Garmin Venu 2 vs Garmin Vivoactive 4 - What are the differences?

The Garmin Venu 2 and Garmin Vivoactive 4 are two very similar sports watches. The differences lie in the details. In the comparison, the Garmin Venu 2 offers a bit more. The Garmin Vivoactive 4 is cheaper in price.

Comparison table

Comparison of the Garmin Venu 2 and Garmin Vivoactive 4

Where the Garmin Venu differs from the Garmin Vivoactive 4 in the more brilliant display, size and battery life, the successor looks a bit different. The Garmin Venu 2 has various other advantages.

Size

Overall, both watches come in two sizes. In each case, the small variant is designated with an additional "s". In terms of function, the Garmin Venu 2 and Garmin Venu 2s are identical. The Garmin Vivoactive 4 and Garmin Vivoavtive 4s are also identical to each other.

Garmin Venu 2 vs Garmin Vivoactive 4: size comparison

	Venu 2	Venu 2s	Vivoactive 4	Vivoactive 4s
Display	1.3"	1.1"	1,3"	1,1"
Resolution	416x416 px	360x360 px	260x260 px	218x218 px
Diameter clock	45.4 mm	40.4 mm	45.1 mm	40 mm
Thickness of the watch	12.2 mm	12.1 mm	12.8 mm	12.7 mm

 

Display

One of the core differences remains in the display of the two watches. True, both have a touch display. However, the Garmin Venu 2 has a AMOLED display, which offers significantly better colors. The resolution is also better with 416x416 pixelsin the larger version. With the Garmin Venu 2s there is still a resolution of 360x360 pixels.

In comparison, the Garmin Vivoactive 4 has a transreflective display, which displays the colors worse and also offers a lower resolution of only 260x260 pixels . In the smaller Garmin Vivoactive 4s, the resolution is 218x218 pixels.

The Garmin Venu 2 still has a brightness sensor, which improves the readability of the display. This is particularly interesting in high sunlight. Here, all watches from Garmin had problems so far.

Battery life

The battery life has improved significantly in the comparison between the Garmin Venu and Venu 2. Thus, the Garmin Venu 2 now performs better in the comparison of battery life.

The Venu 2 comes with a battery life of up to 11 days. The small Garmin Venu 2s comes with a battery life of up to 10 days.

With the Garmin Vivoactive 4, the battery life is given at a maximum of 8 days. With the smaller Vivoactive 4s even only up to 7 days.

In addition, the Garmin Venu 2 still supports a Energy Saving Mode, on which you have to do without the Garmin Vivoactive 4 and 4s.

Garmin Venu 2: New features

With the Garmin Venu 2 there is the "Health Snapshot" function. This allows you to log your health status within two minutes. This can be interesting, for example, if you are suffering from an illness. But also as general information this is exciting. You can even export this report for your doctor. Then the Garmin Venu 2 offers an improved sleep analysis.

Which Garmin watch is better?

In comparison, the Garmin Venu 2* is the better choice. You get a much better display, more battery life, and the Health Snapshot like improved sleep analysis.
However, the Garmin Vivoactive 4 also offers all the basics that the Venu 2 has. GPS, contactless payment, Pulse Ox, Body Battery and on-screen workouts. Even music you can save on the Garmin Vivoactive 4.

So if you want to save some money and don't need a brilliant display, then you're best served with the Vivoactive 4*. If your budget allows it, then you get with the Garmin Venu 2 something more.