Garmin just made smartwatch shopping way more interesting. The new Garmin Venu 4 isn’t just a pretty lifestyle watch anymore — it’s stepping directly into Forerunner territory with serious fitness features. Put it side by side with the Forerunner 570, and the similarities are hard to ignore.
Both watches share the same crisp AMOLED display tech, Garmin’s latest Elevate Gen 5 heart-rate sensor, and a full suite of health and training tools. But here’s the thing: they’re built for two very different types of users.
Think of the Venu 4 as your everyday wellness companion that can still go hard on a 10K, while the Forerunner 570 is your training partner, designed to shave seconds off your splits.
Let’s break it down — design, features, battery life, and value — so you can decide which one belongs on your wrist.
Design and Display: Lifestyle Polish vs. Sporty Practicality
When it comes to size, Garmin keeps things simple by offering both watches in two variants — but the sizing differs slightly between the two.
- Venu 4: Compact 41mm with a 1.2″ AMOLED or larger 45mm with a 1.4″ AMOLED
- Forerunner 570: Slightly different 42mm with a 1.2″ AMOLED or larger 47mm with a 1.4″ AMOLE
For this guide, we’ll focus on the bigger models — the 45mm Venu 4 and 47mm Forerunner 570.
These are the most popular choices for users who want maximum screen space for maps, stats, and workout data.
The smaller versions are lighter and have slightly different battery life, but they include all the same features in a more discreet package.
Quick Comparison: Venu 4 vs Forerunner 570
| Feature | Garmin Venu 4 | Garmin Forerunner 570 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 38g (45mm) | 50g (47mm) |
| Display | 1.2″ / 1.4″ AMOLED | 1.2″ / 1.4″ AMOLED |
| Navigation | Touch + 2 buttons | 5-button interface |
| Built-in Flashlight | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| ECG Support | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Training Tools | Standard Garmin Suite | Advanced running + swim metrics |
| GPS Tech | Multi-band GNSS | Multi-band + SatIQ |
| Battery Life (Smartwatch) | Up to 12 days | Up to 11 days |
| Price | $549.99 USD | $549.99 USD |
Garmin Venu 4 vs Forerunner 570–Shared Core Features
Garmin didn’t hold back on either model. You get:
- Bright 1.2″ or 1.4″ AMOLED touchscreen
- Multi-band GNSS for pinpoint GPS accuracy
- Garmin Elevate Gen 5 HR sensor
- 5 ATM water resistance (pool + open water swim ready)
- Full Garmin training + health metrics (VO2 Max, Training Load, Body Battery, HRV Status)
So whichever one you pick, you’re covered on the essentials.
Where the Venu 4 Pulls Ahead
If you want a smartwatch that feels just as good in the office as it does on a run, the Venu 4 is your winner. Garmin clearly designed it to balance style, health tracking, and everyday convenience.
- Built-in flashlight: Surprisingly useful for late-night walks, race-day mornings, or finding keys in a dark bag.
- ECG support: Keep tabs on heart health right from your wrist.
- Wellness-first tools: Health Status and Sleep Alignment help you build better habits, not just track workouts.
- Slim, light build: At just 38g, you’ll barely feel it during the day.
The Venu 4 is ideal if you want one watch that looks good everywhere — office, gym, or weekend hike — without giving up Garmin’s best features.
Where the Forerunner 570 Wins
If structured training is your thing, the Forerunner 570 is still the athlete’s watch of choice.
- SatIQ GPS: Automatically balances accuracy and battery life — perfect for long training sessions.
- Deeper training metrics: Advanced run dynamics, guided workouts, and swim tracking that serious athletes appreciate.
- Five-button layout: Buttons always work, even with sweat, rain, or gloves — no missed taps mid-run.
- Sport-first design: Built to look and feel like a runner’s watch.
This is the watch you get if you’re focused on training precision, race prep, and squeezing every ounce of data from your workouts.
Navigation & Battery Life
Both the Garmin Venu 4 and Forerunner 570 use breadcrumb-style navigation to keep you on track during runs or hikes.
For everyday use on trails or around the city, the Forerunner 570 has a slight edge — its accurate GPS and physical buttons make checking directions quick and easy, no touchscreen fumbling required.
Looking for full-color topo maps? You’ll need to step up to Garmin’s high-end models, like the Fenix or Forerunner 970.
Battery life is excellent on both, with the Venu 4 lasting just a bit longer:
| Mode | Venu 4 (45mm) | Forerunner 570 (47mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch | Up to 12 days (4 with AOD) | Up to 11 days |
| GPS Only GNSS | Up to 20 hrs | Up to 18 hrs |
| All Systems + Multi-Band | Up to 17 hrs | Up to 14 hrs |
| Music + GPS | Up to 9 hrs | Up to 8 hrs. |
Price and Value
Here’s the kicker — both retail for $549.99 USD. That means you can’t decide by price alone. It really comes down to which watch fits your personality and priorities.
Garmin Venu 4 Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Stylish, lightweight design for all-day wear
- ECG support + wellness-first features
- Built-in flashlight for extra convenience
- Longer battery life than 570
❌ Cons
- Lacks SatIQ for optimal GPS battery management
- Fewer advanced training metrics
Garmin Forerunner 570 Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- SatIQ for smarter GPS and better battery use
- Deeper training + swim metrics
- Reliable 5-button navigation (great for sweaty hands)
- Rugged, sport-first design
❌ Cons
- Heavier than Venu 4
- No flashlight or ECG
- Slightly shorter battery life
Our Take: Which One Should You Buy?
- Choose the Venu 4 if you want a smartwatch that blends style and substance — perfect for office wear, casual outings, and fitness tracking with wellness insights.
- Choose the Forerunner 570 if training, running, and structured workouts are your priority — and you want the most reliable navigation buttons for sweaty or race-day conditions.
Both are excellent — this choice isn’t about which is better, but which one fits your daily life and goals best.
