Garmin Venu 3 vs Garmin Venu 4: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
If you own the Garmin Venu 3 or still have it on your list, the Garmin Venu 4 is the watch that replaced it. The Garmin Venu 4 wins more of the areas that we compared (1 of 4), and its most convincing lead is in health & fitness sensors. That $100 launch price gap between the Garmin Venu 4 and the Garmin Venu 3 will shape the verdict as much as any spec.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Health & Fitness Sensors Garmin Venu 4 wins
- Battery Life Garmin Venu 3 wins
- Smart Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price Garmin Venu 3 wins
- Health & Fitness Sensors6.7
- Smart Features & Connectivity3.6
- Health & Fitness Sensors10.0
- Smart Features & Connectivity3.6
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Garmin Venu 3 has 17% more rated battery life
You may not notice this one every day, but the Garmin Venu 3’s 14 days is a step ahead of the Garmin Venu 4’s 12 days. Longer battery life means fewer nights on the charger, which also makes sleep tracking easier.
-
The Garmin Venu 4 has dual-frequency GPS
If you’ve come to rely on dual-frequency GPS, note that the Garmin Venu 3 leaves it out. If you run in a city or hike in the mountains, the Garmin Venu 4’s GPS should draw cleaner tracks and more reliable distances.
Design & Size
- Garmin Venu 3 45 mm
- Garmin Venu 4 45 mm
Both come in at nearly the same overall dimensions, so pick on other grounds.
Design & Durability
| Spec | Garmin Venu 3 | Garmin Venu 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 45 mm | 45 mm |
| Available sizes | 45 mm | 41 mm, 45 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
Display
Too close to call
The display specs are close enough that neither gets the point. Treat display as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Garmin Venu 4 leads
This is one of the Garmin Venu 4’s strongest areas. On health & fitness sensors, the Garmin Venu 3 falls well short. The Garmin Venu 4 brings dual-frequency GPS. Dual-frequency GPS improves tracking accuracy among tall buildings, dense trees and deep valleys. Weighing only health & fitness sensors, the Garmin Venu 4 comes out ahead.
Dual-frequency GPS
Garmin Venu 3: no Garmin Venu 4: yes On open roads, single-band GPS is usually fine; the advantage shows up where signals bounce around.
Battery Life
Garmin Venu 3 leads
A modest lead on battery life belongs to the Garmin Venu 3. The Garmin Venu 3 scores with 17% more rated battery life. The Garmin Venu 3 is rated to last longer between charges, a big deal on trips and long weekends. If battery life is your priority, the Garmin Venu 3 is the watch to pick.
Rated battery life
Garmin Venu 3: 14 days Garmin Venu 4: 12 days Ratings assume typical use; GPS workouts and always-on screens will shorten both.
Smart Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on smart features & connectivity. If smart features & connectivity was going to be your tiebreaker, you’ll need a different one.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Garmin Venu 3 | Garmin Venu 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution (largest) | 454 x 454 | 454 x 454 |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Health & Fitness Sensors
| Spec | Garmin Venu 3 | Garmin Venu 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen | Yes | Yes |
| Skin temperature | N/A (not specified) | Yes |
| GPS | Built-in GNSS (single-band) | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ |
| Dual-frequency GPS | No | Yes (winner) |
Battery Life
| Spec | Garmin Venu 3 | Garmin Venu 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating, typical use | 14 days (winner) Longest battery life in class | 12 days |
Smart Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Garmin Venu 3 | Garmin Venu 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Cellular option | No | No |
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Phone compatibility | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
| Software | Garmin proprietary | Garmin proprietary |
Design & Durability
| Spec | Garmin Venu 3 | Garmin Venu 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 45 mm | 45 mm |
| Available sizes | 45 mm | 41 mm, 45 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
Price
| Spec | Garmin Venu 3 | Garmin Venu 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $450 (winner) | $550 Priciest in class |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Compare the launch prices and they sit 22% apart, or $100 in real money. Spending the extra $100 on the Garmin Venu 4 gets you dual-frequency GPS over the Garmin Venu 3.
Based on US launch pricing as of September 2025. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Garmin Venu 3 if…
- you hate charging your watch every day (14 days vs 12 days)
- you want more value for your money ($100 less at launch)
- you don’t need what the newer model adds
Choose the Garmin Venu 4 if…
- you want dual-frequency GPS
- you want the changes the Garmin Venu 4 brings over its predecessor
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Garmin Venu 3 or the Garmin Venu 4?
For most people, the Garmin Venu 4 is the stronger choice, unless the Garmin Venu 3 you own hasn’t given you a reason to switch.
Should I upgrade from the Garmin Venu 3 to the Garmin Venu 4?
Only if the changes matter to you. Compared with the Garmin Venu 3, the Garmin Venu 4 offers dual-frequency GPS, which is useful but not essential for everyone.
Does the Garmin Venu 3 last longer on a charge than the Garmin Venu 4?
Going by the official figures, the Garmin Venu 3 leads: 14 days versus 12 days for rated battery life. Screen use, settings and efficiency will shape your own results.
Which is larger, the Garmin Venu 3 or the Garmin Venu 4?
They’re practically the same size. The difference between the Garmin Venu 3 and the Garmin Venu 4 is too small to matter.
Which costs less, the Garmin Venu 3 or the Garmin Venu 4?
The Garmin Venu 3 is the cheaper option, launching at $100 less than the Garmin Venu 4 (launch prices as of September 2025).
Executive Summary
Is the Garmin Venu 4 worth it over the Garmin Venu 3? In my view, that depends less on hype than on a few specific numbers. Practically speaking, the Garmin Venu 4’s biggest advantage is dual-frequency GPS. In fairness to the Garmin Venu 3, 17% more rated battery life is a genuine strength.
Match the strength to your habits (battery life for the Garmin Venu 3, health & fitness sensors for the Garmin Venu 4), and you won’t go far wrong.
My pick: the Garmin Venu 4 for new buyers, while owners of the Garmin Venu 3 can probably sit this generation out.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.