Venu 4 reference appears on Garmin’s website as wishlist builds

Garmin has slipped up and mentioned the Venu 4. The name popped up in the description of the Garmin Golf app, on the Japanese version of the company’s site.

That’s the first proper mention I’ve seen

As first spotted by GarminRumours, the info comes straight from Garmin, which makes it interesting. This is usually the sort of breadcrumb that shows up before a launch. It’s not a guarantee – but it is an indicator that there, likely, will be a Venu 4.

The timing lines up too. The Venu 3 came out in August 2023. And looking back, the original Venu landed in 2019, then we had the Venu 2 in 2021 and the 2 Plus in 2022. Garmin has kept to that kind of every-other-year rhythm for the main line. So Venu 4 in August 2025? That tracks.

IFA Berlin is also just around the corner. Garmin sometimes times things to drop right before it. We wouldn’t be surprised if this was one of those cases.

But what about the Venu X1?

That’s the question some people are asking. Garmin launched the Venu X1 recently. So is that supposed to take the place of the Venu 4?

We don’t think so. The X1 feels like its own thing. Square screen, different shape, more of a design experiment. Garmin’s been branching out lately, putting AMOLEDs in all sorts of bodies. The Venu 4 will almost definitely stick with the round look, closer to the Venu 3 and 2. That’s still the most smartwatch-like design Garmin makes.

The X1 doesn’t cancel out the Venu 4. If anything, it makes us think Garmin is just going wider with their lineup. Which they’ve been doing for a while now.

Here’s what we hope they include

So now that we’re talking about it, we figured let’s run through a quick wish-list. This stuff that comes up a lot when people talk about this watch. And a few things we’d genuinely like to see.

First one’s easy. Built-in full-colour maps. Right now, Garmin saves that for their more expensive or sports-focused watches. But the Venu line isn’t exactly cheap, and it walks the line between lifestyle and fitness. Even a lightweight mapping option would go a long way, one that goes beyond basic navigation features.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

Performance metrics are another big one. You don’t get Training Load, Training Status or any of the deeper stuff on the current Venu. Which is a big omission! And we all know Garmin picks and chooses which metrics to allow on each device. In most cases, it has nothing to do with the actual sensors on-board. The Venu range already tracks enough to support that kind of feedback. And a lot of people who buy it still care about training, even if it’s not their primary use. Garmin owners love performance-type metrics. So let’s get some more of them.

A nicer case wouldn’t hurt either. The Venu 3 is mostly plastic. Doesn’t really match the price or the smartwatch positioning. We’d love to see a proper metal build this time around. Same goes for the screen. Garmin’s AMOLED displays are already solid, but every bit of extra brightness or responsiveness helps.

Sensor-wise, we don’t know what to expect. Elevate 6 hasn’t shown up yet in any of the recent watches. Whether it makes on appearance on Venu 4 remains to be seen. But we’ve also seen a few patents floating around from Garmin. Stuff related to glucose and hydration tracking. It’d be cool to see them try something different with the Venu 4. It’s the kind of watch where they could.

Battery life? Always nice to get more of it. Venu 3 is already pretty good, especially for an AMOLED. Still, we’d take any bump they can manage without making the watch bulky.

A few extras we’d like to see

The LED flashlight is one of those features you don’t think about until you have it. Then you start to miss it. We wouldn’t mind seeing it make the jump to the Venu line.

And LTE. Honestly, this might be the perfect watch for it. If Garmin wants something that competes with the Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch, this is it. But make sure that it is optional. Not everyone will want it.

Finally, let’s talk price

Garmin’s prices have been creeping up lately. It’s across the board. For example, the Venu X1 starts at a hefty $800. Maybe it’s the tariff situation in the US, or maybe it’s just the direction they’re going. Either way, there’s a bit of worry that the Venu 4 will come in higher than the 3.

If they hold the line on pricing, or at least offer a few variants, we think that’ll go a long way. Especially if they actually include some of the stuff people have been asking for.

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