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  1. Watch
  2. Coros Apex 4 vs Garmin Instinct 3

Coros Apex 4 vs Garmin Instinct 3

Coros Apex 4

Coros Apex 4

€449
Garmin Instinct 3

Garmin Instinct 3

€399.99

Quick verdict

Coros Apex 4

€449

The better pick if you want:

  • Longer battery (24 vs 18 days)
  • More storage (32 vs 4 GB)
  • Built-in maps

Garmin Instinct 3

€399.99

The better pick if you want:

  • To spend $79.01 less
SpecsReview10Alternatives5

Spec profile

Each axis ranks against the 34 products in Watch on the site: the further out, the more it stands out in that spec (lighter, cheaper…).

Center: lowest in the category · Edge: highest

Coros Apex 4· leads in 2

GPS batteryFeatures

Garmin Instinct 3· leads in 3

Water resistanceLightnessAffordability

Tied

Smartwatch battery
  • GPS battery

    53 hTop 22%
    32 h
  • Smartwatch battery

    24 daysTop 32%
    24 daysTop 32%
  • Features

    11Top 46%
    8
  • Water resistance

    5 ATM
    10 ATMTop 24%
  • Lightness

    64 g
    53 gTop 34%
  • Affordability

    $479Top 43%
    $400Top 35%

Technical Specifications

Compare features between Coros Apex 4 vs Garmin Instinct 3

Best value in this comparison
Feature
Coros Apex 4€449Garmin Instinct 3€399.99

Essentials

€449
€399.99
October 2025
January 2025

Battery

Up to 24 days (46 mm) / 15 days (42 mm)
Up to 18–24 days
—
Up to 32 hours
Up to 53 hours (46 mm) / 34 hours (42 mm)
Up to 25 hours

Display

3rd-generation Memory-in-Pixel (MIP) touchscreen
AMOLED
1.3" (46 mm) / 1.2" (42 mm)
1.2"–1.3" (30–33 mm)
260 x 260 (46 mm) / 240 x 240 pixels (42 mm)
390 x 390 / 416 x 416 pixels
Yes
No
Yes
Yes

Build & durability

Fiber-reinforced polymer
Fiber‑reinforced polymer and aluminum
Grade 5 titanium alloy
Fiber-reinforced polymer / aluminum
Sapphire glass
Chemically strengthened glass
5 ATM
10 ATM (100 m)

Features

—
~1000 nits
32 GB
4–8 GB
Multi-band GNSS, Offline maps, Turn-by-turn directions, Route & back-to-start navigation, Barometric altimeter, Compass, Blood oxygen (SpO2), ECG, Touchscreen, LED flashlight, Microphone / voice
Multi-band GNSS, Route & back-to-start navigation, Barometric altimeter, Compass, Blood oxygen (SpO2), AMOLED display, Contactless payments, LED flashlight
Ready to buy?
Coros Apex 4

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Garmin Instinct 3

Have you used the Garmin Instinct 3 before?

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Video Reviews

Watch real-world YouTube reviews from content creators and the Trail Running community.

See all 10 video reviews

Coros Apex 4

Garmin Instinct 3

Visual Comparison

See the differences between Coros Apex 4 and Garmin Instinct 3 in a side-by-side slider comparison.

Coros Apex 4
Garmin Instinct 3

Comparison Questions

Answers based on product data and key differences.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which offers better value: Coros Apex 4 vs Garmin Instinct 3?

For value comparison: The Coros Apex 4 ($479) provides premium features compared to the Garmin Instinct 3 ($399.99). Consider your budget and the specific features that matter most for your trail running setup.

Which is newer, the Coros Apex 4 or the Garmin Instinct 3?

The Coros Apex 4 is newer: it came out in October 2025, and the Garmin Instinct 3 in January 2025.

Looking for alternatives to Coros Apex 4?

Closest in price, with what each one does better.

See all alternatives
1Polar Grit X2
Polar Grit X2

Polar

$479.9+$0.90Score 51−25
Compare with Coros Apex 4
2Suunto Race 2
Suunto Race 2

Suunto

$499+$20Score 75−1
Compare with Coros Apex 4
3Suunto Race 3S
Suunto Race 3S

Suunto

$499+$20Score 58−18
Compare with Coros Apex 4

Popular Comparisons

Compare Coros Apex 4 or Garmin Instinct 3 with other top trail running watch from brands such as Coros, Garmin and more.

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Garmin Forerunner 970
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Garmin Forerunner 170
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Coros Apex 4
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VS
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4 – 2

Suunto Race 2

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