Polar V800 vs. Garmin Venu

 
V800
Venu
 PolarV800Buy NowGarminVenuBuy Now

Basic Info

Suggested Price$470$299
Release20142019

Activity & Fitness

Calories
Cycling (Bicycling)n/a
Distance
Heartn/a
Oxygen
Sleep
Steps
Swim

Battery

Duration13 hours to 30 days5 days
Rechargeable

Compatibility

Android
iOS
Windows Phonen/a
Mac
Windows

Connectivity

Bluetooth
Cellular
GPS
NFC
Wi-Fi

Display

Color
Resolutionn/a390 x 390
Sizen/a1.2 inches
Touch
Typen/aAMOLED

Functions

Audio SpeakerAlerts only
Clock
Phone
Vibration
Voice

Hardware

Accelerometer
Barometer or Altimeter
Ultraviolet Sensor
Water Resistance3 ATM5 ATM

Notifications

Phone
Emails
Texts

Software

Operating Systemn/aWear OS
Apps
Music

Comparing Venu and V800

The Garmin Venu and Polar V800 are two popular smartwatches designed to help individuals achieve their fitness goals. Choosing the right watch is crucial because it can make the difference between a satisfying experience and a frustrating one. Garmin and Polar are well-known brands in the realm of fitness trackers and wearables, both with their respective reputations and histories of providing reliable, high-quality devices.

In this article, we’ll delve into the critical aspects of both the Garmin Venu and Polar V800 watches, including their design, features and functionality, user interfaces, pricing and value. By comparing the two, we hope to aid potential buyers in making an informed decision.

Design and Build

Garmin Venu

The Garmin Venu is made of high-quality materials and features a sleek design. It has a 1.2-inch AMOLED display with 390 x 390 resolution, offering vibrant, crisp visuals. Its lightweight construction, featuring stainless steel bezel and reinforced polymer, ensures comfort during prolonged wear. The Venu also boasts water resistance up to 5 ATM.

Polar V800

The Polar V800 boasts a robust design tailored for athletes, with a stainless steel front, reinforced glass fiber casing, and an aluminum back cover. While its display lacks the colors and sharpness of the Venu’s AMOLED screen, it offers reliable performance in various conditions. The V800 also has a water resistance of 3 ATM.

Comparison of design and build quality

Comparing the two devices, the Garmin Venu offers a more visually attractive design and lightweight construction, making it suitable for everyday wear. The Polar V800, on the other hand, has a more rugged build, focused on durability for athletes. Both watches have decent water resistance, though Venu slightly edges the V800 in this aspect.

Features and Functionality

Garmin Venu

Key features of the Garmin Venu include its Wear OS operating system, a broad range of fitness tracking options (such as distance, steps, calories, sleep, swimming, cycling, and heart rate), and a 5-day battery life. Smart features include GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth compatibility, and smartphone notifications for calls, texts, and emails. Additionally, the Venu supports music playback and storage.

Polar V800

Though the Polar V800 lacks a dedicated operating system like the Garmin Venu, it offers a range of fitness tracking options such as distance, sleep, steps, and swimming. With an impressive battery life that lasts from 13 hours to 30 days depending on usage, the V800 also features GPS, Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone notifications for calls, texts, and emails. However, it does not support music playback.

Comparison of features and performance

When comparing the Garmin Venu and Polar V800, both devices offer a range of fitness tracking features. However, the Garmin Venu provides a more extensive list and a more advanced operating system, making it more versatile overall. While the Polar V800 has a longer battery life, it lacks some of the smart features and music capabilities found in the Venu.

User Interface and User Experience

Garmin Venu

The Garmin Venu boasts an intuitive touch interface that makes navigating its various apps and customizations a breeze. The device is also compatible with both iOS and Android smartphones, ensuring seamless connections with most devices.

Polar V800

The Polar V800 features a button-controlled interface that, while less intuitive than the Venu’s touch screen, still provides easy access to its features. The device is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac systems.

Comparison of user interface and user experience

Comparing the user experience, the Garmin Venu offers a more seamless and intuitive touch interface, coupled with broader compatibility across smart devices. While the Polar V800 still delivers reliable performance, its button controls may not be as user-friendly for some individuals.

Price and Value

Garmin Venu

At a price point of $299, the Garmin Venu offers excellent value for money, considering its comprehensive features, versatile design, and reliable performance.

Polar V800

With a price of $470, the Polar V800 may be more appealing to athletes seeking a rugged, durable watch. However, it does lack some of the smart features and stylish design aspects that the Garmin Venu provides.

Comparison of price and value

When assessing the price and value, the Garmin Venu comes out ahead due to its competitive price, sleek design, and extensive feature set. While the Polar V800 may still appeal to a specific audience, it may not provide the best value when compared to the Venu.

Conclusion

After comparing the Garmin Venu and Polar V800, it is evident that the Garmin Venu offers a more comprehensive package with its sleek design, intuitive user interface, and versatile feature set, all at a competitive price. For those primarily concerned with ruggedness and durability for athletic activities, the Polar V800 may still be a viable option. However, for the average user who desires a well-rounded experience, the Garmin Venu emerges as the recommended choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which device has better fitness tracking options?

The Garmin Venu offers a broader range of fitness tracking options compared to the Polar V800, making it a more versatile option for those interested in comprehensive fitness monitoring.

2. Are both watches suitable for swimming?

Yes, both the Garmin Venu and Polar V800 are suitable for swimming, with water resistance ratings of 5 ATM and 3 ATM, respectively.

3. Can I control my music from these watches?

While the Garmin Venu supports music storage, playback control, and streaming services, the Polar V800 lacks music capabilities.

4. Which watch has a better battery life?

The Polar V800 has a longer battery life, lasting between 13 hours and 30 days, depending on usage. The Garmin Venu’s battery life is up to 5 days.

5. Are these watches compatible with my smartphone?

Both the Garmin Venu and Polar V800 are compatible with Android and iOS smartphones. The V800 also supports Windows and Mac compatibility, while the Venu does not.

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