Garmin just surprised everyone by dropping the all-new Venu X1, a smartwatch that clearly takes some visual cues from the Apple Watch but comes dressed in Garmin’s signature sporty-chic vibe. We thought the company wrapped up major releases with the Forerunner 570 and 970 models, but the Venu X1 proves Garmin still has a few tricks up its sleeve. It’s their thinnest Venu series watch yet, housed in a sleek titanium case topped off with scratch-resistant sapphire glass.
At first glance, you’ll notice the square form factor measuring just 41 x 46 x 7.9 mm and weighing barely anything. That’s nearly as thin as the Apple Watch Series 10, which sits around 9.7 mm thick. The X1’s main selling point is portability combined with serious outdoor and fitness smarts. Garmin promises up to 10 days of battery life, so you can track every workout, hike, or paddle session without constantly hunting for a charger.
Sleek Design Meets Durability
One of the most eye-catching aspects of the Venu X1 is its featherlight build. The case is forged from lightweight titanium and paired with a sapphire crystal lens, giving you premium durability with a barely-there feel on your wrist. Even with the metal frame, Garmin managed to keep the weight down so you can forget you’re wearing it—until you glance at that gorgeous AMOLED display, of course.
This watch doesn’t just look good—it’s built to last. The titanium bezel and robust crystal lens can handle the knocks of daily life, whether you’re commuting or trail-running. And thanks to its polished edges and minimal bezel, the display feels larger than life, packing a 2-inch screen at 448 x 486 pixels. That means crisp charts, vibrant watch faces, and smooth animations, all in a package that’s under 8 mm thick.
Advanced Fitness and Outdoor Features
If you’re into golf, boating, or hitting remote trails, the Venu X1 has you covered. Garmin integrated detailed golf course maps, on-the-spot navigation for water sports, and offline topographic contour maps for hiking and trail running. It even offers turn-by-turn routing, so you’re never guessing which way to go when you venture off the beaten path.
Under the hood, you’ll find Garmin’s Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor, multi-GNSS compatibility for pinpoint location tracking, and real-time Stamina scoring to measure your effort and energy levels on the fly. While it lacks ECG functionality, it more than makes up for it with advanced training metrics like Training Status, Training Load, and guided sessions through Garmin Coach. And for the first time in the Venu line, you can view detailed maps right on your wrist during exercise—no phone required.
Everyday Smartwatch Capabilities
Beyond fitness, the Venu X1 acts like a well-rounded smartwatch. You get two physical buttons on the right side for quick navigation alongside the responsive touchscreen. Garmin also built in standard quick-release lugs, so swapping bands is a cinch if you want to switch from a silicone strap for workouts to leather or titanium for a night out.
Oh, and did we mention the flashlight? Yes, it’s the same handy LED torch you’d find on Garmin’s Fenix and Instinct Pro lines. There’s also a built-in mic and speaker for Bluetooth calls, voice assistant commands, and audio alerts. Notifications, calendar reminders, music controls—you name it, the Venu X1 handles it without breaking a sweat. Plus, you can store tunes locally or sync playlists from streaming apps.”
Pricing and Availability
Ready to grab one? Garmin will sell the Venu X1 in two colors—black and green—starting June 18. It’s priced at €799.99 in France, which roughly converts to about $850 USD. That may feel steep, but you’re getting premium materials, an ultra-thin profile, and a massive feature set that spans health, fitness, outdoor adventures, and everyday convenience.
Whether you’re a die-hard Garmin enthusiast or just want a sleek, high-performance alternative to the usual smartwatch suspects, the Venu X1 deserves a spot on your radar. Stay tuned for hands-on reviews and comparisons to see if this fresh face can shake up the wearable space once again.
