Last Updated on December 29, 2020 by Jude Simeone
Making a choice between two almost similar smartwatches from the same brand can be a dicey decision to make, the Venu Sq which is a lower-end version of Venu is cheaper but lacks on-screen animated workout, can’t count floors, and lacks gyroscope – features you’ll get with Vivoactive 4 which also has a more sophisticated design. If you recall, Vivoactive 4 was released last year alongside Venu, the only difference between the two is that AMOLED powers Venu, while its MIP LCD for Vivoactive 4. However, in this comparison post, we take a look at the differences between Garmin Venu Sq vs Vivoactive 4. Both smartwatches share a lot of similarities in common, except for a few differences which we’ll discuss in this post.
Please note: that Venu Sq is available in two models; Venu Sq Music and Venu Sq. Likewise, Vivoactive 4 is available in two sizes; 45mm and 40mm, but this comparison is between Venu Sq Music and Vivoactive 4 45mm.
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Garmin Venu Sq Music vs Vivoactive 4 Full Specifications Compared
| Garmin Venu Sq | Garmin Vivoactive 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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EDITOR'S RATING |
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WHERE TO BUY |  Check at Amazon | Check at Amazon |
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ABOUT DEVICE |
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| Device name | Garmin Venu Sq | Garmin Vivoactive 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Device type | Sport/Fitness smartwatch | Sport/Fitness smartwatch | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predessesor | Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music | Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Successor | -- | -- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Released date | September, 2020 | September, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ideal for | Unisex | Unisex | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
DISPLAY |
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| Display type | LCD | Transflective memory-in-display (MIP) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Display size | 1.3 inches | 1.3 inch | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Display resolution | 240 x 240 pixels | 260 x 260 pixels | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pixel density | -- | -- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Input type | Touchscreen plus 2 physical button | Touchscreen plus 2 physical button | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Always-on | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
BODY |
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| Shape | Circular | Circular | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dimension | 40.6 x 37.0 x 11.5 mm | 45.1 x 45.1 x 12.8 mm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 37.6 grams | 50.5 grams | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Casing material | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Fiber-reinforced polymer with polymer rear cover | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strap/band material | Silicone | Silicone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bezel Material | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Stainless steel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strap size | 20mm | 22mm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla glass 3 | Corning Gorilla glass 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Water resistant/Protection | Yes, 5ATM | Yes, 5ATM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swim-proof | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Color(s) | Venu Sq Music Black Light-gold/navy Rose-gold/tan Slate/moss Venu Sq Standard Black Light-gold/white Orchid purple | Black/black | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
MEMORY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RAM | -- | -- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Internal storage | 4GB | 4GB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Memory card slot | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
CONNECTIVITY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth smart v4.2 LE, ANT+ | Bluetooth smart, ANT+ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bluetooth calling | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NFC | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GPS | GPS/GLONASS/Galileo | GPS/GLONASS/Galileo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technology | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SIM | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Band | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOTIFICATIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Email alert | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SMS alert | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Calls alert | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event reminder | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weather | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Third-party apps | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
FITNESS TRACKING | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sleep apnea | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steps | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Floors climbed | No | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Calories | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distance | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stress | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VO2 Max. | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Blood oxygen | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Blood pressure | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Menstrual cycle tracking | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swim tracking | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Under-water heart rate tracking | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preloaded maps | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| On-screen workout modes | No | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Triathlon mode | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ECG Tracking | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preloaded sport modes | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Safety tracking | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
MEDIA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Audio | mp3/mp4 | mp3/mp4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Music streaming | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bluetooth music | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Radio | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loudspeaker | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microphone | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Camera | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
SENSORS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Barometer/Altimeter | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Heart rate monitor (HRM) | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compass | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gyroscope | No | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ambient light | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pulse Oximeter | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ECG | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thermometer | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other sensors | -- | -- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
PLATFORM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating system (OS) | Proprietary OS | Proprietary OS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chipset | -- | -- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CPU | -- | -- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GPU | -- | -- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
BATTERY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type of battery | Non-removable Li-ion battery | Non-removable Li-ion battery | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Battery capacity | -- | -- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Battery life | Smartwatch mode: Up to 6 days GPS mode with music: Up to 6 hours | Smartwatch mode: Up to 8 days GPS mode with music: Up to 6 hours |
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| Charging type | USB charging cable | USB charging cable | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charging time | About 1-2 hours | About 1-2 hours | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Battery saver mode | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Solar power | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rapid charging | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
CLOCK FEATURES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time/Date | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stopwatch | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alarm | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
OTHER FUNCTIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Control camera | __ | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Music control | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Find phone | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Text response | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
MISC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payment system | Garmin pay | Garmin pay | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compatibility | Android and iOS Check if your device is compatible | Android and iOS Check if your device is compatible |
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| Companion app | Garmin connect IQ store | Garmin connect IQ store | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customizable watch face | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interchangeable band | Yes, 20mm | Yes, 22mm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Voice command | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
BOX CONTENTS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Garmin Venu Sq | Garmin Vivoactive 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Straps | Straps | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| USB charging cable | USB charging cable | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quick start guide | Quick start guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NOTE: We can't guarantee that all the information on this table are 100% correct. Read full disclaimer. Please, report an error. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Official Site | Official Site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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At a Glance – The Difference Between Venu Sq and Vivoactive 4
Basically, the difference between these two is that Venu Sq is cheaper, has a square shape, anodized aluminum bezel, lacks gyroscope, lacks on-screen workout mode and can’t count floors climbed. Meanwhile, Vivoactive 4 is circular in shape, has a stainless steel bezel, can count floors climbed, has gyroscope, has on-screen animated workout modes and a slightly longer battery life.
Beyond these differences, both smartwatches feature the same fitness tracking features like incidental fall detections, Spo2 measurement, stress, sleep, and heart rate tracking and as well as smart notifications, music storage, Garmin Pay, and more.
Design: Garmin Vivoactive 4 has a more sophisticated and attractive design
Starting with the appearance which is the most notable difference between these two, while Venu Sq has a square shape, Vivoactive 4 has a circular shape. Furthermore, Venu Sq weighs just 37.6 grams – thanks to its slimmer design, while Vivoactive 4 weighs 50.5 grams. Although, each of these two is very lightweight when compared to Versa 3 or Active 2.
Another difference you’ll notice between these two is the different bezel materials, while Venu Sq has an anodized aluminum bezel, Vivoactive 4 has a stainless steel bezel which is more durable and attractive. Although, both smartwatches have the same case material made of fiber-reinforced polymer. The strap materials come in silicone material which is interchangeable with compatible straps; 20mm for both Venu Sq and Vivoactive 4 (40mm), and 22mm for the 45mm size.
So, as far as design is concerned, Vivoactive 4 has a more presentable design, it’s more durable and attractive even though Venu Sq is also a decent looking smartwatch.
Fitness Tracking: Garmin Vivoactive 4 is a more comprehensive fitness tracker than Venu Sq
Like mentioned earlier, both smartwatches are basically fitness trackers before any other thing else. As a result, each of these two tracks all the basics such as sleep, heart rate, steps, calories, and have inbuilt GPS that allows you to track your outdoor activities like routes and locations. Each of these also features a pulse OX sensor that gauges your blood oxygen saturation during the day and even as you sleep.
Other activity tracking features include menstrual cycle tracking, incidental fall detection, stress measurement, hydration tracking, and more. You also get access to 20 preloaded sport modes on both smartwatches which gives you the choice of choosing your preferred sports activities.
However, Vivoactive 4 is equipped with more activity tracking features which makes it a more comprehensive fitness smartwatch than Venu Sq. This includes the ability to count floors climbed and on-screen animated workout modes that can coach you through some of your favorite activities, and can save you money on fitness program subscriptions. Vivoactive 4 has both gyroscope and accelerometer, while Venu Sq has only an accelerometer, the implication is that Vivoactive 4 will give a more accurate measurement for angular activities as it can sense both linear and rotational movements.
Battery Life: Garmin Vivoactive 4 has a slightly longer battery life than Venu Sq
The battery life also differs as Vivoactive 4 has a slightly longer battery life than Venu Sq, although both smartwatches will allow you to go long from a single charge. However, while you can get about a week or more battery life with Vivoactive 4, it’s about 5 days or more with Venu Sq.
Price: Garmin Venu Sq is cheaper
As a result of the lack of the features mentioned earlier, Venu Sq is cheaper than Vivoactive 4. So, like most products, it’s a lower-price for a cut in features. In other words, if you go with Vivoactive 4, you get more features and a more durable design, while Venu Sq lacks these extra features, but is cheaper. You can view the prices at the end of this post.
Garmin Venu Sq vs Vivoactive 4 Features Compared
Which Should You Buy?
It all depends on your budget, Vivoactive 4 is clearly a better smartwatch than Venu Sq. It gives you a better experience with its extra features like on-screen workout mode and the ability to count floors climbed. Meanwhile, Venu Sq is a cheaper alternative. It’s a lightweight and decent looking smartwatch, it’s also a comprehensive fitness tracker, has a long battery life, allows you to store music, and more.
