 steps of the author’s manual count.
Both watches reported identical average and maximum heart rates during the walk.
Garmin’s climb total was six feet from the Strava control; Apple’s was 28 feet away.
Trade-offs & limitations
The comparison is based on one walk test, not a broad evaluation across workouts.
Apple provides an elapsed pace metric rather than the average moving pace reported by Garmin and Strava.
Source testing context The author wore the Apple Watch Series 12 on the left wrist and Garmin Forerunner 170 on the right, manually counted 5,014 steps with a tally counter, and used Strava as the control for distance, climb, and pace.
Questions this review helps answer
Which watch was closer to the manual step count?
The Garmin recorded 5,020 steps versus the manual count of 5,014; the Apple Watch recorded 5,003.
How did their heart-rate readings compare in the walk test?
Both reported an average heart rate of 129 bpm and a maximum of 162 bpm.
Which watch was closer to the Strava climb control?
The Garmin recorded 371 feet versus the 377-foot control; the Apple Watch recorded 399 feet.
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