Garmin Venu X1 review: The most innovative Garmin watch yet

The Garmin Venu X1 brings a fresh new look to Garmin’s smartwatch lineup, offering a slimmer profile, a bright and detailed AMOLED display, and redesigned software that makes everyday use more enjoyable. For those wondering how it stacks up against rivals, this smartwatch is not just stylish—it’s packed with advanced health tracking, navigation tools, and sports features. Whether you’re upgrading from an older Garmin or eyeing it as an Apple Watch Ultra alternative, the Venu X1 delivers a balance of performance, comfort, and design that makes it stand out.

Sleek design and improved display

The Garmin Venu X1 ditches the brand’s traditional chunky build for a sleek, lightweight form that feels comfortable even during long workouts. Its AMOLED display offers sharp visuals, vibrant colors, and smooth touch responsiveness, making navigation effortless. The redesigned interface is intuitive, though not quite as seamless as Apple’s watchOS. With the always-on display option enabled, watch faces and widgets look gorgeous—but this does come at the cost of battery life.

Performance and smart features

When it comes to features, the Garmin Venu X1 packs the brand’s signature suite of tools—GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, advanced sleep insights, and extensive workout modes. It also includes detailed offline maps, making it ideal for hiking and outdoor adventures. Smart notifications, contactless payments, and music storage keep it competitive with other top-tier smartwatches. The user experience is smooth overall, though some menu transitions feel slower compared to premium rivals.

Battery life and value

Battery life is solid for a smartwatch with such a vivid screen, lasting several days with moderate use, but it can drop significantly when the always-on display is active. While the Venu X1 sits at a premium price point, its combination of design, features, and Garmin’s reliability makes it a worthy choice for fitness enthusiasts, outdoor explorers, and anyone who wants a high-performance wearable that still looks great on the wrist.