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Garmin Venu 4 is here - 12-day battery and fitness tools ready to take on Apple Watch 11

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, September 17th 2025 at 11:35 GMT by PhoneArena
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Garmin Unveils the Venu 4: A 12‑Day Battery, a Full Suite of Fitness Tools, and a Bold Challenge to the Apple Watch

Garmin’s newest smartwatch, the Venu 4, has finally hit the market, and it comes with a suite of updates that look set to shift the balance of the wearable‑tech race. In a launch that feels as much a “product‑review” as a marketing push, the company has bundled an impressive battery life, a host of new health‑and‑fitness sensors, and a re‑imagined software experience that goes beyond the usual “step counter” narrative. Below, we break down the key highlights, compare them to Apple’s latest Watch 11, and explore what it could mean for everyday users and fitness‑enthusiasts alike.

A 12‑Day Battery Life That Beats the Competition

The headline that drew the most attention is the Venu 4’s advertised 12‑day battery, a 25‑percent increase over the previous Venu 2. Garmin claims this is achieved through a combination of a more efficient power‑management chip, a revised power‑state strategy, and a new “Smart‑Power‑mode” that reduces screen brightness during sleep and background operations.

What does this mean in practice?
Garmin’s own benchmarks suggest you could push the watch to 10‑12 days under typical mixed‑usage conditions (GPS tracking, notifications, heart‑rate monitoring). For users who travel frequently or don’t want to recharge every few days, the Venu 4 provides a tangible advantage over the Apple Watch, which typically lasts a day or two on a single charge.

Health‑Monitoring – The Core of the Venu 4

Garmin has always leaned heavily into health metrics, but the Venu 4 takes it a step further with a host of new sensors and software integrations.

The watch also includes an upgraded “Health Snapshot” mode, which automatically gathers a snapshot of key metrics when you tap the screen. The accompanying Garmin Connect app is refreshed with a new “Health Overview” tab that visualizes trends over weeks and months.

Fitness – More Than Just a Workout Companion

For the fitness crowd, Garmin is positioning the Venu 4 as a “full‑featured” training companion. The watch includes:

1. Pre‑loaded Workout Templates – Over 50 workouts across running, cycling, swimming, and strength training. Each template can auto‑record GPS data, heart‑rate, and power (if a compatible sensor is attached).
2. Training Plans – Integrated “Smart Coaching” plans that adjust based on your performance and recovery metrics.
3. On‑Screen Navigation – Real‑time topographic maps for hikers and cyclists, with waypoints and “dead‑zone” alerts.
4. Music Streaming – Native support for Spotify and Amazon Music, with a new “On‑Device” music store that allows downloading playlists directly to the watch (no phone required).

One of the most intriguing additions is the “Athlete Mode”, which locks the watch into a high‑precision GPS state for extended runs or rides. It also reduces battery consumption by disabling non‑essential features, helping the watch get closer to that 12‑day mark during long‑haul outdoor activities.

Software – A Refreshing Interface

Garmin’s UI overhaul is subtle but impactful. The watch faces are now fully customizable with a new “Watch Face Studio” that allows you to drag and drop widgets. The new UI includes:

• Dark‑mode support (optional, for night‑time running).
• A new “Pulse” watch face that visualizes your HRV trends over a 24‑hour window.
• Gesture‑based navigation – Swipe left/right for settings, tap for a quick action, long‑press for the app launcher.

The watch also receives over‑the‑air updates more frequently than its predecessors, ensuring new features can be added without a new hardware release.

How the Venu 4 Stacks Up Against the Apple Watch 11

Apple’s Watch 11, launched a month earlier, offers a clean iOS ecosystem, a 1‑day battery, and its own health features (ECG, blood‑oxygen). Garmin’s edge is clear in battery life and fitness metrics, but Apple still dominates in app availability and integration with iOS.

Garmin has historically appealed to a “serious athlete” crowd, whereas Apple targets a broader, lifestyle‑oriented user base. The Venu 4’s deeper health analytics may win over users who are skeptical of Apple’s “health‑track‑for‑fun” model. That said, the Apple Watch’s seamless integration with iOS and its ever‑growing app ecosystem remain hard‑to‑beat.

Pricing and Availability

Garmin has set the Venu 4’s retail price at $399 in the United States, with a similar range for the international market. The watch is available in two sizes (44 mm and 48 mm) and a range of colors, including the new “Space Black” finish. The company also announced a limited‑edition “Racing” version that includes a titanium band and an extra set of pre‑loaded running workouts.

Final Thoughts

The Venu 4 feels like a focused response to the “smartwatch” glut: a device that keeps your heart, battery, and training in check, without the “phone‑like” distractions of many rivals. For the fitness‑seeker, the 12‑day battery and advanced health monitoring represent a tangible step forward. For the casual user, the device is still a bit niche, but the improved UI and music streaming add some everyday appeal.

If you’re looking for a smartwatch that can outlast the Apple Watch in the field and give you granular insight into your body’s inner workings, the Venu 4 is worth a closer look. As Garmin continues to push the envelope with new firmware updates, it’s likely that future iterations will see an even broader array of features – perhaps even a full‑scale smartwatch that rivals Apple’s in all categories.

Sources

• Garmin Venu 4 product page (Garmin official site)
• PhoneArena review and news coverage (link: https://www.phonearena.com/news/garmin-venu-4-is-here-12-day-battery-fitness-tools-ready-to-take-on-apple-watch-11_id174133)
• Garmin Connect app updates (Garmin support documentation)