COROS PACE 4 GPS Watch Review
An ultralight running and GPS sport watch with an AMOLED display and exceptional battery life
October 15th, 2025
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Our Verdict
The COROS PACE 4 offers a full slate of running and fitness activity tracking, advanced training plans, and performance metrics, along with exceptional battery life, all at an entry-level price point. It is the perfect GPS running and sports watch for those looking for performance, simplicity, and comfort.
The COROS PACE 4 is a significant upgrade from the PACE 3. The AMOLED always-on display is bright, crisp, and easy to read, even in poor light conditions and rain. The new AMOLED display has 160% higher resolution than the PACE 3’s LCD display. There are dual mics with noise reduction for recording voice notes and pins while on the move. There is also a significant boost in battery life despite the PACE 4 nearly matching the PACE 3’s light weight.
I have had the opportunity to use the COROS PACE 4 for a couple of weeks on hikes, runs, and as my daily activity tracker. I have been impressed with the PACE 4’s suite of features, customizability, and the ease of use of the COROS app. I think it is an excellent running and fitness watch and an exceptional value.
COROS PACE 4
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Specs
Display: AMOLED (always on)
Display size: 1.2”
Touchscreen: Yes
Weight: 39g (silicon band) or 32g (nylon band)
Solar charging: No
Battery life: 41 hours high GPS (all satellite systems) / 31 hours max GPS (all satellite systems + dual frequency) / 19 days (daily use)
GPS: Yes
Altimeter: Yes
Compass: Yes
Barometer: Yes
Navigation: Breadcrumb only
Mapping: No
Water resistance: 5 ATM
Charging cable: COROS proprietary adapter with a USB-C cable
Smartphone compatibility: iPhone and Android
Warranty: 2 years
What We Liked
AMOLED Display. The PACE 4’s 2.5D AMOLED display provides vivid colors and exceptional brightness. I think AMOLED is the best display for running watches. The watch face and data screens are clear and easy to read in all lighting conditions and weather. The screen has a maximum brightness of 1,500 NITS. The 2.5D AMOLED display tapers into the watch’s bezel for smooth touchscreen control.
Battery life. COROS watches are renowned for their excellent battery life, and the PACE 4 is no exception. The watch can track an ultramarathon or multi-day backpacking trip without needing to be charged.
COROS app. The COROS app makes it easy to customize watch faces, data fields, button functionality, and alerts.
Dual-frequency GPS. COROS’ Max Battery mode uses dual-frequency GPS. Dual-frequency or multi-band systems not only utilize all satellite systems, but also use more than one signal from each satellite on different frequencies. In situations where the view of the sky is limited, such as in dense urban areas, canyons, or heavily forested areas, multi-band GPS proves especially useful. Positional accuracy can be improved from +/- 10 feet to +/-6 feet.
Charging system. COROS utilizes a proprietary A2 adapter that connects to a USB-C cable (the cable is not included, but COROS will provide a complimentary USB-C cable upon request). COROS has designed the A2 adapter to provide a crisper, more secure fit with the watch. This addresses the issue of poor charging connections I’ve had with COROS and Garmin watches.
What Could Be Better
Music. COROS watches, including the PACE 4, feature music storage and playback; however, they do not support streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. MP3 files must be uploaded to the phone. This means that many folks will not be able to use the watch for music or podcast storage and playback, as many have moved away from owning MP3 files.
Note: COROS will be rolling out smartphone music controls in their planned November 2025 firmware update. You will finally be able to control music and podcasts on your phone with your watch, a huge and needed improvement.
A larger (46mm) PACE 4. The PACE 4 only comes in a 42mm size. This is too small for some folks. The PACE PRO is only offered in the 46mm size. We would like COROS to offer the PACE 4 and PACE PRO in 42mm and 46mm sizes, as is done with the APEX 4.
No LED Flashlight. COROS recently introduced a “flashlight” mode to their watches, including the PACE 4. The flashlight mode turns the display into a bright white or blinking red screen. Unfortunately, this is not comparable to Garmin’s LED flashlight. Garmin’s flashlight is a separate light on the top side of the watch, which can be activated by double-clicking a side button. Garmin’s flashlight provides a more directed beam. It can also be used as a safety strobe light when walking or running at night.
PACE 4 Upgrades
AMOLED Display. The PACE 4 features an AMOLED display, previously only available on the PACE Pro. The new AMOLED always-on display is bright, crisp, and easy to read, even in poor light conditions. The new AMOLED display has 160% higher resolution than the PACE 3’s LCD display.
Dual mics. The dual microphones allow you to easily provide voice pins and waypoints while on the move, even when your phone is offline. I have found the voice translation in the COROS app to be very accurate.
Upgraded processor. The PACE 4 has the upgraded Ambiq 510 processor that is in the PACE Pro, APEX 4, and Nomad watches. The Ambiq 510 is 30 times faster than the previous processor.
Recent COROS Firmware Updates
COROS has been releasing a number of significant updates across all of their watches.
Flashlight Mode
Voice-powered training logs
Menstrual cycle tracking
Activity cropping
Which COROS Watch is Right For You
The PACE 4 is the third COROS watch to be released or updated in the last three months, and the fourth in a year. All of the new releases (PACE PRO, NOMAD, APEX 4) have the upgraded Ambiq 510 processor. This has enabled improved mapping with street/trail names, as well as lag-free panning/zooming (Note: the PACE 4 does not have mapping).
COROS has also been adding dual mics to its newest watches. The dual mics enable you to record voice notes and provide audio training logs for your activities. We can assume that the Vertix, COROS' ultra-endurance watch, will release similar upgrades in the near future. I also assume that the PACE Pro will get dual mics in its next upgrade.
All COROS watches offer a comprehensive range of activity profiles and smartwatch capabilities, supporting various activities, such as running, walking, hiking, and swimming. All watches have exceptional battery life and use the COROS app and training hub. Most of the differences between the watches are aesthetic, with an emphasis on specific activities.
PACE 4 (Running, Triathlon, Daily Driver). The AMOLED display is bright and easy to read while running. There isn’t mapping, but this isn’t a priority for most runners. The PACE Pro is only available in the 42 mm size.
PACE PRO (Running, Triathlon, Hiking). The PACE Pro features an AMOLED display, like the PACE 4, but also offers mapping capabilities. The PACE Pro is only available in the 46 mm size.
Note: As we previously mentioned, we would like to see the Pace 4 and Pro available in both 42 and 46 mm sizes.
NOMAD (Hiking, Running, Triathlon, Angling). The NOMAD has mapping and dual mics. It has all the capabilities of the APEX 4, except for a speaker to answer calls. The NOMAD has a more rugged look. The NOMAD features a MIP display and is only available in a 47.8 mm size. Read my full review of the COROS NOMAD.
APEX 4 (Running, Triathlon, Hiking, Mountaineering). The APEX 4 has mapping and all the capabilities of the NOMAD. However, it also has a speaker that allows for answering calls while on the move (when connected to a smartphone). The APEX 4 has a memory in pixel (MIP) display and higher-end finishes (sapphire screen and titanium bezel). COROS will also be offering a carabiner for the APEX 4 to make it easier to use when mountaineering or skiing. The Apex is available in 42 mm or 46 mm sizes. Read my full review of the COROS APEX 4.
VERTIX 2 (Thru-Hiking, Ultra-endurance Activities). The VERTIX 2 has the longest battery life of all COROS watches and offers mapping capabilities. Unfortunately, the VERTIX 2 doesn’t have the updated processor available in other COROS watches. The mapping on the VERTIX 2 doesn’t provide street/trail names, nor does it have lag-free zooming and panning. We expect the next version of the VERTIX to have the upgraded processor and have the same capabilities as the NOMAD and APEX 4 watches. We recommend folks hold off on buying a VERTIX until it receives the updated processor.
Comparison Table
The COROS PACE 4 is poised to challenge Garmin’s Forerunner series of running watches. The table below compares the COROS PACE 4 with Garmin’s entry-level Forerunner watches. Additionally, we include the COROS PACE Pro, NOMAD, and APEX 4 for comparison purposes.
Specs Comparison Table
| Features | COROS PACE 4 | COROS PACE 3 | COROS PACE Pro | COROS APEX 4 (46mm) | COROS APEX 4 (42mm) | COROS NOMAD | Garmin Forerunner 55 | Garmin Forerunner 165 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 | $199 | $299 | $479 | $429 | $349 | $249 | $199 |
| Lens Material | Mineral Glass | Mineral Glass | Mineral Glass | Sapphire Glass | Sapphire Glass | Mineral Glass | Mineral Glass | Mineral Glass |
| Display | AMOLED | LCD Memory | AMOLED | Memory In Pixel (MIP) | Memory In Pixel (MIP) | Memory In Pixel (MIP) | AMOLED | Memory In Pixel (MIP) |
| Display Size | 1.2" | 1.2" | 1.3" | 1.3" | 1.2" | 1.3" | 1.2" | 1.05" |
| Resolution | 390 x 390 pixels | 240 x 240 pixels | 416 x 416 pixels | 240 x 240 pixels | 260 x 260 pixels | 260 x 260 pixels | 390 x 390 pixels | 208 x 208 pixels |
Battery Life Comparison Table
| Watch Mode | COROS PACE 4 | COROS PACE 3 | COROS Pace Pro | COROS APEX 4 - 46mm | COROS APEX 4 - 42mm | COROS Nomad | Garmin Forerunner 55 | Garmin Forerunner 165 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch Mode (Daily Use) | 19 days | 15 days | Up to 20 days (6 days with Always On Display | Up to 24 days | Up to 15 days | Up to 22 days | Up to 20 days | Up to 14 days |
| High (All Satellite Systems GPS ) | 41 hours (31 hours with Always On) | 25 hours | 38 hours (28 hours with Always On) | Up to 53 hours | Up to 34 hours | Up to 50 hours | Up to 20 hours2 | Up to 17 hours |
| Max (All Satellite Systems + Dual Frequency)* | 31 hours (24 hours with Always On) | NA | 31 hours (28 hours with Always On) | Up to 41 hours | Up to 26 hours | Up to 34 hours | NA | NA |
Features
The COROS PACE 4 is a fully functional adventure watch that features GPS, activity and health tracking, as well as the smartwatch features one expects in their everyday watch.
Activity Tracking
The PACE 4 includes activity profiles for over 50 activities, from hiking to frisbee. There are profiles for indoor activities, such as strength training and Pilates, as well as water-based activities like whitewater rafting and speed surfing. There is even a triathlon activity profile. You can also create custom activity profiles.
The specific data fields within each activity profile can be customized. You can also have multiple data fields for each activity. It is easy to swipe between data fields during any activity.
You can also set up alerts within an activity, such as speed, cadence, heart rate, or when to eat/drink.
Health Tracking
The COROS PACE 4 has a full complement of health tracking features, including the following:
Optical heart rate
Barometric altimeter
SpO2 (Blood Oxygen) monitor
Electrocardiogram sensor
Sleep tracking
Optical pulse oximeter
Heart rate variability (HRV) tracking
Smartwatch Features
The APEX has all the features one would expect from a smartwatch. Below is a partial list of smartwatch features:
Notifications
Stopwatch
Timer
Find my watch
Find my phone
Alarm
Daily alerts (active calories, storm warning, etc.)
MP3 music storage (note: COROS does not support streaming services, such as Spotify or Apple Music. MP3 files must be uploaded to the watch from your computer.)
Running-Specific Features
COROS offers a number of running-specific features, such as
Running fitness score
Race predictors
Personalized training plans
Virtual pacer
Recovery timer
The Virtual Pacer alerts you if your pace is above or below your designated target.
COROS App
COROS has a phone app for tracking activities and health metrics. The COROS app provides a nice summary of your activities.
The app can also be used to configure the PACE 4’s watch face and customize activity data fields.
I found it easy to create and edit routes in the app. You can also upload routes created in Strava, Ride With GPS, AllTrails, and Gaia GPS.
Where to buy the COROS PACE 4
REI Co-op
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; up to 10% dividend for members.
COROS
Pros: Manufacturers often have colors not available elsewhere
Who Should Buy the COROS PACE 4?
The COROS PACE 4 is a running and fitness watch designed for those seeking performance, simplicity, comfort, and excellent battery life at an entry-level price point. The AMOLED screen is bright and easy to read in various weather and lighting conditions. The multi-frequency GPS provides for accurate activity tracking in dense urban environments, narrow canyons, or dense forests.
About the Author / Why You Should Trust Us
Mike Unger left his high-stress corporate job to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail in 2006. That experience forever changed him, and he purposefully re-arranged his life to allow for as much adventuring as possible.
Today, he’s closing in on 28,000 miles on North American long trails. He is one of a handful of people who is a Double Triple Crowner, having hiked the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail each—twice. He’s also hiked more obscure routes like the Ouachita Trail, Oregon Desert Trail and was part of the group that set the First Known Time on the Blue Mountains Trail.
He’s also picked up another passion along the way: long-distance bicycle touring, including the 2,700-mile Great Divide Mountain Bike Route and 1,850-mile Pacific Coast route. When he’s not hiking or biking, he’s probably planning his next trip and/or researching gear.
You can read all articles by Mike Unger here.
