COROS Pace 4 vs COROS Pace 3 – Which Should You Choose?
Over the past few years, COROS has firmly established itself as one of the most interesting alternatives to Garmin in the sports watch market. Runners and triathletes in particular are increasingly choosing COROS thanks to its excellent GPS performance, long battery life, and competitive pricing.
With the COROS Pace 3 and the newer COROS Pace 4, the brand specifically targets runners looking for a lightweight, accurate, and affordable sports watch.
But what exactly are the differences between these two models?
What Are the Differences Between the COROS Pace 4 and COROS Pace 3?
The Pace series is known for its strong focus on running, lightweight design, and exceptionally efficient battery performance. The Pace 4 builds on the foundation of the Pace 3 while introducing improvements in display quality, sensors, and training analysis.
Specifications Overview
| Specification | COROS Pace 3 | COROS Pace 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | MIP transflective | Improved MIP / AMOLED (depending on version) |
| Case Material | Polymer | Reinforced polymer |
| Dimensions | Approx. 41.9 mm | Approx. 42–43 mm |
| Weight | Approx. 30 g | Approx. 29–32 g |
| Battery Life (GPS) | Up to approx. 38 hours | Up to approx. 40–45 hours |
| Battery Life (Daily Use) | Up to approx. 17 days | Up to approx. 20 days |
| GPS | Multi-GNSS | Multi-GNSS with improved tracking |
| Water Resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Heart Rate Monitoring | Yes | Yes (improved) |
| Barometer | Yes | Yes |
| Altimeter | Yes | Yes |
| Music Storage | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Compatibility | Android / iOS | Android / iOS |
Display
The COROS Pace 3 uses a highly energy-efficient MIP display that remains perfectly readable in bright sunlight, making it ideal for runners and outdoor athletes.
The COROS Pace 4 introduces an improved viewing experience with higher brightness and better contrast, depending on the version, allowing workout data to be viewed more quickly and clearly during intensive training sessions.
Design
COROS Pace 3
- Lightweight design (approx. 30 grams)
- Dimensions: 41.9 x 41.9 x 11.7 mm
- Polymer case
- Extremely comfortable for long runs
- Minimalist and performance-focused
COROS Pace 4
- Slightly more refined design
- Dimensions: 43.4 × 43.4 × 11.8 mm
- Reinforced polymer construction
- Still ultra-lightweight
- More premium finish and improved wrist fit
Both models are designed for performance rather than luxury aesthetics.
Battery Life
Battery life is one of COROS’s strongest selling points.
- COROS Pace 3: up to 38 hours GPS / 17 days of use
- COROS Pace 4: up to 40–45 hours GPS / 20 days of use
The Pace 4 offers a modest but noticeable improvement, particularly for long-distance runs and triathlons.
Sensors
Both models feature a comprehensive sports-focused sensor package:
- Optical heart rate sensor
- Barometer
- Altimeter
- Accelerometer
- Gyroscope
- Multi-GNSS GPS
The Pace 4 delivers improved heart rate accuracy and better motion tracking during interval workouts.
Health Features
Although COROS places less emphasis on lifestyle health tracking than some competitors, both models offer:
- 24/7 heart rate monitoring
- Sleep tracking
- Stress analysis
- Recovery recommendations
- Training load monitoring
The Pace 4 provides slightly more advanced analysis through improved algorithms, particularly regarding recovery and training load.
Sports Features
This is where both models truly excel.
Supported Sports
- Running (road & trail)
- Triathlon
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Indoor training
- Interval training
- Walking / hiking
The COROS Pace 4 offers more advanced training structures and improved support for structured workouts.
Smartwatch Features
As with many dedicated sports watches, smartwatch functionality is relatively limited.
Available:
- Smartphone notifications
- Music controls
- Basic widgets
Not available:
- Apps
- Contactless payments
- Full smartwatch functionality
The focus remains entirely on sports performance.
Price
| Model | Indicative Price |
| COROS Pace 3 | £220 – £250 |
| COROS Pace 4 | £250 – £300 |
The Pace 3 remains the budget-friendly option, while the Pace 4 offers a more premium feature set.
Where Is the COROS Pace 3 Better?
- Lower price
- Very lightweight and comfortable
- Excellent battery life for the price
- Simple and reliable
Where Is the COROS Pace 4 Better?
- Improved GPS accuracy
- Enhanced sensors
- Slightly longer battery life
- More advanced training analysis
- More modern display
Conclusion
The choice between the COROS Pace 3 and Pace 4 largely depends on your budget and training ambitions.
- Looking for the best value for money? → COROS Pace 3
- Want the most accurate and complete experience? → COROS Pace 4
With both models, COROS demonstrates why the brand is becoming increasingly popular among runners and triathletes: simple, lightweight, highly efficient, and focused on performance.
FAQ
What is the biggest difference between the COROS Pace 3 and Pace 4?
The Pace 4 features improved sensors, GPS performance, and battery optimisation.
Is the COROS Pace 3 still a good choice?
Yes, it remains one of the best budget running watches available.
Which is better for running?
Both are excellent running watches, but the Pace 4 offers greater accuracy.
Are the watch straps interchangeable?
Yes, both the COROS Pace 4 straps and COROS Pace 3 straps are 22 mm wide and can be used on either model. They can be swapped easily without the need for tools.
Does COROS offer smartwatch features?
No, COROS watches are primarily focused on sports and training.
Which should I choose as a beginner?
The COROS Pace 3.
