Garmin has revealed its latest fitness watch, the $799 Venu X1. This device is equipped with a 2-inch square AMOLED display and appears to be a direct competitor to the Apple Watch Ultra 2, sharing similar aesthetics with its square design and titanium casing, despite Garmin’s existing models already featuring capabilities akin to those of Apple’s leading smartwatch.
The Venu X1 resembles a square variant of Garmin’s Fenix 8 or Forerunner 970 watches. However, it offers reduced battery life and certain concessions. Garmin estimates the watch will operate for up to two days with its always-on display active, or extend up to eight days if the feature is disabled. In contrast, the 47mm AMOLED Fenix 8 boasts a seven-day duration with the always-on option activated. Like its counterparts, it incorporates a built-in flashlight, but it lacks ECG support and multi-band GPS. The watch does feature full-color mapping, a characteristic not typically found in Garmin’s Venu series.
The Venu X1 is equipped with a scratch-resistant sapphire lens, a titanium caseback, and features a built-in speaker and microphone that facilitate calls and voice commands. Users can issue certain commands such as “start a running activity” or “set a timer for 5 minutes” without needing to connect to a smartphone.
Additionally, the watch boasts extensive health and fitness tracking capabilities, supporting over 100 different activity profiles and incorporating a pulse oximeter for blood oxygen saturation measurements.
The Venu X1 will launch on June 18th, and will be available in black and dark green options.
