Garmin introduces the second generation of Venu smartwatches: Venu 2 and Venu 2S. These smartwatches are available in two sizes and promise improved performance. Garmin includes 25 preloaded sports apps with the sports watches.
The smartwatches come in two versions where the Venu 2 has a diameter of 45mm and the Venu 2S has a diameter of 40mm. Both smartwatches have a stainless steel housing and an AMOLED screen with an optional always-on mode. The glass is made of Corning Gorilla Glass 3. According to Garmin, the smartwatches are waterproof to a depth of fifty meters.
The Venu 2 smartwatches contain more than 25 pre-installed apps that can record as many sports activities, including indoor climbing, bouldering and high-intensity interval training. Both smartwatches can be the first new smartwatches in Garmin’s lineup to use Garmin’s Connect IQ 4.0, Garmin’s latest development platform.
Venu 2 and 2S smartwatches include built-in GPS, a heart rate monitor, a sleep tracker and a pulse oximetry meter that measures the percentage of oxygen in the blood. Garmin provides several apps and logging systems that use these sensors. The smartwatches support smart notifications, Garmin Pay for contactless payments and multiple music streaming services such as Spotify, Amazon Music and Deezer. Users can download apps and widgets from the Connect IQ Store.
The battery of the Venu 2 can last eleven days in smartwatch mode according to Garmin. In smartwatch mode, the screen brightness is set to low, Wi-Fi, music and the pulse oximetry meter, among other things, are turned off. The battery of the Venu 2S can last ten days in that same mode. When GPS is active and music is being played, the Venu 2 will last for eight hours. Venu 2S can last seven hours on GPS combined with music. Via a fast charge mode, the watches can be charged in ten minutes and then remain active in smartwatch mode for one day.
The Venu 2 model has a size of 45.4 x 45.4 x 12.2 mm with the screen measuring 1.3” and housing 416 x 416 pixels. The Venu 2S model measures 40.4 x 40.4 x 12.1 mm and has a 1.1” screen with a resolution of 360 x 360 pixels. Both models come with quick release silicone wristbands. Both models cost 399 euros.