Garmin Venu 4 45mm: problems, parts and running costs
Checked: 2026-10-18
Summary
Garmin’s fourth-generation Venu launched at $549.99, a $100 step up from the Venu 3, and the recurring complaints are the price, two buttons instead of three, a proprietary charger and shorter rated battery life than the older model. There are no filters and no mandatory subscription, so the running cost is close to $0 unless you add Garmin Connect Plus at $7 a month, and the price holds up only if battery life, training depth and build quality come first.
Common problems and fixes
- $100 price increase over the Venu 3 — the Venu 4 launched at $549.99 against the Venu 3’s $449.99 launch price, and reviewers call this the most common drawback. There is no fix; buy a discounted Venu 3 if budget leads. [1] [2] [7]
- Two buttons instead of three — the Venu 3 had three physical buttons, and owners say two can feel limiting mid-workout with sweaty fingers. [2] [7]
- Proprietary charging cable — it replaces USB-C, so travel means packing Garmin’s puck and a lost cable must be replaced with a Garmin one. [2] [7]
- Shorter rated battery than the Venu 3 — 12 days against 14, dropping to 4 days with the always-on display. [7]
- Heavier case — 51 g against the Venu 3 45mm’s 47 g, because of the stainless steel case. [5] [7]
- Sluggish navigation and a less intuitive UI — CNET found navigation slow, and watch face changes need the separate Garmin IQ app. [8]
- Gorilla Glass scratches more easily than sapphire — the lens is Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which is more impact-tolerant but less scratch-resistant. [7]
Parts and consumables
- Charging cable — Garmin’s proprietary puck; a replacement must be a Garmin cable, not a standard USB-C cable. [2] [7]
Yearly running cost
There is no required filter or consumable, and the core health and training metrics in Garmin Connect need no subscription, so the mandatory annual cost is close to $0. The only recurring charge found is Garmin Connect Plus at $7 a month for personalized coaching plans (CNET, January 2026). Optional accessories such as bands, a screen protector or earbuds add costs, but no amount is given in the sources. [7] [8]
When it is a good buy
Garmin launched the Venu 4 at $549.99 in September 2025, a $100 increase over the Venu 3’s $449.99, and it sits between a discounted Venu 3 and the Forerunner 570, also $549.99. T3’s May 2026 review listed the US price at $549.99, Garmin’s US product page for the leather-band 010-03014-03 lists $599.99, and Consumer Reports listed it from $549.00. If battery life, training depth and build quality come first, $549.99 holds up; if smart features, apps or LTE matter more, an Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch is the better fit; if budget comes first, the discounted Venu 3 keeps most of the core health tracking. [1] [2] [3] [4] [7]