All right, so I know what you’re probably already thinking—and I was thinking the same thing too. At first glance, the Garmin Venu X1 looks suspiciously like something Apple might dream up. But once you dig in, it becomes clear that Garmin is charting its own path here. The Venu X1 is a bold new take on Garmin’s established smartwatch formula, fusing the best of its Forerunner and Fenix lines with a dose of sleek minimalism and a square body that feels futuristic and fitness-focused at the same time.
The Venu X1 brings together a robust set of training tools, full-color topo maps, advanced health tracking, and even a flashlight, all housed in Garmin’s slimmest watch ever. It breaks new ground in several ways, not least of which is the combination of a large, high-res display with a super-thin design. There’s also support for music storage, Bluetooth calls, and offline routing—basically everything you’d expect in a top-tier sport watch.
But what makes the Venu X1 particularly fascinating is how Garmin has chosen to blur the lines between lifestyle smartwatch and serious training tool. With training readiness, ClimbPro, wrist-based running power, and advanced metrics all packed in, this isn’t just a casual step tracker with Spotify.
It’s a bold statement: that style, functionality, and athletic smarts don’t have to exist in separate universes. Of course, this kind of fusion isn’t without tradeoffs. You’ll find out what it gains—and what it gives up—over the next sections.
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Naming & Series Placement:
Garmin’s decision to call this the Venu X1 is… curious. At first, it might feel a little out of place—this watch seems like it belongs more in the Fenix or Forerunner lineup. But once you look at its form factor, interface, and intended user, the name starts to make sense. The Venu series has always leaned more toward the lifestyle smartwatch crowd—less rugged, more stylish, with a heavy emphasis on touchscreen navigation.
However, the X1 marks a serious shift in ambition. It borrows generously from both the Fenix 8 and the Forerunner 970, including flagship features like ClimbPro, Training Readiness, onboard maps, and even the LED flashlight. It also introduces hardware like the sapphire lens—something we’ve never seen on a Venu watch before.
Still, the “X1” moniker is a bit vague. Garmin has used “X1” branding in other categories like hunting gear, and it doesn’t exactly help clarify its place in the Venu family. Calling it Venu Pro or Venu Elite might have made more sense. Regardless, what we do have is a new tier of Venu—one that doesn’t just look smart, but trains smart too.
Case & Dimensions:
One of the most striking aspects of the Garmin Venu X1 is just how thin and light it is. Measuring 41mm wide, 46mm tall, and only 7.9mm thick, the X1 is hands down the slimmest Garmin watch ever made. For context, the Forerunner 970—already considered slim by GPS watch standards—comes in at 12.9mm thick. Compared to that, the X1 feels razor-thin.
Despite that slim profile, the watch still manages to house a 2-inch display, an LED flashlight, and a battery that delivers multiple days of use. The balance between size and capability here is impressive. It wears incredibly flat on the wrist and slides easily under long sleeves—something that can’t be said for bulkier Fenix and Tactix models.
The case material is a lightweight polymer composite, but Garmin has added a titanium backplate to give it both durability and a premium edge. That titanium addition also enhances sensor performance, as it houses the fifth-generation Elevate heart rate sensor in a thermally stable environment.
The result is a watch that weighs only 40 grams with the band included, making it practically unnoticeable during workouts or sleep. Despite its lightness, it doesn’t feel cheap. The finish and fit are every bit what you’d expect from an $800 Garmin.
Band:
The Garmin Venu X1 ships with a new Comfort Fit band, which builds upon the design of the brand’s popular UltraFit nylon straps. It’s soft, lightweight, and breathable—clearly intended for all-day wear, including workouts and sleep. The Velcro closure system makes it quick to adjust, and the stretch in the material helps it stay comfortably snug without cutting off circulation.
Unlike the premium QuickFit bands found on the Fenix or Forerunner 900 series, the Venu X1 uses a standard spring bar pin system. That means you won’t be swapping straps as quickly, but it does open up a world of third-party options from the broader watch band market.
The included band is great for sporty use and fits the vibe of the X1 well. That said, if you’re planning to dress this up for more formal settings, you’ll probably want to swap it out. Thankfully, the lugs are compatible with 20mm industry-standard bands, so your choices are practically endless.
Display:
The Garmin Venu X1 features a 2-inch AMOLED touchscreen with a resolution of 448 x 486 pixels, making it the largest and most pixel-dense display Garmin has ever placed in a watch. This panel is bright, vivid, and easily readable in nearly any lighting condition, including direct sunlight. It supports both gesture-based wake and always-on display (AOD) modes, giving users flexibility based on battery preferences.
Colors pop with excellent contrast, and the deep blacks of AMOLED tech help interface elements stand out. Whether you’re navigating maps, swiping through widgets, or simply glancing at notifications, the clarity and responsiveness of the screen feel flagship-grade. Compared to the Apple Watch Ultra’s 1.9-inch display (410 x 502 pixels), the Venu X1 offers more screen real estate and slightly higher resolution.
Another major benefit of the square layout is how much information density it enables. Circular Garmin watches like the Fenix or Forerunner have to squeeze metrics around a dial; here, everything fits in neat, clean rows and grids. That’s especially useful for detailed map viewing, data-heavy training screens, and structured workout previews.
Swiping and scrolling are fluid, and tap precision is solid—even with sweaty fingers. Garmin’s UI elements scale beautifully on this canvas. For those who always wanted a bigger, better Garmin display without sacrificing core features, this is it.
Sapphire Lens & Protection:
Garmin has equipped the Venu X1 with a sapphire crystal lens, marking a major durability upgrade over Gorilla Glass seen in previous Venu models. This hardened surface offers exceptional scratch resistance, making it ideal for daily wear, rugged workouts, and outdoor use. Whether you’re brushing against gym equipment or scrambling up rocky trails, the display is built to last.
However, unlike the Fenix or Epix series, there’s no metal bezel to add further drop protection or shock absorption. The edge of the screen flows almost flush with the case, which contributes to the X1’s ultra-slim look but may increase vulnerability to side impacts.
Still, the sapphire layer itself gives peace of mind—and it’s a premium touch that’s rarely seen on lifestyle-oriented smartwatches.
Controls & Navigation:
The Venu X1 blends Garmin’s traditional sport-watch functionality with a more modern touchscreen-forward interface. Navigation is primarily done via its AMOLED touchscreen, complemented by just two physical buttons on the right side—a major departure from the five-button layout found on Fenix and Forerunner models.
The top button serves as a select/start/confirm input, while the bottom button acts as a back or exit key. Everything else—from swiping through widgets to configuring workouts or maps—is handled via touch. It’s an intuitive system for smartwatch users, though those coming from more button-heavy Garmins may need some adjustment.
The touchscreen is responsive and smooth, with well-optimized UI elements that work great even during workouts. However, touch input can be tricky in rain or with gloves, where buttons tend to be more reliable.
That’s the tradeoff: Garmin aimed for simplicity and aesthetics, and it mostly works—just know it’s not as “tactile training-friendly” as a Fenix when you’re in rugged conditions.
Built-in LED Flashlight:
A standout feature borrowed from Garmin’s rugged lineup, the built-in LED flashlight on the Venu X1 adds real utility in a slim package. Located on the side of the watch, it emits a surprisingly bright white light that’s perfect for nighttime visibility, emergency situations, or just navigating dark rooms without waking others.
Unlike the Apple Watch Ultra, which relies on its display to mimic a flashlight, this is a dedicated hardware light—meaning it’s brighter, more directional, and less power-intensive. It even supports flashing and red light modes for safety or night vision.
This flashlight might seem like a gimmick at first, but once you’ve used it on a trail or while searching for gear in your bag, it quickly becomes one of the most underrated features on the watch.
Speaker & Microphone:
The Garmin Venu X1 comes equipped with a built-in speaker and microphone, giving it proper smartwatch-level functionality for phone calls, voice assistants, and audio feedback. When paired to your smartphone via Bluetooth, you can take incoming calls directly on the watch—a handy feature during workouts, commutes, or while your phone’s buried in a bag.
Voice clarity is solid, and the speaker is loud enough for quiet environments. However, don’t expect crystal-clear audio in noisy settings. You can also use the mic to interact with Google Assistant or Siri, depending on your paired device, and for voice commands like setting alarms or starting workouts.
Garmin’s voice feedback for workouts and navigation—like split times or turn-by-turn directions—also comes through the speaker, which can be especially useful when you’re training with wireless earbuds off.
However, keep in mind: the Venu X1 does not feature LTE or eSIM capabilities, so all communication functions require your phone to be within Bluetooth range.
Music & Storage:
The Garmin Venu X1 is built for phone-free training, and its robust music support proves it. The watch comes with 32GB of internal storage, giving you ample space to download playlists, podcasts, and even maps. It supports direct offline syncing from popular platforms like Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer, so you can leave your phone behind on runs or gym sessions.
Pair the X1 with any set of Bluetooth headphones, and you’ll be listening to your favorite playlists within minutes. Playback controls are responsive and integrated well into Garmin’s workout interface, letting you skip, pause, or adjust volume without breaking your stride.
You can also listen to music using the built-in speaker, which is more than loud enough for casual listening or podcast playback while walking or stretching. It’s not audiophile-grade, but it’s clear, usable, and genuinely handy for on-the-go use.
Managing your library is easy via Garmin Connect or Garmin Express, and the large display makes browsing your library much easier than on smaller round-screen models. This makes the X1 a great choice for runners, hikers, or cyclists who want standalone music playback with no wires and no fuss.
Maps & Navigation:
One of the Venu X1’s most powerful features is its full-color topographic mapping and routing capabilities—something previously reserved for Garmin’s higher-end Fenix and Epix models. With its large 2-inch screen, maps look crisp, detailed, and easy to interpret. And unlike smaller circular displays, the square layout means you can view more data and terrain at a glance.
The watch supports offline maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and on-demand routing—you can even select points of interest directly on the watch and have it generate directions, including distance and time estimates. Whether you’re in a city or out on a trail, the X1 can guide you with turn cues like “turn right in 200 meters.”
It also includes Garmin’s ClimbPro feature, which breaks down elevation gains on planned routes. This helps runners, cyclists, and hikers manage their pacing on climbs. The X1 also supports route suggestions, which come in especially handy when traveling or exploring unfamiliar terrain.
While it doesn’t have multi-band GNSS like the Fenix or 965, it still uses reliable single-band GPS with excellent accuracy in most environments. You can also pair it with your phone for LiveTrack, allowing others to follow your progress in real-time.
Simply put: this is the most navigation-capable Venu Garmin has ever released.
Health & Wellness Tracking:
Garmin packed the Venu X1 with an impressive suite of health and wellness features, most of which are powered by its fifth-generation Elevate heart rate sensor. Daily health metrics include 24/7 heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), stress tracking, respiration rate, hydration tracking, and Body Battery—Garmin’s estimate of your energy reserves throughout the day.
Sleep tracking has also received an upgrade, with the Venu X1 offering detailed sleep stage breakdowns, HRV status, and now even breathing disturbance detection to identify potential disruptions in your rest. These insights are especially helpful when viewed over time in Garmin Connect.
You’ll also get access to menstrual cycle and pregnancy tracking features, wellness reminders, and guided breathing exercises, making the X1 more than just a workout device—it’s a full-blown wellness companion.
Garmin has included Training Readiness, a relatively new metric that calculates how prepared you are for a workout each day based on your sleep, recovery, HRV, and activity load. It complements Body Battery but takes a more performance-focused approach.
In short, the Venu X1 doesn’t just log your vitals—it helps you understand how to act on them. Whether you’re optimizing performance or just aiming to stay balanced, this watch has your back.
Training & Performance Metrics:
The Garmin Venu X1 isn’t just about looking sleek—it delivers serious training tools for athletes and data-driven users. One of its headline features is Training Readiness, which gives you a real-time score based on sleep, HRV, recent training load, and recovery. This helps you gauge whether it’s a good day to push hard or prioritize recovery.
It also supports Training Status, a dynamic metric that assesses whether your current routine is making you fitter, overreaching, or undertraining. Combined with acute load tracking and VO2 Max estimates, you get a full view of your long-term fitness trends.
Garmin has also included Endurance Score, a newer feature that quantifies your capacity for sustained effort across activities. It’s particularly useful for multi-sport athletes who train across various disciplines in a single day.
There’s also Workout Suggestions that adapt daily based on your goals and condition, as well as Race Predictor and HRV Status, offering even more context on your readiness and potential performance.
While it lacks some of the high-end physiological tools from the Fenix line like lactate threshold or HRV-based load ratios, the X1 still delivers a remarkably complete training profile—especially for a watch marketed under the Venue name.
Running Features:
Despite being part of the Venue lineup, the X1 brings some serious running power to the table. It includes wrist-based running power, letting you monitor how hard you’re working on different terrain without the need for external sensors.
Advanced running dynamics like stride length, ground contact time, and vertical oscillation are supported—metrics typically reserved for Garmin’s high-end Forerunner and Fenix watches. These help runners fine-tune their form and efficiency.
The Venu X1 also features PacePro, Garmin’s pacing strategy tool that adapts to elevation changes during races or training runs, and Hill Score, which measures your performance and endurance on inclines.
There’s full support for custom structured workouts, interval training, and the ability to import training plans directly from Garmin Coach. For treadmill runners, the watch can also calibrate indoor distances after just a few runs outdoors.
Altogether, these features make the Venu X1 an unexpectedly capable running partner, well beyond what we’ve seen in previous Venue models.
Sport Profiles:
The Garmin Venu X1 supports a wide variety of sport profiles, catering to everyone from casual gym-goers to multi-sport athletes. You’ll find the usual modes like running, cycling, swimming, yoga, and HIIT, along with more specialized activities like rowing, strength training, and snow sports.
But what truly sets it apart from past Venue models is its inclusion of multisport and triathlon modes—something previously reserved for the Forerunner and Fenix lines. This means the X1 can handle brick workouts, auto sport transitions, and full triathlon race tracking in a compact, square body.
Each profile includes customizable data screens, and many feature activity-specific metrics, such as stroke counts for swimming or lap pacing for track workouts. There are also animated workouts and guided routines available through Garmin Connect.
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or training for your next IRONMAN, the Venu X1 can now keep up—something we never thought we’d say about a Venue watch.
External Sensor Support:
The Garmin Venu X1 offers full support for a wide array of external sensors, a feature that firmly cements its status as a serious training tool. You can pair it with ANT+ and Bluetooth accessories like external heart rate monitors, cycling power meters, speed/cadence sensors, and even running dynamics pods.
Surprisingly for a Venue-series watch, it also supports Garmin’s InReach satellite communicators, allowing for SOS messaging and off-grid location sharing when paired with compatible gear.
This kind of versatility is a huge win for athletes who rely on third-party or multi-sport gear—and once again, it’s a clear step up from prior Venue models.
Other comparisons:
Battery Life:
Despite its ultra-slim body and massive AMOLED screen, the Garmin Venu X1 manages to deliver respectable battery life. In smartwatch mode with gesture-based screen wake, it offers up to 8 days of usage on a single charge. Enable the always-on display, and that number drops to around 2 days—a reasonable tradeoff for the vibrant visuals.
During GPS-tracked activities, the battery lasts up to 16 hours in standard mode and around 7 hours in high-accuracy mode. These figures won’t rival the endurance of a Fenix 8, but they’re more than enough for most daily workouts, commutes, and moderate training sessions.
Charging is handled via Garmin’s proprietary cable and takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours for a full top-up. There’s no wireless charging support, which might be a letdown for users coming from Apple or Samsung ecosystems, but this is consistent with Garmin’s entire watch lineup.
In practice, battery life will depend on how heavily you rely on GPS, music playback, and AOD mode. Still, considering the thinness of the case and the size of the display, Garmin has balanced power and form factor surprisingly well.
Price:
The Garmin Venu X1 launches at a retail price of $799 USD, making it by far the most expensive device in the Venu lineup to date. That figure puts it in direct competition with premium smartwatches like the Apple Watch Ultra, while also brushing up against the Forerunner 965 and even the lower-tier Fenix 8 models.
To put it into perspective, the Venu 3 came in at just $449, and even the Forerunner 965 launched at $599. So the X1 isn’t just priced as a lifestyle smartwatch—it’s clearly targeting serious athletes and advanced users who care about both design and detailed data.
Does it justify the higher price? That depends on what you’re looking for. If you want full-color maps, advanced recovery tools, a sapphire lens, and a built-in flashlight in a sleek, square package, it starts to make sense. But if you’re looking purely at sport metrics, you might find better value in the Forerunner or Fenix lines.
There’s no cellular model at this price, either—a key difference from the Apple Watch Ultra. But for Garmin fans who want flagship features in a wearable that doesn’t scream “outdoor beast,” the X1 might be worth every penny. Buy Garmin Venu X1 on Amazon now!
Final Thoughts:
The Garmin Venu X1 is a bold and unexpected evolution of the Venue lineup. It merges Garmin’s lifestyle design ethos with Fenix-grade features, all inside a case that’s thinner and more refined than anything the brand has produced before. From full topo maps to training readiness, from a sapphire lens to a built-in flashlight, the X1 defies what we’ve come to expect from Garmin’s square watches.
It does come with compromises—namely, reduced battery life with always-on display and no LTE or QuickFit bands. But it also brings unprecedented value to users who want serious sport and health metrics in a modern, stylish package.
This is a watch for those who want it all: beauty, brains, and performance—without carrying a tank on their wrist. It’s not quite a Fenix, but it’s no longer just a lifestyle watch either.
If Garmin set out to blur the line between training tool and daily smartwatch, the Venu X1 doesn’t just cross it—it draws a new one. Buy Garmin Venu X1 on Amazon now!
Pros
- Stunning 2-inch AMOLED display with excellent brightness and resolution
- Ultra-slim, lightweight design at only 7.9mm thick and 40g
- Full-color topo maps with turn-by-turn routing and ClimbPro
- Built-in LED flashlight and sapphire crystal protection
- Advanced training metrics including Training Readiness and Endurance Score
- 32GB storage with offline music and map support
- Supports external sensors and Garmin InReach pairing
- Multisport/triathlon support—first time in a Venue series device
Cons
- No LTE or eSIM functionality
- Battery life drops significantly with always-on display
- No QuickFit band compatibility; uses standard pin system
- Buy Garmin Venu X1 on Amazon now!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is the Garmin Venu X1 good for serious athletes?
- Yes. The Venu X1 includes advanced training tools like Training Readiness, Endurance Score, ClimbPro, wrist-based running power, and even triathlon mode, making it ideal for data-driven athletes.
Can the Garmin Venu X1 make phone calls?
- Yes. It has a built-in microphone and speaker, allowing for Bluetooth calls when connected to your smartphone. However, it does not support LTE or standalone calling.
How accurate is the GPS on the Garmin Venu X1?
- It uses a single-band GPS chipset, which is still very accurate for most use cases. It lacks multiband GNSS, but performance is excellent in open environments.
Does the Garmin Venu X1 work with Android and iPhone?
- Yes. Unlike the Apple Watch Ultra, which only works with iPhones, the Venu X1 is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
What is the battery life of the Garmin Venu X1?
- Up to 8 days with gesture-based wake and around 2 days with always-on display enabled. GPS mode offers up to 16 hours of tracking.
Does the Garmin Venu X1 support Spotify or offline music?
- Yes. You can sync music offline from Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer and store up to 32GB worth of music and maps.
Is the Garmin Venu X1 waterproof?
- Yes. It’s rated for 5 ATM water resistance, making it suitable for swimming and water-based activities.
Can I navigate trails and hiking routes with the Garmin Venu X1?
- Absolutely. It includes full-color topographic maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and route generation, making it a capable hiking and outdoor watch.
- Buy Garmin Venu X1 on Amazon now!
Alternatives to the Garmin Venu X1:
1. Garmin Forerunner 965
Best for: Athletes who want full training features with longer battery life
If training metrics matter more to you than a sleek, square design, the Forerunner 965 delivers multiband GPS, a larger battery (up to 23 days in smartwatch mode), a similar AMOLED display, and full sport tracking capabilities—including lactate threshold and more granular recovery stats. It’s also $200 cheaper than the Venu X1. 👉 Find it on Amazon now: Garmin Forerunner 965 on Amazon
2. Apple Watch Ultra 2
Best for: iPhone users who want the best smartwatch experience
If you’re deep in the Apple ecosystem and value features like cellular connectivity, seamless iOS integration, and third-party app support, the Ultra 2 remains unmatched. It lacks Garmin’s advanced training tools but shines in daily usability, ecosystem lock-in, and rugged build quality.👉 Find it on Amazon now: Apple Watch Ultra 2 on Amazon
3. Garmin Venu 3
Best for: Casual fitness users who want health features at a lower price
Priced at $449, the Venu 3 is a much more affordable alternative. You still get a bright AMOLED display, basic training and health features, sleep tracking, and smartwatch tools like voice assistant and Bluetooth calls—but without the higher-end mapping, training readiness, or sapphire build. 👉 Find it on Amazon now: Garmin Venu 3 on Amazon
