Garmin Venu 4 vs. Venu 3: Garmin’s best all-around watch got even better
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 strategies for indoor and out of doors exercises than a Forerunner would provide. 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
- Placing metal in casing
- Coaching load, programs, and different Forerunner coaching instruments
- Each day steered exercises and Garmin Health Coach
- New circadian sleep steerage
- Well being Standing and Way of life 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 commonest indoor and out of doors sports activities modes, extremely correct well being information, and a skinny, light-weight design.
Execs
- Higher every day and AOD battery life
- Further button for shortcuts
- Lighter polymer case
- Similar well being sensor accuracy
- Extra reasonably priced and sometimes on sale now
Cons
- No flashlight, dual-band GPS
- Dimmer AMOLED show
- Restricted coaching steerage 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 refined design modifications, a few anticipated {hardware} upgrades, and a laundry checklist 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 will likely be disillusioned.
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 price the additional expense, or if the Venu 3 continues to be price shopping for when 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-Programs GNSS + Multi-Band |
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, All-Programs 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-Programs GNSS hours, 18 multi-band GPS hours 41mm: 10 days (3 w/ AOD), 15 GPS hours, 13 All-Programs GNSS hours, 12 multi-band GPS hours |
45mm: 14 days (5 w/ AOD), 26 GPS hours, 20 All-Programs GNSS hours 41mm: 10 days (5 w/ AOD), 21 GPS hours, 15 All-Programs 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 outside, however the Venu 4 matches the brightness customary of most different smartwatches nowadays.
One other refined 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 rather more refined 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 a whole lot greater than different watches with higher-end scratch safety.
The Venu sequence 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 might guess that not sufficient individuals used it, and casuals received it confused with the Again button too typically. Plus, it detracted from the Venu sequence’ 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 might say these design variations are a matter of desire, reasonably than one being “higher” than the opposite; both bezel is extra engaging than the rounded aluminum bezel on the Vivoactive 6.
Probably 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 conserving it lighter than the metal Garmin Fenix 8.
Garmin managed to maintain the Venu 4 comparatively skinny — the 41mm mannequin continues 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 choice 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 when you purchase it from Garmin, you may customise the Venu 4 with a material or leather-based band as an alternative.
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 capabilities 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 permits 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 modifications 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 information, and an HR accuracy enhance. 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 beloved to see the Venu 4 introduce. As an alternative, 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 may 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 information in regular circumstances however is not fairly as pinpoint correct in harder circumstances. It makes the Venu 4 extra interesting to the Forerunner and Fenix crowd.
One other noticeable pattern 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 neater one to simply accept than the Venu X1 (eight days or two with AOD).
For those who’re 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, Way of life 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: Each day steered exercises for operating, biking, strolling, and total health Premade: Cardio, HIIT, Multisport, Pilates, Energy, Wheelchair, Yoga |
Private: None Premade: Cardio, HIIT, Pilates, Energy, Wheelchair, Yoga |
|
Teaching |
Garmin Operating Coach, Biking Coach, Energy 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 start out, TracBack, downloadable programs, breadcrumb navigation, Up Forward, distance to vacation spot |
Again to start out |
The desk above does not cowl each new Venu 4 software program function, however I’ve emphasised the highlights. The coaching instruments, every day steered runs, downloadable GPX programs, and operating instruments will likely be acquainted to Forerunner 265 or 570 house owners. And it pulls options just like the sensible wake alarm and every day steered walks from the Vivoactive 6.
Other than these imported instruments, the Venu 4 introduces just a few unique perks — a minimum of till Garmin ports them to different fashions.
Garmin has historically siloed its teaching and steered exercises into particular person classes like operating, biking, and energy. The Venu 4, nonetheless, 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 sequence, which has historically targeted extra on indoor health club or residence exercises with animations and muscle maps. And the identical goes for the brand new “combined session exercise” profile, which can allow you to observe totally different health club exercises in a single basic exercise as an alternative of splitting them up or utilizing one “Cardio” exercise.
Well being Standing reveals how your physique’s nightly coronary heart price, blood oxygen, HRV, pores and skin temperature, and respiration price evaluate in opposition to your baseline. It then warns you by way of the Morning Report if in case you have any “outliers” as an indication of sickness or poor way of life decisions.
On that observe, Way of life logging has you inform Garmin the optimistic, adverse, or impartial actions you’ve got taken all through the day in order that it may possibly present insights into their physiological affect on metrics like stress and sleep high quality. You may log consuming or ingesting espresso late, having a interval or migraine, carrying 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; if you need a Well being Standing watch widget or straightforward on-wrist logging, you will want the Venu 4.
The Venu 3 first launched a wheelchair mode and tracked pushes as an alternative 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 information).
Extra broadly, Garmin will construct on the Venu 3’s sleep coach and enhanced physique battery information with the Venu 4, judging your circadian rhythm to find out “how aligned the physique is to its inside sleep cycle.” It’s going to additionally observe 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. But it surely’s nonetheless costly for a health watch; the Venu 3 felt extra accessible, in the identical vary as different “regular” smartwatches. You may argue that dual-band GPS, flashlight, coaching load, and different perks are price $100 additional, nevertheless it’s not clear if Venu followers will care about these perks as a lot as Fenix or Forerunner customers.
Finally, I feel your improve resolution will come right 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 health club exercises? Or would you like extra insights on easy methods to stay a more healthy way of life with higher sleep? If this sounds intriguing, the Venu 4 will likely be an excellent match.
If that every one sounds superfluous, I might say you may persist with the Venu 3 and maintain out till 2027 for a Venu 5 with newer well being sensors. Or when you’re weighing the Venu 3 on sale, I might say it stays among the finest Garmin watches, even when the Venu 4 is objectively higher on most fronts.
Mixing way of life with health
Select the Garmin Venu 4 when you just like the Venu’s refined, fashionable look and emphasis on well being and sleep steerage, however resented that older fashions had restricted coaching steerage. Skip the Venu 4 if you need the Forerunner 570’s higher button controls or the Venu X1’s huge show, or when you’re keen to make use of your Venu 3 for an additional two years.
Preserving issues easier
Select the Venu 3 when 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 when you want extra in-depth exercise steerage, you might have considered trying the Venu 4 as an alternative.
