How does the battery life of the Garmin Venu 3 hold up over time

- Some users report getting only 3-4 days of battery life, even without using the always-on display[4]. One user saw a 20% drain per day with just one activity and some notifications[4].

- Unstable Bluetooth connections to the paired smartphone may be causing excessive battery drain for some users[4]. Resetting the Bluetooth connection frequently is required.

- A firmware update in September 2023 seems to have introduced bugs that kill the battery life for some users[4].

- In controlled testing, one user got 8 days of battery life with 2 hours of GPS use, sleep tracking, and notifications[4]. But this is still well below the 14-day claim.

- The battery life can vary significantly based on usage - enabling features like the always-on display, continuous heart rate monitoring, and PulseOx sensor can reduce battery life by 50% or more[1][3][4].

So in summary, while the Venu 3 has excellent battery life potential, real-world usage often falls short of Garmin's estimates, with many users reporting only 3-8 days of battery life between charges. Unstable Bluetooth connections and firmware bugs may be exacerbating the issue for some. Careful usage and disabling power-hungry features is required to approach the 14-day battery life claim.

Citations:
[1] https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/garmin-venu-3
[2] https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/healthandwellness/f/venu-3-series/352556/detailed-battery-life-on-the-venu-3
[3] https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/garmin-venu-3-review-battery-life-for-days/
[4] https://www.reddit.com/r/GarminWatches/comments/16bwad6/venu_3_awful_battery_life/
[5] https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/healthandwellness/f/venu-3-series/366102/venu-3-3s-battery-life-drain-9-24-9-28-3-days/1784620

What features on the Garmin Venu 3 drain the battery the most

The battery life of the Garmin Venu 3 can be significantly impacted by several features and settings. Here are the primary factors that contribute to battery drain:

Key Features Affecting Battery Life

1. Always-On Display (AOD): Enabling the always-on display can reduce battery life by up to 50% or more. Users have reported that turning off this feature extends usage significantly[1][5].

2. GPS Usage: Utilizing GPS for activities is one of the most battery-intensive functions. Reports indicate that a single session of GPS tracking can result in a 20% daily drain, leading to overall battery life of only 3-4 days under heavy use[1][6].

3. Continuous Heart Rate Monitoring: Keeping continuous heart rate monitoring active also contributes to faster battery depletion. Users often notice a marked decrease in battery life when this feature is enabled alongside other tracking metrics[1][5].

4. PulseOx Sensor: Similar to heart rate monitoring, using the PulseOx sensor continuously can further drain the battery, especially if used frequently throughout the day[1][5].

5. Backlight Brightness and Settings: The brightness level of the backlight and how often it activates can greatly influence battery performance. Higher brightness settings lead to increased drain[3].

6. Bluetooth Connectivity: Unstable or constant Bluetooth connections with a paired smartphone can cause excessive battery use. Some users have noted that resetting their Bluetooth connections helps mitigate this issue[1][5].

7. Firmware Updates: Recent firmware updates have been reported to introduce bugs that negatively impact battery life, causing users to experience much shorter usage times than expected[1][2][8].

Summary

To optimize battery life on the Garmin Venu 3, it is advisable to disable features like the always-on display, limit GPS usage, turn off continuous heart rate monitoring when not needed, and manage backlight settings carefully. Additionally, keeping firmware updated and monitoring Bluetooth connectivity can help maintain better battery performance over time.

Citations:
[1] https://codingmall.com/knowledge-base/25-global/1839-how-does-the-battery-life-of-the-garmin-venu-3-hold-up-over-time
[2] https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/healthandwellness/f/venu-3-series/366102/venu-3-3s-battery-life-drain-9-24-9-28-3-days
[3] https://support.garmin.com/nb-NO/?faq=naK8xSw5bZ9Px40dlrCsv9
[4] https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/garmin-venu-3-review-battery-life-for-days/
[5] https://codingmall.com/knowledge-base/25-global/1840-how-does-the-battery-life-of-the-garmin-venu-3-compare-to-other-garmin-models-like-the-forerunner-265
[6] https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/healthandwellness/f/venu-3-series/352556/detailed-battery-life-on-the-venu-3
[7] https://www.reddit.com/r/GarminWatches/comments/1f9lfpf/venu_3_battery_life/
[8] https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/healthandwellness/f/venu-3-series/363001/anyone-else-having-battery-drain-after-the-latest-9-24-update

To extend the battery life of your Garmin Venu 3, consider implementing the following tips:

Display Settings

- Disable Always-On Display: This feature consumes a significant amount of battery. Opt for a shorter display timeout instead[2][3].

- Reduce Brightness: Lowering the screen brightness can help conserve energy. Aim for the minimum brightness necessary for visibility[2][3][5].

- Use Static Watch Faces: Switch from animated or dynamic watch faces to simpler, static ones to reduce battery drain[2][3].

Connectivity

- Turn Off Bluetooth and WiFi: Disable Bluetooth when not in use, and turn off WiFi to save battery life. Maintaining these connections can lead to unnecessary power consumption[2][3][5].

- Limit Notifications: Reducing the number of notifications displayed on your watch can help conserve battery. Manage notifications through the Garmin Connect app[2][3].

Activity Tracking

- Adjust GPS Settings: If high accuracy is not necessary, switch to GPS only instead of multi-GNSS modes (like GLONASS or Galileo) to save power during activities[5][6].

- Use Smart Recording: This setting records data less frequently, which can extend battery life during workouts[5][6].

- Disable Heart Rate Monitoring: Turn off wrist-based heart rate monitoring and pulse oximeter readings if they are not needed for your activities[2][5].

General Usage Tips

- Enable Battery Saver Mode: When you need to conserve battery, activate the battery saver mode. This will adjust various settings to extend usage time[4][6].

- Avoid Using Audio Features: Listening to audio from your watch can significantly drain the battery, so consider using a separate device for audio during workouts[5].

By following these tips, you should be able to maximize the battery life of your Garmin Venu 3 effectively.