Garmin has become a fierce leader in smartwatches and is certainly Apple’s biggest competitor. But within the family of Garmin smartwatches are some great options that make deciding between different models very difficult. The Garmin Venu 2 is one of the more popular options, but with the new Fenix 7 on the market, you may be stuck making a decision between the two. While the watches don’t look incredibly different (most of their lines don’t stray too far from their core design aesthetic) there are some noticeable differences in how they operate. In this article, we’re comparing the Garmin Venu 2 Plus vs Fenix 7.
Venu 2 Plus Vs Fenix 7: Model Choices and Prices
Since we will be looking at the specific model of the Garmin Venu 2 Plus, we’ll compare it to the Fenix 7S, which is most comparable in terms of size. Let’s look at measurements, colors, and model differentiation.
The Venu 2 Plus only comes in the 43mm option. It also comes with premium features that include the classic round watch design. This makes it a little more classic and business casual than sporty.
Your color options:
- Cream Gold Stainless Steel
- Slate Stainless Steel
- Silver Stainless Steel
It also comes up with the mandatory premium upgrades, which we will discuss when we dig into features. The Venu 2 Plus price starts at $350.
The Fenix 7 model closest in size is the Fenix 7S, with a wrist measurement of 42mm. The next size up is Standard Edition, with a big jump at 47mm. The Fenix 7S, however, isn’t only limited to basic functions, but can be upgraded to Solar or Saphire Solar.
Prices:
Fenix 7S Standard Edition- $699.00
Fenix 7S Solar Edition- $799.00
Fenix 7S Solar Saphire Edition- $899.00
From a price point, we can see the Fenix is significantly more expensive while also providing more options for upgrading.
Garmin venu 2 plus & Fenix 7 Operations and Functions
The Garmin Venu 2 Plus gets one of the most desired and sought-after functions, the AMOLED screen. Surprisingly, the Fenix 7 does not have an AMOLED but instead has a MIP screen (which some people prefer).
The difference?
The Venu 2 Plus’ AMOLED screen is the type of OLED display used in smartphones. It offers a bright picture that is usually easy to see even outside during the day. This tech also offers touchscreen capabilities, adding a layer of convenience.
The Fenix 7 does not have AMOLED but instead has a transflective MIP screen. This is still a touchscreen option but isn’t as vivid as the screen offered by AMOLED tech. It does not draw as much power from the battery, either, making it a good choice for those looking for a watch that doesn’t require frequent charging. On top of this, the Fenix 7 has a Solar option that allows a longer battery life over the Venu 2
The overall battery life of the two smartwatches also displays this difference in screen types:
Garmin Venu 2 Plus
- Smartwatch mode: Up to 9 days
- Battery saver Smartwatch mode
- Up to 10 days GPS mode with music
- Up to 8 hours GPS mode without music
Fenix 7
- Smartwatch: Up to 11 days/14 days with solar
- Battery Saver Watch Mode: Up to 38 days/87 days with solar
- GPS Only: Up to 37 hours/46 hours solar
- All Satellite Systems: Up to 26 hours/30 hours solar
- All Satellite Systems and Multi-band: Up to 15 hours/16 hours solar
Features
The Venu 2 Plus and Fenix 7 are remarkably similar when it comes to what they can offer you in terms of sports and tracking, but we’ll point out some key differences.
Safety
Both watches have LiveTrack, Garmin incident detection during select activities, and offer assistance. What the Fenix 7 offers group Livetrack and live event sharing, while the Venu 2 does not.
Sports
Both watches have great features like running coaches, HIIT workouts right on your screen, and a plethora of trackable metrics like hydration, sleep monitoring, body energy, and more. This is where you will find that the watches are most similar, as they have the same sensors to measure metrics like heart rate and VO2 levels.
They also are able to track performance in tons of sports, and even offer a multisport mode This makes life a lot easier for those who participate in many sports or compete in events.
GPS
Both watches have the following satellite navigation features:
- GPS
- GLONASS
- GALILEO
However, something that the Fenix 7 has over the Venu 2 Plus is multi-frequency positioning, which is said to make the GPS much more accurate. It also allows for downloaded Topo maps from all over the world, a boon for those who love to hike.
Garmin Venu 2 Plus Vs Fenix 7: Important Differentiators
It’s tricky to compare these two great smartwatches, given how minor many of their differences are. The Fenix 7 does have a few extra features in its back pocket, but since most other capabilities and offerings are the same, this likely won’t affect your decision unless you’re a hardcore competitive athlete.
The FDA has recently approved Venu 2 Plus to monitor ECG. This feature is only available in the Venu 2 plus for now.
Perhaps the most obvious difference when comparing the Garmin Venu 2 Plus vs Fenix 7 is that of price. If you’re looking to save money, you may want to forgo the longer battery life offered by the Fenix in favor of the cheaper Venu 2. You’ll also want to consider your screen type preference. AMOLED is a bright, widely used display type, but opinions on AMOLED versus MIP are divided, with proponents on both sides.
Finally, you may opt to wait for the Venu 3 which should certainly offer improvements over the Venu 2.
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Last Updated on February 4, 2023
Brittany Collens is one of our top sports writers. She is also a professional tennis player which helps her authority on subjects such as health and fitness.
She has a degree in journalism and has previously written for well-established sports magazines in Massachusetts.
Brittany lives in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States.