The Garmin Venu X1 has entered the smartwatch arena with a bold promise: to challenge the Apple Watch Ultra’s dominance. With its sleek redesign, vibrant display, and robust fitness tracking, the Venu X1 is a compelling contender for those seeking a premium wearable that blends style with substance. However, it’s not without trade-offs, particularly in battery life, which has sparked some debate among users. In this 700-word review, we’ll dive into the Venu X1’s design, features, performance, and how it stacks up against the Apple Watch Ultra.
Design: A Sleek Evolution
Garmin has taken a significant leap forward with the Venu X1’s design. The watch sports a slim, lightweight profile, measuring just 11.8mm in thickness and weighing approximately 50 grams. Its stainless steel bezel and reinforced polymer case exude durability without sacrificing elegance, making it suitable for both gym sessions and formal occasions. The 1.4-inch AMOLED display is a standout, offering crisp visuals with a 454 x 454 resolution and vibrant colors that pop even in bright sunlight. The always-on display option enhances usability, though it does impact battery life—a point we’ll revisit later.
The Venu X1 comes in three colorways: Slate Gray, Ivory White, and Midnight Blue, each with interchangeable silicone straps for customization. The touchscreen is responsive, complemented by two physical buttons for quick navigation, a nod to Garmin’s signature user-friendly interface. Compared to the bulkier Apple Watch Ultra, the Venu X1 feels less obtrusive, appealing to users who prefer a less chunky wrist companion.
Fitness Tracking: Garmin’s Bread and Butter
Garmin’s reputation as a fitness tracking powerhouse shines through in the Venu X1. It offers an extensive suite of health and fitness features, including heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, sleep analysis, and stress monitoring. The watch introduces an upgraded Body Battery 2.0, which now factors in sleep quality and stress levels for a more holistic view of your energy reserves. For athletes, the Venu X1 supports over 30 sports modes, from running and cycling to yoga and HIIT, with precise GPS tracking powered by Garmin’s multi-GNSS system.
A standout feature is the new Recovery Advisor, which analyzes workout intensity, heart rate variability, and sleep data to suggest optimal rest periods. This is particularly useful for serious athletes aiming to avoid overtraining. The Venu X1 also integrates animated on-screen workouts, a feature borrowed from its predecessors but refined with more exercise variations. While the Apple Watch Ultra offers similar fitness tracking, Garmin’s depth in analytics—such as Training Status and VO2 Max estimates—gives it an edge for fitness enthusiasts who crave detailed insights.
Smart Features: Closing the Gap
The Venu X1 steps up its smartwatch game to rival the Apple Watch Ultra. It supports notifications, music playback (with storage for up to 650 songs), and contactless payments via Garmin Pay. The watch runs on Garmin’s proprietary OS, which, while not as app-rich as watchOS, is intuitive and snappy. New additions include voice assistant integration (compatible with Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa) and a built-in microphone for taking calls directly from the wrist, a feature that brings it closer to the Apple Watch’s functionality.
However, the app ecosystem remains a weak point. While Garmin Connect is a robust platform for fitness data, the Connect IQ store lacks the breadth of third-party apps found on Apple’s platform. For users deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, the Watch Ultra’s seamless integration with iOS devices and services like Apple Music or iMessage is a clear advantage. The Venu X1, however, is more cross-platform friendly, working equally well with Android and iOS.
Battery Life: A Trade-Off for Brilliance
One of the Venu X1’s most discussed drawbacks is its battery life. Posts on X highlight a trade-off: the vibrant AMOLED display and slim design come at the expense of endurance, with the watch lasting about 5-6 days on a single charge with moderate use, compared to the Apple Watch Ultra’s 36 hours or the Venu 3’s 10-14 days. Heavy GPS use or enabling the always-on display can drain the battery in 2-3 days. While this is still better than most smartwatches, it’s a step back from Garmin’s traditional long-lasting batteries, disappointing some loyal users.
Performance and Usability
In daily use, the Venu X1 performs admirably. The interface is smooth, with quick access to widgets and customizable watch faces. GPS lock-on is fast and accurate, even in urban environments, and heart rate data aligns closely with chest strap monitors during testing. The watch is also swim-proof (5 ATM rating), making it versatile for water-based activities.
Compared to the Apple Watch Ultra, the Venu X1 feels less like a tech gadget and more like a dedicated fitness tool with smartwatch perks. The Ultra excels in its ecosystem integration and app variety, but the Venu X1’s focus on fitness depth and cross-platform compatibility makes it a strong alternative for those who don’t need Apple’s walled garden.
Pricing and Value
Priced at $799.99, the Venu X1 is a premium offering, sitting just below the Apple Watch Ultra’s $799-$849 range. Some users on X have called the price steep, especially given the reduced battery life. However, the Venu X1’s advanced fitness tracking, sleek design, and vibrant display justify the cost for fitness-focused users who want a smartwatch that doesn’t compromise on style.
Final Verdict
The Garmin Venu X1 is a bold step forward, blending a slim, stylish design with Garmin’s unparalleled fitness tracking prowess. Its vibrant AMOLED display, upgraded health metrics, and smart features make it a worthy competitor to the Apple Watch Ultra. However, the shorter battery life and limited app ecosystem may deter some users, particularly those accustomed to Garmin’s longer-lasting wearables or Apple’s seamless integration.
For fitness enthusiasts who value detailed analytics and a sleek form factor, the Venu X1 is a near-perfect choice. It may not dethrone the Apple Watch Ultra for iOS loyalists, but it’s a formidable foe for anyone seeking a versatile, cross-platform smartwatch that excels in the gym and beyond.
Sources: TechRadar, User sentiment on X
