When choosing between the Garmin Venu 3 vs 3S, the main difference comes down to size and battery life. Both watches offer identical features, but they're designed for different wrist sizes and preferences. This detailed Garmin Venu 3 vs 3S comparison will help you decide which model fits your lifestyle best.
Garmin Venu 3 vs 3S: Key Features
Both the Garmin Venu 3 vs 3S models share the same impressive feature set, making them excellent choices for fitness enthusiasts and everyday users alike. Understanding the Garmin Venu 3 vs 3S similarities helps you focus on the key differences that matter most for your decision.
Display and Design
Garmin Venu 3:
1.4-inch AMOLED display (454x454px, 459 PPI)
45 x 45 x 12 mm dimensions
47g weight
Stainless steel bezel with Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Garmin Venu 3S:
1.2-inch AMOLED display (390x390px, 460 PPI)
41 x 41 x 12 mm dimensions
42g weight
Stainless steel bezel with Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Both models feature the same bright AMOLED touchscreen technology with excellent outdoor visibility and smooth navigation. The displays are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for durability.
Health and Fitness Features
Both watches include identical health monitoring capabilities:
Sleep Coach with personalized recommendations
Morning Report showing sleep, recovery, and HRV status
Nap Detection for automatic nap tracking
Body Battery energy monitoring
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) status tracking
Meditation and breathwork activities
Wheelchair Mode with specialized tracking
24/7 health monitoring (heart rate, Pulse Ox, respiration)
Jet Lag Advisor for travelers
Sports and Activity Tracking
The Venu 3 series offers over 30 built-in sports apps, including new activities like:
Tennis and Pickleball
Paddleboarding and eBiking
Snowshoeing and handcycling
Wheelchair-specific workouts
Golf features with course data
Smart Features
Both models provide excellent smartphone connectivity:
Phone calls directly from your wrist (when paired with smartphone)
Text messaging with voice-to-text response
Voice assistant support
Smart notifications and Garmin Pay
Music storage from Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer
Photo viewing on watch (Android only)
Garmin Venu 3 vs 3S Size
The size difference is the most significant factor when choosing between these models. The Garmin Venu 3 vs 3S size comparison shows clear distinctions that affect daily wear comfort and usability.
Garmin Venu 3 Size
Case: 45 x 45 x 12 mm (1.77 x 1.77 x 0.47 inches)
Display: 1.4 inches
Weight: 47g (1.66 oz)
Best for: Medium to large wrists (typically 6.5+ inches)
Garmin Venu 3S Size
Case: 41 x 41 x 12 mm (1.61 x 1.61 x 0.47 inches)
Display: 1.2 inches
Weight: 42g (1.48 oz)
Best for: Small to medium wrists (typically under 6.5 inches)
The Venu 3S is designed for smaller wrists and offers better comfort for users who prefer a more compact watch. Despite the smaller size, the display remains highly readable with excellent clarity.
Garmin Venu 3 vs 3S Battery Life
Battery performance varies between the two models due to their different display sizes and power requirements. The Garmin Venu 3 vs 3S battery comparison reveals important differences for daily usage patterns.
Garmin Venu 3 Battery Life
Smartwatch mode: Up to 14 days
Battery saver mode: Up to 26 days
GPS mode: Up to 26 hours
GPS with music: Up to 11 hours
Always-on display: Up to 5 days
Garmin Venu 3S Battery Life
Smartwatch mode: Up to 10 days
Battery saver mode: Up to 20 days
GPS mode: Up to 21 hours
GPS with music: Up to 8 hours
Always-on display: Up to 5 days
The larger Venu 3 provides about 40% longer battery life in smartwatch mode, making it better for users who prefer less frequent charging.
Garmin Venu 3 vs 3S Specs
Both models share identical internal specifications, which makes the Garmin Venu 3 vs 3S decision purely based on external factors rather than performance differences.
Hardware Specifications
Processor: MediaTek MT6739 quad-core 1500 MHz
Memory: 8GB internal storage
Water resistance: 50m/5ATM
Materials: Stainless steel bezel, plastic back
Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n)
Sensors
Accelerometer and gyroscope
Heart rate monitor (Gen 5 sensor)
Pulse Ox blood oxygen sensor
Barometer and altimeter
Compass and thermometer
Ambient light sensor
GPS and Navigation
Multi-band GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo)
Accurate positioning for outdoor activities
Back to Start navigation feature
Color Options
Garmin Venu 3 Colors
Silver bezel with Whitestone band
Slate bezel with Black band
Garmin Venu 3S Colors
Soft Gold bezel with French Gray band
Slate bezel with Pebble Gray band
Silver bezel with Sage Gray band
Soft Gold bezel with Dust Rose band
Soft Gold bezel with Ivory band
The Venu 3S offers more color variety, making it easier to find a style that matches your preferences.
Garmin Venu 3 Review
The Garmin Venu 3 series represents a significant upgrade from previous Venu models. Key improvements include:
Strengths:
Excellent AMOLED display quality
Comprehensive health and fitness tracking
Strong battery life (especially Venu 3)
Phone call functionality
Extensive sports app selection
Premium build quality
Considerations:
No built-in GPS maps or navigation
Higher price compared to basic fitness trackers
Limited to basic smart features compared to full smartwatches
Garmin Venu 3 vs Forerunner 265
While both watches are similarly priced, they serve different purposes:
Garmin Venu 3 Advantages
Phone calling capability
More wellness features (Sleep Coach, Nap Detection)
Golf features
More elegant design options
Better for lifestyle and casual fitness
Forerunner 265 Advantages
Advanced training metrics and coaching
Better for serious runners and athletes
Navigation features with breadcrumb trails
Training readiness and load analysis
More detailed running dynamics
Choose the Venu 3 for wellness and lifestyle features, or the Forerunner 265 for serious athletic training. This Garmin Venu 3 vs 3S comparison with the Forerunner series helps clarify which device suits your fitness goals best.
Garmin Venu 3 vs Forerunner 965
The Forerunner 965 is Garmin's premium running watch with full-color mapping:
Forerunner 965 Advantages
Full-color topographic maps
Advanced navigation features
More comprehensive training analysis
Multi-sport triathlon features
Longer GPS battery life
Venu 3 Advantages
Phone calling capability
More health and wellness features
Better smart watch functionality
More color and style options
Lower price point
Garmin Venu 2S vs 3S
The Venu 3S offers significant improvements over the Venu 2S:
Venu 3S Upgrades
Phone calling capability
Sleep Coach and nap detection
HRV status monitoring
Meditation features
Wheelchair mode
Better battery life (10 vs 10 days, but improved efficiency)
Gen 5 heart rate sensor
More sports activities
The Venu 3S is worth the upgrade for its enhanced health features and phone functionality. When considering the Garmin Venu 3 vs 3S alongside older models, the improvements become even more apparent.
Garmin Venu 3 vs 3S Reddit
Reddit users frequently discuss the size choice between these models. Common opinions from Garmin Venu 3 vs 3S Reddit discussions include:
Venu 3: Preferred by users with larger wrists who want maximum battery life and screen real estate
Venu 3S: Chosen by users with smaller wrists who prioritize comfort and style
General consensus: Both offer identical functionality, so size preference should drive your Garmin Venu 3 vs 3S decision
Many Reddit users recommend trying both sizes in person if possible, as comfort varies significantly between individuals. The Garmin Venu 3 vs 3S discussion on Reddit consistently emphasizes that personal preference and wrist size should be the primary deciding factors.
FAQs
What is the difference between Venu 3 and 3S?
The main differences are:
Size: Venu 3 (45mm) vs Venu 3S (41mm)
Display: 1.4" vs 1.2" AMOLED screens
Battery life: 14 days vs 10 days in smartwatch mode
Weight: 47g vs 42g
Colors: 2 vs 5 color options available
All other features, sensors, and capabilities are identical between the models.
Will there be a Garmin Venu 4?
Garmin hasn't announced a Venu 4 release date. Based on previous release patterns, a new Venu generation might arrive in 2025 or 2026. The Venu 3 series launched in 2023, and Garmin typically updates product lines every 2-3 years.
Is Garmin Venu 3S for ladies?
No, the Garmin Venu 3S isn't specifically designed for women. It's a unisex smartwatch designed for people with smaller wrists (typically under 6.5 inches). Both men and women choose the 3S based on their wrist size and style preferences, not gender.
Can Venu 3 broadcast heart rate?
Yes, both the Venu 3 and 3S can broadcast heart rate data to compatible fitness equipment and apps via ANT+ and Bluetooth. This feature works with gym equipment, cycling trainers, and fitness apps that support external heart rate monitors.
Conclusion
The choice between Garmin Venu 3 vs 3S ultimately depends on your wrist size and battery preferences. Both watches offer identical features, making this Garmin Venu 3 vs 3S decision straightforward and focused on physical preferences rather than functionality differences.
Choose the Garmin Venu 3 if:
You have a medium to large wrist (6.5+ inches)
You want maximum battery life (14 days)
You prefer a larger, more prominent display
Screen real estate is important for your usage
Choose the Garmin Venu 3S if:
You have a small to medium wrist (under 6.5 inches)
You prefer a lighter, more compact watch
You want more color options
Comfort and style are your top priorities
Both models provide excellent value with comprehensive health tracking, smart features, and Garmin's proven reliability. The Garmin Venu 3 vs 3S comparison shows that either choice offers a solid investment in your health and connectivity needs, with the decision coming down to personal fit preferences.