Garmin released the 3rd generation Venu 3 smartwatch in August 2023. The second generation Venu 2 series was released in April 2021.
In this comparison study, we compare the features and abilities of Venu 3 and Venu 2 series smartwatches. There are significant improvements that have taken place between the 2nd and 3rd generation Venu series smartwatches.
Main differences
The main differences between Venu 3 and Venu 2 series smartwatches are shared below:
- Venu 3 is priced at $449.99 and Venu 2 has a list price of $399.99.
- Venu 3 comes with an in-built speaker and microphone. You can answer calls directly from a Venu 3 smartwatch. Venu 2 does not have an in-built speaker or mic.
- Venu 3 adds new functionality for meditation, sleep coaching, nap detection and Jetlag adviser.
- Venu 3 has expanded the activity profiles in cycling and swimming.
- Venu 3 has a slightly larger screen than Venu 2. Venu 3 has a 36 mm display and Venu 2 has a display size of 33 mm.
- Venu 3 has a marginally better battery backup than Venu 2 series smartwatch.
For the incremental cost difference of $50, you are getting quite a few useful features in Venu 3.
We discuss the essential attributes of Garmin Venu 3 and Venu 2 in the comparison study below.
Display specifications
Garmin Venu 3 and Venu 2 use the 3rd generation Corning Gorilla Glass. Both watches come with an AMOLED display.
The AMOLED display improves the display resolution and makes the screen brighter. It also enables both watches to support the Always-on-display mode.
We look at the generic display specifications of Garmin Venu 3 and Venu 2 in the detailed comparison below.
| Display specifications | Garmin Venu 3 | Garmin Venu 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Display lens | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Display size | 36 mm or 1.4″ | 1.3″ or 33 mm |
| Color display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Display resolution | 454 x 454 pixels | 416 x 416 pixels |
| Ambient light sensor | Yes | No |
| LED Flashlight | Yes | No |
The only major difference between Garmin Venu 3 and Venu 2 is the difference in the display size. This also translates into a slight difference in the display resolution of both smartwatches.
Physical specifications
Venu 3 has added an in-built speaker and microphone. Venu 2 lacks both. Therefore, Venu 3 allows you to answer calls directly from the smartwatch.
Other physical attributes of both smartwatches are almost identical. Both watches have similar device storage and support contactless payments through the Garmin Pay app.
We look at the physical specifications of Venu 3 and Venu 2 below.
| Physical specifications | Garmin Venu 3 | Garmin Venu 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Watch size | 45 mm | 45 mm |
| Watch dimensions | 45 x 45 x 12 mm | 45.4 x 45.4 x 12.2 mm |
| Thickness | 12 mm | 12.2 mm |
| Watch weight | 47 g | 49 g |
| Band size | 22 mm | 22 mm |
| Recommended wrist circumference | 135-200 mm | 135-200 mm |
| Water rating | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Device storage | 8 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 Pulse Ox Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Garmin Elevate Heart Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Thermometer | Yes (tempe sensor needed) | Yes (tempe sensor needed) |
| In-built speaker | Yes | No |
| In-built microphone | Yes | No |
| Android compatibility | Android 7 or higher | Android 7 or higher |
| iOS compatibility | iOS 15 or higher | iOS 15 or higher |
GPS
Garmin Venu 3 and Venu 2 support GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO satellite networks. Both watches, however, do not have a multi-frequency positioning sensor.
Therefore, multi-band GPS or dual-frequency GPS is not supported in Venu 3 and Venu 2.
ECG app
Garmin ECG app received FDA approval in January 2023. It was subsequently released in the Garmin Venu 2 Plus smartwatch.
With the ECG app, you can take electrocardiogram readings through the watch. The Garmin ECG app is useful in detecting irregular heart rhythm issues.
The Garmin ECG app is now supported in Garmin Venu 3 series smartwatches. This means that Venu 3 and Venu 3S support the Garmin ECG app and you could use the app for taking an electrocardiogram reading.
It may be pertinent to mention that the Garmin ECG app was not supported on Venu 3 and Venu 3S smartwatches at the time of launch. However, the Garmin ECG app was made available for Venu 3 and Venu 3S within weeks of the launch.
Music
Garmin Venu 3 and Venu 2 support full music features.
On Venu 3 and Venu 2, you can get the following music features:
- Store music offline on the watch storage.
- Play music directly from the smartwatch storage.
- Manage, control, and play music from the paired smartphone.
- Download and install music streaming apps like Spotify and Deezer from the Connect IQ store.
- With the premium subscription of music streaming apps, you can easily store your playlists on the device for offline listening.
Battery
Venu 3 has a marginally better battery backup than Venu 2 series smartwatches.
Both watches support fast charging. You can go from an empty to a fully-charged battery in less than 2 hours of charging.
We compare the battery backup of Garmin Venu 3 and Venu 2 in a side-by-side comparison table below.
| Watch mode | Garmin Venu 3 backup | Garmin Venu 2 backup |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch mode | Up to 14 days | Up to 11 days |
| GPS Mode | Up to 26 hours | Up to 22 hours |
| GPS mode with music | Up to 11 hours | Up to 8 hours |
| Battery saver mode | Up to 26 days | Up to 12 days |
Garmin Venu 3 and Venu 2 support the battery saver mode. You can continue to use the smartwatch with low power settings.
Wheelchair mode
Garmin Venu 3 comes with a wheelchair mode. The wheelchair mode has been added to track pushes of wheelchair users.
Garmin has also added wheelchair workouts to help wheelchair users engage and track workouts during the day.
Venu 2 does not have a wheelchair mode.
Activity profiles
There are additional activity profiles in Garmin Venu 3 for swimming and cycling. The profiles in running and outdoor recreation are identical between Garmin Venu 3 and Venu 2.
We have compared the activity profiles of Garmin Venu 3 and Venu 2 in a side-by-side comparison below.
| Activity profiles | Garmin Venu 3 | Garmin Venu 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Running | Running, Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running | Running, Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running |
| Cycling | Biking, Indoor Biking, eBiking, Handcycling, Indoor Handcycling | Biking, Indoor Biking |
| Swimming | Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming | Pool Swimming |
Costs
Garmin Venu 3 comes at a list price of $449.99 and Garmin Venu 2 has a list price of $399.99.
Variants
Garmin Venu 3 has two variants.
- Garmin Venu 3 has a size of 45 mm and costs $449.99
- Garmin Venu 3S has a size of 41 mm and costs $449.99
- Garmin Venu 2 has a size of 45 mm and costs $399.99
- Garmin Venu 2S has a size of 40 mm and costs $399.99
Final verdict
For the extra cost of $50, Garmin Venu 3 offers a credible alternative to Venu 2. We like the Venu 3 for the following reasons:
- Garmin ECG app
- In-built speaker and microphone
- Bigger display screen
- Wheelchair mode
- Additional app support for meditation, sleep coaching, nap detection, and Jetlag adviser
- Marginally better battery backup
And, to round it off, you are getting the latest Venu 3 series variant released in August 2023. The Venu 2 series is more than 2 years old now.
So, by all means, pick a Venu 3 over the Venu 2 series smartwatch for all the reasons elaborated above.
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