Garmin Forerunner 955 was released in June 2022 and Venu 3 is a relatively newer variant released in August 2023.
Both watches come at comparable prices. Therefore, we compare the Forerunner 955 and Venu 3 smartwatches below.
Main differences
The main differences between Garmin Forerunner 955 and Venu 3 are shared below:
Features that work for Forerunner 955
- Forerunner 955 supports multi-band GPS. Venu 3 does not support it.
- Forerunner 955 also has a SatIQ sensor to manage the multi-band GPS mode automatically.
- Forerunner 955 has a higher device storage of 32 GB in comparison with Venu 3’s device storage of 8 GB.
- Forerunner 955 included special tracking metrics for athletes. Some of these metrics include the Volumetric Oxygen, Endurance Score, Realtime Stamina, %HRR or Heart Rate Reserve, daily suggested workouts, and many other features for runners.
- Forerunner 955 has an in-built sensor for measuring skin-based temperature. Venu 3 requires a tempe sensor to be separately purchased for measuring skin-based temperature.
- Forerunner 955 includes the safety feature of spectator messaging. It helps in exchanging audio or text messages with your followers. It is a very significant safety feature when you are in a remote area with poor connectivity.
Features that work for Venu 3
- Venu 3 has an AMOLED display. Forerunner 955 has the regular MIP or memory in pixel screen.
- Venu 3 has a much better display resolution than the Forerunner 955.
- Venu 3 and an in-built speaker and mic. You can answer calls directly from a Venu 3.
- Venu 3 adds new functionality and features, including nap detection, meditation, sleep coaching, and breathwork.
- Venu 3 has an ambient light sensor to adjust the backlight based on the ambient light.
- Venu 3 has a Jetlag adviser.
- Venu 3 is compatible with the Gameon app.
- Venu 3 has a wheelchair mode to track the workout of wheelchair users.
- Venu 3 also supports cardio workouts. Forerunner 955 does not support cardio workouts.
Display specifications
Venu 3, definitely offers a better display experience than the Forerunner 955.
Venu 3 supports AMOLED display. AMOLED display offers a much brighter and clearer display experience. Due to the AMOLED display, the Always-on-display mode is also supported in a Venu 3 smartwatch.
The display resolution of Venu 3 is almost double the display resolution of a Forerunner 955.
Forerunner 955 has a DX-coated Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The DX coating of the lens is an anti-reflective coating that helps in improving display readability under bright sunlight.
The display lens of the Forerunner 955 is better than the display lens of the Garmin Venu 3 smartwatch.
The other display specifications of Venu 3 and Forerunner 955 are shared in the comparison table below.
| Display specifications | Garmin Forerunner 955 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Display lens | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 DX | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Display size | 1.3″ or 33 mm | 1.4″ or 36 mm |
| Color display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Display resolution | 260 x 260 pixels | 454 x 454 pixels |
| Ambient light sensor | No | Yes |
| LED Flashlight | No | No |
Physical specifications
The most significant improvement in the Garmin Venu 3 is the addition of an in-built speaker and microphone. You can answer calls directly from your Venu 3.
Compared to the Forerunner 955, the Garmin Venu 3 does have a lower device storage. At the same time, it is slimmer than the Forerunner 955.
Venu 3 has a steel bezel that lends a premium look to the watch. Forerunner 955 uses a fiber-enforced polymer body and bezel.
We look at other physical specifications of Garmin Venu 3 and Forerunner 955 below.
| Physical specifications | Garmin Forerunner 955 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Watch size | 46 mm | 45 mm |
| Watch dimensions | 46.5 x 46.5 x 14.4 mm | 45 x 45 x 12 mm |
| Thickness | 14.4 mm | 12 mm |
| Watch weight | 52 g | 47 g |
| Band size | 22 mm | 22 mm |
| Recommended wrist circumference | 130-220 mm | 135-200 mm |
| Watch body | Fiber-enforced polymer | Fiber-enforced polymer |
| Bezel | Fiber-enforced polymer | Stainless Steel |
| Water rating | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Device storage | 32 GB | 8 GB |
| NFC Payments | Garmin Pay | Garmin Pay |
| Wireless connectivity | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | Yes | Yes |
| Gyroscope | Yes | Yes |
| Barometric altimeter | Yes | Yes |
| Garmin Heart Elevate Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Garmin Pulse Ox Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Garmin Elevate Heart Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Thermometer | Yes | Yes (tempe sensor needed) |
| In-built speaker | No | Yes |
| In-built microphone | No | Yes |
GPS
Forerunner 955 comes with a multi-frequency positioning sensor. The sensor helps in providing multi-band GPS capabilities through Forerunner 955
Multi-band GPS is also called dual-frequency GPS. When multi-band GPS is enabled, your smartwatch can fetch GPS data from multiple satellites at any point in time.
Multi-band GPS improves GPS accuracy and reliability. It is a very useful feature. When the GPS signals are weak or of poor quality, multi-band GPS can get the GPS data from alternate satellites to boost the accuracy of GPS data.
Venu 3 does not support multi-band GPS.
For runners and athletes requiring accurate GPS data, multi-band GPS is a useful and practical feature. Therefore, we strongly suggest Forerunner 955 if you need reliable GPS experience and data.
Music
Garmin Forerunner 955 and Venu 3 offer full music functionality. You can get all the below-mentioned music features on Forerunner 955 and Venu 3:
- You can control music on the paired smartphone
- You can store offline music content on the device storage of the smartwatch
- You can download music streaming apps like the Spotify app from the Connect IQ store. With a premium subscription to apps like Spotify and Deezer, you will be able to download audio content on your smartwatch for offline listening.
For better sound output, we generally recommend using a good quality Bluetooth speaker or headset. Alternatively, you can use the in-built speaker of the Venu 3 to listen to music.
ECG app
Garmin Venu 3 supports the Garmin ECG app. Garmin Forerunner 955 is not compatible with the Garmin ECG app.
Garmin ECG app received FDA approval in January 2023. It was subsequently rolled out in the Venu 2 Plus smartwatch.
It was expected that the Garmin Venu 3 smartwatch would come with the Garmin ECG app. However, at the time of launch, Garmin Venu 3 and Venu 3S did not have access to the Garmin ECG app.
As per the latest communication from Garmin, the Garmin ECG app was enabled on Venu 3 and Venu 3S smartwatches in October 2023.
The Garmin ECG app helps in detecting irregular heart rhythm conditions. It can, therefore, help in detecting Atrial Fibrillation.
Garmin ECG app support in Venu 3 smartwatch makes it a compelling choice. Forerunner 955 does not support the Garmin ECG app.
It may be possible that the Garmin ECG app may be released on the Garmin Venu 3 and Venu 3S sometime in the future.
Battery
There is not a tangible difference in battery backup offered in Garmin Forerunner 955 and Venu 3. Both watches are designed to offer extended battery life.
Apart from the extended battery life, both smartwatches support fast charging. You can go from an empty battery to a fully-charged battery in less than 2 hours.
We have listed the battery backup of Venu 3 and Forerunner 955 in the side-by-side comparison table below.
| Watch mode | Garmin Forerunner 955 Backup | Garmin Venu 3 Backup |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch mode | Up to 15 days | Up to 14 days |
| GPS Mode | Up to 42 hours | Up to 26 hours |
| All-Systems GNSS mode | Up to 20 hours (with multi-band) | Up to 20 hours |
| All-Systems GNSS mode with music | Up to 8.5 hours | Up to 11 hours |
| Battery Saver mode | – | Up to 26 days |
| Ultratrac mode | Up to 80 hours | – |
Activity profiles
Garmin Forerunner 955 and Venu 3 differ in the activity profiles offered for running, outdoor recreation, and cycling.
We have listed the activity profiles for each smartwatch below.
| Activity profiles | Garmin Forerunner 955 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Running | Running, Outdoor Track Running, Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running, Trail Running, Virtual Running, Ultra Running | Running, Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running |
| Outdoor recreation | Hiking, Climbing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Backcountry Skiing, Backcountry Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, XC Skate Skiing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Kayaking, Snowshoeing, Mapping, Navigating, Tennis, Pickleball, Padel, Track Me, Project Waypoint, Disc Golf | Hiking, Indoor Climbing, Bouldering, Skiing, Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, Snowshoeing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Tennis, Padel, Pickleball, Disc Golf |
| Cycling | Biking, Road Biking, Mountain Biking, Gravel Biking, Bike Commuting, Bike Touring, eBiking, eMountain Biking, Indoor Biking, Cyclocross | Biking, Indoor Biking, eBiking, Handcycling, Indoor Handcycling |
Costs
Garmin Forerunner 955 costs $499.99. Garmin Venu 3 and Venu 3S cost $449.99.
Final verdict
Forerunner 955 is more suitable for athletes and runners. It does offer features that are designed to improve the user experience of runners.
Things for which I will get a Forerunner 955 are:
- The Multi-band GPS
- SatIQ sensors
- Higher device storage of 32 GB in the Forerunner 955.
- Additional running profiles for trail running, virtual running, ultra running and outdoor track running
- Spectator messaging safety feature allows you to be in touch with your followers
- Features and metrics like the Volumetric oxygen, %Heart Rate Reserve and Realtime Stamina.
A Forerunner 955 is an ideal smartwatch for runners.
Things for which I would prefer a Garmin Venu 3 over the Forerunner 955 are:
- AMOLED display
- Garmin ECG app
- Much better display resolution and display performance
- Meditation, nap detection, Jetlag adviser and sleep coaching apps
Garmin Venu 3 is a new lifestyle smartwatch. It brings in lots of improvements and added functionality over the previous generation Venu 2 series smartwatches.
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