This premium Garmin watch was a sleeper hit for me in 2025 - and it's $200 off right now

[ad_1] ZDNET's key takeaways The Garmin Venu X1 is accessible in two coloration choices for $599 (on sale). The large 2-inch show is incredible, the LED flashlight is sensible, the skinny case and light-weight band make it a pleasure to put on, and the calculator now has a tip button. The always-on mode reduces battery life considerably, the watch is pricey, and dual-band GPS shouldn't be put in. extra shopping for selections

jun / 2025

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I have been utilizing Garmin sports activities watches for over a decade and have fairly clear expectations for when new fashions will probably be launched, however I used to be caught fully off guard by the announcement of the Garmin Venu X1 in the course of the summer season.

It is distinctive for Garmin, nevertheless it clearly appears like a reasonably direct competitor to the Apple Watch Extremely.

Additionally: The most effective Garmin watches you should purchase: Robust monitoring tech for health, sleep, and extra

The Garmin Venu X1 stands out with its daring, virtually sq. design and a vivid two-inch AMOLED display -- the most important ever on a Garmin smartwatch. It gives noticeably extra display actual property than even the Watch Extremely 2, making room for as much as eight information fields throughout exercises. The outcome? Crisp, easy-to-read stats at a look, even for getting old eyes like mine.

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I've worn Venu fashions earlier than, however normally just for a month or two earlier than switching again to a Fenix, Enduro, Intuition, or Forerunner for my each day use. The primary cause was that the Venu sequence depends closely on a touchscreen with simply two {hardware} buttons, and after getting used to Garmin's five-button setup, the UI requires some adjustment.

That mentioned, the Venu was the primary Garmin watch with an AMOLED show, and the X1 takes issues to the following degree with this new, larger type issue.

Matthew Miller/ZDNET Just like the Fenix 8 sequence, the Venu X1 includes a speaker and microphone, permitting you to make and obtain calls out of your wrist, report voice notes whereas exercising, and activate numerous management features along with your voice.

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Three shortcuts might be assigned to the 2 buttons, permitting you to shortly entry common features with out swiping or tapping on the show. I've them set to voice command, flashlight, and alarms, giving me extra utility shortly.

Talking of the LED flashlight, Garmin positioned one off to the correct aspect of the highest on the Venu X1, and it has the identical 4 white ranges and one crimson mild degree that seem on the show after activation. Strobe and different superior LED mild controls throughout actions might be enabled on the Venu X1, and I've discovered them to be loads vivid and helpful when out at night time in or darker environments.

The Venu X1 (high) is way thinner than the Apple Watch Extremely 2 (backside).

Matthew Miller/ZDNET A minor function of the Apple Watch Extremely 2 that I exploit often is the straightforward tip calculator discovered within the calculator app. I used to be pleasantly stunned to see Garmin embody a tip button on the calculator, and these small features assist ease the transition from an Apple Watch to the Venu X1.

Matthew Miller/ZDNET One key differentiator of the Venu X1 in comparison with the Apple Watch Extremely 2 is the for much longer battery life. For those who flip off the always-on show mode, you may anticipate as much as eight days of battery life. Fortuitously, the twist-to-turn-on works flawlessly, so I am not lacking the always-on mode.

Actually, I discovered that the always-on show reduce down Garmin's battery life to about two days, paying homage to the restricted battery lifetime of the Apple Watch Extremely. With a full cost, GPS monitoring mode ought to present 14-16 hours of exercise monitoring.

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Regardless of the big show measurement, the watch could be very light-weight at simply 40 grams, due to the extremely mild and cozy new ComfortFit cloth band. The Venu X1 can be skinny at simply 7.9mm, which makes it a fair higher look ahead to sleep monitoring. Nonetheless, the skinny type issue and enormous display could make me compromise on battery life in comparison with different Garmin units.

Matthew Miller/ZDNET The Garmin Venu X1 is a greater GPS sports activities watch than the Apple Watch Extremely 2 due to its customizable information fields, native help for extra actions, and longer battery life. Nonetheless, it lacks mobile connectivity, which might have been useful for security causes, just like the outdated Forerunner 945 LTE.

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This new watch shouldn't be actually a Venu successor, however extra of a slimmer, sleeker Fenix with a big sq. show. The dearth of multi-band GPS and ECG help is a little bit of a miss at this worth level, however the skinny type issue could have restricted inner area, and I am keen to surrender these specs for this type issue.

Die-hard Garmin customers could not prefer it, however it's a nice transition gadget for Apple Watch Extremely (and different wearables) followers.

ZDNET's shopping for recommendation Many people had been caught off guard by the launch of the Garmin Venu X1 , and it stays considerably polarizing attributable to its giant display, restricted battery life, and excessive worth. Nonetheless, after testing it for months now, it has been an ideal shock.

For these looking for a extra succesful wearable just like the Apple Watch Extremely, the Venu X1 is a welcome addition to Garmin's lineup. The massive show, slim type issue, and in depth Garmin customization choices individuals have come to like are all discovered on this compelling smartwatch.

The Garmin Venu X1 will get ZDNET's Editors' Selection award for its refreshingly purposeful design, slew of well being and health options, and long-lasting battery life. "It is the Garmin model of the Apple Watch Extremely that I've been hoping for," says Matthew Miller, ZDNET's wearables skilled. It ticks a lot of the containers of the Fenix 8 AMOLED at a cheaper price level, has a way more comfy type issue, and an LED flashlight that is splendid for outside actions and security functions.

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This premium Garmin watch was a sleeper hit for me in 2025 – and it's $200 off right now

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Texas Southern Investigated By Governor After Audit, University Officials Allege Racism

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