Coros Apex 4 Review - A New Mountain Standard

COROS has carved out a significant space in the GPS watch market, building a reputation for durable, long-lasting devices tailored for endurance athletes. With the release of the APEX 4, the brand aims to set a new benchmark for mountain sports technology. This review provides a comprehensive look at the new watch, examining its features, performance, and overall value for its target audience of trail runners, climbers, and skiers. We will explore what makes the APEX 4 a compelling option, where it excels, and potential areas for refinement.

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Product Features

The COROS APEX 4 is packed with hardware and software upgrades designed to perform in the most demanding environments. It comes in two sizes, 42mm and 46mm, to accommodate different wrist sizes and preferences.

Alpine-Grade Design and Durability

The watch is built to withstand the rigors of mountain sports. It features a Grade 5 titanium alloy bezel and a sapphire glass screen, offering robust protection against scratches and impacts. The body is constructed from high-strength polymer, and the lugs have been reinforced for greater durability. This combination of materials provides a premium feel without adding excessive weight. The Memory-In-Pixel (MIP) touch screen is designed for clear visibility in bright sunlight and retains an always-on display, which is crucial for glances during an activity.

Ultra-Precise Navigation and Mapping

Navigation is a cornerstone of the APEX 4. The watch is equipped with an enhanced satellite chipset that supports dual-frequency tracking and an All-Systems GPS mode. This allows the device to connect to multiple satellite systems simultaneously for superior accuracy in challenging terrain like deep canyons or dense forests.

The mapping experience has been significantly upgraded. The APEX 4 comes pre-loaded with global topographic and landscape maps that render with zero lag, thanks to an updated processor. Key mapping features include:

• Turn-by-turn navigation: Provides clear directions on your route.
• Points of Interest (POIs): Displays important locations on the map.
• Street and trail names: Helps with orientation in both urban and wild environments.
• 3D terrain views: Available in the COROS app for detailed route planning.

Best-in-Class Battery Life

Battery performance has always been a key strength for COROS, and the APEX 4 continues this tradition. The larger 46mm model boasts impressive battery life specifications:

• Endurance GPS Mode (All-Systems): Up to 65 hours (continuous use)
• High GPS Mode (All-Systems): Up to 53 hours
• Max GPS Mode (Dual-Frequency): Up to 41 hours
• Daily Use: Up to 24 days

The smaller 42mm model also offers substantial longevity, with up to 41 hours in Endurance GPS Mode and 15 days of daily use. This level of performance ensures the watch can handle multi-day adventures and ultra-endurance races without needing a recharge.

Sport-Specific Software and Training Tools

The APEX 4 includes dedicated modes and tools for its core audience. Trail runners can benefit from Effort Pace and an in-app route builder. Climbers have access to automatic route detection and five distinct climbing modes. For ski touring, the watch provides real-time vertical tracking and topo maps.

Beyond activity-specific features, the APEX 4 offers a complete suite of health and wellness tracking. Sensors like an optical heart rate monitor, Pulse Oximeter (SpO2), and ECG provide data for monitoring training load, recovery, sleep quality, and overall readiness.

Built-In Voice and Audio Tools

A significant new addition to the APEX line is the inclusion of a built-in speaker and microphone. This hardware enables several new functions:

• Audible Alerts: Receive pace, turn, and distance alerts out loud.
• Voice Notes: Record quick notes or "Voice Pins" during an activity.
• Hands-Free Calling: Answer calls directly from your watch when connected to your phone.

What We Liked

The COROS APEX 4 brings several impressive advancements to the table. The focus on core mountain sports functionality is clear and well-executed.

The durability is immediately apparent. The use of titanium and sapphire glass in a lightweight package is a winning combination. It feels solid on the wrist without being cumbersome, a critical factor for long-duration activities.

Navigation is where the APEX 4 truly shines. The mapping is incredibly fast and fluid, with the new processor eliminating the frustrating lag found on some older GPS watches. The ability to zoom and pan across detailed topo maps with instant rendering is a game-changer for on-the-go route adjustments. The dual-frequency GPS provides confidence-inspiring accuracy, locking onto signals quickly and holding them reliably.

Battery life remains a standout feature. The ability to complete a 100-mile race (if you are into that) with extensive navigation and still have plenty of power left is a massive benefit for endurance athletes. This removes a significant point of anxiety, allowing you to focus completely on your performance.

Finally, the addition of the speaker and microphone is more useful than it might first appear. Audio cues for navigation and workout milestones are helpful when you can't look at your watch. The Voice Pins feature, which allows you to tag a location with a spoken note, is an innovative tool for remembering beta on a climb or marking a water source on a long run.

Areas of Improvement

While the APEX 4 is an outstanding device, there are a few areas where it could be refined. The primary focus is squarely on mountain and endurance sports. Athletes interested in smartwatch features like third-party apps, music storage, or contactless payments may find the APEX 4 lacking compared to competitors from brands like Apple or Garmin. This is a deliberate design choice by COROS, but it's an important consideration for potential buyers.

The user interface, while functional and fast, could benefit from a bit more polish. While the MIP display is excellent for battery life and outdoor visibility, it doesn't offer the same vibrant colors and high resolution as the AMOLED screens found on some lifestyle-oriented watches. This is a trade-off, prioritizing function over form, but some users may prefer a more dynamic display.

The ecosystem of the COROS app, though powerful for data analysis and route planning, is still developing. Features like the Adventure Journal are promising, but the platform lacks the social integration or extensive third-party app support that other platforms offer.

Final Thoughts

The COROS APEX 4 is a formidable tool built with a clear purpose. It's designed from the ground up for mountain athletes who demand uncompromising durability, precise navigation, and exceptional battery life. For trail runners, climbers, and backcountry skiers, this watch delivers on all its promises. The upgraded mapping engine, robust build, and thoughtful new features like audio cues and Voice Pins make it a top contender in its category.

Priced at $429 for the 42mm model and $479 for the 46mm model, it offers significant value compared to other premium GPS watches with similar feature sets. It may not be the ideal choice for someone seeking a general-purpose smartwatch. Still, for its intended user, the COROS APEX 4 is a specialized instrument that excels in its environment. It successfully redefines the category it helped create and stands as a new benchmark for mountain sports watches.