Garmin will launch two new wearables at IFA 2022. The $249.99 Venu Sq 2 is an update to its affordable GPS smartwatch line, while the $89.99 Black Panther version Vivofit Jr. 3 gets a new special edition band.
The Venu Sq 2 is mostly an iterative refresh. The OLED screen is a bit larger at 1.4 inches. It is also included are Health Snapshot feature, which allows users to log a two-minute session that simultaneously records metrics such as heart rate, heart rate variability, blood oxygen levels, respiration, and stress. Both updates are fine, but the main change is that battery life has almost doubled from six days to 11 days. Like the original Venu Sq, it also comes in a music version that can store up to 500 songs on the watch. As usual, the music version costs an additional $50 for $299.99. Speaking of price, the entire Venu Sq 2 range is $50 more than the original, probably because there’s finally inflation for our gadgets.
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Like its predecessor, the Venu Sq 2 includes over 25 built-in GPS and indoor sports apps, as well as preloaded cardio, strength, yoga, HIIT and Pilates workouts. Users can also create their own workouts from 1600 exercises and access Garmin Coach training plans. As for health features, it supports Garmin’s Body Battery recovery stat, stress tracking, sleep tracking and menstrual cycle and pregnancy tracking. As for smart features, it has Garmin Pay, smart notifications, and access to Garmin’s Connect IQ third-party app store.
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Meanwhile, the new version of the $89.99 Black Panther Vivofit Jr. 3… much like the original, but adds purple etchings to the band. So if your kid wished the older solid black version was more colorful, there’s good news: it’s… a little more colorful now. Garmin has a ton of Marvel, Star Wars, and Disney princess themed trackers, and this just happens to be one of them. (And they’re not all for kids.) The tracker itself allows kids to unlock app adventures, games, and icons related to their favorite Avengers, as well as earn “Infinity Stone” points. For parents, the tracker includes an emergency contact widget, and the Garmin Jr. app lets you assign chores to your kids in exchange for virtual coins that can be redeemed for anything you want to reward them with. It also has a replaceable battery that lasts up to a year.
Both the Venu Sq 2 and the special edition Black Panther strap are available now. The Venu Sq 2 has a suggested retail price of $249.99 and $299.99 for the Music Edition. The regular Venu Sq 2 comes in shade gray/slate, white/cream gold and cool mint/metallic mint color combinations. The Music Edition is available in Black/Slate, Ivory/Peach Gold and French Grey/Cream Gold. Meanwhile, the newer Black Panther Vivofit Jr. 3 $89.99 and is only available in limited quantities through the Garmin website.