GPS Smartwatch comparison: Garmin Venu vs Vivoactive 4
Still not sure if a Smartwatch is a good gadget to invest in? Perhaps our Garmin Venu vs Vivoactive 4 review will convince you.
Since Apple debuted its smartwatch in September of 2014, smart wearable devices have almost become a necessity for anyone wishing to integrate smartphone technology with seamless accessibility and portability. Stay with us as we go into our review of the Garmin Venu vs Vivoactive 4.
Meanwhile, if you like our Garmin Venu review, be sure to check out our Apple Fitness Plus review.
Garmin Venu vs Vivoactive 4
The Garmin Venu and Vivoactive 4 look so similar in design that one may easily mistake one watch for the other; they, however, sport a range of non-identical features.
Considered as Garmin’s response to the Apple watch, the Vivoactive series displays a variety of functions ranging from: sports tracking features, to the ability to make payments, view phone notifications, and visit a phone app store. The Venu – on the other hand – arrived much later on the scene, sporting all of these features in addition to one new unique feature: a touch screen AMOLED color display.


All these may sound good on paper, but in practicality, we all need a Garmin Venu review that spells out, in black and white, which watch you should have on your wrist: garmin venu vs vivoactive 4?
Garmin Venu vs Vivoactive 4: Design
In terms of design, both watches sport a circular design with 20mm silicone wrist straps which can be changed according to the user’s preference.
Snapshot of Garmin Venu and Vivoactive 4 specs comparison
Garmin Venu | Garmin Vivoactive 4 | |
---|---|---|
Weight | 46.3g | 50.5g |
Case Size | 43mm | 45mm |
Colors Available | 4 | 6 |
Water Resitant | No | No |
Display Type | AMOLED | Transflective memory-in-pixel |
Touch screen | Yes | Yes |
Memory capacity | Up to 8 days of activity data | Up to 14 days of activity tracking |
Lens component | Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 | Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 |
Connectivity | Bluetooth®, ANT+®, Wi-Fi® | Bluetooth®, ANT+®, Wi-Fi® |
Garmin Venu vs Vivoactive 4: Price
In making the choice between the Garmin Venu or Vivoactive 4, a price comparison may not be very helpful, as both watches retail at 349.99 USD.
Garmin Venu vs Vivoactive 4: Features
When it comes down to features, both watches sport an equal fitness and health tracking ability. Each watch offers core sports tracking modes and an optical heart rate monitor. Since the heart rate monitor fitted into each watch does not really perform well in high-intensity workouts, you have an option to pair it up with an external heart rate monitor.

Both watches use a pulse oximeter sensor to monitor your sleep better and are fitted with GPS tracking functions. Options for tracking stress levels and your menstrual cycle are also available, especially with the latest versions of each watch.
The Garmin Venu and Vivoactive 4 are both compatible with both iPhone and Android smartphones, and offers the Garmin pay feature for wireless payments.
Built in with music players and a five hundred-song capacity, both watches allow users to copy and paste their favorite songs from your computer to the watch. It also grants you access to offline playlists from compatible music streaming platforms like Spotify and Deezer.

Garmin Venu vs Vivoactive 4: Battery life
The Vivoactive 4 does better than the Venu in terms of battery performance, with a battery life of up to seven days (Vivoactive 4s) and eight days (Vivoactive 4), in comparison to the Venu’s five-day battery capacity in smartwatch mode.
The Vivoactive 4s lasts up to five hours, while the Vivoactive 4 lasts up to six hours, in comparison to the Venu’s six-hour battery life in GPS and music mode.

FAQs
Is the Garmin Venu worth it?
In our Garmin venu review, we discovered that the major difference between the Garmin Venu and Vivoactive 4 is its slight difference in weight, AMOLED screen display, and a slightly smaller diameter. We leave the choice of whether it is worth it or not up to you.
Is the Garmin Venu better than the Apple watch?
The major advantage that the Venu has over the Apple watch is its longer battery life in both smartwatch and GPS mode.
What is the best Garmin watch for the money?
Since both Venu and Vivoactive watches cost the same amount, the additional AMOLED display on the Venu watch might make it a better deal for the same amount of money.
Is the Garmin Venu too big?
At 43mm, the Venu is 2mm smaller than the Vivoactive 4.

If you enjoyed reading our Garmin venu vs vivoactive 4 review, you may want to check out our iRobot Roomba Vacuums Comparisons.
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