Garmin has updated its Vivoactive and Vivomove trackers, and launched a completely new smartwatch – the Venu, which features an AMOLED touchscreen that can compete with the vivid displays on devices like the Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy and Fitbit Versa.
The Vivoactive 4 comes in two sizes – the 4 is 45mm and the 4S is 40mm – and the larger device packs in a little extra battery life as a result (eight days compared with seven). Otherwise the two watches offer the same features, which include animated workouts you can follow on your wrist, a new PulseOx sensor for measuring blood oxygen saturation and music playback.
Pictured: Garmin Vivoactive 4 family
While it doesn’t offer the depth of tracking and analysis found in the Forerunner or Fenix range, the Vivoactive 4 looks a great all-round sport and everyday activity tracker. It’s not a huge update on the Vivoactive 3, but the 4 is a little better-looking and has a lower starting price than its predecessor. The 4 will cost from £259.99 and the 4S £239.99, and will go on sale this month.
However, much of the Vivoactive’s target audience might well be tempted away by the new Venu smartwatch on the basis of its AMOLED screen. The Venu has all the Vivoactive’s features alongside that screen, and although it does lose battery life as a result of the brighter display, Garmin suggests it will still last five days on a change. Even if that number comes down to two days with real-world use, like firing up the GPS and setting the screen to be always-on, it’s a trade-off many will accept for the more impressive display.
See related
- Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Review: The Best Gets Better
- Garmin Launches New Forerunner Running Watches
- The Best Fitness Trackers Of 2021
- The Best Fitness Smartwatches
Pictured: Garmin Venu family
You will have to spend more to get the Venu: it costs from £299.99 (fancier frame and strap combinations cost £329.99), which is significantly pricier than the new Fitbit Versa 2 (£199.99) too. The Venu will have Garmin’s sports tracking features though, which are a big upgrade on the native tracking available on any other smartwatch, including the Versa and Apple Watch. The watch will be available in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Garmin has also updated the Vivomove hybrid tracker range, launching the Vivomove 3 (and smaller 3S), Vivomove Style and Vivomove Luxe. The Vivomove marries the look of an analogue watch with fitness tracking, with your stats shown on the touchscreen display only when you tap the watch.
Pictured: Garmin Vivomove family
The Style and Luxe watches both offer a dual display, showing two stats at once in contrast to the one available on the standard Vivomove 3. The Style and Luxe versions can also make NFC payments with Garmin Pay, as well as having more eye-catching designs, as you’d expect from the model names.
Although the Vivomove range can connect to your phone’s GPS to track outdoor activities, it’s designed to be an everyday activity tracker, rather than a sports-focused device. The new watches will be available before the end of 2019 and will cost from £219.99 to £479.99, depending on the model you go for.
