Garmin Venu Sq 2 vs TicWatch Pro 5
The Verdict
Garmin Venu Sq 2 excels as a fitness-focused smartwatch with exceptional 11-day battery life in smartwatch mode and a lightweight 38g design, though it uses proprietary OS with limited app ecosystem. TicWatch Pro 5 offers superior processing power via Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1, higher resolution 466x466 AMOLED display, and full Wear OS 3.5 compatibility for broader app support, but weighs more at 44.1g. Battery performance differs by use case: Venu Sq 2 dominates standard smartwatch usage while Pro 5 excels in Essential Mode (80 hours). Both provide solid health tracking with heart rate and SpO2, though neither includes ECG. At $249, Venu Sq 2 represents better value for fitness enthusiasts prioritizing battery endurance; TicWatch Pro 5 justifies its $349 premium for users wanting a full-featured Android smartwatch experience with superior performance and display clarity.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Garmin Venu Sq 2 if…
- →11-day battery life destroys Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch endurance
- →AMOLED display with always-on mode at an affordable price
- →Garmin's best-in-class GPS accuracy for running and cycling
Buy the TicWatch Pro 5 if…
- →Dual-layer AMOLED + FSTN display saves battery while staying readable outdoors
- →Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 is the fastest chip in any Wear OS watch
- →Best-in-class 24-hour Wear OS battery with up to 80 hours in Essential Mode
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Garmin Venu Sq 2
Pros
- 11-day battery life destroys Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch endurance
- AMOLED display with always-on mode at an affordable price
- Garmin's best-in-class GPS accuracy for running and cycling
- 25+ built-in sport modes with detailed workout analytics
- NFC for Garmin Pay contactless payments
Cons
- No ECG or skin temperature monitoring
- Square design is polarizing — not as elegant as round watches
- Garmin OS has far fewer third-party apps than Wear OS
- No cellular option — phone must be nearby for notifications
TicWatch Pro 5
Pros
- Dual-layer AMOLED + FSTN display saves battery while staying readable outdoors
- Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 is the fastest chip in any Wear OS watch
- Best-in-class 24-hour Wear OS battery with up to 80 hours in Essential Mode
- Rugged MIL-STD-810H rated build handles extreme conditions
- Full Wear OS access with Google Maps, Wallet, and Play Store
Cons
- No ECG or skin temperature sensor at this price point
- No cellular LTE option available
- Wear OS 3.5 rather than the latest Wear OS 4
- Large, thick case may feel bulky on smaller wrists
Full Specifications
| Spec | Garmin Venu Sq 2 | TicWatch Pro 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Garmin OS | Wear OS 3.5 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 38 g | 44.1 g |
| Case material | Aluminum bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer | Nylon fiber composite |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 5 ATM + IP68 / MIL-STD-810H |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 11 days (smartwatch mode), 26 hrs GPS | Up to 80 hrs Essential Mode, 24 hrs Wear OS mode |
| Display | ||
| Size | 40 mm (1.41 inches) | 1.43 inch |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED + FSTN dual-layer display |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 320 x 360 | 466 x 466 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Garmin proprietary | Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 |
| RAM | — | 2 GB |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in smartwatches, see all Garmin products or all Mobvoi products. View full details for the Garmin Venu Sq 2 or the TicWatch Pro 5.