Coros has unveiled a significant enhancement to its flagship smartwatch, potentially disrupting the budget fitness device market. With notable upgrades in display technology and battery efficiency, here’s an overview of what’s new and how it may cause concern for Garmin.
In the domain of rugged smartwatches, Garmin and Apple occupy dominant positions. While Coros is not entirely new to the scene, it has been carving out a niche for itself by delivering more economically feasible options.
The U.S.-based wearable technology brand has revitalized its acclaimed Pace series with the introduction of the Pace 4, featuring an array of impressive upgrades.
Coros Pace Series Finally Adopts AMOLED Technology
The Pace 4 emerges over two years post the debut of the Pace 3, a duration during which Coros has made substantial improvements. The latest running-centric smartwatch finally progresses to a tactile AMOLED display, marking a significant advancement from the memory LCD utilized in its predecessors. While retaining the same 1.2-inch size, it boasts a more vivid 390 x 390 resolution and enhanced luminosity.
AMOLED technology delivers more vibrant colors and deeper blacks. An even more remarkable enhancement is the always-on display functionality, facilitating real-time stats access without necessitating a wake-up command. Additionally, the screen includes a flashlight feature, though it lacks a dedicated LED.
The overall aesthetic bears similarities to the Pace 3, albeit with slight refinements like beveled glass edges and a slimmer bezel. Along with the touchscreen, the Pace 4 incorporates three physical buttons, one of which is a new action button for expedited shortcuts.
Coros has integrated a microphone, albeit limited to voice memos for training, foregoing Bluetooth voice call capabilities. The Coros Pace 4’s 1.2-inch AMOLED display is significantly more luminous than the MIP screen found in the Pace 3 and supports the always-on mode.
Weighing in at just 28 grams (32 grams with the nylon band), the Pace 4 is notably lighter, an advantageous quality for those with smaller wrists or during extended workout sessions. The device boasts a 5 ATM water resistance rating and employs a 22-millimeter strap.
Similar to the Coros Nomad and Apex Pro, the Pace 4 features an advanced optical heart sensor that enhances measurement accuracy. Users can still benefit from features such as heart rate variability (HRV), stress and sleep monitoring, alongside a body temperature thermometer.
Menstrual cycle tracking is also facilitated through both the watch and the accompanying mobile application.
Most fitness functionalities remain consistent with prior models, including Effort Pace, Virtual Pace, Virtual Run, training regimens, and HRV tracking, while new additions introduce sport modes for pickleball and padel.
Extended Battery Life, Excluding Always-On Display
Improvements in battery life are notable, particularly when the always-on display is disabled. The Pace 4 boasts an impressive 31 hours of continuous dual-frequency GPS usage—up from 15 hours—and 19 days in smartwatch mode, an increase from 15 days.
However, enabling the always-on display reduces battery life to six days, still surpassing many models in the Apple Watch lineup. The new heart rate sensor in the Coros Pace 4 enhances measurement accuracy significantly.
Charging speed remains efficient, with Coros asserting that the Pace 4 can achieve a full charge from 0 to 100 percent in approximately two hours. Moreover, it now utilizes a USB-C adapter, aligning it with newer Coros devices.
Pricing and Availability
The Coros Pace 4 is priced at $249, £229, or €269. Although this figure surpasses the Pace 3, the enhancements substantiate the increase. Notably, it remains more affordable than Garmin’s Forerunner 165 Music Edition, which retails at $299.
This device presents a compelling option for outdoor athletes, thanks to its lightweight design, luminous display, extended battery life, and precise dual-frequency GNSS positioning capabilities.
Available in both black and white color schemes, the Pace 4 is now accessible in key markets, including the United States, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, China, and the United Kingdom.
Source link: Nextpit.com.
