Coros Unveils Apex 4 Smartwatch with Extended Battery Life Today

UPDATE: The highly anticipated Coros Apex 4 smartwatch has officially launched today, boasting impressive battery life that rivals top competitors. Available in 42mm and 46mm sizes for $429 and $479 respectively, this smartwatch is designed for athletes seeking durability and advanced features.

The Apex 4 offers a remarkable GPS tracking battery life of 41 to 65 hours, depending on settings, making it a standout choice for outdoor enthusiasts. Initial tests reveal that users may only need to charge it once every few weeks under typical usage. This is crucial for athletes who rely on their devices during extensive activities like trail running and skiing.

Recently, I tested the 46mm Apex 4 during various outdoor activities including salmon fishing in the Puget Sound and hiking around Mount Rainier. The watch impressed with enhanced mapping capabilities, including quicker zooming and detailed turn-by-turn navigation, which are essential for athletes venturing off the beaten path.

The Apex 4 is equipped with a speaker and microphone, enabling hands-free calls and the capability to record voice notes pinned to specific locations. These features are particularly useful for skiers who can track their routes and call out hazards or points of interest in real-time.

Additionally, the new Adventure Journal feature allows users to sync photos and videos with navigation tracks, creating a multimedia record of their adventures. Voice-to-text transcription is also available through the smartphone app, making it easier to recall details from your excursions without replaying voice notes.

In terms of design, the Apex 4 is lightweight, weighing just 64 grams with a silicone band and 52 grams with a nylon band. Its durable materials, including a titanium bezel and sapphire glass, ensure it withstands rugged conditions while looking sleek.

However, some users may find the absence of third-party app support and a lower resolution display a drawback. Still, this smartwatch is tailored for outdoor activities, with features like topographic maps for skiing and the ability to automatically detect downhill laps.

The inclusion of a USB-C keychain charging adapter is a welcome addition, allowing users to charge their watch easily without carrying multiple cables. This is especially beneficial for those on business trips or vacations, where charging options may be limited.

Despite its strengths, the Apex 4 still lacks certain features that may keep some users tied to other brands, such as Garmin. Users have expressed a desire for additional features like a built-in LED flashlight and subscription music support, which are currently missing from the Coros lineup.

As the outdoor sports community eagerly embraces the Apex 4, its competitive pricing and robust functionality position it as a formidable contender in the smartwatch market. With its launch today, the Coros Apex 4 is set to attract attention from athletes and tech enthusiasts alike.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to assess the real-world performance of the Coros Apex 4 and its impact on the smartwatch landscape.