Garmin's latest smartwatch offerings: the Venu 4 and Forerunner 970 cater to distinct user needs, blending advanced fitness tracking with lifestyle features. Here's a comprehensive comparison to help you determine which model aligns with your goals.
Design & Display
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Venu 4: Available in 41mm and 45mm sizes, the Venu 4 boasts a vibrant AMOLED touchscreen, offering a sleek, everyday-friendly design. It features a premium all-metal casing and a built-in LED flashlight, enhancing its utility during low-light conditions.
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Forerunner 970: With a 47mm case, this model is designed for durability and performance. It includes a sapphire lens and a titanium bezel, ensuring resilience during intense activities. The display is bright and clear, suitable for outdoor use.
Battery Life
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Venu 4: Offers up to 12 days in smartwatch mode and approximately 20 hours in GPS mode, depending on settings.
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Forerunner 970: Provides up to 15 days in smartwatch mode and up to 26 hours in GPS mode, making it ideal for extended outdoor activities.
Fitness & Health Features
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Venu 4: Equipped with over 80 preloaded sports apps, it supports daily suggested workouts for various activities, including strength and HIIT sessions. Advanced health tracking features include sleep alignment analysis, lifestyle logging (tracking caffeine and alcohol intake), and ECG readings.
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Forerunner 970: Tailored for athletes, it offers advanced metrics such as running tolerance, economy, and step speed loss. These features require the HRM 600 chest strap. The watch also supports custom multisport workouts and provides triathlon training via Garmin Coach.
Smart Features
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Venu 4: Includes a speaker and microphone for call functionality, Garmin Pay for contactless payments, and accessibility tools for users with visual impairments.
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Forerunner 970: Also features a speaker and microphone, enabling call functionality. It supports Garmin Pay and offers a new evening report summarising sleep needs, upcoming workouts, events, and weather.
Price & Value
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Venu 4: Priced at $549.99/£469.99, it offers a balance of lifestyle and fitness features, making it suitable for daily wear and casual athletes.
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Forerunner 970: At $749.99, it is positioned as a premium option for serious athletes seeking advanced training metrics and extended battery life.
Watch Strap Sizing
Choosing the correct watch strap ensures comfort, style, and secure wear. For Garmin watches:
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Venu 4 Straps: 41mm version is compatible with 18mm quick-release straps and the 47mm with 22mm quick-release (not quickfit).
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Forerunner 970 Straps: Uses 22mm quick-release straps.
You can also use our handy guide about your Garmin Watch Strap Size to find all garmin options.
For The Time Club customers, you can browse a wide range of Garmin straps by size to find the perfect
Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
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Choose the Venu 4 if you desire a stylish smartwatch that seamlessly integrates into daily life while offering robust fitness and health tracking capabilities.
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Opt for the Forerunner 970 if you're an athlete seeking advanced training metrics, extended battery life, and a durable design for intense activities.
Both models offer exceptional features tailored to different lifestyles and fitness goals. Consider your specific needs to select the Garmin smartwatch that best supports your journey.
You can also read Tom's Guide about the Venu 4 vs. Apple Watch Series 11.
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