Coros Pace 4 Review - Pro Features, Budget Price

The world of GPS sport watches often presents a tough choice: pay a premium for top-tier features or settle for a budget-friendly model with significant compromises. COROS challenges this notion with the launch of the Pace 4. This new iteration builds on the success of its predecessors by packing high-end features into an ultralight, affordable package. Priced at just $249, the Pace 4 delivers a brilliant AMOLED display, extended battery life, and advanced training tools, making it a compelling option for athletes of all levels.

This review will provide a detailed look at the COROS Pace 4. We will explore its key upgrades —from hardware to software —and see how it stacks up against the popular Pace 3. By the end, you will know whether this is the right performance watch to help you train smarter and achieve your goals.

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What’s New with the COROS Pace 4?

The COROS Pace 4 represents a significant evolution in the PACE series. It retains the core philosophy of being a lightweight, runner-focused watch but enhances the experience with modern technology and more sophisticated training insights. It’s designed for athletes who need a reliable, no-fuss training partner that delivers on performance without an exorbitant price tag.

Ultralight Design Meets Premium Display

One of the most defining characteristics of the PACE series has always been its minimal weight, and the Pace 4 continues this tradition. Weighing a mere 32 grams with the nylon band (40g with the silicone band), the watch is so light you might forget you're wearing it. The body itself, excluding the sensor bump, is just 11.8mm thin, ensuring it won’t snag on sleeves or feel bulky during intense activity.

The biggest visual upgrade is the 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen. This display is a game-changer for the series, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent readability in all light conditions. Swiping through menus and data screens is smooth and responsive. This brings the Pace 4 in line with more expensive watches, providing a premium user experience that was absent in the memory-in-pixel displays of its predecessors.

Battery Life That Goes the Distance

Despite the more power-hungry AMOLED display, COROS has managed to improve the Pace 4’s battery life. This is a critical factor for endurance athletes, and the numbers are impressive. The watch offers up to 19 days of daily use or 41 hours in standard full GPS mode. This is a substantial increase from the Pace 3, giving users more training time and less charging time.

Even with the "Always On" display feature enabled, the watch provides a respectable 6 days of daily use or 30 hours in high GPS mode. This longevity ensures the Pace 4 can handle everything from daily training to ultramarathon distances without causing battery anxiety.

Advanced Training and Navigation Tools

The Pace 4 isn't just about hardware upgrades; it comes loaded with software features to elevate your training. The watch includes COROS's EvoLab physical fitness management system, which provides insights like running fitness tests, training load recommendations, and recovery timers. These tools help you understand your body's response to training and prevent overtraining.

New additions further refine the training experience:

• Dual-Frequency GPS: By supporting L1 + L5 frequencies, the Pace 4 delivers faster and more accurate satellite lock-on, which is crucial for precise pacing and distance tracking in challenging environments like dense cities or deep canyons.
• Improved Heart Rate Sensor: The redesigned optical heart rate sensor, which now includes SpO2 and ECG capabilities, offers greater accuracy by reducing signal spikes and drops. This leads to more reliable heart rate data for training zones and recovery metrics.
• Built-in Voice Features: A dual microphone with noise reduction allows you to record audio notes directly on the watch after a workout. You can log training details, nutrition intake, or other crucial information hands-free. Voice Pins can even be automatically categorized in the app, for example, by saying "Water."

Is the COROS Pace 4 Right for You?

The COROS Pace 4 firmly establishes itself as a leader in the mid-range GPS watch market. It blurs the lines between budget-friendly and premium, offering features once exclusive to top-of-the-line models.

This watch is an excellent choice for:

• Dedicated Runners: With tools like Effort Pace, personalized marathon plans, and a Virtual Pacer, the Pace 4 is built to help runners of all levels train smarter and race faster.
• Multisport Athletes: Supporting a wide range of activities from swimming and cycling to skiing and rowing, it’s a versatile partner for triathlon training and more.
• Budget-Conscious Performers: At $249, it offers unmatched value. You get a vibrant AMOLED display, long battery life, dual-frequency GPS, and advanced health metrics without the premium price tag.
• Athletes Who Value Simplicity: COROS is known for its intuitive user interface. The Pace 4 is easy to set up and use, allowing you to focus on your training rather than navigating complex menus.

Final Recommendation

The COROS Pace 4 is an outstanding GPS sport watch that redefines what to expect at its price point. It successfully combines an ultralight build with a beautiful AMOLED display, exceptional battery life, and a robust suite of training tools. The thoughtful upgrades, including the more accurate heart rate sensor and useful voice features, make it a significant step up from its predecessor.

Ultimately, it is up to you if this is the right fit. Still, for a high-performance watch that provides accurate data, actionable insights, and a premium user experience without breaking the bank, the COROS Pace 4 should be at the top of your list. It is a powerful tool designed to help you reach your next personal best.