Garmin Venu 3 vs. Garmin Venu X1: Which Is Right for You?
Introduction
Garmin’s Venu series has long blended style with substance, offering smartwatch convenience alongside serious fitness tracking. In 2023, Garmin launched the Venu 3 (and smaller Venu 3S) as its flagship all-round fitness watchandroidauthority.com. Two years later, in mid-2025, it unveiled the Venu X1, an ultra-thin, premium model that pushes the envelope with a bold new design and advanced features. This article provides an in-depth comparison of Garmin Venu 3 vs. Garmin Venu X1, examining their design, displays, health and sports features, battery endurance, and value for money. We’ll highlight key differences – from the Venu X1’s 2-inch AMOLED touchscreen and built-in flashlight to the Venu 3’s two-week battery and ECG capability – so you can confidently decide which watch is right for you.
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Before diving deeper, here’s a quick overview of each device and how they differ:
- Garmin Venu 3 (2023): A round smartwatch available in 45 mm or 41 mm sizes, featuring Gorilla Glass 3 and a stainless steel bezel. It focuses on comprehensive health tracking (including nap detection and sleep coaching), supports voice calls with a paired phone, and boasts up to 14 days battery lifeandroidauthority.com. Priced around $449, it delivers high-end sensors (like Garmin’s Gen5 Elevate heart rate with ECG) in a mainstream-friendly designandroidauthority.com.
- Garmin Venu X1 (2025): A new flagship with an ultra-thin, 7.9 mm thick rectangular case (46 × 41 mm) and the largest display Garmin has ever offeredbandletic.com. It uses a titanium caseback and sapphire crystal lens for a premium build, yet weighs only ~34 g (with nylon strap) for exceptional comfort. The X1 introduces a bright 2” AMOLED screen (2000 nits) ideal for on-watch maps, along with a built-in LED flashlight and advanced training tools. Battery life is 8 days in smartwatch modeamazon.com. It’s positioned as a luxury model at $799 MSRP.
In the sections below, we compare the Venu 3 vs. Venu X1 in detail – covering design and display, health and fitness features, smart capabilities, battery performance, and overall value – complete with real-world examples and cited facts. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of each watch’s strengths and which is the better fit for your lifestyle and fitness goals.
Design and Build Quality
Form Factor and Materials
One of the most striking differences is the look and build of these watches. The Garmin Venu X1 breaks from Garmin’s traditional design with a square-shaped display (“squircle” rounded square) and a remarkably slim profile. Measuring 46 × 41 × 7.9 mm, it’s Garmin’s thinnest watch to datebandletic.com – even thinner than many fashion smartwatches. The X1’s chassis is made of fiber-reinforced polymer with a titanium caseback, topped by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal lens for the screen. This premium material combination gives it durability and an upscale feel while keeping weight low (around 34 g). The watch comes with a comfortable ComfortFit nylon band out of the boxamazon.com, enhancing its all-day wearability.
In contrast, the Garmin Venu 3 sticks to a classic round dial available in two sizes – 45 mm for the standard Venu 3 and 41 mm for the Venu 3Sandroidauthority.com. Both versions feature a stainless steel bezel and a fiber-reinforced polymer case, with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protecting the display. This yields a stylish yet robust build that feels like a traditional watch on the wrist. The larger 45 mm model weighs about 47 g with its silicone band (the 41 mm is ~40 g)bandletic.com, so the Venu 3 is slightly heavier and thicker (~12 mm case thickness) than the X1. While it lacks the titanium or sapphire touches of the X1, the Venu 3’s materials strike a good balance between durability and comfort for everyday wear.
Both watches are water-rated to 5 ATM (50 m), suitable for swimming and showers. However, the X1’s use of premium sapphire crystal and metal highlights gives it an edge in scratch resistance and a “luxury” aesthetic. If you prefer a sleek, ultra-thin modern look, the Venu X1’s design is unparalleled in Garmin’s lineup. On the other hand, if a classic round watch style and sturdy feel are more your taste, the Venu 3 delivers that with proven materials (stainless steel bezel, Gorilla Glass)bandletic.com while still looking refined.
Real-world example: The Venu X1’s slim profile means it barely protrudes from your wrist – useful if you often wear dress shirts or jackets, as it won’t snag on cuffs. Its lightweight build is also ideal for sleep tracking; you might forget you have it on. The Venu 3 is thicker, but some users might appreciate its more substantial presence, akin to a conventional watch – it looks natural in both gym attire and office wear.
Display: Size, Brightness, and Interface
Garmin gave the Venu X1 a show-stopping screen. The Venu X1 boasts a 2.0-inch AMOLED display (approx. 51 mm diagonal) with a resolution of 448 × 486 pixels. This is not only the largest Garmin display yet, but also exceptionally bright at up to 2,000 nitsandroidcentral.com. In practical terms, the X1’s screen is twice as bright as the Venu 3’s, making it extremely easy to read in all conditions – even under harsh sunlight. The extra-large, high-resolution panel allows more data or larger text to be shown at once, which is especially useful for things like detailed maps and stats-rich workout screens. The X1’s display is a squarish shape with rounded corners, giving it a modern “smartwatch” vibe reminiscent of an Apple Watch, and it supports an always-on mode (AOD). However, using AOD cuts the X1’s standby battery down to around 2 daysbandletic.com, so many users will use gesture-based wake to preserve battery.
The Garmin Venu 3, by comparison, has a circular AMOLED display available in two sizes: 1.4-inch (454 × 454) on the 45 mm model, and 1.2-inch (390 × 390) on the 41 mm modelbandletic.com. Both are sharp and colorful, and Garmin rates them at about 1,000 nits brightness (plenty for outdoor visibility, though not as ultra-bright as the X1). The pixel density is actually slightly higher on the Venu 3 (the 45 mm’s 1.4″ screen has roughly the same resolution as X1, so pixels per inch are comparable), meaning text and watch faces look crisp. The Venu 3 also offers an optional always-on mode, which it can handle for several days albeit with a hit to battery life (more on that in the battery section). Notably, the Venu 3’s display is round, appealing to those who prefer a traditional watch aesthetic – many users find a round face looks more natural on the wrist for daily wear.
Both displays use AMOLED tech, so you get vibrant colors and deep blacks on both watches. Touchscreen navigation is supported on both the Venu 3 and X1, making swiping through widgets and menus intuitive. Each watch also has physical buttons: the Venu 3 has 3 side buttons (two on the right, one on the left for shortcuts), whereas the X1 has 2 buttons on one sidebandletic.com. The Venu 3’s extra button can be handy for quick actions (like a dedicated back or workout button), while the X1 relies a bit more on touch and on-screen UI given its minimalist button approach.
Real-world example: If you frequently view detailed information or maps on your watch, the Venu X1’s larger, brighter screen is a game-changer. Runners and cyclists will appreciate how maps and stats pop on the 2″ display – you can see route details at a glance without squintingamazon.com. On the other hand, if you value battery life (for ultramarathons or multi-day travel) and don’t need on-device maps, the Venu 3’s slightly smaller screen still offers excellent clarity while consuming less power. Its circular display also means most Garmin watch faces and data screens (historically designed for round Fenix/Forerunner watches) fit the Venu 3 perfectly.
Health and Fitness Features
Sensors and Health Monitoring
Despite their outward differences, the Venu 3 and X1 share many core health sensors, but with a few important distinctions. Both use Garmin’s latest Elevate V5 heart-rate sensor for 24/7 heart rate and blood oxygen (Pulse Ox) trackingandroidauthority.com. They continuously monitor your heart rate, stress, and HRV status for insights into recovery and readiness. Each also tracks respiration, calories, steps, and more. One major distinction: the Venu 3 offers an ECG (electrocardiogram) app, whereas the Venu X1 does not have ECG functionalityandroidcentral.com. Garmin introduced ECG capability in the Venu 2 Plus and later enabled it on the Venu 3 after regulatory approval; this allows Venu 3 users to record a single-lead ECG by touching the watch case, helping detect signs of atrial fibrillation. The X1, however, “loses ECG readings” as one reviewer notedandroidcentral.com – presumably omitted to save space or due to its slim design. If heart health monitoring via ECG is a priority, the Venu 3 has the clear advantage.
Both watches include a wrist-based Pulse Ox sensor for blood oxygen saturation, plus the usual accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, barometric altimeter, and ambient light sensor. Garmin also added a skin temperature sensor in these latest models (Venu 3 series and X1) to track changes in skin temperature during sleep for additional wellness insightandroidcentral.com. This can help in menstrual cycle tracking or illness detection. In short, both devices are packed with sensors to quantify your health.
When it comes to health tracking features, the Venu 3 leans slightly more toward holistic wellness. It was the first Garmin to introduce Nap Detection and Sleep Coaching – the watch automatically logs daytime naps and can provide a “sleep coach” report to optimize rest. The Venu 3 also offers a Morning Report and a Daily Summary feature, giving you an overview of your sleep, recovery, and suggested workouts each day. Additionally, it has hydration logging, breathwork activities, menstrual cycle and pregnancy tracking, and even wheelchair mode (tracking pushes instead of steps, with wheelchair-specific sports profiles) for inclusivityandroidauthority.com. The X1, being newer, inherits many of these health features (HRV status, Body Battery™, advanced sleep monitoring with sleep stages, etc.) – in fact, Garmin markets the X1 as having advanced health insights and it does track sleep with a morning report as wellamazon.com. However, some nuanced features like the dedicated sleep coach or the wheelchair-specific tracking were spearheaded by the Venu 3.
Summary: Both watches will give you robust health data – heart rate, SpO₂, stress, sleep quality, Body Battery™ energy level, and more, all visible in Garmin Connect. The Venu 3 is slightly more “health coach” oriented, with features like sleep coaching and ECG for heart healthandroidauthority.com. The Venu X1 covers all the critical health metrics too (minus ECG), and emphasizes training readiness and recovery scores, which we’ll cover next.
Sports and Training Features
Garmin loaded these watches with fitness capabilities, but the X1 aims to be the more advanced training tool. Out of the box, the Venu X1 includes over 100 preloaded sports apps and activities – everything from running, cycling, swimming, and golf to strength training and outdoor recreation. This breadth rivals Garmin’s higher-end Fenix/Forerunner series, meaning X1 can track almost any activity you throw at it. It also supports on-watch TopoActive maps (more on that in the next section) which greatly benefit hikers, trail runners, and golfers (the X1 has 43,000+ golf courses maps preloaded)amazon.com. The X1 introduces some new training metrics to the Venu family, like Training Readiness, Training Status, Endurance Score, and even Garmin’s new Running Dynamics metrics (e.g. Running Power, Running Economy) that were previously seen on the Forerunner 965 and Fenix 8 seriesdcrainmaker.com. In short, the X1 is designed as a crossover between a lifestyle watch and an athlete’s tool. Runners and triathletes will appreciate features like Recovery Time, VO₂ max, race time predictions, interval workouts, and access to Garmin Coach training plans right on the watch – all of which the X1 supports.
The Garmin Venu 3, while very capable, is a bit more modest in its sport orientation. It offers around 25–30 built-in activity modes out of the box (and supports up to 60+ via Garmin Connect), covering all the popular ones – running (indoor/outdoor), cycling, pool swimming, yoga, HIIT, strength, Pilates, etc., including the unique Wheelchair and Wheelchair basketball/rugby modes it introducedandroidauthority.com. For most casual fitness enthusiasts or gym-goers, the Venu 3 has everything needed. It also features animated workouts on-screen (for cardio, strength, yoga, Pilates) and muscle maps to guide your form. And like the X1, it can sync training plans and workouts from Garmin Coach or TrainingPeaks. The main differences are that the Venu 3 lacks the ultra-advanced metrics – for example, it doesn’t have native running power or advanced multi-band running dynamics that X1 offers, and it doesn’t support onboard topo maps or round-trip routing on the watch.
That said, the Venu 3 certainly isn’t “basic”: it does boast Multi-GNSS GPS tracking for accuracy, can connect to external sensors (like heart rate straps or cycling speed/cadence sensors via ANT+), and gives you core training feedback such as Training Effect, Recovery Time, and Fitness Age. It even added features like HRV status-based training readiness via firmware updates, bringing it closer to Garmin’s higher models in terms of insight. But ultimately, the Venu 3 is tuned to be a wellness-focused smartwatch with solid fitness features, whereas the Venu X1 is pushing into the realm of a full multisport watch with all the bells and whistles.
Real-world example: If you’re a marathon runner or triathlete, you might lean toward the Venu X1 for its advanced training analytics and broad sport modes. For instance, X1 can provide a Training Readiness score each morning, factoring in your sleep, recovery, and acute load – guidance previously limited to Fenix and Forerunner modelsdcrainmaker.com. It’s like having a coach tell you if you’re primed for a hard workout or should rest. The X1 can also display full-color maps during a trail runamazon.com and use features like ClimbPro for hill split detailsbandletic.com – invaluable for trail runners or hikers. On the other hand, if your routine is more about general fitness – say, gym classes, daily jogs, and monitoring health metrics – the Venu 3 covers those expertly. It can still track your 5K runs or laps in the pool with accuracy (it supports GPS, lap swimming, etc.), and afterwards you’ll benefit from its longer battery and simpler interface focused on wellness stats like sleep quality and stress. In short, Venu X1 targets performance and outdoor enthusiasts, while Venu 3 targets everyday fitness and health management.
Smart Features and Connectivity
Both the Venu 3 and Venu X1 are Bluetooth-connected smartwatches compatible with Android and iOS, and they share a similar set of smart features: notifications mirroring, music storage and playback, contactless payments, and more. But there are a few new tricks the X1 brings.
Phone Calls & Voice Assistant: The Venu 3 was Garmin’s first in the series to include a built-in speaker and microphone, allowing you to make and take phone calls from the watch when paired with your smartphoneandroidauthority.com. You can also use your phone’s voice assistant (Siri/Google Assistant) via the Venu 3’s mic. The Venu X1 continues this capability – it too has a speaker and mic, so you can answer calls on your wrist and use voice commandsamazon.comamazon.com. In daily use, both watches essentially free you from pulling out your phone for basic tasks. (Example: you can reply to a text by dictating a response, or ask the watch “what’s the weather?” and hear the answer.) The X1 has an advantage in that Garmin enabled on-watch voice commands for certain functions – for instance, you can start activities or control settings via voice on the X1bandletic.com. The Venu 3 relies on the connected phone’s assistant for most voice features, whereas the X1’s firmware is a bit more independent in this aspect. It’s a subtle difference, but it shows how X1 blurs the line between Garmin and a full smartwatch experience.
Music and Payments: Both models offer offline music storage (the Venu 3 has about 8 GB, enough for hundreds of songs; the X1 ups this to a hefty 32 GB of storageandroidcentral.com, largely to accommodate maps, but that also leaves plenty of room for music/audiobooks). You can sync playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, etc., and pair Bluetooth earbuds to listen phone-free. Garmin Pay is supported on both, enabling contactless payments from your wrist. Essentially, neither watch compromises on these lifestyle features – you can go for a run without your phone, listening to music and grabbing a coffee after using just your watch to pay.
Maps and Navigation: Here lies a major differentiator. The Venu X1 has built-in maps and advanced navigation tools, while the Venu 3 does not have on-device maps. The X1 comes preloaded with TopoActive full-color maps (for your region) as well as worldwide golf course mapsamazon.com. It supports turn-by-turn navigation, round-trip routing (choose a distance and it will suggest a loop route), and features like ClimbPro (which breaks down climbs on a route – great for cyclists and hikers). Essentially, the X1 can function like a Fenix/Epix series watch when it comes to mapping – you can see trails and contour lines on your wrist and navigate without a phone. It even has multi-band GNSS support disabled (neither Venu 3 nor X1 have dual-frequency GPS, interestinglyreddit.com, but the X1’s standard GPS is very accurate and you have maps to mitigate any navigation confusion). By contrast, the Venu 3 has no onboard maps – it can still record GPS tracks and breadcrumb trails, and you can follow courses (just a line on a blank screen with turn alerts), but it relies on your phone for detailed mappingbandletic.com. For example, you can create a route in Garmin Connect and send it to Venu 3, but the watch will only show an arrow or simple path, not a full map with context. This is fine for many users, but if you want robust navigation on-wrist, the X1 clearly wins.
Additional Smart Features: Both watches show smartphone notifications (with quick replies on Android), calendar events, weather, etc. Both can control smartphone music and have find my phone/watch features. Each also supports Wi-Fi syncing (so you don’t need your phone nearby to upload an activity). They even both support NFC payments (Garmin Pay) as mentioned, and safety features like Incident Detection and LiveTrack when paired to your phone. One fun new feature on both is the on-screen flashlight – the Venu 3 lacks a physical LED, but Garmin gave it a white screen mode to act as a flashlight in a pinchandroidauthority.com. The X1, of course, has an actual LED flashlight on its top edge, which is much brighter and more practical for nighttime useamazon.com. If you double-tap the X1 or use a gesture, you can ignite its LED – useful for finding keys in the dark or as a safety strobe on an evening run.
Real-world example: Imagine you finish a nighttime trail run – with the Venu X1, you could navigate back using the watch’s built-in map to stay on courseamazon.com, and if it’s dark, turn on the LED flashlight to light up the trail around you or signal your location. Meanwhile, you get a call from a friend – you answer it on your X1 without breaking stride. The Venu 3, while it can’t show you a map or light the way, will still record your run accurately and let you answer that call from your wrist just the same. Afterwards, the Venu 3 will likely have more battery left (thanks to no power-hungry maps or LED usage), and it will dutifully log your recovery time and advise you on rest – whereas the X1 might need a recharge sooner after such a GPS-intensive outing. Which scenario appeals more will depend on whether you value those advanced extras or longer simplicity and endurance.
Battery Life and Charging
Garmin devices are known for great battery life, and here the Venu 3 clearly outlasts the Venu X1 in most situations. The Garmin Venu 3 can achieve up to 14 days of battery life in smartwatch mode (with typical use) on the 45 mm version, and around 10 days on the 41 mm Venu 3Sandroidauthority.com. Even with the always-on display enabled, the Venu 3 can go roughly 5 days between charges (45 mm model)androidcentral.com. For GPS workouts, you get about 20 hours of continuous GPS (or 11 hours if using GPS with music) on the 45 mm modelandroidcentral.com – plenty for a full day hike or even an ultramarathon. This endurance is a big selling point of the Venu 3; many users report wearing it for a week or two at a time before needing to recharge, which is far better than most touchscreen smartwatches on the market in 2025.
The Garmin Venu X1, with its larger display and thinner battery, is more power-hungry. Garmin rates it at up to 8 days in smartwatch mode (with default settings)amazon.com. If you enable the always-on display full time, real-world use is about 2 days on a chargebandletic.com. For GPS tracking, the X1 can last roughly 16–18 hours of continuous GPS (no music) or around 7 hours with GPS+music. This is enough for long single activities (e.g. a full-day bike ride), but it’s notably shorter than the Venu 3’s GPS endurance. Essentially, the X1’s gorgeous display and slender form factor come at the cost of battery longevity. It does not have solar charging or any such feature to extend life (those are reserved for Garmin’s outdoor watches like Fenix). Both the X1 and Venu 3 charge via Garmin’s proprietary USB cable (clamp-style connector), taking roughly ~1.5–2 hours for a full charge.
Battery life comparison: In practical terms, Venu 3 lasts almost twice as long as Venu X1 in daily useandroidcentral.com. If you’re the type who hates charging gadgets, the Venu 3 offers peace of mind – you can travel for a week with its charger left at home. By contrast, the X1, while decent, is more in line with typical smartwatch endurance – you’ll likely charge it every 5–7 days under light use, or every couple of days if you heavily use the always-on and GPS features.
Real-world example: A multi-day hiking trip is a good litmus test. The Venu 3 (45 mm) in smartwatch mode could potentially last the entire trip (up to two weeks) if you only record shorter hikes each day, and still have juice for evenings without worryandroidauthority.com. The X1, with its maps and bright screen, would need more careful power management – you might use the X1’s Battery Saver settings or carry a small battery pack to top it up if you’re navigating with it frequently. On the flip side, if you primarily use your watch for daily workouts and office wear (charging it occasionally at your desk), the X1 can fit into that routine fine, you’ll just charge it a bit more often than a Venu 3. Many users of the X1 might treat it like a high-end smartwatch – e.g. charge overnight every few nights – whereas Venu 3 owners often brag about getting through two weekends and a full week on one chargeandroidcentral.combandletic.com.
In summary, battery life is a win for the Venu 3. Garmin themselves note that “both Venu 3 sizes beat X1 for battery life”androidcentral.com – 14 days vs 8 days is a significant difference. If you prioritize long battery endurance or dislike frequent charging, the Venu 3 is the better choice. The X1’s battery is acceptable given its features, but heavy users will be looking for their charger more often.
Price and Value
It’s important to consider value: the Garmin Venu X1 is a premium flagship priced around $799.99 at launch, whereas the Venu 3 launched at $449.99 (often on sale for less by 2025). That’s roughly a $350 difference for the X1’s added features and upscale design. What does that extra money buy you? In summary:
- Upscale Build: X1’s sapphire crystal lens and titanium back vs Venu 3’s Gorilla Glass and steel. If you value luxury materials, X1 deliversbandletic.com.
- Larger, brighter display: 2” 2000-nit screen on X1 vs 1.2–1.4” 1000-nit on Venu 3androidcentral.com.
- Onboard Maps & Flashlight: X1 includes topo maps, golf maps, and an LED flashlight – features absent on Venu 3amazon.com.
- Advanced software: X1 has extra sports modes (100+ vs ~60) and training metrics (training readiness, running dynamics) appealing to serious athletes.
- Comfort: X1 is thinner and lighter (7.9 mm, 40 g) making it arguably more comfortable for 24/7 wear.
Meanwhile, the Garmin Venu 3 offers better battery life, ECG capability, and a lower price. It covers all fundamental health tracking (even more health features in some areas) and core smart features, at a significantly more affordable cost. It’s arguably the better value for most users who don’t need maps or the absolute latest metrics.
From a value perspective, the Venu 3 hits a sweet spot of functionality-to-price, whereas the X1 is for those willing to pay a premium to get everything in one device. One could say the X1 is Garmin’s answer to the Apple Watch Ultra in terms of combining style with rich features, and its price reflects that high-end positioningfacebook.com.
Garmin Venu 3 vs. Venu X1: Which Should You Choose?
Both the Venu 3 and Venu X1 are excellent smartwatches, but they cater to slightly different audiences. Here is a step-by-step guide to deciding which is right for you:
- Consider Your Primary Use Case: If you’re looking for a watch to improve general fitness, health, and daily convenience, the Garmin Venu 3 is a fantastic choice. It offers in-depth wellness tracking (sleep coach, stress, HRV), enough sport modes for most users, and you won’t be charging it every night. However, if you’re an outdoor enthusiast or advanced athlete who wants on-wrist mapping, extensive sport analytics, and a cutting-edge display, the Venu X1 will better satisfy those needs despite the higher cost. For example, marathon runners or hikers who want to navigate trails without a phone may lean towards X1’s mappingamazon.com, whereas a gym-goer or casual runner will find everything they need in the Venu 3.
- Prioritize Battery vs. Features: Ask yourself how much battery life matters. Will you be away from chargers for long periods? Do you prefer a watch that you can wear for a week+ straight (Venu 3) or are you okay with charging more often to get a superior display (X1)? The Venu 3’s two-week battery is a game-changer if you dislike frequent chargingandroidauthority.com. The X1’s 8-day battery is decent but will drop to ~2 days with always-on displaybandletic.com. For many, long battery life equals convenience – if so, Venu 3 wins. If you’re more excited by having Garmin’s largest, brightest screen and you’ll mostly do shorter activities (or don’t mind a mid-week charge), X1’s features may outweigh its battery trade-off.
- Budget and Value: Simply put, the Venu 3 is much more affordable. If budget is a concern, it delivers nearly all of Garmin’s latest health features at a significantly lower price. The X1 asks a premium; ensure you will truly use its unique benefits (maps, flashlight, extra metrics) to justify spending ~$800. If those extras aren’t mission-critical for you, the Venu 3 offers better bang for your buck, and you could use the savings toward other fitness gear.
Conclusion – which watch is right for you? For most users focused on improving fitness and health tracking day-to-day, the Garmin Venu 3 is the right choice – it’s an “all-around gem” with excellent battery life, robust health monitoring (including ECG), and a stylish normal watch designandroidcentral.com. It provides high-end smartwatch features at a mid-range price, making it a high-value buy. On the other hand, the Garmin Venu X1 is perfect for those who want the very latest and greatest – you’ll get innovative design (the thinnest case and biggest display), advanced training tools, and features previously exclusive to Garmin’s top adventure watches, all in one slim package. If you love the idea of a premium flagship Garmin and don’t mind the cost (or the more frequent charging), the X1 will delight you with its capabilities.
Ultimately, you can’t really go wrong – both watches uphold Garmin’s reputation for accuracy and quality. It’s a matter of matching the watch to your needs and lifestyle. Venu 3 excels as a dependable everyday fitness smartwatch with long battery life. Venu X1 excels as a cutting-edge sport smartwatch that merges fashion with function.
Further Reading
For another detailed Garmin comparison, check out our Garmin Instinct 3 vs. Fenix 8 analysis – a deep dive into Garmin’s rugged outdoor watchesfreditech.com. You’ll learn how the Fenix 8 introduced mapping and premium materials, concepts Garmin later brought into the Venu X1. Also, visit our Smartwatch Reviews section for more on the latest wearable tech and how they stack up.
FAQ: Common Questions about Garmin Venu 3 and Venu X1
Is the Garmin Venu X1 better than the Venu 3?
“Better” depends on your needs. The Venu X1 is more advanced in many ways – it has a larger 2″ AMOLED display, on-board maps, an LED flashlight, and more training features than the Venu 3. It’s ideal for power users or those who want Garmin’s most premium experience.
The Venu 3, however, offers longer battery life (up to 14 days) and includes certain health features like ECG that the X1 lacks. It’s also much cheaper. For everyday fitness and health tracking, the Venu 3 is often the better value. The X1 is “better” if you specifically need its extras and are willing to pay for them.
Does the Garmin Venu 3 have ECG, and does the Venu X1 have it too?
The Venu 3 has an ECG app (added after launch via update) that can record a single-lead ECG and help detect atrial fibrillation. The Venu X1 does not have ECG functionality.
Garmin left ECG out of the X1, so if ECG readings are important to you for heart health monitoring, you’ll want the Venu 3 (or the older Venu 2 Plus which also has ECG). The X1 still measures heart rate and HRV, but no electrocardiogram feature is available on it.
Which watch has better battery life, the Venu 3 or X1?
The Garmin Venu 3 offers significantly longer battery life than the X1. In smartwatch mode, Venu 3 can last about 14 days (5+ days even with always-on display), whereas the Venu X1 lasts around 8 days (and only ~2 days with always-on).
For GPS use, the Venu 3 can get up to ~20–26 hours of tracking on a charge, versus ~16–18 hours on the X1. The Venu 3’s efficiency is a big advantage if you want a watch that you rarely need to charge. The X1’s battery life is decent given its big screen, but you’ll be charging it more often – roughly twice as often under similar usage.
Does the Garmin Venu X1 have multi-band GPS or better accuracy than Venu 3?
Interestingly, neither the Venu 3 nor the X1 has multi-band (dual-frequency) GPS. They both use multi-GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, etc.) standard precision GNSS chips.
Despite this, both are reported to have very good GPS accuracy for most activities. The Venu X1 includes Garmin’s SatIQ technology and advanced algorithms to optimize GPS accuracy vs. battery, similar to high-end models, so it performs on par with the best. The Venu 3 also improved GPS accuracy over its predecessor and supports all major constellations, so you’ll get reliably precise tracking on runs and rides.
In short, both are accurate, and while multi-band isn’t present, most users won’t miss it unless under very challenging GPS conditions (like dense urban canyons). For those cases, Garmin’s more outdoor-oriented watches (Fenix/Epix) have that feature, but Venu series do not.
Can I use the Garmin Venu 3 or X1 for navigation and maps?
The Venu X1 supports on-device maps and navigation, whereas the Venu 3 does not have maps. On the X1, you can see full-color topo maps, follow routes with turn-by-turn directions, and even use round-trip routing or search for points of interest.
The X1 basically brings Fenix-level mapping to the Venu line. The Venu 3 can still record your GPS path and you can follow a breadcrumb trail for a course, but it will not display actual maps or detailed route info on the watch.
Are both watches equally durable (waterproof, scratch-resistant)?
Both watches have 5 ATM water resistance (good for swimming, showering, rain, etc.). In terms of build, the Venu X1 is arguably more durable against scratches because it uses a sapphire crystal lens (which is extremely scratch-resistant).
The Venu 3 uses Gorilla Glass 3, which is tough but can scratch if hit against something hard (you might consider a screen protector for Venu 3 if you’re rough on it). The X1’s caseback is titanium, but its main case is polymer – durable for everyday use, though the Venu 3’s steel bezel could offer some protection to the screen if you bump it face-first.
What about the next model – is the Venu 4 coming, and should I wait?
The Venu X1 was essentially an unexpected addition to the lineup in 2025, and it’s unclear if Garmin will introduce a Venu 4 soon or position the X series as separate. Rumors suggest a Venu 4 could arrive in late 2025 or 2026, potentially with features like those on the X1 (but at a lower price, minus premium materials).
If you need a watch now, it’s usually not worth waiting on rumors – the Venu 3 is a safe bet that already has most features and will continue to get software updates. The Venu X1 is top-of-line now; a future Venu 4 might sit somewhere between Venu 3 and X1.
Author: Fredrick Wiredu (“Wiredufred”) – Tech Writer & Wearable Technology Analyst. With years of experience reviewing fitness trackers and smartwatches, Fredrick specializes in breaking down the latest wearable tech for consumers. He combines hands-on testing with deep research to provide accurate, trustworthy insights. His work has been featured on FrediTech and other tech publications, helping readers make informed decisions about the gadgets that power their active lifestyles.