The Garmin Venu 4 is one of the most anticipated smartwatches of 2025, and anticipation continues to build as we move into 2026. With the Venu 3 now over two years old, fitness enthusiasts and Garmin fans alike are eager to see what improvements the next generation will bring. In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover everything we know — and everything we expect — about the upcoming Garmin Venu 4, including release date predictions, rumored features, price expectations, and whether you should wait or buy the Venu 3 now.
When Will Garmin Venu 4 Be Released?
Garmin typically follows an 18-24 month refresh cycle for its Venu line. Looking at the historical release pattern:
| Model | Release Date | Time Between Releases |
|---|---|---|
| Venu | September 2019 | — |
| Venu 2 | April 2021 | 19 months |
| Venu 3 | August 2023 | 28 months |
| Venu 4 | Q1-Q2 2025 (Expected) | ~18-22 months |
Based on this pattern, we originally expected the Garmin Venu 4 to launch between February and June 2025. However, as of January 2026, Garmin has not yet announced the Venu 4. This suggests a few possibilities:
- Extended development cycle — Garmin may be working on significant upgrades that require more time
- Strategic timing — Garmin could be waiting to position the Venu 4 against new Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch releases
- Supply chain considerations — Component availability may have influenced the timeline
At this point, a Q1-Q2 2026 announcement seems most likely. Garmin typically unveils new products at CES (January) or during spring product refreshes. Keep an eye on Garmin's announcements in the coming months.
Expected Garmin Venu 4 Price
Pricing for the Venu 4 will likely follow Garmin's established pricing structure:
| Model | Launch Price | Current Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| Venu 3 | $449 | $399-449 |
| Venu 3S | $449 | $399-449 |
| Venu 4 (Expected) | $449-499 | — |
We expect the **Garmin Venu 4 to launch at 449 price point, but increasing component costs and new features could push the price up to 50 increase would be in line with industry trends and Garmin's own pricing adjustments across other product lines.
The good news: once the Venu 4 launches, expect Venu 3 prices to drop significantly — potentially to $349 or lower.
Rumored & Expected Garmin Venu 4 Features
While Garmin hasn't officially confirmed any Venu 4 specifications, industry rumors and logical progression suggest several likely improvements:
Improved Battery Life
The Venu 3's 14-day battery life (smartwatch mode) is already impressive for an AMOLED watch, but there's always room for improvement. We expect:
- 16-18 days in smartwatch mode (up from 14 days)
- 30+ hours in GPS mode (up from 26 hours)
- 7+ days with always-on display (up from 5 days)
- Faster charging — potentially 0-100% in under 60 minutes
Battery improvements would likely come from more efficient processors, display optimizations, and possibly a slightly larger battery.
Brighter AMOLED Display
AMOLED technology continues to advance rapidly. The Venu 4 could feature:
- Higher peak brightness — improved outdoor visibility in direct sunlight
- Enhanced always-on display mode — more readable in bright conditions
- Higher resolution — potentially 500+ PPI for sharper text and graphics
- New display sizes — possibly a larger 47mm option or improved 41mm/45mm variants
New Health Sensors
Garmin consistently adds new health monitoring capabilities. Potential additions include:
- Improved heart rate accuracy — next-generation Elevate sensor
- Enhanced sleep tracking — more detailed sleep stages and insights
- Blood pressure estimation — a feature competitors are exploring
- Skin temperature sensor — for better illness detection and cycle tracking
- Continuous glucose monitoring preparation — hardware readiness for future CGM integration
Software & Smart Features
Beyond hardware, software improvements are likely:
- Faster processor — smoother animations and quicker app loading
- More storage — 16GB or 32GB for music and apps
- Improved voice assistant — faster response times and better accuracy
- New watch faces — leveraging improved display capabilities
- Enhanced AI features — smarter workout suggestions and health insights
What We'd Like to See in Garmin Venu 4
Beyond expected improvements, here's our wishlist for the Venu 4:
Thinner Design
The Venu 3 measures 12mm thick — respectable, but not industry-leading. A slimmer 10-11mm profile would make the watch more comfortable for all-day wear and look more elegant on smaller wrists.
Titanium Option
Garmin offers titanium in its Fenix and Epix lines. A premium Venu 4 variant with a titanium case would appeal to users who want durability and a lighter weight without sacrificing style.
New Color Options
Garmin's Venu line has traditionally offered conservative color choices. We'd love to see:
- Bolder color options (deep blue, forest green, burgundy)
- Limited edition collaborations
- Interchangeable bezel options
LTE Connectivity
While the speaker/microphone on Venu 3 enables calls through your phone, standalone LTE would allow true phone-free connectivity. This would be a significant upgrade for runners and outdoor enthusiasts.
Improved GPS Accuracy
Multi-band GPS, already available on Garmin's Forerunner and Fenix lines, would be a welcome addition. This provides more accurate tracking in challenging environments like urban canyons and dense forests.
Garmin Venu 3: What It Does Well
Before deciding whether to wait for the Venu 4, let's recap what makes the current Venu 3 excellent:
Outstanding AMOLED Display
The Venu 3's 1.4-inch (45mm) or 1.2-inch (41mm) AMOLED display is gorgeous. Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and the always-on option is actually usable. It's one of the best displays in any Garmin watch.
Comprehensive Health Monitoring
The Venu 3 includes:
- 24/7 heart rate monitoring with Elevate V4 sensor
- Pulse Ox (SpO2) blood oxygen tracking
- Stress tracking and Body Battery
- Advanced sleep tracking with sleep coach
- Automatic nap detection
- Women's health tracking
- Health Snapshot (2-minute comprehensive check)
True Smartwatch Features
Unlike most Garmin watches, the Venu 3 offers genuine smartwatch functionality:
- Built-in speaker and microphone for calls
- Voice assistant support (Siri, Google, Bixby)
- Music storage with Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer
- Garmin Pay contactless payments
- Smart notifications with text replies (Android)
Impressive Battery Life
Up to 14 days in smartwatch mode is exceptional for an AMOLED watch. Even with always-on display, you can get 4-5 days between charges.
Wheelchair Mode
The Venu 3 introduced Garmin's first wheelchair mode, making it the most accessible Garmin lifestyle watch. This groundbreaking feature tracks pushes, calories, and provides wheelchair-specific metrics.
Potential Venu 4 vs Venu 3 Comparison
Here's how we expect the Venu 4 to compare against the current Venu 3:
| Feature | Venu 3 | Venu 4 (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | AMOLED 1.4"/1.2" | AMOLED (brighter, higher res) |
| Resolution | 454 x 454 px | 500+ x 500+ px |
| Battery (Smartwatch) | Up to 14 days | Up to 16-18 days |
| Battery (GPS) | Up to 26 hours | Up to 30+ hours |
| Battery (AOD) | Up to 5 days | Up to 7 days |
| GPS | GPS/GLONASS/Galileo | Multi-band GPS (expected) |
| Processor | Current gen | Faster next-gen chip |
| Storage | 8GB | 16GB (expected) |
| Speaker/Mic | Yes | Yes |
| Health Sensors | Elevate V4 | Elevate V5 (expected) |
| New Sensors | — | Skin temp, improved SpO2 |
| Water Rating | 5 ATM | 5 ATM or better |
| Case Thickness | ~12mm | ~10-11mm (wishlist) |
| Price | $449 | $449-499 |
Should You Wait for Venu 4 or Buy Venu 3 Now?
This is the million-dollar question. Here's our advice based on your situation:
Wait for Venu 4 If:
- You don't urgently need a new watch — If your current watch works fine, waiting a few months could pay off with newer technology
- You want the latest features — New sensors and improved battery life are worth waiting for
- You're a tech enthusiast — You prefer having the newest generation
- You can get a great Venu 3 deal later — Venu 3 prices will drop once Venu 4 launches
Buy Venu 3 Now If:
- Your current watch is broken or unusable — Don't wait indefinitely; the Venu 3 is excellent
- You find a great deal — Venu 3 at $349 or below is outstanding value
- You need specific features today — Wheelchair mode, nap detection, and speaker/mic are available now
- You're upgrading from an older Garmin — The Venu 3 is a massive improvement over Venu 2 or older models
- You're not sure you'll use Venu 4's new features — The Venu 3 already covers most users' needs
Our recommendation: If you can wait until Q2 2026, you'll either get the new Venu 4 or a heavily discounted Venu 3. If you need a watch now and find the Venu 3 on sale for $399 or less, it's an excellent purchase.
How Garmin Venu 4 Might Compare to Apple Watch
The Apple Watch remains Garmin's primary competitor in the lifestyle smartwatch space. Here's how the Venu 4 might stack up:
| Feature | Venu 4 (Expected) | Apple Watch Series 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | 16-18 days | ~18 hours (1-2 days) |
| GPS Accuracy | Excellent (multi-band) | Very Good |
| Health Tracking | Comprehensive | Comprehensive |
| Fitness Features | Extensive (30+ sports) | Good (less outdoor focus) |
| Smart Features | Good | Excellent |
| App Ecosystem | Connect IQ | App Store (larger) |
| Phone Compatibility | iOS & Android | iOS only |
| Water Resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Price | $449-499 | $399-499 |
Garmin's advantages: Dramatically better battery life, superior outdoor/fitness tracking, Android compatibility, and more durable design for outdoor activities.
Apple Watch advantages: Deeper iOS integration, larger app ecosystem, cellular options, and more fashion-forward designs.
For fitness-focused users or Android owners, the Venu 4 will likely be the better choice. For iPhone users who prioritize apps and seamless Apple ecosystem integration, the Apple Watch remains compelling.
Conclusion
The Garmin Venu 4 represents an exciting evolution in Garmin's lifestyle smartwatch lineup. While we don't have official details yet, the expected improvements — better battery, brighter display, new sensors, and refined design — should make it a worthy successor to the already-excellent Venu 3.
Whether you wait for the Venu 4 or pick up a Venu 3 now, you're getting one of the best fitness-focused smartwatches on the market. Garmin's combination of comprehensive health tracking, extensive fitness features, and genuine smartwatch capabilities is unmatched at this price point.
We'll update this article as more information becomes available. In the meantime, keep an eye on Garmin's announcements — the Venu 4 could arrive sooner than expected.