Garmin Launches Venu X1 Smartwatch to Rival Apple Watch Ultra

Garmin has launched the Venu X1, a premium fitness smartwatch designed to compete directly with the Apple Watch Ultra 2, featuring the largest AMOLED display Garmin has ever produced at 2 inches and an ultra-thin 8mm titanium case. It offers robust health and fitness tracking capabilities, including over 100 sports modes, heart rate variability monitoring, sleep coaching, and training readiness, alongside advanced features like built-in maps, an LED flashlight, and a scratch-resistant sapphire lens. While the watch supports wrist-based calls, voice assistant integration, and NFC payments, it lacks cellular connectivity and an ECG monitor, which are available on the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The Venu X1 provides up to eight days of battery life with the display off, or two days with the always-on display active, reflecting a balance between battery longevity and a bright, large screen. Priced at $799.99 in the U.S. and £679.99 in the U.K., the Venu X1 offers a stylish, square design with a nylon strap and aims to appeal to users seeking both smartwatch functionality and serious fitness tracking. Its launch on June 18 marks Garmin's strategic push into the premium smartwatch market with a device that bridges traditional fitness features and lifestyle-focused smart capabilities.