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Garmin's newest smartwatch slims down, but packs on features

The Forerunner 35 puts GPS and heart rate monitoring in a $200 package.

After going high-end with the Fenix Chronos, Garmin is getting back to its core focus with the new Forerunner 35, a feature-packed smartwatch and all-day activity tracker. This latest addition to the Forerunner line packs GPS tracking, a high-contrast display and Garmin's Elevate wrist-based heart rate monitor into a sleek new design with up to nine days of battery life.

Battery mileage may vary, of course, but according to Garmin, the Forerunner 35 should last for about a week and a half in smartwatch/activity tracking mode. In training mode, the company estimates about 13 hours of battery life, so even with the heart rate monitor and GPS tracking enabled, users should be able to complete a 50-mile Ultramarathon without needing to stop for a charge.

For users whose daily workouts don't involve such feats of endurance, the Forerunner 35 comes equipped with multiple sport profiles to track walking, indoor running, cycling, and cardio activities. Naturally, it also tracks all the metrics you'd expect from an activity tracker in 2016, like steps, calories and workout intensity. In and out of the gym, the Forerunner can also handle your phone notifications and music controls, plus the device automatically syncs with Garmin Connect to upload workout stats. In other words, it's a Vivosmart HR in a smartwatch body.

The Forerunner 35 is expected to hit the market during Fall 2016 with a $200/£170 retail price, and comes in four colors: black, limelight, frost blue and white.