Extra critical however nonetheless informal
The Garmin Venu 4 is constructed for athletes who want every day suggestions for what kind of exercise to do subsequent, however need extra well-rounded recommendations for indoor and outside exercises than a Forerunner would supply. It nonetheless has the subtler, skinny look of the Venu 3 however makes use of higher supplies, revamped {hardware}, and the brand new Garmin UI.
Execs
- Flashlight and dual-band GPS
- Hanging metal in casing
- Coaching load, programs, and different Forerunner coaching instruments
- Every day advised exercises and Garmin Health Coach
- New circadian sleep steering
- Well being Standing and Life-style Logging
- 40 new sports activities modes
Cons
- Brighter show means shorter battery life
- No new well being sensors or sapphire glass
- $100 costlier
Better of the final era
The Garmin Venu 3 was forward of its time in some ways. Garmin’s deliberate software program obsolescence for older watches means it will not get the Venu 4’s new options, however self-guided athletes nonetheless have the identical core expertise, with the most typical indoor and outside sports activities modes, extremely correct well being knowledge, and a skinny, light-weight design.
Execs
- Higher every day and AOD battery life
- Additional button for shortcuts
- Lighter polymer case
- Similar well being sensor accuracy
- Extra reasonably priced and infrequently on sale now
Cons
- No flashlight, dual-band GPS
- Dimmer AMOLED show
- Restricted coaching steering and no course navigation
- Will not obtain new Garmin software program like Well being Standing
The Garmin Venu 4 builds on the Venu 3, our favourite all-around Garmin watch of the previous two years, with delicate design adjustments, a few anticipated {hardware} upgrades, and a laundry record of latest health options that make this fourth-gen mannequin really feel like a Forerunner 570 with fewer buttons.
This Venu 4 vs. 3 breakdown will not have too many surprises. Most 2025 Garmin watches have added a flashlight, doubled show brightness, voice instructions, sensible alarms, and new Garmin Coach plans. Anybody hoping for sixth-generation well being sensors or different exclusives might be upset.
Nonetheless, even when the Venu X1 vs. Venu 3 hole is wider, the Venu 4 has loads of tempting upgrades for anybody who thought Garmin held again the Venu 3 software program an excessive amount of to make it accessibly “mainstream.”
Let’s dive into each key distinction to assist Garmin followers determine if the Venu 4 is value the additional expense, or if the Venu 3 remains to be value shopping for should you discover one on sale.
| Class | Garmin Venu 4 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Case colours | 41mm: Slate, Silver, Lunar Gold 45mm: Slate, Silver | 41mm: Slate, Silver, Gentle Gold 45mm: Slate, Silver |
| Supplies | Case: Stainless-steel and fiber-reinforced polymer Bezel: Stainless-steel | Case: Fiber-reinforced polymer Bezel: Stainless-steel |
| Strap | 22mm or 18mm silicone Fast Launch strap | 22mm or 18mm silicone Fast Launch strap |
| Safety | 5ATM, Gorilla Glass 3 | 5ATM, Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Dimensions | 45 x 45 x 12.5mm, 56g w/ strap 41 x 41 x 12mm, 46g w/ strap | 45 x 45 x 12mm, 47g w/ strap 41 x 41 x 12mm, 40g w/ strap |
| Show | 1.2-inch (390×390) or 1.4-inch (454×454) AMOLED touchscreen, 2,000 nits | 1.2-inch (390×390) or 1.4-inch (454×454) AMOLED touchscreen, 1,000 nits |
| Monitoring | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, SatIQ, All-Techniques GNSS + Multi-Band | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, All-Techniques GNSS |
| Sensors | Elevate v5 HRM, SpO2, accelerometer, altimeter, compass, ECG, gyroscope, pores and skin temperature | Elevate v5 HRM, SpO2, accelerometer, altimeter, compass, ECG, gyroscope, pores and skin temperature |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi, NFC | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi, NFC |
| Storage | ✔️ (8GB) | ✔️ (8GB) |
| Mic & speaker | ✔️ (Calling, Cellphone instructions, Watch instructions) | ✔️ (Calling, Cellphone instructions) |
| Flashlight | ✔️ | 🚫 |
| Battery life | 45mm: 12 days (4 w/ AOD), 20 GPS hours, 19 All-Techniques GNSS hours, 18 multi-band GPS hours 41mm: 10 days (3 w/ AOD), 15 GPS hours, 13 All-Techniques GNSS hours, 12 multi-band GPS hours | 45mm: 14 days (5 w/ AOD), 26 GPS hours, 20 All-Techniques GNSS hours 41mm: 10 days (5 w/ AOD), 21 GPS hours, 15 All-Techniques GNSS hours |
Garmin Venu 4 vs. 3: Design & show
The Garmin Venu 4 has the identical 1.2- and 1.4-inch show sizes as its predecessor, besides that its max brightness for sunny circumstances is doubled, making it a lot clearer and vivid within the context of exercises. The Venu 3 appears to be like nice indoors and is completely readable outdoor, however the Venu 4 matches the brightness commonplace of most different smartwatches lately.
One other delicate change is that the Venu 4 show border not has clock markings alongside the sting at five-second intervals. Sportier Garmins have a tendency so as to add phrases and numbers within the margins, making the Venu 4 far more delicate and outlined by the watch face.
Sadly, the Venu 4 did not improve the Venu 3’s Gorilla Glass 3 safety. Garmin reserves sapphire glass for premium fashions just like the Venu X1, not acknowledging that “mid-range” fashions just like the Venu 4 and Forerunner 570 value lots of greater than different watches with higher-end scratch safety.
The Venu collection skips Garmin’s typical five-button structure, counting on two buttons and contact controls. However the Venu 3 added a novel third button for shortcuts — which I discovered fairly handy — earlier than the Venu 4 (and Venu X1) eliminated it. I would guess that not sufficient individuals used it, and casuals received it confused with the Again button too typically. Plus, it detracted from the Venu collection’ minimalist look.
With the Venu 4, the primary Begin button is smaller and rounder, however nonetheless steel-coated, whereas the Again button retains the oblong look.
Each watches have a chrome steel bezel, however the Venu 4 bezel is easy the place the Venu 3’s was ridged. I would say these design variations are a matter of desire, fairly than one being “higher” than the opposite; both bezel is extra engaging than the rounded aluminum bezel on the Vivoactive 6.
Essentially the most notable design change is that the Venu 4 makes use of a mix of fiber-reinforced polymer and chrome steel within the case, giving it a extra refined look than the Venu 3 however preserving it lighter than the metal Garmin Fenix 8.
Garmin managed to maintain the Venu 4 comparatively skinny — the 41mm mannequin remains to be 12mm thick, whereas the 45mm mannequin is 0.5mm thicker — however each sizes are 9g and 6g heavier than their predecessors, respectively. It is not an enormous distinction, however the place the Venu 3 was lighter than most Garmins, the Venu 4’s weight is extra typical for the model.
Lastly, the Venu 4 colours are just about unchanged — Slate, Silver, and a gold possibility for the smaller mannequin — and Garmin as soon as once more gave the Venu 4 silicone bands with smaller (much less breathable) holes than on the sporty Forerunner bands. However should you purchase it from Garmin, you may customise the Venu 4 with a material or leather-based band as a substitute.
Garmin Venu 4 vs. 3: {Hardware}, sensors, & battery life
Garmin does not promote its processors, however the Venu 4 ought to run on barely newer {hardware}, matching different 2024 and 2025 watches with the newer Garmin OS. This could mitigate the lack of the third shortcut button, as a result of apps and features are a lot simpler to seek out with the brand new UI.
Each the Venu 4 and Venu 3 have a mic and speaker for Bluetooth calls and passthrough instructions to your telephone’s Gemini or Siri assistant. However the newer OS allows on-watch voice instructions like beginning a exercise or pulling up your sleep rating. I discover these instructions to be finicky and restricted, sadly.
You will not discover any adjustments to the well being sensors. The Venu 3 was one of many first fashions to make use of Garmin’s fifth-generation sensors with ECG readings, pores and skin temperature knowledge, and an HR accuracy increase. Two years later, even ultra-expensive fashions just like the Fenix 8 Professional nonetheless use this sensor suite.
Garmin has patented long-term glycated hemoglobin monitoring, hemocrit monitoring, and different new metrics that we would have liked to see the Venu 4 introduce. As a substitute, the one new Venu 4 well being options are software-based, which we’ll talk about within the subsequent part.
Like most 2025 Garmins, the Venu 4 provides a built-in LED flashlight with 4 white brightness settings and one dim crimson setting, all accessible by long-pressing the Again button. You’ll be able to set it to blink or strobe throughout nighttime actions to keep away from collisions or maintain your arm regular to light up a small portion of the highway forward of you.
What’s barely extra stunning is that the Venu 4 now has dual-band GPS monitoring! The Venu 3 — and even the $800 Venu X1 — use all-systems GNSS, which delivers dependably correct knowledge in regular circumstances however is not fairly as pinpoint correct in more durable circumstances. It makes the Venu 4 extra interesting to the Forerunner and Fenix crowd.
One other noticeable development with current Garmin watches is that their doubled brightness corresponds to decrease battery life. The Venu 4 45mm solely lasts 12 days (4 with AOD), whereas the Venu 3 45mm lasts 14 days (5 with AOD). It is a slight compromise, however a better one to simply accept than the Venu X1 (eight days or two with AOD).
When you’re taking a look at a smaller mannequin, each the Venu 4 and three 41mm hit 10 days per cost, however the older mannequin lasts an additional two days in AOD mode. And the Venu 4 41mm’s 12 multi-band GPS hours are low for any Garmin watch.
Garmin Venu 4 vs. 3: Software program and options
| Class | Garmin Venu 4 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Well being & Wellness | Physique Battery, All-day stress, Sleep Coach, Sleep alignment, Sleep consistency, Sensible Wake alarm, Nap Detection, Respiratory variations, Well being Snapshot, Well being Standing, Life-style logging | Physique Battery, All-day stress, Sleep Coach, Nap Detection, Respiratory variations, Well being Snapshot |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair mode, shade filters, spoken watch face | Wheelchair mode |
| Exercises | Private: Every day advised exercises for operating, biking, strolling, and general health Premade: Cardio, HIIT, Multisport, Pilates, Power, Wheelchair, Yoga | Private: None Premade: Cardio, HIIT, Pilates, Power, Wheelchair, Yoga |
| Teaching | Garmin Operating Coach, Biking Coach, Power Coach, Health Coach | Operating Coach Specialists |
| Coaching | Depth minutes, HRV Standing, VO2 Max, exercise profit, restoration time, coaching standing, coaching load focus / ratio, coaching impact, coaching readiness, warmth/ altitude acclimation | Depth minutes, HRV Standing, VO2 Max, exercise profit, restoration time |
| Operating | Operating dynamics, operating energy, efficiency situation, grade-adjusted tempo, lactate threshold, Pacepro, race predictor | Operating dynamics, operating energy |
| Programs | Again to begin, TracBack, downloadable programs, breadcrumb navigation, Up Forward, distance to vacation spot | Again to begin |
The desk above does not cowl each new Venu 4 software program function, however I’ve emphasised the highlights. The coaching instruments, every day advised runs, downloadable GPX programs, and operating instruments might be acquainted to Forerunner 265 or 570 homeowners. And it pulls options just like the sensible wake alarm and every day advised walks from the Vivoactive 6.
Except for these imported instruments, the Venu 4 introduces a number of unique perks — not less than till Garmin ports them to different fashions.
Garmin has historically siloed its teaching and advised exercises into particular person classes like operating, biking, and power. The Venu 4, nevertheless, is getting a brand new generalized “Health Coach” that “supplies customized exercises for over 25 totally different health actions – from strolling and indoor biking to rowing, HIIT, and extra.”
This feels tailor-made to the Venu collection, which has historically targeted extra on indoor gymnasium or dwelling exercises with animations and muscle maps. And the identical goes for the brand new “combined session exercise” profile, which is able to allow you to monitor totally different gymnasium exercises in a single normal exercise as a substitute of splitting them up or utilizing one “Cardio” exercise.
Well being Standing exhibits how your physique’s nightly coronary heart fee, blood oxygen, HRV, pores and skin temperature, and respiration fee evaluate towards your baseline. It then warns you by way of the Morning Report when you have any “outliers” as an indication of sickness or poor life-style selections.
On that observe, Life-style logging has you inform Garmin the optimistic, damaging, or impartial actions you’ve got taken all through the day in order that it may present insights into their physiological affect on metrics like stress and sleep high quality. You’ll be able to log consuming or ingesting espresso late, having a interval or migraine, sporting a CPAP, getting a therapeutic massage or acupuncture, or many different choices.
The Venu 3 will obtain each of those options, however solely within the Join app; in order for you a Well being Standing watch widget or simple on-wrist logging, you may want the Venu 4.
The Venu 3 first launched a wheelchair mode and tracked pushes as a substitute of steps. The Venu 4 will construct on this with accessibility options for the colorblind (shade filters like grayscale or crimson/inexperienced) and the visually impaired (a spoken watch face and hourly vocal alerts with well being knowledge).
Extra broadly, Garmin will construct on the Venu 3’s sleep coach and enhanced physique battery knowledge with the Venu 4, judging your circadian rhythm to find out “how aligned the physique is to its interior sleep cycle.” It will additionally monitor your “sleep consistency” after seven days of monitoring.
Garmin Venu 4 vs. Venu 3: Which must you purchase, or must you improve?
Garmin watches are getting costlier, so the $550 Venu 4 does not shock me. However it’s nonetheless costly for a health watch; the Venu 3 felt extra accessible, in the identical vary as different “regular” smartwatches. You’ll be able to argue that dual-band GPS, flashlight, coaching load, and different perks are value $100 further, but it surely’s not clear if Venu followers will care about these perks as a lot as Fenix or Forerunner customers.
Finally, I believe your improve resolution will come all the way down to the brand new well being and coaching instruments, greater than the {hardware}. Would you like a brand new customized coaching plan, or operating/ biking exercises as cross-training on your gymnasium exercises? Or would you like extra insights on the way to reside a more healthy life-style with higher sleep? If this sounds intriguing, the Venu 4 might be an excellent match.
If that each one sounds superfluous, I would say you may persist with the Venu 3 and maintain out till 2027 for a Venu 5 with newer well being sensors. Or should you’re weighing the Venu 3 on sale, I would say it stays one of many finest Garmin watches, even when the Venu 4 is objectively higher on most fronts.
Mixing life-style with health
Select the Garmin Venu 4 should you just like the Venu’s delicate, trendy look and emphasis on well being and sleep steering, however resented that older fashions had restricted coaching steering. Skip the Venu 4 in order for you the Forerunner 570’s higher button controls or the Venu X1’s large show, or should you’re keen to make use of your Venu 3 for an additional two years.
Holding issues easier
Select the Venu 3 should you spot it at a low sufficient sale value to justify skipping out on two years of {hardware}, software program, and UI upgrades. Or stick together with your present Venu 3 if instruments like Well being Standing and Sleep Alignment have not impressed you. However should you want extra in-depth exercise steering, it’s your decision the Venu 4 as a substitute.
