After years of relying on memory-in-pixel displays, Coros has finally embraced the AMOLED revolution with the Pace Pro. Priced at £349, this smartwatch represents a significant departure from the brand's traditionally budget-focused approach, bringing it into direct competition with established players like the Garmin Forerunner 265 and Suunto Race S. I've been testing the Coros Pace Pro for several weeks to determine whether this first-generation AMOLED effort can justify its premium pricing and challenge the established order in the mid-range GPS watch market.
Design and Build Quality
The Coros Pace Pro maintains the brand's commitment to lightweight construction, though it's noticeably larger than its predecessor. The case has grown from 42mm to 46mm, yet the watch remains remarkably comfortable for extended wear. I found the all-plastic construction to be a bit of a mixed bag – whilst it keeps the weight down to just 49g with the silicone strap (or an incredibly light 37g with the optional nylon band), it doesn't feel quite as premium as the titanium offerings from Suunto or the more refined materials used by Garmin.
The button layout has been improved significantly from the Pace 3, with larger, more tactile controls that are much easier to operate during activities. I particularly appreciated this during cold morning runs when finger dexterity was compromised. The mineral glass display, whilst not as scratch-resistant as sapphire alternatives, held up well during my testing period, though I did notice it's more prone to marks than premium alternatives.
One notable change is the charging system. Coros has ditched the proprietary charging cable in favour of a keyring adapter that works with any USB-C cable. This environmentally conscious approach is commendable, though the adapter isn't compatible with older Coros watches due to a deeper charging port design.
Display: Finally, a Proper Screen
The 1.3-inch AMOLED display is undoubtedly the star of the show. With 1,500 nits of brightness and a resolution of 416x416 pixels, it's a dramatic improvement over the basic MIP displays Coros has used previously. I found the screen easily readable in bright sunlight and pleasantly vibrant indoors. The always-on display mode works well, dimming when not in use but remaining clearly visible.
During my testing, I appreciated how the improved display made navigation significantly more intuitive. The colour topographical maps are genuinely useful, though they lack some of the advanced routing features found on Garmin devices. The touch interface is responsive, though I still found myself preferring the physical buttons for most interactions, particularly during activities.
The gesture-based activation worked reliably throughout my testing, though I did notice occasional delays in bright sunlight. Battery life with the always-on display enabled drops to about six days, compared to 20 days with gesture-only activation – a reasonable trade-off for the improved usability.
Performance and GPS Accuracy
The new Ambiq Apollo510 processor delivers noticeably improved performance compared to the Pace 3. Map zooming is snappy, and menu navigation feels more responsive. I found this particularly beneficial when reviewing routes mid-activity or making quick adjustments to settings.
GPS accuracy has been a traditional strength for Coros, and the Pace Pro continues this trend. During my testing across various environments – from urban canyon runs through London to open countryside routes – I found tracking to be consistently accurate. The dual-frequency GPS performed well, with tracks closely matching my actual routes. Compared to the Garmin Instinct 3 I tested recently, the Coros held its own admirably.
Heart rate monitoring showed mixed results. For steady-state activities like long runs, I found the optical sensor to be reasonably accurate when compared to a chest strap. However, during high-intensity interval training or cycling, there were noticeable discrepancies. This isn't unique to Coros – most wrist-based heart rate monitors struggle with rapid changes – but it's worth noting for serious athletes who rely on precise heart rate data.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery performance remains a Coros strength, though the AMOLED display does impact longevity compared to previous generations. I achieved approximately 38 hours of GPS tracking in all-systems mode, which aligns closely with Coros's claims. For daily smartwatch use, the Pace Pro comfortably lasted 20 days with gesture-activated display, dropping to six days with always-on enabled.
During my testing, I found the battery life more than adequate for weekend adventures and week-long training blocks. The fast charging capability means the watch reaches full charge in approximately two hours, making it easy to top up between longer activities. This compares favourably to many AMOLED competitors that struggle to achieve half the GPS battery life.
Sports and Training Features
The Pace Pro includes comprehensive sport profiles covering running, cycling, swimming, and various other activities. I found the interface intuitive, though it lacks some of the depth found in Garmin's ecosystem. The training metrics are solid, providing useful insights into training load, recovery, and performance trends.
Navigation capabilities have improved significantly with the addition of full-colour topographical maps. Turn-by-turn navigation worked reliably during my testing, though route planning must be done through the smartphone app rather than on the watch itself. The offline maps provide good coverage, though they lack some of the advanced features like ClimbPro found on higher-end Garmin devices.
Swimming performance was solid, with accurate lap counting in the pool and open water GPS tracking that matched my expectations. The 5ATM water resistance rating proved adequate for regular swimming sessions, though serious swimmers might prefer the deeper water resistance of premium alternatives.
Smart Features and Connectivity
This is where the Pace Pro shows its limitations compared to established competitors. Basic smartwatch features like notifications work adequately, displaying texts and calls clearly on the improved screen. However, there's no support for contactless payments, limited music storage without streaming service integration, and minimal third-party app support.
The music functionality is particularly basic – you can drag and drop files to the 32GB of storage, but there's no Spotify or Apple Music integration. This feels dated compared to what Garmin offers and may disappoint users coming from more feature-rich smartwatches. Sleep tracking and health monitoring features work well, providing useful insights without being overwhelming.
Value and Competition
At £349, the Pace Pro sits in a competitive segment. The Garmin Forerunner 265 offers superior smart features and ecosystem integration, whilst the Suunto Race S provides better build quality at a similar price point. The Withings ScanWatch Light offers a different approach entirely, focusing on health monitoring over sports performance.
What the Coros Pace Pro offers is exceptional battery life, accurate GPS tracking, and genuine lightness. For runners and cyclists who prioritise these aspects over smart features, it represents good value. However, the premium pricing makes it a harder sell for newcomers to the Coros ecosystem who might be better served by the excellent value Pace 3.
Verdict
The Coros Pace Pro represents a significant step forward for the brand, finally delivering the AMOLED display and modern features that users have been requesting. I found it to be an excellent sports watch that excels in the areas that matter most for serious athletes: accurate tracking, exceptional battery life, and comfortable all-day wear.
However, the increased pricing brings it into direct competition with more established players who offer superior ecosystems and smart features. The Pace Pro is best suited to existing Coros users looking to upgrade, or athletes who prioritise sports performance over smartwatch functionality. For those seeking a more comprehensive smartwatch experience, alternatives from Garmin or Suunto might prove more satisfying.
Despite these limitations, the Pace Pro shows that Coros is maturing as a brand and taking the right steps towards broader market appeal. It's a solid foundation for future developments and represents the best sports watch Coros has produced to date.