Unquestionable charm of the Venu X1, despite its flaws, predominantly lies in one standout feature
The Garmin Venu X1, a new addition to Garmin's product line, is making waves with its sleek design reminiscent of Apple Watches. This premium GPS smartwatch aims to cater to both athletes and health-conscious individuals, blending style and functionality.
**Key Features**
The Venu X1 boasts a large 2-inch AMOLED display, offering a high-resolution of 448 x 486 pixels. It sports a thin titanium case, measuring just 7.9 mm thick, making it Garmin's thinnest watch to date. Other features include a built-in LED flashlight, speaker, and microphone for on-device calls and voice notes. The Venu X1 also includes offline TopoActive mapping with round-trip routing and on-device course creation.
The Venu X1 offers up to 8 days in smartwatch mode and 16 hours in GPS mode, and it has 5ATM water resistance. It weighs 39g, making it cozier and lighter than any other watch of its size.
**User Reactions**
Initial reactions to the Venu X1 have been positive, with users praising its impressive combination of style and functionality. The large display and advanced performance metrics have been particularly appreciated, making it a versatile choice for runners, triathletes, golfers, and cyclists. However, detailed user reviews and long-term assessments are still emerging as the device is relatively new.
**Comparison to Other Garmin Models**
The Venu X1 enhances the mainstream Venu series with more advanced athletic features, such as offline mapping and a larger display. Compared to the Forerunner 970, while the latter targets serious athletes, the Venu X1 offers similar features like Training Status and Training Readiness but with a more lifestyle-friendly design. The Venu X1 shares some features with the Fenix 8, such as voice notes, but is positioned as a more versatile option with a larger display.
**Comparison to the Apple Watch Ultra**
The Venu X1 has a larger AMOLED display compared to the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which uses a 49mm poly-silicon OLED display. The Venu X1 offers significantly longer battery life compared to the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which lasts up to 36 hours. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 includes LTE for standalone phone capabilities, while the Venu X1 does not. The Venu X1 is more water-resistant than the Apple Watch Ultra 2, being 5ATM resistant, compared to the latter being dive-proof.
The Venu X1 is currently being reviewed by Wearables Editor Michael Hicks. The device is priced at $799, with some finding it high considering there is no Venu 4 in sight. Early reactions to the Venu X1 have been mixed, with some calling it "ugly AF" or similar. However, for those who fit the niche sweet spot, they'll absolutely love the Venu X1: it offers comfort, a great display, and nearly every feature the Fenix 8 does for $200-300 less.
[1] Garmin, (2023). Venu X1 Datasheet. [Online]. Available: https://www.garmin.com/datasheets/venu-x1.pdf [2] Garmin, (2023). Venu X1 Product Page. [Online]. Available: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/products/wearables/smartwatches/venu-x1/ [3] Garmin, (2023). TopoActive Europe. [Online]. Available: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/products/outdoor-recreation/topo-maps/topoactive-europe [4] Apple, (2023). Apple Watch Ultra. [Online]. Available: https://www.apple.com/uk/watch/ultra/
The Venu X1, a new addition to Garmin's product line, can be paired with smartphones, symbolizing the convergence of wearables and smartphone technology. On the other hand, many gadget enthusiasts are compared the Venu X1 to high-end smartwatches like the Apple Watch Ultra, highlighting the intersection of technology and premium gadgets.
