Garmin Venu 3 is a newer variant released in August 2023. Fitbit Versa 4 was released in September 2022.
We compare Venu3 and Fitbit Versa 4 smartwatches below.
Main differences
The main differences between Garmin Venu 3 and Fitbit Versa 4 are shared below:
- Garmin Venu 3 supports GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO satellite networks. Fitbit Versa 4 only supports GPS and GLONASS satellite networks.
- Fitbit Versa 4 does not have fall detection or incident detection features.
- Fitbit Versa 4 can only support Bluetooth wireless connectivity. It does not support ANT+ and Wi-Fi wireless connectivity.
- Garmin Venu 3 supports the Garmin ECG app. You can take electrocardiogram readings with your Venu 3. Fitbit Versa 4 lacks the ECG feature.
- Garmin Venu 3 supports full music connectivity and features. Fitbit Versa 4 does not support any music functionality.
- Garmin Venu 3 has a longer battery backup than the Fitbit Versa 4.
- Garmin Venu 3 has a higher device storage of 8 GB. Fitbit Versa 4 offers storage of 7 days of activity data.
- Garmin Venu 3 is more than twice the cost of a Fitbit Versa 4. The difference in cost between Venu 3 and Versa 4 is of $249.99.
Let us look at these features and differences in more detail below.
Display specifications
Garmin Venu 3 uses the 3rd generation Corning Gorilla Glass in the display lens. It is one of the best display glasses available for smartwatches.
Venu 3 and Fitbit Versa 4 use AMOLED display. Both smartwatches can support Always-on-display mode.
We look at other generic display specifications of both watches in a side-by-side comparison below.
| Display specifications | Garmin Venu 3 | Fitbit Versa 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Display lens | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | No information |
| Display shape | Round | Box or Square |
| Display type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Display size | 1.4″ or 36 MM | 1.58″ or 40 mm |
| Display resolution | 454 x 454 pixels | 336 x 336 pixels |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Color display | Yes | Yes |
| Always-on-display | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient light sensor | Yes | Yes |
Physical specifications
Garmin Venu 3 is more sturdy. It has a stainless steel bezel and a body made of fiber-enforced polymer. Fitbit Versa 4 uses an aluminum bezel.
Both watches do have an in-built speaker and microphone. So, you can answer calls directly from the smartwatch.
We look at the most fundamental physical specifications of Venu 3 and Versa 4 below.
| Physical specifications | Garmin Venu 3 | Fitbit Versa 4 |
|---|---|---|
| iOS compatible | iOS 15 and higher versions | iOS 15 and higher versions |
| Android compatible | Android 7 and higher versions | Android 9 and higher versions |
| Watch size | 45 x 45 x 12 mm | 40 x 41 x 11mm |
| Watch weight | 47 g | 40 g |
| Thickness | 12 mm | 11 mm |
| Band size | 22 mm | Small and Large bands |
| Band material | Silicone | Silicone |
| Watch body | Fiber-enforced Polymer | Polymer |
| Bezel | Stainless Steel | Aluminum |
| NFC or Contactless Payments | Garmin Pay | Fitbit Pay and Google Wallet |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM or 50 Meters | 5 ATM or 50 Meters |
| Device storage | 8 GB | 7 days of activity data |
| Speaker | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
ECG
Garmin Venu 3 supports the Garmin ECG app. With the ECG app, you can take electrocardiogram readings instantaneously.
ECG readings help in detecting conditions of irregular heart rhythm. Therefore, it is very useful in detecting Atrial Fibrillation conditions.
It may be pertinent to mention that the Garmin ECG app received FDA approval in January 2023. Subsequently, it was rolled out to the Venu 2 Plus series smartwatches.
Venu 3 became the second Garmin smartwatch series to support the Garmin ECG app functionality.
Fitbit Versa 4 does not support the Fitbit ECG app and ECG feature.
GPS
Garmin Venu 3 offers support for GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO satellite networks for GPS connections. Garmin smartwatches offer reliable and accurate GPS data on account of comprehensive GPS support.
Fitbit Versa 4 only supports GPS and GLONASS satellites for GPS connections and data.
The Galileo satellite network is owned and managed by the European Space Agency. The Galileo satellite network boosts GPS performance in Europe.
We believe that GPS performance and dependability are higher in Garmin Venu 3 than in Fitbit Versa 4.
Music
Fitbit Versa 4 does not support any sort of music functionality or features. You will need to rely on the paired smartphone for any music functionality.
Garmin Venu 3 supports full music functionality and features. Some of the things you could do on a Garmin Venu 3 in terms of music functionality include the following:
- You can manage, control, and play music on the paired smartphone.
- You can store music or personal audio content on the watch storage of Garmin Venu 3.
- You can also download music streaming apps like Spotify and Deezer using the Connect IQ store.
- With a premium subscription to Spotify, you can download music on the smartwatch for offline listening.
If you need music on the smartwatch, you will need to skip a Fitbit Versa 4 and get the Garmin Venu 3 instead.
Wireless Connectivity
Fitbit Versa 4 only supports Bluetooth wireless connections. It lacks Wi-Fi connectivity. This is an important point and one of the major shortcomings of the Versa 4.
Garmin Venu 3 can support Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and ANT+ wireless connectivity.
ANT+ wireless connectivity is very useful for relaying data collected by the smartwatch to a device that is an ANT+ receiver. Most ANT+ receiving devices help in providing real-time analysis of data collected by the smartwatch.
ANT+ wireless connectivity is very useful for athletes and cyclists.
Battery
Garmin Venu 3 offers exceptional battery backup. The battery backup offered on different watch modes of Venu 3 is shared below.
| Watch mode | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|
| Smartwatch mode | Up to 14 days |
| GPS-Only GNSS mode | Up to 26 hours |
| All-Systems GNSS mode | Up to 20 hours |
| All-Systems GNSS mode with music | Up to 11 hours |
| Battery Saver mode | Up to 26 days |
Garmin Venu 3 also features a Battery Saver mode. You can continue to use a Venu 3 on extremely low power settings for a period of up to 26 days.
Fitbit Versa 4 offers a battery backup of up to 6 days. However, the battery drains at a rapid rate while using the GPS connections.
Garmin Venu 3 and Fitbit Versa 4 support fast charging. In less than 2 hours, you can charge an empty battery to the full charge levels on both watches.
Sensors
Fitbit Versa 4 is missing sensors for the gyroscope, temperature readings, and compass.
A side-by-side comparison of the sensors of Garmin Venu 3 and Fitbit Versa 4 is shared below.
| Sensors | Garmin Venu 3 | Fitbit Versa 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
| Barometric altimeter | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | Yes | No |
| Gyroscope | Yes | No |
| Skin temperature readings | Yes | No |
| Heart rate sensor | Garmin Elevate Heart Sensor | Optical Heart Sensor |
| Blood Oxygenation sensor | Yes | Yes |
| NFC Receiver | Yes | Yes |
| GPS Chips | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS |
Costs
Garmin Venu 3 comes at a list price of $449.99. Fitbit Versa 4 costs $199.95. The difference in cost between Venu 3 and Fitbit Versa 4 is substantial.
Final verdict
Garmin Venu 3 is a more complete smartwatch. It is sturdy and offers a hassle-free period of ownership.
Fitbit Versa 4 is almost half the cost of Venu 3. It does tick all the boxes you would expect a basic smartwatch to offer in terms of features and functionality.
In our experience, both watches are for different audiences. Garmin Venu 3 is for athletes, runners, cyclists, and fitness enthusiasts. It has a vast basket of features and in-built profiles to measure, track, and analyze performance data.
Fitbit Versa 4 is a generic smartwatch with basic functionality for everyday use.
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