The elusive Garmin Venu Sq 3: Speculation, wishlist, what to expect
Over the past few weeks there has been a lot of talk about Garmin’s upcoming Fenix 8 and Instinct 3. A few leaks, lots of speculation, nothing official – of course. But there’s a conspicuous silence surrounding another potential release: the Garmin Venu Sq 3. Despite the lack of leaks or official word, a closer look at Garmin’s release schedule suggests this square smartwatch shouldn’t be overlooked. In fact, it may be just around the corner.
While Garmin typically favors round watch faces, the Venu Sq series caters to those who prefer a square design. I personally am not one of them, but there are lots that are. It’s a smart move on Garmin’s part. It allows the company to compete directly with other square-faced smartwatches and offer more choice within their ecosystem. No everyone wants the Apple Watch – and Garmin timepieces have a loyal following.
But what can we expect from this new iteration? And will it come?
Garmin’s Venu range release schedule
Let’s play detective and examine Garmin’s historical release pattern:
- Venu: 9/5/2019
- Venu Sq: 9/23/2020
- Venu 2: 4/22/2021
- Venu 2 Plus: 1/4/2022
- Venu Sq 2: 9/1/2022
- Venu 3: 8/30/2023
From this it is clear. Garmin releases a new version of the Venu Sq every two years. A year after the vanilla Venu iteration. If the company sticks to this schedule, we’re looking at early September 2024 for the Venu Sq 3. And my money is that it will arrive in about a month and a half.
Coincidentally, this aligns perfectly with IFA, Europe’s largest tech gathering, kicking off on September 6th. With the Fenix 8 series already rumoured for this event, I fully expect the Venu Sq 3 makes its debut alongside it. Garmin loves to make a splash at IFA, and 2024 should be no exception.
Looking forward to potential upgrades
Now let’s delve into my wishlist.
First up: better buttons. The mushy, unreliable buttons of previous models have been a consistent gripe among users. A more robust, responsive button mechanism would go a long way in improving the user experience.
Next on the list: an altimeter. This addition is long overdue. It is something useful for hikers and stair-climbers alike, providing more accurate elevation data.
And let’s not forget comfort. A redesigned, more wearable strap could transform the Venu Sq from a sometimes uncomfortable device to an all-day, everyday companion.
But it’s not just about fixing past issues. Garmin has made significant strides in smartwatch technology over the past two years, and we can expect some of these innovations to trickle down to the Venu Sq 3.
Upgraded sensors for more precise health tracking are a given. The latest crop of watches are now up to Elevate V5 heart rate sensor. All of this upgraded tech should lead to a snappier experience.
We might also see the inclusion of detailed recovery metrics, skin temperature monitoring, nap detection, and the much-lauded Sleep Coach functionality. While we shouldn’t expect all the bells and whistles of Garmin’s flagship models, features like ECG functionality aren’t out of the question.
Looking back: Venu Sq 2 recap
To better understand what might be in store, let’s take a quick look back at the Venu Sq 2.
Launched in September 2022, it maintained a similar aesthetic to its predecessor but introduced a notable display upgrade. The 1.3-inch LCD screen of the original was replaced with a larger, sharper 1.41-inch AMOLED display, complete with always-on capability. Under the hood, it boasted Multi-GNSS technology for improved satellite positioning and a substantial battery life boost, jumping from 6 to 11 days in smartwatch mode.
The Venu Sq 2 also brought new features to the table, including Sleep Score & Insights, Health Snapshot, HIIT workouts, and additional sports profiles. It retained the NFC chip for contactless payments, music storage capabilities, and 5 ATM water resistance. All these improvements came with a price tag of $250 for the standard version and $300 for the Music variant.
Hopefully we will get bigger improvements this time around
Looking ahead to the Venu Sq 3, we can expect similar pricing, with a possibility that music capability might become standard across all models. And I fully expect this iteration to come with bigger upgrades than the previous one. Not just in terms of features, but potentially also in terms of design.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
As we eagerly await official announcements, one thing is clear. The Garmin Venu Sq 3, when it arrives, will likely offer a compelling option for those seeking a square-faced alternative in Garmin’s predominantly round lineup.
So mark your calendars for IFA 2024, folks. While the Garmin Venu Sq 3 remains shrouded in mystery for now, as we inch closer to the event, expect a trickle of leaks and whispers to emerge. While tech companies have upped their game in keeping secrets, the digital grapevine has a way of bearing fruit. Despite their best efforts, tantalizing tidbits often slip through the cracks.
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