Last Updated on January 19, 2024 by Senior Editor
Since Garmin introduced the Venu series of which the Venu 3 is the most recent release, the company have continued to introduce more features that tends to make it a serious competitor against the Galaxy Watch and Apple Watch series. In fact, the Venu 3 is obviously the company’s attempt to compete against the likes of the Galaxy Watch 6 and Apple Watch Series 9. This is because the Venu 3 like its predecessor, the Venu 2 Plus, has a microphone and speaker that allows for on-wrist calls. It also has a colorful AMOLED display and supports Siri, Bixby and Google Assistant voice assistants.
The Venu 3 comes in two sizes, a more compact 41mm unit that’s obviously the best for women and a bigger 45mm. Both sizes have similar features and the same $450 price, though, the Venu 3 has a bigger display and longer battery life. In this post, I’ll be comparing the difference between the Venu 3s vs Venu 3 so you know which is right for you.
Garmin Venu 3s vs Venu 3 Full Specifications
| Product Info |
 Garmin Venu 3s Full Smartwatch Specifications, Features and Price |
 Garmin Venu 3 Full Smartwatch Specifications, Features and Price |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $434.99 | $432.59 |
| ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE |
| Device name | Garmin Venu 3s | Garmin Venu 3 |
| Device type | Fitness/Classic smartwatch | Fitness/Classic smartwatch |
| Gender | Unisex, Women | Unisex |
| Release date | August, 2023 | August, 2023 |
| Predecessor | Garmin Venu 2 | Garmin Venu 2 |
| Successor | — | — |
| Versions | — | — |
| BODY | BODY | BODY |
| Dimension | 41 x 41 x 12 mm | 45 x 45 x 12 mm |
| Weight | (excluding straps), 27 grams | (excluding straps), 30g |
| Shape | Circular | Circular |
| Case material | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Strap material | Silicone | Silicone |
| Bezel material | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Strap size | 18 mm | 22 mm |
| Interchangeable strap | 18mm, Yes | 22 mm, Yes |
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Water resistance | Yes, 5ATM | Yes, 5ATM |
| Durability test | — | — |
| Swim-proof | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended |
| Color | Ivory, Dust rose, French gray, Pebble gray, Sage gray | Black, Whitestone |
| DISPLAY | DISPLAY | DISPLAY |
| Display size | 1.2 inches | 1.4 inches |
| Display type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Display resolution | 390 x 390 px | 454 x 454 pixels |
| Pixel density | 326 ppi | 326 ppi |
| Always on | Yes | Yes |
| Custom watch face | Yes | Yes |
| Input type | 3 Physical buttons, Touchscreen | 3 Physical buttons, Touchscreen |
| CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY |
| Bluetooth | ANT+, Bluetooth | ANT+, Bluetooth |
| Bluetooth calling | Yes | Yes |
| GPS | Galileo, GLONASS, GPS | Galileo, GLONASS, GPS |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| MEMORY | MEMORY | MEMORY |
| RAM | — | — |
| ROM | 8GB | 8GB |
| Memory card slot | No | No |
| CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY |
| Technology | None | None |
| SIM type | None | None |
| Band | — | — |
| NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS |
| SMS alert | Yes | Yes |
| Calls alert | Yes | Yes |
| Email alert | Yes | Yes |
| Event reminder | Yes | Yes |
| Third-party apps alert | Yes | Yes |
| Reply to Notifications | Android only, Yes (preset replies) | Android only, Yes (preset replies) |
| MEDIA | MEDIA | MEDIA |
| Audio | mp3 | mp3 |
| Bluetooth music | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| SENSORS | SENSORS | SENSORS |
| Sensor(s) | Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Barometric altimeter, Compass, Garmin Elevate v4 HR sensor, Spo2 sensor, Thermometer | Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Barometric altimeter, Compass, Garmin Elevate v4 HR sensor, Spo2 sensor, Thermometer |
| ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING |
| Blood oxygen | Yes | Yes |
| Blood Pressure | No | No |
| Calories | Yes | Yes |
| Distance | Yes | Yes |
| ECG tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Steps | Yes | Yes |
| Floors climbed | Yes | Yes |
| Stress | Yes | Yes |
| Fall detection | Yes | Yes |
| Menstrual cycle | Yes | Yes |
| VO2 Max | Yes | Yes |
| Swim-tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Underwater heart rate tracking | Yes | Yes |
| On-screen workout | Yes | Yes |
| Sport modes | Yes | Yes |
| BATTERY | BATTERY | BATTERY |
| Battery type | non-removable Lithium-polymer | non-removable Lithium-polymer |
| Battery capacity | — | — |
| Battery life | Smartwatch mode: Up to 10 days, Battery saver mode: Up to 20 days | Smartwatch mode: up to 14 days, Battery saver mode: Up to 26 days |
| Charging type | Charging dock | Charging dock |
| Charging time | 30min-1hr | 30min-1hr |
| Solar charging | No | No |
| PLATFORM | PLATFORM | PLATFORM |
| Chipset | — | — |
| CPU | — | — |
| GPU | — | — |
| Operating system | Proprietary OS | Proprietary OS |
| MISC | MISC | MISC |
| Companion app | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect |
| Compatibility | Android 7.0+, iOS 15.0+ | Android 7.0+, iOS 15.0+ |
| Payment system | Garmin Pay | Garmin Pay |
| Voice command | Google Assistant, Bixby, Siri | Google Assistant, Bixby, Siri |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
| Box content | Charger, Manual, Straps, Garmin Venu 3 | Charger, Manual, Straps, Garmin Venu 3 |
Garmin Venu 2 Plus vs Venu 3: What’s New?
We’ll start by looking at what’s new in the Venu 3, how does it differ from the Venu 2 Plus? Should you even upgrade?
Venu 2 Plus was the first Garmin watch to have a microphone and speaker that allows the watch to be able to make and receive calls when it’s connected to your phone. As a result of the presence of a microphone, the Venu 2 Plus also featured support for voice assistants. Similarly, the Venu 3 can also make and receive calls and as well features voice assistants.
The Venu 3 also has an AMOLED display like the Venu 2 Plus. It has the same fiber-polymer frame and stainless steel bezel. Same 8GB storage and very similar health tracking features. And interestingly, the Venu 3 has the same $450 price tag as the Venu 2 Plus
The difference between the Venu 2 Plus and Venu 3 is that the latter has more activity-tracking features and a longer battery life.
The Venu 3 has more sports profiles and it ships with the latest Garmin’s Elevate v5 sensor which has more LED than Elevate v4. There is no significant difference between the two sensors, but more LED means you can have more accurate tracking during exercises. Moreover as a result of the Elevate v5 sensor, the Venu 3 also features ECG measurement which is not possible with Venu 2 Plus.
The Venu 3 also features the ability to monitor your skin temperature which is not possible with Venu 2 Plus.
But then, despite the more features, it’s same $450 for both watches. On that note, the Venu 3 is a better bargain. Should you upgrade if you already own the Venu 2 Plus? Why not? If you want the extra features.
Garmin Venu 3s vs Venu 3 – What’s the Difference?
So now that you know what’s new in the Venu 3, let’s take a look at how it differs from the Venu 3s.
Like I mentioned earlier, both watches have similar features, the only difference between these two is that the Venu 3 has a bigger display and longer battery life. The essence of two different sizes is to give you the end-user the option to choose your preferred size.
Design
The Venu 3 and 3s are equally durably built. Each of these has a fiber-polymer frame with a stainless steel bezel that leaves the watch with a traditional watch appearance.
Both watches are also lightweight, though the Venu 3s being smaller weighs a little less. While the Venu 3 weighs 30 grams, the Venu 3s weighs 27 grams.
The strap of both Venu 3 and 3s is made of silicone and can be changed if you ever desire a different look. Though, while Venu 3s is compatible with 18mm wide bands, it is 22mm for the Venu 3.
Both the Venu 3 and 3s are also certified 5ATM which means each of these two is waterproof, thus it’s safe to wear to the swimming pool but diving isn’t recommended as such actions subject the watch to intense pressure.
In terms of available colors, while Venu 3 comes in black and whitestone colors, the Venu 3s is available in more colors which include French gray, pebble gray, sage gray, dust rose and ivory colors.
So, it’s the same build quality for both watches except that the Venu 3s being smaller is more compact and weighs a little less than the Venu 3.
Display
The display is also the same. It is the same AMOLED-powered display. However, the display sizes differ. The Venu 3 with its bigger frame has a bigger 1.4 inches compared to the 1.2 inches of the Venu 3s. So while it’s just a 0.2-inch difference in display size, you actually get to see a little more on the Venu 3.
Health tracking
Like other Garmin watches, the Venu 3 and 3s are well-equipped to track all your daily activities. Each of these two is equipped with the Elevate v5 sensor and other sensors that enable tracking for a long list of activities.
The Venu 3 and 3s will track your heart rate, sleep, stress, blood oxygen, skin temperature and steps. Both watches also have inbuilt GPS for mapping your routes during an outdoor activity and you also get ECG measurements.
So as far as health tracking is concerned, both Venu 3 and 3s are well equipped to track your daily activities.
Media and Calls
The Venu 3 and 3s also have the same onboard storage capacity. You get 8GB storage (music storage space is less than 8GB) that allows for onboard music storage. Supported music streaming services include Spotify, Deezer and Amazon Music.
There is a microphone and speaker in the Venu 3 and 3s which will allow you to be able to make and receive calls with any of these two as long as your phone is connected to the watch.
Both Venu 3 and 3s support Siri, Bixby and Google Assistant voice assistants.
Managing notifications
The Venu 3 and 3s also handle notifications the same way. Each of these two will alert you when you receive a notification and you will have the option to reply with preset replies.
Battery life
Interestingly, both the Venu 3 and 3s have long battery life that lets you go multiple days from a single charge. That’s not surprising, this is Garmin of course.
Though, thanks to its bigger case size, the Venu 3 has a longer battery life than the Venu 3s. It lets you go up to 14 days from a single charge. Meanwhile, it’s up to 10 days with the Venu 3s.
Venu 3s or Venu 3: Which is Right For You?
Bottom line, the Venu 3 and 3s are two very similar watches. The design, health tracking and media features are the same. The price is also the same. The only difference between these two is the size and battery life of which the Venu 3 has an advantage.
If I were to choose, I would go with the Venu 3 which has a longer battery life and a bigger display, yet still very lightweight.
But then, the purpose of different sizes is to give you the option to choose your preferred size. And on that note, I’ll recommend the Venu 3s for women and the Venu 3 for men.
The best way to choose is to take a measurement of your wrist, and then compare it with the watch’s case size.