Compare Garmin Venu X1 vs Amazfit Active 3 Premium

P1 Garmin Venu X1
P2 Amazfit Active 3 Premium

Comparison Takeaways

Garmin Venu X1

Where It Has the Edge

  • Wi-Fi connectivity is 4.0 vs 1.8. Wi-Fi evidence is limited but positive for improving Connect IQ access and faster music downloads.
  • watch face quality is 4.8 vs 3.7. Watch face evidence is limited but positive, with one reviewer calling the main X1 watchface a favorite.
  • pairing reliability is 4.9 vs 4.2. Pairing reliability evidence is positive for Garmin accessories and golf sensors/rangefinders, though it appears in only two reviews.
  • heart rate accuracy is 4.2 vs 3.5. Heart-rate accuracy is mostly strong, with chest-strap comparisons and positive sensor comments, but one golf-focused review reports treadmill...

Amazfit Active 3 Premium

Where It Has the Edge

  • button controls is 4.7 vs 3.1. Button controls are a clear strength, with four physical buttons praised for workouts, gloves, sweaty hands, and navigation...
  • charging convenience is 4.2 vs 2.7. Charging convenience is helped by long battery life and a familiar Amazfit magnetic charger used across several models.
  • user interface is 4.7 vs 3.3. The interface is generally beginner-friendly, smooth, and jargon-free.
  • value for money is 4.7 vs 3.4. Value for money is the strongest consensus point, with reviewers repeatedly contrasting the price with the premium build,...
Average score
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
3.9
Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.1
activity auto-detection
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
3.9

Reviewers cite useful automatic detection in movement, golf shot tracking, and rep recognition, though the rep-counting evidence is more mixed than the golf evidence.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.5

Workout auto-detection is mixed: some sources say it auto-recognizes strength movements and several sports, while one hands-on review says it lacks automatic workout detection.

app ecosystem
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
2.9

Garmin Connect IQ and a few app options help, but reviewers repeatedly note that the ecosystem is thinner than Apple or Google and some apps/features are platform-limited.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.0

The app ecosystem is useful but bounded: reviewers mention hundreds of apps and Zepp App Store extras, while one notes apps must come from Zepp rather than Apple or Google stores.

band quality
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.0

The included nylon/ComfortFit band is widely praised for comfort and adjustability, with caveats about fabric getting wet, dirty, or needing time to dry.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.1

Band impressions are generally practical, with standard 20 mm quick-release or non-proprietary bands and an included silicone strap.

battery life
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
3.4

Battery life is better than mainstream smartwatches in raise-to-wake use, but reviewers consistently flag always-on mode and GPS-heavy use as major tradeoffs versus other Garmins.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Battery life is one of the strongest themes, with typical use ranging from about 8-12 days in hands-on reviews and up to 24 hours in GPS mode in launch coverage.

blood oxygen tracking
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.1

Blood oxygen or SpO2 tracking is repeatedly listed as part of Garmin's health sensor package, but the reviews offer little detailed accuracy testing for that metric specifically.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Blood oxygen tracking is repeatedly listed among the health features and background sensor options.

Bluetooth connectivity
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.3

Bluetooth and sensor connectivity are supported for accessories, headphones, and external sensors, with reviewers generally treating this as a solid part of the training ecosystem.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.0

Bluetooth is central to calls, pairing, notifications, peripherals, and map transfer, though reviewers note phone proximity and Bluetooth-only transfer limitations.

brightness
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.7

Brightness is one of the watch's strengths: reviewers repeatedly describe the AMOLED screen as very bright, vibrant, and easy to read.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.7

Brightness is widely praised, especially the 3,000-nit screen and outdoor readability.

build quality
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.4

Build quality is consistently strong, with reviewers calling out the titanium back, sapphire glass, reinforced polymer, and overall premium construction.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Build quality is consistently described as premium for the price, helped by stainless steel, sapphire glass, and four-button construction.

button controls
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
3.1

The two-button layout is a common compromise: it keeps the watch slim, but many Garmin users miss extra physical controls and shortcuts.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.7

Button controls are a clear strength, with four physical buttons praised for workouts, gloves, sweaty hands, and navigation without touch input.

call handling
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
3.9

Bluetooth call handling is available through the speaker and microphone, and several reviewers found it useful, though one transcript reports limited app-call handling.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.9

Call handling is mostly supported through Bluetooth calling and a mic/speaker, though one preview transcript reports a no-speaker limitation.

calorie tracking usefulness
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
2.6

Only one reviewer directly questioned calorie math/usefulness, so the evidence is limited and mildly negative.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.8

Calorie tracking is mentioned as part of the app ecosystem, but reviewer evidence does not deeply evaluate its accuracy or usefulness.

charging convenience
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
2.7

Charging is functional but not especially loved: reviewers mention Garmin's proprietary cable and, in one case, a very short cable, while fabric-band wetness also affects daily convenience.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Charging convenience is helped by long battery life and a familiar Amazfit magnetic charger used across several models.

charging speed
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.2

Charging speed is acceptable to good in the limited evidence, with one review reporting a quick jump from 5% to 66% in 40 minutes.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
No score yet
coaching features
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.6

Coaching features are a major strength, with repeated praise for Training Readiness, Training Status, Garmin Coach, endurance metrics, and race/training tools.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.6

Coaching features are a major strength, including Zepp Coach, adaptive plans, training libraries, guided metrics, and beginner-friendly structure.

comfort
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.8

Comfort is the strongest point of consensus: reviewers repeatedly say the thin, light body is easy to wear all day, during workouts, and overnight.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.6

Comfort is consistently positive, with reviewers calling out the light feel, smaller size, and approachable wearability.

companion app quality
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.1

Setup and companion-app use are described as easy, with Garmin Connect route/app usage mentioned, though detailed app-quality evidence is limited.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.3

The Zepp companion app is mostly praised as clear, detailed, easy to set up, and useful, though one German review criticizes weak translations.

contactless payments
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
3.8

Contactless payments are present through Garmin Pay or NFC, but one reviewer notes bank support limitations.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Contactless payments are supported through NFC/Zepp Pay/Curve in supported regions, but availability is country- and bank-dependent.

cross-platform compatibility
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
3.5

Cross-platform evidence is limited, but one review notes Android-specific texting while still allowing basic notifications elsewhere.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.5

Cross-platform behavior is mixed: it works with iPhone and Android, but reviewers note less seamless iPhone integration and Android-only response features.

customization options
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.4

Customization is good for Garmin-style controls, data screens, fonts, watch faces, and widgets, with reviewers calling several options easy to adjust.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Customization is strong for training screens, metrics, shortcut buttons, replies, and watch/app settings.

display quality
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.8

Display quality is the standout feature across nearly every review: reviewers praise the huge AMOLED panel, sharpness, color, and map readability.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Display quality is a standout, with reviewers praising the AMOLED panel, clarity, color, and premium look, despite one smudging complaint.

durability
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.5

Durability evidence is positive, with reviewers citing sapphire glass, titanium, and watches surviving swimming, hikes, bags, and gym use without obvious damage.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Durability is supported by sapphire glass, scratch resistance, 5 ATM water resistance, and a sturdier build than expected for the price.

ECG functionality
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
1.3

ECG is the most mixed-but-mostly-negative attribute: most reviewers say it is missing, while one transcript says ECG is included.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
1.0

ECG functionality is absent according to the review evidence.

fit
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.8

Fit evidence is positive but narrow, centered on the thin, flat, lightweight case and strap helping it sit securely and disappear on the wrist.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.3

Fit is generally positive thanks to the light weight, comfortable sizing, and adjustable lugs, though it comes in one case size.

fitness tracking accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.6

Fitness tracking accuracy gets direct support from swim/lap tracking evidence in one review, while broader accuracy is covered by heart-rate and GPS attributes.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.3

Fitness tracking is generally strong for running metrics and training data, but reviewers note some accuracy caveats for heart rate and GPS in harder conditions.

GPS accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.1

GPS accuracy is generally good to excellent in normal conditions, but many reviewers note the lack of multiband/dual-frequency GPS as a limitation.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

GPS and navigation are strong for the price, with offline maps and route features, but single-band GPS can drift or struggle in dense woods or obstructed areas.

health tracking accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.4

Health tracking is broadly praised for Garmin's deep metrics and sensors, though the evidence is stronger for overall capability than for every individual metric.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Health tracking is broad and mostly praised, covering HRV, heart rate, blood oxygen, stress, sleep, and BioCharge-type readiness insights.

heart rate accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.2

Heart-rate accuracy is mostly strong, with chest-strap comparisons and positive sensor comments, but one golf-focused review reports treadmill warm-up issues.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.5

Heart-rate accuracy is mixed: some tests report good chest-strap agreement, while others saw cadence-like behavior or imperfect interval tracking.

LTE connectivity
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
1.0

LTE is consistently absent; reviewers repeatedly call out no cellular/LTE support as a smartwatch limitation.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
1.0

LTE connectivity is not available, so connected features depend on a nearby phone over Bluetooth.

mapping and navigation
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.8

Mapping and navigation are a major advantage, especially on the large square display, with strong praise for offline maps, routing, golf maps, and ClimbPro-style features.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
No score yet
materials quality
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.5

Materials quality is strong, with repeated references to titanium, sapphire, fabric/nylon bands, and premium construction.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Materials quality is a strength, with stainless steel, sapphire glass, and metal accents repeatedly mentioned.

menu navigation
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
3.6

Menu navigation is mixed: some reviewers get used to the flow, while others find swiping or the reduced-button layout less intuitive.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.7

Menu navigation is mostly smooth and button-aided, though some workout and map workflows confused reviewers or required leaving an activity.

music controls
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.2

Music support is useful, with offline Spotify/Amazon/Deezer-style playback and controls repeatedly mentioned.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Music controls and audio functions are present through phone control, playback widgets, podcasts, and music/podcast storage.

onboard music storage
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.3

Onboard music storage is a strength, especially with repeated 32GB storage mentions and offline playback support.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Onboard storage is useful for maps, music, podcasts, and routes, but space is limited compared with higher-end Amazfit models.

operating system experience
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
3.2

The operating system experience is mixed: it can feel redesigned and capable, but reviewers still compare it unfavorably with Apple or call it dated.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

The Zepp OS experience is familiar and smooth, with reviewers describing it as similar to other Amazfit watches.

outdoor visibility
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.6

Outdoor visibility is strong, with multiple reviewers saying the screen remains readable in bright sun or outdoor light.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.8

Outdoor visibility is a major strength, supported by the bright 3,000-nit AMOLED display and direct-sun readability.

pairing reliability
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.9

Pairing reliability evidence is positive for Garmin accessories and golf sensors/rangefinders, though it appears in only two reviews.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Pairing is generally easy, but one iPhone user noticed occasional brief syncing delays.

recovery insights
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.4

Recovery insights are widely praised, with frequent references to Body Battery, Training Readiness, sleep recommendations, HRV, and recovery outlooks.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Recovery insights are a major part of the product, including recovery time, fatigue, exertion, HRV, sleep quality, and BioCharge/readiness-style data.

reliability
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
3.3

Reliability is mixed: one review reports crashes/resets, another worries about post-launch updates, while another describes HR/GPS reliability positively.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Overall reliability is positive in hands-on use, though early heart-rate and map-transfer quirks keep it from being flawless.

safety features
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.6

Safety features are a quiet strength, centered on the built-in flashlight, red/strobe modes, and visibility or signaling use cases.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.3

Safety and navigation features are strong for the price, including offline maps, turn-by-turn guidance, rerouting, POIs, and backtrack-style return options.

size options
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
2.3

Size options are limited: reviewers note the watch comes in one large size, which may not suit smaller wrists.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.5

Size options are limited because the watch comes in one case size, although reviewers also liked the smaller, more manageable form factor.

sleep tracking accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.3

Sleep tracking is helped by the comfortable thin design and is generally described as useful or reliable for overnight wear and recovery metrics.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Sleep tracking is one of the best-reviewed attributes, with detailed stages, wakeups, HRV, breathing data, and sleep scores.

smartphone notifications
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
3.4

Notifications are usable but basic, with some dismissal benefits and iOS/true-smartwatch limitations noted.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.1

Smartphone notifications are supported, including calls, SMS, app alerts, WhatsApp, and notification viewing, with richer replies on Android.

smartwatch features
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
3.6

Smartwatch features are better than many sports watches but still behind Apple/Wear OS, mainly because LTE, richer apps, and deeper phone integration are missing.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.3

Smartwatch features are broad for the price, including calls, notifications, stand reminders, Find My Phone, camera control, speaker/mic, and app extras.

software smoothness
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.1

Software smoothness is mostly positive in setup and general operation, though some reviewers notice lag or dated-feeling software.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.8

Software smoothness is praised, with reviewers noting little lag, no stutters, and smooth operation.

step counting accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.0

Step counting evidence is sparse; one transcript references a high step total rather than a rigorous accuracy test.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
No score yet
stress tracking
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.2

Stress tracking is commonly listed as part of Garmin's wellness suite and recovery calculations, but few reviews test it independently.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Stress tracking is repeatedly included among the automatic health features and wellness insights.

style and design
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.0

Style and design are polarizing: many praise the slim modern look, while others think the square case looks too much like an Apple Watch clone.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.0

Style and design are mostly positive for a premium-looking budget watch, but some reviewers wanted more color and strap choices.

third-party app support
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
2.9

Third-party app support is limited compared with true smartwatches, though Garmin Connect IQ adds watch faces, data fields, and some apps.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.7

Third-party support is mixed: key training platforms like Strava, TrainingPeaks, Runna, and Intervals appear, but broader app-store access and some training-app links are limited.

touchscreen responsiveness
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
3.6

Touchscreen responsiveness is generally good on the big display, but reviewers mention sweaty, wet, or edge-tap limitations.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.2

Touchscreen use is functional, but reviewers emphasized the value of physical buttons and did not deeply praise touch responsiveness itself.

user interface
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
3.3

The user interface is easier to read on the large screen, but several reviewers still find Garmin's UI dated, confusing, or less polished than rivals.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.7

The interface is generally beginner-friendly, smooth, and jargon-free.

value for money
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
3.4

Value is mixed: reviewers see fair value for Garmin fans and premium golf/fitness users, but casual buyers may find the $799 price hard to justify.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.7

Value for money is the strongest consensus point, with reviewers repeatedly contrasting the price with the premium build, maps, battery, and health features.

voice assistant quality
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
3.6

Voice features are present and sometimes useful for timers, notes, or commands, but reviewers often describe them as less seamless or less smart than Apple.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.3

Voice assistant support is present through Zepp Flow/AI assistant controls and commands, with generally positive but not deeply tested impressions.

watch face quality
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.8

Watch face evidence is limited but positive, with one reviewer calling the main X1 watchface a favorite.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
3.7

Watch face quality is mixed: there are Zepp App Store watch faces, but one reviewer questioned whether some looked AI-generated.

water resistance
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
3.6

Water resistance is adequate for swimming and showers at 5ATM/50m, but reviewers repeatedly note it is not a dive or hardcore water-sports watch.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.4

Water resistance is solid for everyday use and swimming, with multiple reviews mentioning 5 ATM protection.

wellness insights
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.5

Wellness insights are a clear Garmin strength, with useful Body Battery, recovery, sleep, and ecosystem motivation evidence.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.5

Wellness insights are broad and digestible, with BioCharge, HRV, sleep, respiratory data, readiness, fatigue, and recovery-style feedback.

Wi-Fi connectivity
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.0

Wi-Fi evidence is limited but positive for improving Connect IQ access and faster music downloads.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
1.8

Wi-Fi connectivity appears weak or absent for map transfer; one reviewer specifically says map transfer is Bluetooth-only rather than Wi-Fi.

workout tracking variety
Product 1: Garmin Venu X1
4.7

Workout variety is excellent, with repeated evidence of 100+ sports, multisport, golf, gym, running, swimming, and advanced training modes.

Product 2: Amazfit Active 3 Premium
4.7

Workout tracking variety is strong, with more than 170 sport modes and detailed running, hybrid, strength, treadmill, and swimming profiles.