The Garmin Venu 4 smartwatch introduces advanced fitness tracking in a polished, everyday wearable. Priced at $550, it offers week-long battery life and metrics like training readiness, appealing to casual enthusiasts. However, its software feels sluggish compared to competitors.
The Garmin Venu 4 marks a significant step in bridging the gap between dedicated sports watches and traditional smartwatches. Available in 41mm and 45mm sizes, both models feature a 1.4-inch AMOLED display protected by Gorilla Glass 3, with stainless steel cases in finishes like lunar gold, slate, or silver. At $550, it costs $100 more than the Venu 3, justified by upgrades such as brighter screens and improved multi-band GPS for accurate tracking during activities like trail runs without a phone nearby. Heart rate monitoring aligns closely with a Polar chest strap during intense sprints, while additional sensors capture breathing rate, blood oxygen, stress levels, ECG, skin temperature, HRV, sleep, and menstrual cycles. Garmin's strength lies in interpreting this data through tools like Body Battery, which gauges energy levels, and Training Readiness, which suggests optimal workout times. As the reviewer notes, waking up to a low Body Battery score can feel 'both depressing and validating,' encouraging rest days. For $7 monthly via Garmin Connect Plus, users access personalized coaching and adaptive workout plans, though real-life constraints often limit adherence. Battery life reaches 12 days in smartwatch mode, dropping to about four days with the always-on display enabled—still outperforming most Apple and Samsung watches, but causing skin irritation after five days of continuous wear for some. Design-wise, its circular form and two physical buttons prioritize usability, including a built-in LED flashlight useful for nighttime checks. Smart features include notifications, Garmin Pay, music storage, and wrist calls, with Android users able to reply to texts; iOS support is more limited. Accessibility improvements encompass spoken watch faces, hourly audio alerts, and color filters for the colorblind. Overall, the Venu 4 suits those transitioning to serious fitness tracking without overwhelming beginners.
