Garmin Venu 3 vs Fenix 8 – Which Should You Buy?
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Choosing the right smartwatch depends on how you plan to use it, whether for fitness tracking, outdoor adventures, or daily convenience. The Garmin Venu 3 and Garmin Fenix 8 are designed for different types of users who value health insights and durability in unique ways. The Venu 3 focuses on wellness and everyday usability with a bright AMOLED display and advanced health features. The Fenix 8, on the other hand, targets serious athletes and explorers who need rugged construction and extreme endurance. This comparison highlights their main differences to help you choose the best fit for your needs.
Side by Side Comparison
| Features | Garmin Venu 3 | Garmin Fenix 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Display Type | 1.4″ AMOLED touchscreen | 1.4″ or 1.5″ MIP sunlight-visible display |
| Resolution | 454 x 454 pixels | 280 x 280 pixels |
| Battery Life | Up to 14 days in smartwatch mode | Up to 40 days in smartwatch mode (solar) |
| Build Material | Stainless steel or aluminum | Titanium or sapphire crystal options |
| Weight | Around 46 g | Around 79 g |
| Water Rating | 5 ATM | 10 ATM |
| Processor | Garmin advanced health engine | Garmin multi-band GPS processor |
| RAM | 8 GB internal storage | 32 GB internal storage |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+ | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+, GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Sensors | Heart rate, SpO2, HRV, skin temp | Heart rate, SpO2, barometer, compass, thermometer |
| Battery Saver Mode | Yes | Yes, extended solar charging |
Detailed Feature Comparisons
Design and Construction: The Garmin Venu 3 has a sleek, modern design suitable for everyday wear, offering lightweight comfort and premium finishes. The Garmin Fenix 8 features a more rugged and durable build designed for outdoor endurance, using titanium and sapphire materials for superior resistance in harsh environments.
Display Quality: The Venu 3 offers a vibrant AMOLED touchscreen with excellent visibility indoors and outdoors, ideal for casual users who prefer bright visuals. The Fenix 8 uses a memory-in-pixel display that prioritizes visibility under direct sunlight and battery efficiency during outdoor exploration.
Battery Performance: Battery life differs significantly between the two. The Venu 3 provides up to two weeks of use, suitable for daily wellness tracking. The Fenix 8 can last up to 40 days in smartwatch mode with solar charging, making it a strong choice for hikers, climbers, and long-distance athletes.
Health and Fitness Tracking: Both models include advanced sensors for heart rate, stress, sleep, and SpO2 monitoring. The Venu 3 places a stronger emphasis on recovery insights, meditation, and wheelchair activity tracking. The Fenix 8 adds outdoor-specific metrics such as altitude acclimation, VO2 max, and expedition tracking.
GPS and Navigation: The Fenix 8 delivers superior GPS accuracy with multi-band support and preloaded topographic maps for backcountry navigation. The Venu 3 provides reliable GPS for running or cycling but is more limited in advanced mapping and terrain data.
Durability and Water Resistance: The Venu 3 is built for fitness and lifestyle use, with a 5 ATM water rating. The Fenix 8 is tested to 10 ATM, suitable for diving and rough terrains, offering enhanced resistance against temperature and impact.
Smart Features: Both watches include smart notifications, voice assistance, and music storage. The Venu 3 supports voice calling directly via Bluetooth, while the Fenix 8 focuses more on advanced safety tracking and expedition data recording.
Sports and Activity Modes: The Venu 3 offers more than 30 sports profiles, focusing on gym workouts and cardio activities. The Fenix 8 expands this to over 100, including specialized modes for mountaineering, skiing, and endurance sports.
Performance and Processing: The Venu 3 runs smoothly with Garmin’s modern health engine, ensuring fast interface transitions. The Fenix 8 integrates a more powerful processor to handle real-time maps, multi-sensor readings, and longer sessions without lag.
Connectivity and Storage: The Fenix 8 offers larger onboard storage for offline maps and music, while the Venu 3 provides sufficient space for fitness data and a modest number of songs. Both support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and ANT+ for seamless device integration.
FAQ
Is the Garmin Fenix 8 better than the Venu 3 for outdoor use?
Yes, the Fenix 8 is built for outdoor adventures with stronger GPS accuracy, solar charging, and rugged durability, making it ideal for extreme conditions.
Does the Garmin Venu 3 support phone calls?
Yes, the Venu 3 allows users to make and receive calls via Bluetooth when connected to a compatible smartphone.
Which has the brighter display, Venu 3 or Fenix 8?
The Venu 3 features an AMOLED display that is significantly brighter and more colorful than the Fenix 8’s MIP screen.
Can both watches measure sleep quality?
Yes, both models provide sleep tracking with detailed insights on stages and recovery data.
Which model has longer battery life?
The Fenix 8 lasts much longer, offering up to 40 days with solar charging, while the Venu 3 provides around 14 days.
Are both watches suitable for swimming?
Yes, the Venu 3 has a 5 ATM rating suitable for pool swimming, and the Fenix 8’s 10 ATM rating allows it to handle deeper water activities.
Do both watches include GPS?
Yes, but the Fenix 8 includes multi-band GPS for higher accuracy and terrain tracking.
Can I use third-party apps on these watches?
Yes, both models support apps from the Garmin Connect IQ store for customization.
Is there a major difference in weight?
Yes, the Venu 3 is lighter and more comfortable for daily wear, while the Fenix 8 is heavier due to its rugged materials.
Which watch is better for general fitness tracking?
The Venu 3 is more suitable for daily health tracking and guided workouts, while the Fenix 8 excels in endurance and performance tracking for advanced athletes.