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GARMIN TAKES ON APPLE AND SAMSUNG WITH ITS NEW VENU X1 PREMIUM SMARTWATCH

- JUSTIN CONNOLLY Technology Editor

YOU'RE not exactly spoiled for choice when it comes to the decent smartwatch market, but the field thickened a little this week with an intriguing new effort from Garmin.

The American company is more famous for its GPS tracking devices, but has managed to take a decent slice out of the smartwatch market in recent years, even though its offerings tend to be a bit on the bulkier side.

The Venu X1 is a premium smartwatch out this week that aims to change all that. With its square looks, it’s clearly pitting itself against two main competitors in the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra. And it has some compelling features it can take to that fight.

Obviously, it’s a very good runner’s watch - that’s something you'd expect from Garmin given its pedigree. The Venu X1 has full-colour built-in mapping, which is paired with an altimeter, a barometer, and a three-axis compass for accurate navigating. Great for going out on the trails.