Choosing between two watches with nearly the same name shouldn’t feel this complicated, right? But the Garmin Venu 3 and Garmin Venu 3S are proof that size does matter—and not just on paper. The screen, the weight, the colors… at first it might seem like a simple aesthetic split, but once you start living with them, wearing them 24/7, and relying on them for everything from workouts to sleep tracking, the differences start whispering louder and louder.
We’ve tested both. On the track, in the shower, during naps, and in the middle of long-haul flights. And what caught us off guard? How each model carves out its own personality despite sharing almost every feature. It’s not a question of which is “better” in general, but which feels more right for the way you move, live, and want your tech to work with your body.
So let’s dive in—display, battery, health, and everything in between. Here’s where they split paths.
The screen shapes the story
You wouldn’t think 0.2 inches could change the whole vibe of a watch. But that’s exactly what happens between the 1.4-inch AMOLED display on the Venu 3 and the 1.2-inch panel on the Venu 3S.
The Venu 3 delivers a resolution of 454 x 454 pixels, making everything pop with clarity—workout animations, notification previews, even quick-glance stats like heart rate zones. On the Venu 3S, the smaller 390 x 390 screen still looks crisp, but when your heart’s racing and sweat’s in your eyes, that extra bit of size on the 3 makes a difference.
And yes, the bezel and casing scale with the screen, so the Venu 3 feels more athletic, more presence-heavy. Meanwhile, the 3S opts for finesse—it wears smaller, fits better under tight sleeves, and won’t shout for attention.
Design-wise, both use stainless steel bezels and Gorilla Glass 3 for durability, and they feel premium, no question. But here’s a twist: the Venu 3 sticks to black and white, while the 3S comes in softer tones like pink, beige, and mint green. That might sound like a detail, but when a watch lives on your wrist, those details matter.
When battery life buys you freedom
This part had us nodding with appreciation. The Venu 3 lasts up to 14 days in smartwatch mode, stretches to 26 with battery saver on, and can survive 20 hours of continuous GNSS use. That’s a lot of tracking, training, and streaming without thinking about a charger.
The Venu 3S still performs well—up to 10 days in smartwatch mode, 20 in saver, and 15 hours with GPS active—but there’s no sugarcoating it: you’ll be charging it more often. If you’re someone who hates downtime, or you travel a lot and forget cables (like we do), those extra hours matter.
We found ourselves charging the Venu 3 once every 10–12 days with moderate use, while the 3S needed juice more like every week. Not a dealbreaker, but something to think about.
Sports modes with zero compromises
Here’s where it gets interesting. No matter which size you go with, you get the same 30+ built-in sports apps, the same animated workout guidance, and access to Garmin Coach plans.
You can run, bike, HIIT, lift, swim, row, and yes—do yoga—on either one. The 5 ATM water resistance rating also means you can jump in the pool or hit a rainy trail without second guessing.
GPS performance is identical too, thanks to support for multi-band satellite systems: GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo. Whether you’re navigating city streets or remote trails, both watches track distance and pace with the same level of accuracy.
So if sport tracking is your main concern, there’s no wrong choice here. Performance is perfectly matched.
Health tracking that actually listens to your body
This is one area where Garmin’s nailed it across the board. Both the Venu 3 and Venu 3S offer 24/7 heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, advanced sleep analytics, and menstrual cycle tracking.
But what caught our attention is what’s new in this generation. Nap detection is finally automatic, and it’s smarter than we expected. You don’t have to tap anything—just crash on the couch and wake up later to find your nap logged, complete with recovery data.
Jet lag tracking is also onboard. You input your flight details and the watch gives you light exposure recommendations, sleep goals, and activity tips to adjust your body clock faster. Sounds like a gimmick, but on a flight to Tokyo, it helped us stay surprisingly functional.
Health snapshots are still here too—a two-minute scan that gives you heart rate, respiration, stress, and oxygen levels all in one go. It’s our go-to feature post-workout or when stress creeps in.
All of this is the same on both models, which is a relief. Garmin didn’t cut corners on the 3S just because it’s smaller.
The “smart” part that keeps evolving
Both models feel like real smartwatches now, not just fitness trackers. You can answer calls directly from the wrist when your phone’s nearby, use voice assistants, and send quick replies to messages—if you’re using an Android phone.
That’s another small twist: photo previews in message notifications only work on Android, not iOS. Kind of a bummer if you’re team iPhone, but that’s more about Apple than Garmin.
Garmin Pay is here on both, so if you like running errands or grabbing coffee without your phone, you’ll love that. No more digging in gym bags or coat pockets.
Bluetooth, WiFi, and ANT+ support is identical, meaning you can sync to headphones, chest straps, bikes—whatever gear you’ve got. We tested with wireless earbuds, bike trainers, and even a rowing machine, and both watches handled it without flinching.
Storage space and how the interface flows
Garmin’s come a long way here. Both watches pack 8 GB of internal storage, which is plenty for offline playlists, podcasts, and workout data. You can go phone-free without losing your rhythm—literally.
Interface-wise, we’re impressed. The touchscreen response is sharp, swipes are clean, and animations are subtle but effective. There’s still a physical button to back things up when you’re sweaty or wearing gloves, which we appreciate.
Navigation on both watches feels the same, though yes, you do get slightly more breathing room on the Venu 3’s bigger screen. On the 3S, some elements feel tighter, and you might scroll more during workouts to get to what you want.
Weight, comfort, and wearing it all day (and night)
The Venu 3 clocks in at 46 grams, while the Venu 3S drops to 40 grams. Doesn’t sound huge, but you notice it during sleep tracking or long workouts.
The 3S disappears on the wrist faster, and its smaller footprint makes it feel like a bracelet more than a watch. It slides under jackets, cuffs, and gloves effortlessly.
But that larger display on the Venu 3 makes a difference when you’re in motion. If you like bold fonts, clear maps, and fewer screen taps to get your data, the Venu 3 pulls ahead.
Still, neither watch ever felt bulky or intrusive. The silicone straps are soft and breathable, and both models stay put without pinching or slipping.
Two directions, one platform
Garmin’s done something smart here. Instead of making the Venu 3 the “flagship” and the 3S a watered-down version, they’ve simply offered two versions of the same experience—one scaled up, one scaled down.
The software is identical. The sensors are identical. The smart features are identical. You don’t lose anything by picking the 3S—except battery life, screen size, and maybe a little presence on the wrist.
And honestly, for users who prefer something subtle, that’s not a trade-off—it’s a win.
When bigger just fits better
Here’s where we landed after wearing both for weeks: the Venu 3 just feels more complete. It’s not flashier or smarter—it’s just easier to use. The bigger screen means less squinting. The longer battery means less charging. And during workouts, that extra visibility pays off.
But that doesn’t mean the Venu 3S is “less than.” It’s lighter, more stylish, and perfect for users who value comfort above all else. And it never once lagged, missed a notification, or failed a workout.
Still, once you’ve used the larger screen and enjoyed those extra days between charges, it’s hard to go back. For most people, the Venu 3 hits that sweet spot between functionality and comfort.
And if you’re asking us which one to recommend? Honestly, go big or go… slightly smaller. But now that we think about it—are we secretly considering keeping both? Maybe.