The comparison charts compares the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Garmin Venu specs and features, so you the differences. Both watches are among the latest releases from the bigest names in the industry, while the Active 2 which is now a standalone smartwatch with the reintroduction of the rotating bezel, the Venu is the first on Garmin’s rich lineup to have AMOLED display while also being a comprehensive activity tracker.
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Samsung Galaxy Watch active 2 vs Garmin Venu Specifications Compared
Product Info |
![]() Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm) (LTE) Full Specifications and Features |
![]() Garmin Venu Specifications, Features and Price |
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Price | $66.97 | $180.00 |
ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE |
Device name | (LTE), Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm) | Garmin Venu |
Device type | Standalone/Fitness smartwatch | Fitness/Sport smartwatch |
Gender | Unisex | Unisex, Women |
Release date | September, 2019 | September, 2019 |
Predecessor | Samsung Galaxy Watch Active | Garmin Vivoactive 3 |
Successor | — | — |
Versions | Bluetooth only, LTE | — |
BODY | BODY | BODY |
Dimension | 44 x 44 x 10.9 mm | 43.2 x 43.2 x 12.4 mm |
Weight | 30 grams (aluminum), 42 grams (stainless steel) | 46.3 grams |
Shape | Circular | Circular |
Case material | Aluminum, Stainless steel | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
Strap material | Fluoroelastomer (Aluminum), Leather (stainless steel) | Silicone |
Bezel material | Bezeless | Stainless steel |
Strap size | 20 mm | 20 mm |
Screen protection | Corning Gorilla glass DX+ | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
Water resistance | Yes, 5ATM | Yes, 5ATM |
Durability test | MIL-STD-810G | — |
Swim-proof | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended |
Color | Aqua-black, Black, Cloud-silver, Gold, Pink-gold, Silver | Black, Gold, Rose-gold |
DISPLAY | DISPLAY | DISPLAY |
Display size | 1.4 inches | 1.2 inches |
Display type | Super AMOLED, Full color | AMOLED |
Display resolution | 360 x 360 pixel | 390 x 390 px |
Pixel density | — | — |
Always on | Yes | Yes |
Custom watch face | Yes | Yes |
Input type | 2 Physical buttons, Digital rotating bezel, Touchscreen | 2 Physical buttons, Touchscreen |
CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY |
Bluetooth | Bluetooth v5.0 | ANT+, Bluetooth v4.0 |
Bluetooth calling | Yes | No |
GPS | Yes, GPS/GLONASS/BEIDOU | Galileo, GLONASS, GPS |
NFC | Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi | Yes, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Yes, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
MEMORY | MEMORY | MEMORY |
RAM | 1.5GB | — |
ROM | 4GB | 4GB |
Memory card slot | No | No |
CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY |
Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | None |
SIM type | Nano-SIM | None |
Band | — | — |
NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS |
SMS alert | Yes | Yes |
Calls alert | Yes | Yes |
Email alert | Yes | Yes |
Event reminder | Yes | Yes |
Third-party apps alert | Yes | Yes |
MEDIA | MEDIA | MEDIA |
Audio | mp3/mp4 | mp3/mp4 |
Bluetooth music | Yes | Yes |
Loudspeaker | Yes | No |
Microphone | Yes | No |
Camera | No | No |
Radio | No | No |
SENSORS | SENSORS | SENSORS |
Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
Altimeter | Yes | Yes |
Ambient light | Yes | Yes |
Barometer | Yes | Yes |
Compass | — | Yes |
ECG | Yes | No |
Gyroscope | Yes | Yes |
HRM | Yes | Yes |
Pulse oximeter (SpO2) | No | Yes |
Thermometer | No | Yes |
Other sensors | — | — |
ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING |
Blood oxygen | Yes | Yes |
Blood Pressure | Yes | No |
Calories | Yes | Yes |
Distance | Yes | Yes |
ECG tracking | Yes | No |
Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes |
Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
Steps | Yes | Yes |
Floors climbed | - | Yes |
Stress | Yes | Yes |
Incidental fall detection | No | Yes |
Menstrual cycle | No | Yes |
VO2 Max | Yes | Yes |
Swim-tracking | Yes | Yes |
Underwater heart rate tracking | No | Yes |
On-screen workout | No | Yes |
Sport modes | 39 | 20 |
BATTERY | BATTERY | BATTERY |
Battery type | Non-removable Li-ion battery | non-removable Lithium-polymer |
Battery capacity | 340mAh | — |
Battery life | Regular: 2 days, Standby :5 days+ | GPS with music: up to 6hrs, Smartwatch mode: up to 5 days |
Charging type | WPC based wireless charging | Charging dock |
Charging time | 1-2 hours | 1-2 hours |
Solar power | No | No |
PLATFORM | PLATFORM | PLATFORM |
Chipset | Exynos 9110 | — |
CPU | Dual core 1.15GHz | — |
GPU | — | — |
Operating system | Tizen OS 4.0 | Proprietary OS |
MISC | MISC | MISC |
Companion app | Samsung Gear app | Garmin Connect |
Compatibility | Android 5.0+ & RAM 1.5GB+, iPhone 5+ and iOS 9.0+ | Android 5.0+, iOS 11.0+ |
Payment system | Samsung Pay | Garmin Pay |
Interchangeable strap | Yes | 20mm, Yes |
Voice command | Yes, Bixby | No |
Find my phone | Yes | Yes |
Box content | Charger, Manual, Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm), Straps | Charger, Garmin Venu, Manual, Straps |
Price | $66.97 | $180.00 |
Samsung Galaxy Watch active 2 vs Garmin Venu: Which is Better?
DESIGN: Both watches look stunning in their respective appearance, the Active 2 looks classy just like the Venu. Although, the Active 2 being slimmer than the Venu is a sleeker and more stylish smartwatch. Moreover, the rotating bezel (now digital rotating bezel) reintroduced into the Active 2 leaves it with a more sophisticated design and certainly an easier to navigate device.
CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY: Furthermore, the stainless steel edition of the Active 2 comes with a nano-SIM which supports cellular connectivity up to 4G LTE which makes it a standalone smartwatch that allows you to make and receive calls directly from this watch, unlike the Venu which lacks these features.
MEDIA: Moreover, while both watches feature onboard music storage, the Active 2 is equipped with both microphone and loudspeaker which the Venu lacks. These two hardware enable voice assistant features powered by Samsung’s Bixby, as well as allowing you play media files anywhere.
FITNESS TRACKING: If you’re a fitness enthusiasts that’s serious about taking your fitness goals to the next level, then there’s no doubt that any of these two watches will make a fantastic choice for comprehensive activity tracking. In fact, these two are some of the very best you can buy on the market currently.
The Active 2 features 39 preloaded sport modes and is able to auto detect 7 of those including swimming which was recently added. It also features ECG tracking (not yet cleared by the FDA) which the Venu lacks, while being able to track your heart rate continuously, complete sleep tracking, calories with inbuilt GPS that enable outdoor activity tracking, and stress management feature that can help return you back to calm after a stressful day.
However, the Venu which although has fewer preloaded sport modes, has more fitness tracking features in the offering which no doubt makes it a more comprehensive activity tracker. It features menstrual cycle logging for women, hydration tracking that logs your daily fluid intake to help you stay hydrated and respiration tracking that helps you see how well you’re breathing – all lacking on the Active 2.
Also featured on the Venu includes pulse ox sensor that monitors your blood oxygen level to give more accurate sleep data and can help you know when it’s not safe to continue climbing. As well as body energy monitor and incidental fall detection that ensure you stay safe. It also features onscreen animated workout that coach you through your favorite moves helping you save on subscription and heart rate tracking while swimming. And there’s inbuilt GPS that enables outdoor activity tracking for routes and locations.
No doubt, the Venu is a more comprehensive activity tracker.
BATTERY LIFE: The Venu tested to last 5 days on regular usage has a slight longer battery life than the Active 2 with about 2-5 days long battery life. This makes the Venu a better choice for tracking long duration of activities.
VERDICT: No doubt, both watches are great choices. But while the Active 2 is a more comprehensive smartwatch with standalone capability and a more stylish design, the Venu is a more comprehensive activity tracker with a longer battery life.
Samsung Galaxy Watch active 2 vs Garmin Venu: Editor’s Pick