Garmin Venu 4 vs Garmin Venu 3 – Comparison
Garmin’s Venu series is known for its strong combination of smartwatch functionality, sports tracking and health monitoring. The new Venu 4 series builds on the Venu 3 and introduces a range of upgrades focused on more advanced training, more accurate tracking and a more premium feel. Below is an overview of the key differences and similarities.
Design & Screen
Garmin Venu 4
- Premium full-metal watch case (stainless steel + polymer) for a robust, luxurious look.
- Only two physical buttons for a cleaner appearance.
- AMOLED display with higher peak brightness, offering better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Available in 41 mm and 45 mm variants.
Garmin Venu 3
- Polymer body with a metal bezel, resulting in a lighter and sportier design.
- Three physical buttons, giving some users more direct control.
- AMOLED display with standard brightness.
- Also available in 41 mm (Venu 3S) and 45 mm versions.
In short: The Garmin Venu 4 feels more robust and premium, but is slightly heavier than the Venu 3. The screen quality has been improved with higher maximum brightness.
Sports & Health Features
Garmin Venu 4
- Multiband / dual-frequency GNSS for even more accurate GPS tracking.
- New sport profiles such as triathlon, duathlon, trail running and expanded cycling activities.
- Advanced training statistics (Training Load, Load Ratio, Training Readiness, heat & altitude acclimatisation).
- Lifestyle Logging and Health Status: deeper insights into how factors such as sleep, stress and spot measurements influence your performance.
- Refined sleep tools such as Sleep Alignment and Sleep Consistency.
Garmin Venu 3
- Strong core health tracking including ECG, Body Battery, HRV status and nap detection.
- Less advanced training analysis and no dedicated multisport profiles like the Venu 4.
- GPS tracking via standard GNSS modules (no multiband).
In summary: The Venu 4 offers more advanced training tools, deeper health insights and more precise GPS, bringing it closer to Garmin’s performance-focused models.
Battery Life
Battery comparison overview (45 mm model):
| Mode | Venu 3 | Venu 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch | up to 14 days | up to 12 days |
| Always-on Display | 5 days | 4 days |
| GPS Only | up to 26 hrs | up to 20 hrs |
| All Systems | 20 hrs | 19 hrs |
| Multi-Band GPS | — | 17 hrs |
In short: The Venu 3 lasts slightly longer on a single charge on average, particularly in GPS mode. However, the Venu 4 delivers improved accuracy and functionality — at a small cost to battery life.
Colours & Versions
Garmin Venu 4
45 mm model colours:
- Slate with black strap
- Silver with silver-grey strap
- Silver with lemon strap
41 mm model colours:
- Lunar Gold with off-white strap
- Silver with light purple strap
- Slate with black strap
Garmin Venu 3
45 mm model colours:
- Slate/Black with black strap
- Silver/Whitestone with white strap
41 mm model colours:
- Light Gold/Ivory with off-white strap
- Light Gold with French Grey and beige-grey strap
- Slate with Pebble Grey and dark grey strap
- Silver with Sage Green and light green strap
- Light Gold with Dust Rose and pink strap
- Light Gold with French Grey and beige leather strap
Price Differences
- Garmin Venu 3 (at launch): ≈ £449
- Garmin Venu 4 (at launch): ≈ £549
At launch, the Venu 4 is priced at approximately £100 more than the Venu 3, but it offers more advanced features in return.
Conclusion
| Aspect | Garmin Venu 4 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Design & build | Premium, metal feel | Sporty, lighter |
| Screen | Brighter AMOLED | Very good, standard AMOLED |
| Sports tracking | More multisport & training metrics | Good, but more basic |
| Health | Deeper wellness insights | Strong, but less advanced |
| Battery life | Slightly lower | Slightly longer |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
The Venu 4 is the most complete smartwatch in the Venu range to date — offering more sports, health and lifestyle features alongside a premium design. However, the Venu 3 remains an excellent choice for anyone looking for a strong all-round smartwatch with long battery life at a more affordable price.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is the battery life of the Venu 3 significantly better?
Not significantly, but it is slightly better. In particular, during GPS tracking the Venu 3 generally lasts longer than the Venu 4. However, the Venu 4 provides more accurate GPS tracking.
2. Does the Venu 4 have sport profiles that the Venu 3 does not?
Yes, the Venu 4 supports additional multisport profiles such as triathlon, trail running and expanded cycling modes, as well as more in-depth training analysis tools.
3. Is it worth upgrading if you already own a Venu 3?
That depends on your needs. If you want advanced training tools, multiband GPS and a more premium design, then yes. Otherwise, the Venu 3 remains an excellent option for everyday use.
4. Can I run, cycle and swim with both models?
Yes — both models support a wide range of sports activities. The Venu 4 expands this further with additional profiles and metrics.
5. Can the Venu 4 track my health better than the Venu 3?
Yes — the Venu 4 introduces additional wellness features such as Health Status and Lifestyle Logging on top of the existing metrics.
6. Can I replace the watch straps on both smartwatches?
Yes — both models use quick-release straps. The 45 mm models use 22 mm wide straps, while the 41 mm models use 18 mm straps.
We offer an extensive range of watch straps for both the Venu 3 and the Venu 4 series. View them below:
