Looks like Garmin’s finally stepping up to Apple. Two new releases, the Venu 2 Plus and the vivomove Sport, could take Garmin from the sports segment to the mainstream.
Garmin came to this year’s Consumer Electronics Show prepared to kick adventure tech in the pants and take names in more than one category.
But its newest smartwatches add a handful of long-overdue improvements that bolster the brand’s versatility and broaden its appeal.
Garmin Venu 2 Plus Smartwatch
For the Venu 2 Plus, Garmin added an integrated mic, speaker, and a button that cues smartphone voice assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Bixby.
Though sleeker than previous versions, the Venu 2 Plus builds on and includes the same set of robust functions as the Venu 2 GPS watch before it. Motion tracking, health sensors, and various applications are all on deck.
Nine days of battery life gives the Venu 2 Plus another edge over the latest Apple and Galaxy watches, which only last 1-2 days per charge.
vivomode Sport Smartwatch
The vivomove Sport offers a classic wristwatch form and simpler functionality. The Sport is a hybrid Garmin smartwatch, meaning that it combines analog and touchscreen interfaces. The traditional dial lays over the smartwatch’s touchscreen display.
The Sport incorporates Garmin’s full suite of health sensors, motion tracking, and applications.
Users can expect around 5 days of battery life when in smartwatch mode. Analog, or “watch mode,” uses slightly less power and lasts an additional day on average.
The new Garmin Venu 2 Plus ($450 MSRP) and vivomove Sport ($180 MSRP) smartwatches are available now through garmin.com and its many retail partners.
