Galaxy Watch 5

On Venu 3, once you go i to the proper settings in the app on your phone, you get to decide which apps you want to get notifications from. Texting back from the watch is easy, it's a qwerty keyboard, however, if you're on iPhone, you won't be able to because of Apple's proprietary crap: You'll have to connect SIRI as your phone assistant and then ask SIRI to text for you. However if you're on Android, no problem, you can just answer a text as they come, the same applies to calls. I used to have the GW5, I don't miss it at all. While it's true that the Venu 3 is not as connected as the GW5, it's connected enough: I get the notifications I want, texts and calls, (I'm still using a Samsung phone) the sports and wellness metrics may not be as plentiful as a Fenix or a Forerunner watch but it's plenty to keep me informed about how I'm doing and motivated to keep going. However with my lifestyle (retired athlete, recovering from several repair surgeries) I tend to use my Fenix or my Forerunner for daily training and switch to my Venu 3 when I'm in rest periods, not working out daily, or sick/injured. Battery life on Venu 3 is a solid 2 weeks as long as I don't turn on Always On Display, which is fine with me because I find AOD annoying anyway. The display is Amoled, easy to read and the touchscreen is responsive, I haven't had any issues with that. For me the difference between the GW5 and the Venu 3 is like going from a playground jungle gym to a fitness retreat: i get the necessary metrics without the "noise" and the power never goes out.

Oh yeah, no problem there. I had the regular GW5 (just noticed you meant the Pro version, I need coffee lol) I'm not sure what added features the Pro version has but for the battery life alone, it's worth it. I absolutely love the UI on the Venu 3. It's a sweet watch, like I said, it has the essential features minus the "playground noise".