I've been testing the COROS Pace 4 for the past few weeks, and it's clear this is an evolution, not a revolution. Building on the popular Pace 3, COROS added an AMOLED display, built-in microphone, and better battery life — all while keeping the price at just $249. Let's dive in.
Design and Build
The Pace 4 looks a lot like its predecessor, but there are some notable changes. The most obvious is the new 1.2" AMOLED touchscreen display — a big upgrade from the MIP screen on the Pace 3. It's bright, vibrant, and easy to read in any lighting condition.
One of the standout features is the weight. At just 32 grams with the nylon band, this thing disappears on your wrist. I honestly forgot I was wearing it sometimes. The 43.4mm case is the same size as the Pace 3, but the overall feel is more premium.
COROS also added a third button — the "action button" on the left side. This lets you quickly toggle between map view and data pages during activities. It's such a simple addition, but it makes a huge difference when you're on a run and don't want to fumble through menus.
Battery Life
Battery life has always been a COROS strength, and the Pace 4 delivers:
- Daily use: Up to 12 days
- Full GPS: 20 hours
- Power-saving GPS: 40 hours
For most runners, this means charging once every two weeks — maybe less. The new magnetic charging cable is much easier to use than older COROS chargers.
Heart Rate Sensor
The Pace 4 uses the same optical heart rate sensor as the Apex 4 and Nomad. In my testing, the results were mixed. Some runs were accurate; others showed the familiar cadence lock issues that have plagued COROS watches. If you're doing high-intensity interval training, I'd recommend a chest strap for best results.
Software and Features
One of the best things about COROS is that nearly all the software features from the higher-end watches are available here. You get:
- Breadcrumb navigation
- Voice notes
- Training plans
- Recovery tracking
- 200+ sport modes
The built-in microphone lets you record voice notes during workouts — handy for jotting down how you felt without stopping.
The Verdict
The COROS Pace 4 is an excellent budget running watch. It's lightweight, has great battery life, and delivers most of the features you'd find in watches twice the price.
The $249 price point makes it one of the best values in GPS running watches today.
Best for: Runners who want a lightweight, capable GPS watch without spending $500+.
Consider the Pace Pro instead if: You want offline maps and don't mind spending the extra $50.
What do you think — is the Pace 4 worth the upgrade from the Pace 3? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.