Garmins Premium Square Venu X1 Smartwatch Challenges Apple's Dominance

Garmin just anounced the Venu X1, a $799.99 premium smartwatch seemingly designed to (further) directly confront Apple's smartwatches. With a 2-inch AMOLED display, 8mm thin titanium build, and a sleek square form factor, the X1 looks like a deja vu from what Samsung did with the Samsung Galaxu ultra.

Specs

Display and design

Display: 2-inch AMOLED touchscreen (Garmin's largest ever)

Display Resolution: 448 x 486 pixels

Display Area: 1,304 sq mm

Lens Material: Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal

Case: Ultra-thin 8mm profile with titanium caseback and fiber-reinforced polymer casing

Bezel Material: Titanium

Dimensions: 46 x 41 x 7.9mm

Weight: 40g (with band); 34g (without band)

Band: 24mm quick-release ComfortFit nylon (interchangeable)

Fits wrists with a circumference of: 140-230 mm

Colors: Black and Moss

Button Design: 2-button design

Performance and battery life

Battery Life: Up to 8 days (smartwatch mode), 2 days (always-on display), 16 hours (GPS-Only mode), 14 hours (All Satellite Systems mode), 7 hours (GPS-Only mode with music), 7 hours (All Satellite Systems mode with music)

Storage: 32GB internal memory

Water Resistance: 5 ATM (50 meters)

Operating Temperature Range: -20 °C to 60 °C

Power Modes: Supported

Health and fitness sensors

Heart Rate: Elevate Gen 5 optical sensor (supports HR broadcast over ANT+ to paired devices)

Additional Sensors: Pulse Ox, accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, barometric altimeter, ambient light sensor

Health & Wellness Monitoring: HRV Status, advanced sleep tracking (including nap detection), Body Battery energy monitoring, Morning Report, All-day Stress Tracking, Abnormal heart rate alerts, Inactivity alerts, Toe-to-Toe™ step challenges (downloadable app), Guided Breathing Exercise, Sleep duration and quality, Menstrual cycle tracking, Pregnancy Tracking, Breathing Variations tool, Altitude and heat acclimation, Meditation guidance.

Notable Omissions: No ECG, no multi-band GNSS

Smart Features

Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi

Voice: Built-in speaker/microphone for calls, offline voice commands, voice memos, on-device voice commands, interaction with smartphone's voice assistant.

Payments: Garmin Pay NFC

Navigation: Full-color TopoActive maps, CourseView golf maps, dynamic round-trip routing, Find My Phone tool.

Unique Feature: Built-in LED flashlight with variable intensity (includes red, green, orange shift modes).

Notifications: Smart notifications (emails, texts, alerts), integrated keyboard for replies.

Customization: Face It™ watch face creator, Customizable Watch Face, Application, Widget, Data Field (Connect IQ), Customizing the Controls Menu, Customizing the Hot Keys.

Time Features: 12/24h clock, GPS time synchronization, Calendar clock, Daily alarms, Alarm Snooze, Countdown, Dual time, Sunrise/sunset times.

Music: Download songs and playlists from subscription services.

Training and analytics

Core Metrics: Training Readiness, Training Status, Training Load, Endurance Score, Hill Score, ClimbPro, Stamina.

Planning: Daily Suggested Workouts, Race Widget, Full Race Planning suite.

Profiles: 100+ sport profiles including triathlon modes and combined sports training.

Advanced: Advanced running dynamics, Recovery time advisor, Virtual Partner®, Strava Live Segments.

Sensor Support: Extended Display, Club Sensors, Range Finder, Garmin inReach, Shifting, Shimano Di2.

Golf: Virtual Caddie feature.

Market Positioning: A Calculated Risk

The Venu X1's launch represents more than a product release—it's a statement of intent. By pricing the device at $799.99, Garmin has positioned it squarely against the Apple Watch Ultra 2 ($799) and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra ($649), rather than competing in the mid-range segment where previous Venu models resided.

This pricing strategy is particularly bold when considering what the X1 lacks compared to its competitors:

• No ECG functionality (standard on Apple Watch Series 10 at $399)

• No multi-band GNSS (standard on all premium outdoor watches)

• No cellular connectivity option

• Limited to 2 days battery with always-on display (vs Apple Watch Ultra's 36-60 hours)

Design: Embracing the Rectangle

The shift to a square form factor is perhaps the most controversial aspect of the X1 for many using garmin devices. For a company that built its reputation on circular displays that evoked traditional timepieces, this move might signal acceptance of a market reality: Apple has successfully normalized the rectangular smartwatch. Yes Garmin has done it with the cheaper Venu Sq in the past, but this is their first hight end device and their best offering in the more allorund Venu/Vivoactive segment. And Garmin has a history of making square watches, like the now decade old Epix Gen 1 or the first gen Garmin Vivoactive.

The 2-inch display is just a bit larger than the Apple Watch Ultra 2's 1.93-inch screen. The display uses an edge-to-edge AMOLED panel that stretches right up to the bezel edge.

At just 8mm thick, the X1 achieves something remarkable: it's Garmin's thinnest watch, making even the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (14.4mm) look bulky by comparison. This engineering achievement harkens back to Garmin's original Vivoactive from 2015, which pioneered the ultra-thin GPS watch category before Apple entered the market.

Feature Set

Despite some design compromises, the X1 truly shines by playing to Garmin's strengths:

Top-Tier Training Smarts

The Venu X1 packs serious training power with features like Training Readiness, Endurance Score, and Hill Score. These aren't just fancy names; they're tools I (mostly) use on a daily basis, and that has been key metrics for preparations for a 520 endurance ride. They help you understand how ready you are for your next workout, how strong you are on climbs, and your overall endurance, pushing you to perform better. Unfortunately hill score doesnt work with bike activites, but I will get to know it better once I start running again after my endurance ride.

Battery Life That Lasts

Garmin consistently beats the competition on battery life, and the X1 keeps that tradition alive. You'll get up to 8 days in smartwatch mode, which is a huge advantage over Apple and Samsung watches that often need daily charging. Even with the always-on display, you're looking at a solid 2-3 days, far exceeding what most rivals offer.

Offline voice commands

Ever lose phone signal? The X1's got your back. It lets you use voice commands offline (like "start a running activity" or "set a timer"), so you're not stuck if your phone isn't connected. Plus, with downloadable TopoActive maps right on your wrist, for your adventures.

Smart, Practical Additions

It's nice to see a built-in LED flashlight. It's a super handy tool for real-world situations. That's one of my favorite features on my Enduro 3, as I constantly use it for extra light in everyday life.

Threading the Needle

The Venu X1 seems like it attempts to bridge two worlds: Garmin's traditional athletic market and the broader lifestyle segment dominated by Apple. This isn't Garmin's first such attempt—the Fenix 7's introduction of touchscreens and the Epix series' AMOLED displays previously tested the waters for modernization.

However, the X1 goes further, essentially creating a new product category within Garmin's lineup the flagship of the Venu series.

I do think the X1 faces several headwinds though:

• Brand Perception: Garmin watches have traditionally signaled serious athletic intent. The square design may dilute this message.

• Ecosystem Lock-in: Apple Watch users are deeply integrated into the iOS ecosystem. Garmin's platform, while robust for fitness, lacks the broader app ecosystem on the same level. Garmin connect IQ is okay at best in my opinion.

• Missing Features: The absence of ECG and cellular connectivity at this price point may be deal-breakers for health-conscious consumers.

• Timing: With Apple expected to refresh its lineup in fall 2025, the X1's feature set may quickly appear dated.

Strategic Opportunities

Yet the X1 also has unique advantages:

• Multi-Platform Support: Unlike Apple Watch, the X1 works with both iOS and Android, capturing switchers and mixed-ecosystem households.

• Athletic Credibility: For users wanting Apple Watch aesthetics with legitimate training tools, the X1 offers an unmatched combination.

• Battery Life: Multi-day battery remains a key differentiator for users tired of daily charging.

• Data Privacy: Garmin's approach to user data may appeal to privacy-conscious consumers wary of big tech.

The Venu X1 could be a watershed moment for Garmin. Success would validate the company's ability to compete beyond its traditional niche, potentially opening new revenue streams and user bases. Failure might force a retreat to familiar territory, reinforcing market segmentation between "serious" sports watches and lifestyle wearables.

The inclusion of advanced features like ClimbPro, Training Status, and the full Race Planning suite suggests Garmin isn't abandoning its core users—it's attempting to bring them along on this journey while attracting new ones. They almost feel like they are about the become for smartwatches what Samsung is for smartphones: offering something in every niche out there.

A Necessary Evolution(?)

The Venu X1 is simultaneously Garmin's most ambitious and most controversial product in years. By adopting Apple's design language while maintaining its training heritage, Garmin is betting it can capture users who want both style and substance. But I do wonder who this watch is for. Is it for those who want Apple watch with just better battery life? Or an apple watch looking Garmin with (almost) all the bells and whistles Garmin has to offer. Would it not be just another generic watch of they are copying apple so abviusly as Samsung does? I sure hope not. For me the very fact that the Enduro 3 is so different from the apple watch is the very reason I got it.

Whether this gamble pays off depends on market reception of a fundamental question: Is there room for a premium smartwatch that prioritizes athletic performance over ecosystem integration? The X1's blend of form, function and style suggests Garmin believes there is.

For potential buyers, the decision comes down to priorities. If you value multi-day battery life, professional-grade training metrics, and platform flexibility over ECG monitoring and cellular connectivity, the X1 could be a compelling alternative to the Apple Watch Ultra. However, at $799.99, it's asking users to pay premium prices for a device that makes strategic compromises.

The coming months will reveal whether Garmin has successfully identified an underserved market segment or simply created an expensive device caught between two worlds. Either way, the Venu X1 represents a bold declaration: Garmin is no longer content to own just the summit—it wants the entire mountain.