Coros Pace 4 Pro vs Pace 3: What Changed and Is It Worth Upgrading?
The Coros Pace 4 Pro is the latest addition to Coros’s budget-friendly GPS watch lineup, and it brings a handful of meaningful changes over the Pace 3. The biggest upgrades are a brighter, higher-resolution AMOLED display, a new heart-rate sensor, and improved GPS accuracy with dual-band reception. Whether it’s worth upgrading depends on how much you value those display and accuracy gains—if you already own a Pace 3 and run mostly in open areas, the differences may not justify the cost, but for new buyers or those who train in urban canyons, the Pace 4 Pro is a clear step forward.
Background: Where the Pace Series Sits
Coros launched the Pace 3 in 2023 as a lightweight, battery-focused running watch that undercut competitors on price while still offering solid GPS and training metrics. The Pace 4 Pro, released in late 2025, is not a complete redesign—it keeps the same 42mm case size, the same five-button navigation, and the same general training software. Instead, it refines the hardware in three key areas: display, sensor, and GPS. This is a typical mid-cycle refresh, similar to what Garmin does with its Forerunner series, but Coros has made the changes more substantial than a simple color swap.
Display and Design Changes
The most visible change is the screen. The Pace 3 used a 1.2-inch transflective LCD (always-on, but with muted colors and limited brightness). The Pace 4 Pro switches to a 1.3-inch AMOLED panel with a 416×416 resolution and a peak brightness of 1,500 nits. That means:
- Colors are vivid and maps look clearer during navigation.
- Sunlight readability is better, especially in direct glare.
- The always-on mode is available, but it reduces battery life significantly (more on that below).
- The touchscreen is still absent—you navigate with the five physical buttons, which is actually a plus for sweaty runs or rainy conditions.
The case is slightly thicker (11.9mm vs 11.7mm) and a bit heavier (31g vs 30g), but you won’t notice the difference on the wrist. The bezel is now aluminum instead of plastic, giving it a more premium feel without adding much weight.
GPS and Heart-Rate Sensor Upgrades
Under the hood, the Pace 4 Pro adds dual-band GPS (L1+L5) support, which the Pace 3 lacked. Dual-band allows the watch to pick up more satellite signals, which helps in urban areas with tall buildings, near dense tree cover, or in steep valleys. In those conditions, the Pace 3’s single-band GPS could drift by 5–10 meters; the Pace 4 Pro typically stays within 2–3 meters. In open fields, the accuracy difference is negligible—both are within a few meters.
The optical heart-rate sensor is also new. It uses a four-LED array (up from two) and an improved algorithm that reduces motion artifacts. During interval workouts or strength training, the Pace 4 Pro tracks heart rate more consistently, but it’s still not a substitute for a chest strap if you need beat-by-beat accuracy. For daily resting heart rate and steady-state runs, both watches are comparable.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is where the Pace 4 Pro takes a step back, but only because the AMOLED screen draws more power. With the always-on display enabled, you get about 6 days of smartwatch use, compared to 14 days on the Pace 3. If you use the gesture-to-wake mode (screen off until you raise your wrist), the Pace 4 Pro lasts about 10 days—still less than the Pace 3’s 14 days, but acceptable for most runners. GPS battery life is similar: 38 hours on the Pace 4 Pro with standard GPS, versus 38 hours on the Pace 3 (both with music off). The Pace 4 Pro adds a new “dual-band GPS with all-systems� mode that cuts that to 28 hours, but you’ll rarely need it for a marathon.
Charging is faster on the Pace 4 Pro—it uses a new magnetic USB-C puck that charges to 80% in about 30 minutes, versus 60 minutes for the Pace 3’s proprietary clip. The cable is not included in the box, which is a minor annoyance, but you can use any standard USB-C cable with the puck.
Software and Training Features
Both watches run the same Coros OS, so you get the same training load, recovery time, and daily suggested workouts. The Pace 4 Pro does not add any new software features—it’s the same firmware as the Pace 3. That means no new metrics like running power from the wrist (that’s still only on the Vertix and Apex series). However, the faster processor in the Pace 4 Pro makes map panning and menu scrolling noticeably snappier. If you often use the breadcrumb navigation feature, the Pace 4 Pro feels much more fluid.
Pricing and Value
The Pace 4 Pro retails at $349, which is $100 more than the Pace 3’s launch price of $249. The Pace 3 is still available and often sells for $199–$229, making it one of the best budget running watches on the market. The Pace 4 Pro’s price puts it in direct competition with the Garmin Forerunner 265 and the Polar Vantage M3, both of which have AMOLED screens and more advanced training features. The Pace 4 Pro undercuts them by $50–$100, but it lacks some features like music storage (the Pace 3 had 4GB, the Pace 4 Pro has 8GB, but no offline music support) and a barometric altimeter (still absent).
Is It Worth Upgrading?
If you own a Pace 3, the upgrade is only worth it if you fall into one of these groups:
- You run in cities with tall buildings and your GPS tracks are often wavy—the dual-band GPS will fix that.
- You find the Pace 3’s display hard to read in bright sun or you want to see maps clearly.
- You’re a data nerd who wants the slightly better heart-rate sensor for intervals.
If you run mostly in parks, trails, or suburbs, and you’re happy with the Pace 3’s battery life, the upgrade is not necessary. The Pace 4 Pro is a better watch, but it’s not a generational leap. For new buyers, the Pace 4 Pro is the better choice if you can afford the extra $100—you get a more modern screen and better accuracy, and you won’t have to upgrade again for a few years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Pace 4 Pro have a touchscreen?
No, it uses the same five-button navigation as the Pace 3. This is a deliberate design choice for sports watches—buttons are easier to use with gloves or when sweaty, and they prevent accidental touches during workouts.
Can I use the same watch bands on the Pace 3 and Pace 4 Pro?
Yes, the lug width is the same (22mm), and the quick-release mechanism is identical. Any 22mm band that fits the Pace 3 will fit the Pace 4 Pro.
Does the Pace 4 Pro have music storage?
Yes, it has 8GB of storage, but it does not support offline music playback from Spotify or other streaming services. You can store MP3 files and play them with Bluetooth headphones, just like the Pace 3.
Is the Pace 4 Pro more accurate than the Pace 3 for heart rate?
In most conditions, the Pace 4 Pro is slightly more accurate during high-intensity intervals and strength training because of the new sensor. For steady-state runs, the difference is minimal. For medical-grade accuracy, use a chest strap with either watch.
Will the Pace 3 receive the same software updates as the Pace 4 Pro?
Yes, Coros typically pushes the same firmware to all watches in the Pace series. The Pace 3 will continue to get new features and bug fixes, but it won’t get the dual-band GPS or AMOLED display—those are hardware limitations.
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