The Garmin Venu X1 is a well-packed Garmin offering with a sporty, contemporary smartwatch appeal. Its design primarily showcases an expansive AMOLED display, earning the device its distinctiveness. Despite holding its ground against contenders like the Apple Watch Ultra 2 as a sport-oriented watch, the Venu X1 lacks in a few smart capabilities, making it slightly less whole.
The Venu X1 stands out with a vibrant and expansive display, encased in a streamline and lightweight design, all the while boasting remarkable sports tracking features. The downside could be its deficiency in smart features and dual-band GPS, supplemented by a battery life that’s rather insufficient.
Even though the Garmin Venu X1 shares many characteristics with leading Garmin watches such as the Forerunner 970 and Fenix 8, what sets it apart is its redesigned aesthetic, marked by a generous AMOLED screen housed within a slim, square case. The watch thereby establishes itself uniquely within the Garmin family.
The Venu X1 is distinctly designed to compete with the likes of the Apple Watch Ultra 2. It outdoes its competitor with superior sports functionalities and a more streamlined design. Alas, in terms of smart features and battery longevity, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 might prevail.
Garmin users accustomed to prolonged battery life might find the Venu X1 underwhelming. Nonetheless, the entry of this watch into the Garmin lineup is compelling and brings an additional essence to the range. The Venu X1 made its debut in June 2025.
The Venu X1 is available in an austere black and a vibrant moss green, each variant coming equipped with a 24mm ComfortFit nylon band. Its design undeniably impresses, with the distinctive 2-inch AMOLED screen taking precedence.
The screen, exhibiting excellent brightness levels, is undeniably eye-catching. The thin 7.9mm case causes its profile to significantly undercut competitors like the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Forerunner 970. Weighing in at 40g inclusive of its nylon band, the Venu X1 is not only lightweight but also offers exceptional comfort for round-the-clock wear.
In terms of internal features, the Venu X1 includes Garmin’s latest heart rate sensor, the Elevate v5. It also features a pulse oximeter and a barometer. Users gain the ability to pair external modules, such as heart rate chest straps or cycling power meters, via Bluetooth or ANT+.
The Venu X1 also boasts a 5ATM water resistance, making it a suitable accompaniment for swimming in both pools and open water. All these features are neatly packed within the Venu X1’s stylish design.
A range of sport modes comes prepackaged within the Venu X1, including a golf mode that is particularly spectacular on the device’s large AMOLED screen. However, it’s worth noting that the watch initially lacked some of Garmin’s latest training analysis features, which have since been added through a software update.
Critics might point to the fact that the Venu X1’s large, vivid display significantly impacts its battery life. The device’s battery longevity is stipulated by Garmin as two days in the always-on mode and up to a week in raise-to-wake mode.
The Garmin Venu X1 over time has significantly grown on some users during their period of usage. There’s no denying that its remarkable display and lightweight, slim design offer a refreshing alternative for those indifferent to longer battery life.
In sum, the Garmin Venu X1 is distinct in its niche within the Garmin lineup, offering competition to top-tier sports watches. While it includes impressive sport tracking features and an eye-catchingly grand AMOLED display, its weaker points lie in its lack of smart features, absence of dual-band GPS, and shorter battery life.
Despite its minor shortcomings, the Garmin Venu X1 undeniably occupies an intriguing space within Garmin’s range. Its highlights are its bright, large AMOLED screen and its thin, lightweight design. But prospective buyers will have to consider if they value these aspects over longer battery life and comprehensive smart features.
Ultimately, the Garmin Venu X1 is a sterling alternative for those seeking a larger display and a slender, light construction, if they’re open to conceding some battery life. With its cutting-edge design and functionality, it has surely made its presence felt within the Garmin family of devices.
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