Garmin is beefing up its Venu range with a new, more ambitious model. The Venu X1, priced at €799, marks a significant upgrade for this family of smartwatches, often positioned between sport and lifestyle. Gone is the usual round case: the X1 opts for a 2-inch square format, the largest screen ever offered by Garmin. It's an AMOLED protected by scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, encased in a titanium case with a metallic back.
A more square design, a more premium positioning
The whole thing is a compact size (8 mm) and comes with a 24 mm nylon strap for added lightness. This new design is directly reminiscent of the Apple Watch Ultra, but for €100 less (the Ultra starts at €899).
Besides its looks, the Venu X1 features a speaker and microphone for answering calls or using voice commands. Garmin also promises some smartphone-free interactions, such as starting a workout or setting a timer. An LED light is also present, as on the brand's outdoor watches, although the X1 is not explicitly positioned in this segment.
In terms of features, the watch retains Garmin's sports DNA with more than 100 activity profiles, an optical heart rate sensor (the Elevate v5 version), a pulse oximeter, as well as access to color mapping—a rarity for a Venu. Hiking and golf enthusiasts will be able to download routes or subscribe to the Outdoor Maps+ service to access specialized maps.
But despite its high price, some technical elements remain behind compared to the brand's most robust models. No dual-frequency GPS, no electrocardiogram or advanced heart rate variability monitoring. Battery life is also revised downwards: 2 days with the screen always on, up to 8 days with more moderate use, whereas the Fenix 8 in AMOLED reaches 7 days in the same conditions.
In short, the Venu X1 sacrifices a little endurance for a more urban style and a visually appealing interface. It is clearly aimed at those who want a high-performance sports watch... without sacrificing the look and "smart" everyday features. The Venu X1 will be available from June 18, in two colors: black and dark green.
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