Garmin Venu 4

The Garmin Venu 4 (released in fall 2025) further bridges the gap between pure lifestyle smartwatches and professional sports watches like never before as of April 2026. With the introduction of highly precise multi-band GPS, an in-depth "Training Readiness" assessment, and – as a true highlight for this series – an integrated LED flashlight, the Venu 4 now significantly encroaches on the territory of the more expensive Forerunner series. While the new full metal case looks extremely premium, it does make the watch noticeably heavier. Those looking for a brilliant AMOLED smartwatch that shines in the office just as much as during triathlon training and can handle Bluetooth calls will find perhaps Garmin's best all-rounder here.

Classification and target audience

The Venu 4 is aimed at fitness enthusiasts who find a Fenix or Forerunner too rugged in appearance but still do not want to miss out on precise running metrics. In the current lineup (April 2026), it is Garmin's ultimate lifestyle flagship. It directly competes with the Apple Watch Series 11 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, but clearly outclasses both with a battery life of nearly two weeks.

Display and case

The razor-sharp AMOLED touchscreen now shines with an impressive peak brightness of 2,000 nits and is easily readable even in direct sunlight. The watch is offered in two sizes (41 mm and 45 mm). The biggest design innovation is the departure from plastic: the case is now made entirely of metal (stainless steel/aluminum mix), which makes the watch about 15 to 20% heavier than the Venu 3, but gives it an absolute premium feel. A brilliant and extremely useful upgrade for everyday use: Garmin has also integrated the popular LED flashlight into the case edge.

Performance and hardware

Inside, Garmin has massively upgraded the watch to meet the needs of real athletes:

• Akku: Das 45-mm-Modell liefert bis zu 12 Tage im Smartwatch-Modus (oder rund 4–5 Tage mit Always-On-Display). Im anspruchsvollen GPS-Modus hält sie starke 20 Stunden durch.
• Smart-Features: Wie schon beim Vorgänger sind ein Mikrofon und Lautsprecher verbaut. Bei gekoppeltem Smartphone (iOS oder Android) lassen sich Anrufe direkt über das Handgelenk führen und der Sprachassistent des Telefons nutzen.
• Konnektivität: Das lang vermisste Multi-Band-GNSS (Dual-Frequenz-GPS) ist nun an Bord und sorgt in Städten oder dichten Wäldern für punktgenaue Routenaufzeichnungen.

Tracking and smart features

The Venu 4 approaches professional metrics:

• Sport & Gesundheit: Neben dem bewährten „Morning Report“, Schlafanalyse und Nickerchen-Erkennung (Nap Detection) bietet die Venu 4 nun auch den Wert für die Trainingsbereitschaft (Training Readiness), der Erholung und Belastung intelligent verrechnet. Der Elevate V5-Sensor misst die Herzfrequenz und bietet volle EKG-Unterstützung.
• Alltag: Ein großer interner Speicher fasst Offline-Musik (für Spotify und Co.), und Garmin Pay ermöglicht kontaktloses Bezahlen. Auf vollwertige Offline-Karten (Topo) muss man zugunsten der Premium-Modelle jedoch weiterhin verzichten.

Software status

The new user interface of the Venu 4 is heavily optimized for touch operation (unlike the button-focused Forerunner series). Swipe animations and watch faces run absolutely smoothly thanks to a new processor. Garmin has also committed to providing long-term software and security updates for the Venu 4 (up to 60 months expected from release), making it a very secure investment.

Conclusion and value for money

With a suggested retail price of around €549 (as of April 2026, the street price usually ranges between €430 and €480), the Venu 4 is not a cheap gadget. However, the upgrade is substantial: the full metal case, flashlight, multi-band GPS, and enhanced metrics elevate the watch to a new level. Those who do not mind paying the premium over the Venu 3 will receive the perfect symbiosis of an elegant Apple Watch alternative and a serious Garmin sports tool.