Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Forerunner 165 Are up to 30 Percent Off (2026)
First reported by Wired ·
Garmin's previous generation smartwatches are now available at lower prices, making advanced health and fitness tracking more accessible.
Garmin is offering significant discounts on several of its popular smartwatches. The Vivoactive 5, a 2023 model suitable for beginners, is available for $198, a 34% reduction from its original price, and includes features like Body Battery, sleep coaching, and stress tracking. The Forerunner 165, positioned as a high-value option for runners, is priced at $197, with a $53 discount. This model boasts a bright touchscreen, classic button controls, long battery life up to 11 days, and detailed running metrics. Additionally, the Garmin Venu 3, another 2023 release, is on sale for $299, representing a $151 saving. The Venu 3 offers a more premium design with a stainless steel bezel, built-in speakers and microphones for calls, and the latest Elevate 5 heart rate sensor with ECG capabilities.
The substantial discounts on Garmin's 2023 smartwatch models suggest a strategic move to clear inventory ahead of potential new releases or to capture a wider market segment by lowering the entry price for advanced wearable technology. This pricing strategy makes sophisticated health and fitness tracking features, previously associated with higher-end devices, available to a broader consumer base. The emphasis on features like detailed fitness metrics, sleep coaching, and accurate heart rate monitoring indicates that even older models continue to offer compelling value in the competitive wearables market.
These price reductions could impact the resale market for these devices and may put pressure on competitors offering similar feature sets at higher price points. Consumers looking for comprehensive smart tracking capabilities without the premium cost of the latest models now have a more budget-friendly entry point. The availability of features like ECG sensors and on-wrist calling on discounted models further democratizes advanced wearable technology, forcing other manufacturers to re-evaluate their pricing and feature differentiation strategies.
AI-written summary. May contain errors.