Garmin Venu 3 vs Venu 2: Lifestyle Smartwatch Comparison. Garmin stands as a pillar in the market for sports-oriented connected watches. In 2022, the Venu 2 made a name for itself as an excellent value for money. Now, its successor, the Venu 3, continues to deliver brilliant performance. So, how do you choose between these two watches? Find the answer in this exciting comparison!
Table of Contents
Pros and Cons
| Garmin Venu 3 | Garmin Venu 2 |
|---|---|
| Sports and recovery functions | Complete sports tracking |
| Cardio and GPS precision | Garmin Connect app |
| Beautiful Oled screen | Beautiful Amoled screen |
| Built-in microphone and speaker | Good battery life |
| Plastic finish of the case | GPS-only tracking |
| Relatively high price | No mic or speaker |
Specifications
| Garmin Venu 3 | Garmin Venu 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Garmin | Garmin |
| Price | $449.99 | $299.99 |
| Dimensions | 45.4 x 45.4 x 12.2 mm | 45 x 45 x 12 mm |
| Weight | 47 g | 49 g |
| Display | 1.4-inch AMOLED | 1.3-inch AMOLED |
| Resolution | 454 x 454 pixels | 416 x 416 pixels |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| IP rating | 5ATM | 5ATM |
| Protection | 5ATM, Gorilla Glass 3 | 5ATM, Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Watch strap | 22mm or 18mm, quick-release | 22mm or 18mm, quick-release |
| GPS tracking | GPS-only or All-Systems GNSS | GPS only |
| Garmin Pay | Yes | Yes |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi, NFC | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi, NFC |
| Compatibility | Android, iOS | Android, iOS |
Similarities
- Both come with the same charging cable, although the Venu 3 also supports USB Type-C.
- They have the same build and band counts, with a smaller size having an 18 mm band and a larger size having a 22 mm band.
- Both models have a water resistance rating of 5 atmospheres, making them suitable for swimming and water-based activities.
- They both feature Gorilla Glass 3 and AMOLED displays, providing vibrant and clear visuals.
- Both smartwatches are equipped with various tracking sensors, including an altimeter, compass, accelerometer, gyroscope, thermometer, and ambient light sensor.
- They both offer Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi, and NFC connectivity features, allowing for seamless pairing and wireless data transfer.
- Both the Venu 3 and Venu 2 have 8 GB of internal storage for music, so you can listen to your favorite tunes on the go.
Design Differences
Garmin focused primarily on ergonomics and design in its latest models, yet the Venu 2 and Venu 3 remain remarkably similar at first glance.
Both these smartwatches feature a round Amoled display shielded by Gorilla Glass 3 and nestle in a case made of fiber-reinforced polymer, edged by a stainless steel bezel. They boast water resistance up to 5 ATM and share dimensions of 45 x 45mm, supporting 22mm wide straps.
- Venu 3 has a bigger screen size, measuring about 1 inch, compared to Venu 2.
- Venu 3 is slightly lighter, weighing about 2 grams less than Venu 2.
- Venu 2 (non-plus version) lacks a middle button, which is present on both Venu 3 and Venu 2 plus.
- Venu 2 (non-plus version) lacks a mic and speaker, while both Venu 2 plus and Venu 3 have these features.
- Venu 3 has a mic, speaker, and middle button, making it more versatile in terms of functionality.
Display
Display Size: Venu 3 has a 1.4-inch display, slightly larger than Venu 2’s 1.3 inches.
Resolution: Improved to 454 x 454 pixels, offering sharper images.
Touch-Sensitive Bezel: The Venu 3 has an enhanced bezel for smoother navigation.
Redesigned Buttons: These offer a more satisfying feel when pressed.
Weight: Venu 3 is slightly lighter at 47 grams compared to Venu 2’s 49 grams.
Brightness: Venu 3 can reach up to 1,300 nits, surpassing Venu 2’s 1,000 nits.
Sapphire Edition: Offers more scratch resistance.
Always-On Mode: Both models have this feature, but Venu 3 manages it with better battery efficiency.
Automatic Brightness Sensor: Adjusts screen lighting automatically.
Despite these similarities, the Venu 3 introduces several enhancements. It is lighter by 3g, weighing 46g compared to the Venu 2 49g, and increases its display size. Maintaining the same form factor as the Venu 2, the Venu 3 presents a 1.4-inch screen, up from 1.3 inches, offering a resolution of 454 x 452 pixels over the older model’s 416 x 416.
This upgrade means slimmer screen borders and a slightly thinner case by 0.2 mm. Additionally, the Venu 3 incorporates a speaker and microphone, features that were previously exclusive to the Venu 2 Plus version.
Interface
The Venu 3’s interface has seen a slight evolution from the Venu 2, with a greater emphasis on customizable widgets directly from the watch screen. It continues to provide smooth functionality, NFC payment options, music storage, and various health tracking features. The significant enhancement comes with the ability to respond to messages.
Thanks to the new microphone, users can now reply using voice commands or a touch keyboard. However, this feature — adding to the Venu 3’s appeal — is exclusive to users connecting with an Android smartphone; it does not function with an iPhone. Additionally, the Venu 3 introduces a new “wheelchair” mode, enhancing its accessibility and usability.
Sensor Upgrades
The Venu 2 and 3 both come equipped with the same set of sensors: a heart rate monitor, GPS, gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, barometric altimeter, and pulse oximeter (SpO2). They lack a temperature sensor, focusing more on sports functionality rather than the health features prevalent in many lifestyle watches.
However, they do include electrodes for ECG production, which are not activated yet. Additionally, the Venu 3 supports 38 different sports at its launch, more than the 25 available on the Venu 2.
- The Venu 3 is equipped with the Elevate V5 Optical heart rate tracker, which provides more accurate heart rate monitoring.
- While both the Venu 2 plus and Venu 3 have the capability for ECG, only the Venu 3 has not been FDA approved for ECG measurements.
- The Venu 3 features a skin temperature sensor, although it is currently inactive and there is no information on its activation status.
- With better GPS tracking capabilities, the Venu 3 allows for more accurate tracking of your outdoor activities compared to the Venu 2.
- On the other hand, the Venu 2 can only perform GPS-only tracking, which may not provide as accurate location data as the Venu 3.
Apps
When it comes to application access, the two watches stand equal. Garmin Connect, accessible on both Android and iOS, delivers detailed insights into activity session tracking, daily health measurements, the crucial Body Battery that reveals the user’s energy levels, and various badges designed to motivate athletes.
Users can customize the home page of this information-packed app, widely regarded as one of the most thorough available.
Battery Life
Garmin typically doesn’t disclose the exact capacity of its product batteries. We have to rely on our endurance tests instead. The company advertises up to 14 days of battery life for the Venu 3 and up to 11 days for the Venu 2.
In our tests, which involved typical smartwatch usage and added sports sessions, the Venu 3 lasted 204 hours before shutting down, while the Venu 2 lasted 192 hours. This means the newer Garmin watch lasts about half a day longer than the older model’s eight days, an impressive performance.
However, the Venu 3 charges a bit slower than the Venu 2. It took us 1 hour and 20 minutes to fully charge the Venu 3, whereas the Venu 2 took only 1 hour. This slight increase in charging time is the only small drawback we noted.
Software Features
- Sleep Coaching and Nap Tracking: The Venu 3 includes a new sleep coaching feature that provides insights and recommendations on improving your sleep quality. It also offers nap tracking, allowing you to monitor your daytime naps.
- Body Battery and HRV-Based Recovery Time Recommendations: With the Venu 3, you can access your body battery levels, which provide an indication of your energy reserves throughout the day. It also utilizes heart rate variability (HRV) to offer personalized recovery time recommendations after intense workouts.
- Guided Meditations and Interval Workout Creation: The Venu 3 offers guided meditations to help you relax and reduce stress. Additionally, it allows you to create interval workouts directly on the watch, making it easier to customize your training sessions.
- Wheelchair Tracking Feature: An innovative addition to the Venu 3 is its wheelchair tracking feature. Instead of counting steps, it tracks pushes and provides guidance on weight shifting for wheelchair users, ensuring accurate activity tracking and personalized insights.
- 7 New Sports Modes: The Venu 3 introduces seven new sports modes, including paddle ball, pickleball, e-biking, hand cycling, indoor hand cycling, snowshoeing, and tennis. These additional modes cater to a wider range of activities and provide more comprehensive tracking for specific sports.
Price and Upgrade Considerations
When comparing the Garmin Venu 3 and Venu 2, it’s important to consider the price and potential reasons for upgrading:
- The Venu 3 priced at $449.99, while the Venu 2 is priced at $299.99.
- For an extra $50, the Venu 3 offers several additional features and improvements, making it worth the investment.
- However, if you already own a Venu 2, there may not be a compelling reason to upgrade, as the differences may not justify the additional cost.
- If you’re on a tighter budget or looking for more affordable options, consider older Venu models, such as the original Venu or the Venu SQ, which offer similar fitness tracking and smartwatch capabilities at a lower price point.
Conclusion:
These watches deliver precise and almost identical activity monitoring (heart rate, GPS measurements) with a very similar design. The Venu 3 stands out by offering a slightly larger display in the same sized body and a bit more battery life, securing its edge. However, it comes at a significantly higher launch price, justified by its extra features like nap tracking, inactive ECG, and support for more sports activities.
The Venu 3 is slightly more advanced and leans more towards health features, yet this doesn’t make the Venu 2 outdated.
The older model is still a top choice for those who prioritize sports features and want to avoid the Venu 3 $449.99.
For Venu 2 Users: The Venu 3 offers a more refined experience with its brighter display, sleeker design, and improved bezel. However, the fundamental health and fitness tracking features remain similar. If you’re satisfied with the Venu 2 and don’t need the latest enhancements, an immediate upgrade might not be essential.
For New Users or Venu 1 Owners: The Venu 3 is a highly recommended choice. The advancements in hardware and display justify the extra cost, especially for first-generation Venu owners, as it represents a significant leap forward.
