Coros Pace 4: The Budget Running Watch That Punches Above Its Weight

In a world where smartwatches seem to be getting more expensive by the day, Coros has delivered a refreshing alternative that proves you don’t need to empty your wallet for quality performance tracking. The Coros Pace 4 arrives as a worthy successor to the already impressive Pace 3, bringing significant upgrades that make it one of the most compelling options in the sub-$250 category.

The Display Revolution: AMOLED Finally Comes to Budget Running Watches

Perhaps the most striking upgrade in the Coros Pace 4 is its move from a basic Memory-in-Pixel display to a vibrant 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen. This isn’t just a spec bump—it’s a game-changer. With a resolution of 390 x 390 pixels and a blistering 1,500-nit brightness, the screen delivers crystal-clear text, sharp graphs, and excellent outdoor visibility even under direct sunlight.

The transition to AMOLED brings colors to life in a way that was previously impossible in this price range. Whether you’re checking your pace mid-run or reviewing your workout data, everything appears crisp and easy to read. Coros has managed to implement this premium display technology without sacrificing the legendary battery life the brand is known for—a feat that deserves recognition.

Feather-Light Design That Disappears on Your Wrist

At just 32 grams with the nylon strap (40 grams with silicone), the Coros Pace 4 achieves something remarkable: it feels like you’re wearing nothing at all. The 43.4 x 43.4 x 11.8mm dimensions strike the perfect balance between screen real estate and comfort. It’s thin enough to slip under sleeves easily and light enough that you’ll forget it’s there during your longest runs.

The plastic construction might not scream “premium,” but it serves a purpose. This isn’t a fashion statement—it’s a tool designed for athletes who care more about performance than prestige. The fiber-reinforced polymer case is durable enough to handle the rigors of daily training while keeping the weight down.

Navigation That Works When You Need It Most

Coros has taken an interesting approach to controls with the Pace 4’s hybrid three-button system. Instead of following Garmin’s five-button layout or Apple’s crown-and-button design, Coros combines a digital dial with an Action button. This system proves remarkably intuitive, especially during intense workouts when your hands might be sweaty or you’re wearing gloves in cold weather.

The buttons provide satisfying tactile feedback and never miss a press, even when conditions aren’t ideal. This reliability is crucial for a running watch where you might need to start, stop, or mark a segment without breaking your stride.

Battery Life That Keeps Up With Your Training

Here’s where the Coros Pace 4 truly shines. Despite the power-hungry AMOLED display, Coros has managed to maintain impressive battery numbers: up to 19 days in regular use and a staggering 41 hours with high GPS usage. These figures put it on par with much more expensive competitors and exceed what most runners will ever need.

During testing, I found myself charging the watch roughly every 10-14 days with regular use, including multiple runs and bike rides per week. This longevity means less time tethered to a charger and more time focusing on your training.

GPS Performance: Good, Not Perfect

The Pace 4 features an advanced dual-frequency GNSS chipset that communicates with five satellite networks (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, and QZSS). This multi-network approach is designed to improve accuracy in challenging environments like urban canyons or dense forests.

In real-world testing, the GPS performance was solid but not flawless. When compared against the Huawei Watch Ultimate 2, the Pace 4 typically showed distances within 200 meters over similar routes. While this isn’t pinpoint accuracy, it’s more than adequate for casual runners and most training purposes. The watch maintains signal lock reliably, even in areas where I’ve experienced dropouts with other devices.

Voice Features That Actually Make Sense

One of the most interesting additions to the Pace 4 is its voice recording functionality. Unlike generic voice memo features found on other smartwatches, Coros has integrated voice tools specifically for athletic training. Voice Pins let you mark specific locations during a run, while Voice Notes capture subjective information after completing an activity.

This thoughtful integration makes the voice features genuinely useful rather than gimmicky. Being able to quickly record how you felt during a tough hill climb or note a particularly good or bad segment of your route adds valuable context to your training data.

What It Can’t Do: Setting Realistic Expectations

The Coros Pace 4 is unapologetically focused on athletic performance, which means it lacks some of the everyday smartwatch features that have become standard on more general-purpose devices. There’s no music storage or streaming, no NFC payments, and limited app ecosystem compared to Wear OS or Apple Watch.

For runners, cyclists, and triathletes, these omissions likely won’t matter. But if you’re looking for a do-everything device that can replace your phone for daily tasks, the Pace 4 isn’t it. This laser focus on athletic features is both its greatest strength and its most significant limitation.

Who Should Buy the Coros Pace 4?

This watch is perfect for runners who want premium features without the premium price tag. If you’re upgrading from a basic fitness tracker or an older running watch, the Pace 4 offers substantial improvements in display quality, GPS accuracy, and overall user experience.

It’s also ideal for athletes who prioritize battery life and reliability over flashy features. The Pace 4 won’t win any style awards, but it will deliver consistent performance day after day, week after week.

The Competition: How It Stacks Up

At $249, the Coros Pace 4 competes directly with the Garmin Forerunner 165 and sits in the same ballpark as the Apple Watch SE 3 ($249). However, the Pace 4 offers unique advantages: dual-frequency GPS at this price point is rare, and the battery life significantly outperforms both competitors.

The Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro offers a more rugged alternative for outdoor enthusiasts, while the Suunto Run provides similar athletic focus with a different design philosophy. Each has its strengths, but the Pace 4’s combination of AMOLED display, dual-band GPS, and exceptional battery life makes it a compelling package.

Final Verdict: A Smart Buy for Serious Athletes

The Coros Pace 4 isn’t trying to be everything to everyone—and that’s exactly why it succeeds. By focusing on what matters most to runners and cyclists, Coros has created a device that delivers exceptional value. The AMOLED display upgrade, dual-frequency GPS, impressive battery life, and thoughtful training features combine to make this one of the best running watches available under $300.

While it won’t replace your everyday smartwatch for general use, as a dedicated training tool, the Pace 4 is hard to beat. The price-to-performance ratio is outstanding, and the improvements over the previous generation make it a worthy upgrade for existing Coros users as well.

For athletes who want a reliable, feature-rich running watch without breaking the bank, the Coros Pace 4 deserves serious consideration. It proves that you don’t need to spend $500+ to get a capable, high-quality sports watch that can keep up with your training goals.

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