The Garmin Venu 3 series has arrived, bringing with it a plethora of new features that set it apart from the Venu 2 Plus. Leading up to the official release, rumors were buzzing with speculations, ranging from extended battery life to new health monitoring functions. Compare the features of Garmin VENU 3 vs VENU 2 PLUS. Dive into specs, design, and functionality differences.
Garmin Venu 3 Smartwatches vs. Venu 2 Plus
Now that Venu 3 is finally here, it’s time to separate fact from fiction. Priced at $449.99 on the Garmin website, the same as its predecessor, the Venu 2 Plus, the new smartwatch offers more value for the money due to a host of additional features. In this article, we’ll take a close look at these enhancements and provide a comprehensive analysis of what sets the Venu 3 apart from its predecessor.
Garmin Venu 3 vs. Venu 2 Plus: Hardware
Design and Display: More Options, Better Flexibility
Unlike the Venu 2 Plus, which comes in a single size, the Venu 3 offers more flexibility by introducing two size options: the standard Venu 3 and the more compact Venu 3S. This is a significant advantage for consumers, allowing them to choose a more personalized fit.
The Venu 3’s case is made of reinforced polymer, distinguishing it from the Venu 2 Plus, which had a stainless steel back cover. This change reduces the weight of the Venu 3, making it more comfortable for extended wear.
In terms of display, the Venu 3 takes the lead with a 1.4-inch screen and a resolution of 454 x 454 pixels. This is notably superior to the Venu 2 Plus, which features a 1.3-inch display with a resolution of 416 x 416 pixels. The Venu 3S model, with its 1.2-inch display, caters to those who prefer a more compact watch face.
Battery Life
The Venu 3 boasts a battery life of up to 14 days in smartwatch mode with the display always on. This is a significant improvement over the Venu 2 Plus, which lasted up to 9 days under the same conditions. The Venu 3S is not far behind, providing up to 10 days of continuous display use.
Garmin Venu 3 vs. Venu 2 Plus: New Features
Both models offer comprehensive health monitoring features, including wrist-based heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and advanced sleep tracking. However, the Venu 3 and Venu 3S introduce new features such as Sleep Coach, Sleep Detection, and Jet Lag Adviser, which were absent in the Venu 2 Plus. They also support a wider range of activity profiles and come equipped with the latest-generation heart rate sensor.
One notable drawback of the Venu 3 series is the absence of the Garmin ECG App, which was present in the Venu 2 Plus. Additionally, the highly anticipated skin temperature tracking feature is missing. Nevertheless, experts believe that these may be added in a firmware update for the Venu 3 in the coming months.
Sleep Training
One outstanding feature of the Venu 3 is Sleep Coaching. Unlike the Venu 2 Plus, which offers comprehensive sleep tracking, the Venu 3 goes a step further by providing practical insights. It not only tracks your sleep patterns but also offers personalized recommendations to improve sleep quality. This could be a game-changer for those experiencing sleep issues.
Sleep Monitoring and More
For those who lead an active lifestyle, knowing how much sleep they need for recovery is crucial. Fortunately, the watch on your wrist can provide you with precise insights. Hopefully, this feature will also be extended to previous-generation devices.
Sleep Detection
Venu 3 introduces a sleep detection feature absent in the Venu 2 Plus. This function automatically detects short naps and records them in your daily sleep data.
While this may seem like a small addition, it’s significant for those who rely on power naps to recharge during the day. This addresses a common request from Garmin users over the years.
Morning Report
Another new feature exclusive to the Venu 3 series is the “Morning Report.” When you wake up, it provides a brief summary of your previous day’s activity, sleep quality, and overall well-being. It’s a convenient way to get a quick health overview without diving deep into the app.
HRV (Heart Rate Variability)
Venu 3 comes equipped with HRV (Heart Rate Variability), offering more detailed insights into your cardiovascular system’s status. However, it’s worth noting that the watch lacks a readiness for training metric, which could be a drawback for serious athletes who rely on such data to optimize their workouts. The new watch also supports compatibility with power meters for cyclists, a feature absent in the Venu 2 Plus.
Games and Activity Tracking
Venu 3 and Venu 3S venture into new territory with gaming features compatible with the GameOn app. They also offer broader activity tracking capabilities, including workouts for wheelchair users and weight shift alerts.
Built-in Speaker and Microphone
All these watches come equipped with built-in speakers and microphones. When connected to a compatible smartphone, they allow you to make and receive phone calls directly from the watch. Additionally, you can use your smartphone’s voice assistant to respond to text messages and perform other tasks. For Android users, Venu 3 also provides the ability to view images directly from notifications on the watch.
Garmin Venu 3 vs Venu 2 Plus: Comparative Tables
These new features make the Garmin Venu 3 series a versatile and advanced choice for fitness enthusiasts and tech-savvy individuals alike.
General Specifications
| Characteristic | Venu 2 Plus | Venu 3 | Venu 3S |
| Material of Casing | Polymer with stainless steel back | Polymer with stainless steel back | Polymer with stainless steel back |
| Quick-release Bands | Yes (20 mm, industrial standard) | Yes (22 mm, industrial standard) | Yes (18 mm, industrial standard) |
| Physical Dimensions | 45 x 45 x 12 mm (wrist circumference 135-200 mm) | 41 x 41 x 12 mm (wrist circumference 110-175 mm) | 43.6 x 43.6 x 12.6 mm (wrist circumference 125-190 mm) |
| Weight | 47 g | 40 g | 51.0 g |
| Display Type | AMOLED with always-on display mode | AMOLED with always-on display mode | AMOLED with always-on display mode |
| Display Size | 1.4 inches (35.4 mm) | 1.2 inches (30.4 mm) | 1.3 inches (33.0 mm) |
| Display Resolution | 454 x 454 pixels | 390 x 390 pixels | 416 x 416 pixels |
| Large Font Option | Yes | Yes | No |
| Wheelchair Mode | Yes | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | Up to 14 days (Smartwatch), up to 26 days (Battery Saver), up to 26 hours (GPS-Only), up to 11 hours (GPS with Music) | Up to 10 days (Smartwatch with always-on display), up to 20 days (Battery Saver), up to 21 hours (GPS-Only), up to 8 hours (GPS with Music) | Up to 9 days (Smartwatch with always-on display), up to 10 days (Battery Saver), up to 8 hours (GPS with Music), up to 24 hours (GPS Only) |
Health and Well-being Monitoring
| Characteristic | Venu 2 Plus | Venu 3 |
| Garmin ECG app | Yes | No |
| Meditation | No | Yes |
| Sleep Coach | No | Yes |
| Sleep Detection | No | Yes |
| Jet Lag Adviser | No | Yes |
Daily Smart Features
| Feature | Venu 2 Plus | Venu 3 |
| IQ™ Store on device | No | Yes |
| View images from notifications on the watch (Android™ only) | No | Yes |
| Morning Report | No | Yes |
| Real-time synchronization of settings with Garmin Connect™ Mobile | No | Yes |
| Smart home gym control | No | Yes |
Gaming Features
| Characteristic | Venu 2 Plus | Venu 3 |
| Gaming Activity | No | Yes |
| Compatibility with GameOn™ apps | No | Yes |
Training, Planning, and Analysis Features
| Characteristic | Venu 2 Plus | Venu 3 |
| Recovery Time | No | Yes |
| HRV (Heart Rate Variability) | No | Yes |
| Respiration Rate (during yoga, breathwork, and meditation) | Only for yoga and breathwork | Yes |
| Interval Training | No | Yes |
| Advanced Interval | No | Yes |
| Advanced Recovery | No | Yes (limited) |
| Audio Prompts | No | Yes |
Recreation
| Characteristic | Venu 2 Plus | Venu 3 |
| Available Recreational Activity Profiles | Hiking, indoor climbing, bouldering, skiing, snowboarding, classic skiing, stand-up paddle boarding, rowing, disc golf | Hiking, indoor climbing, bouldering, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, rowing, tennis, paddle tennis, pickleball, disc golf |
| Training for Wheelchair Users | No | Yes |
Cycling Features
| Characteristic | Venu 2 Plus | Venu 3 |
| Cycling Profiles | Indoor cycling, mountain biking, road cycling, track cycling | Indoor cycling, mountain biking, road cycling, track cycling, gravel cycling, e-biking |
| Bike Lap and Lap Maximum Power (with power sensor) | No | Yes |
These tables offer a clear comparison of the features and specifications of the Garmin Venu 3, Venu 3S, and Venu 2 Plus, making it easier to understand the differences between them.
Cycling Features
| Characteristic | Venu 2 Plus | Venu 3 |
| Available Cycling Profiles | Cycling, indoor cycling | Cycling, indoor cycling, e-bike, hand cycling, indoor hand cycling |
| Power Meter Compatibility | No | Yes |
Swimming Features
| Characteristic | Venu 2 Plus | Venu 3 |
| Open Water Swimming Metrics | No | Yes |
| Auto Rest (pool swimming only) | No | Yes |
Child Activity Tracking Features
| Feature | Venu 2 Plus | Venu 3 |
| Toe-to-Toe™ Challenges App | Yes (additional Connect IQ Toe-to-Toe™ Challenges app) | No |
Summary of Garmin Venu 3 vs. Venu 2 Plus
The Garmin Venu 3 series brings several noticeable improvements compared to the Venu 2 Plus. The introduction of new sizes caters to a wider audience, and the inclusion of features like Sleep Coach, Nap Detection, Jet Lag Adviser, and extended battery life is a significant step forward.
Furthermore, the absence of the ECG app in the Venu 2 Plus could be a drawback for users who value comprehensive health metrics. Additionally, the lack of the training readiness metric might be a limitation for serious athletes who rely on such data for optimizing their workouts.
In conclusion, it can be said that the Venu 3 is a well-balanced package of features, making it an attractive option for a wide range of users. The decision whether to upgrade the device will depend on your specific needs and how much you value the new features and improvements.
However, if you are buying a Garmin watch for the first time or have an older model, this is an excellent choice. Both watch models are available for $499 on the Garmin website.
