Coros Pace 3: this sports watch isn’t a winner, but a solid finish
7-5-2024
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
The Coros Pace 3 is a good sports watch with a convincing battery life at an affordable price. However, I had to cut back on the smart functions in my test.
Smartwatch or sports watch? All-rounder or specialist? Many digital watches aren’t easy to categorise, and the boundaries between areas of use are often blurred. The Coros Pace 3 is no exception. I’d describe it as a kind of all-round sports watch. Ideal for anyone who occasionally tracks a workout but also wants to use the watch throughout the day.
Price: affordable for all
The Chinese manufacturer offers three different series. Their Pace 3 is the cheapest option, with prices ranging from around 250 to 270 francs or euros. The Vertix and Apex models are two to three times more expensive.
In comparison, the Pace 3 is quite affordable, even with the competition in this price range. I can also find an Apple Watch SE, a Garmin Venu 2 or a Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 for 200 to 300 francs, for example.
Sports watches + Smartwatches
EUR240,81
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 CH
44 mm, Aluminium, WLAN only, One size
Casing: solid, but plastic
The manufacturer’s tendency to use quite a lot of plastic can be seen in the watch. It doesn’t look cheap, but it’s not particularly high quality either. The advantage of plastic: the case and strap weigh a total of just 30 grammes, making them ultra-light and almost imperceptible on the wrist.
But Coros has saved too much on the charging connection. I’m not supplied with a charging station that magnetically holds to the watch, only a cable with a three-pin connector that plugs into the back. Fortunately, I don’t have to use it often – as I’ll explain in the section on battery life.
Source: Lorenz Keller
The woven sports strap is very comfortable to wear and matches the colour of the watch case. However, after almost two months of testing, I can already see slight discolouration on the fabric. White is a tricky colour for everyday life. Fortunately, Coros uses the standard clasp, so I can use any 22-millimetre strap, regardless of the manufacturer.
Source: Lorenz Keller
Display: a good compromise
Although the 1.2-inch screen of the Pace 3 is a colour screen, it looks paler than other smart watches. Turns out the manufacturer hasn’t installed a display with Amoled technology, but an MIP screen. MIP means Memory In Pixel. The display doesn’t constantly reload, only when new information is displayed.
In addition to the visual appearance, this also has real disadvantages. In poor light or in the dark, you have to start the backlight manually by clicking on the digital crown; otherwise the screen is barely legible or not legible at all.
Source: Lorenz Keller
Unlike its predecessor, the Pace 2, the Pace 3 has a touchscreen. However, the display always reacts to clicking or swiping with a very short delay, so I usually use the crown and the button on the side to navigate through the menus.
The screen is surprisingly easy to read in the sun. The fact that it’s almost non-reflective helps, of course. However, the biggest advantage of MIP is that the screen consumes significantly less power.
Battery: great runtime, but not with GPS
The running time is one of the smart watch’s greatest strengths. In standard mode, I charge the battery every two weeks – it still has 10 to 15 per cent remaining runtime even then. The intervals between charging cycles are so long that I almost forget that the watch has to be recharged at some point.
I wear the watch around the clock and use standard mode. This means that sleep is measured in the same way as your pulse or stress levels. I also receive all notifications on my watch and can track how the air pressure has changed and what altitude I was at.
Source: Lorenz Keller
The fact that such a long runtime is possible with the use of all sensors is really first class. However, the Pace 3 only synchronises with the app when you start it on your Android or iPhone.
What significantly reduces battery life – as with any sports watch – is recording routes with GPS. Coros now offers access to two satellite systems, GNSS in addition to GPS. Based on my experience in the test, I estimate that you lose about half a day of normal running time for one hour of tracking via satellite. So if you jog for an hour twice a week, you’ll have to charge the Pace 3 after around 12 days.
Operation: simple, but not easy
Something many users will appreciate: Coros dispenses with bells and whistles. I don’t get any daily evaluations, health parameters or tips and tricks for a better lifestyle. The data collected has to be interpreted by the user.
The app is clearly structured and simple, same goes for the menu structure on the watch. Everything is actually easy and quick to find, but navigating with the rotating crown is a bit tedious, even more so with the touchscreen.
Source: Lorenz Keller
I also think the app is too simple compared to the competition. For example, I tested a smart ring as well. I used its app much more often, because the entire evaluation of data is presented in a more attractive way and I have a quicker overview. Which style you prefer is ultimately a matter of taste.
As Coros relies on its own operating system, you’ll have to do without additional apps for the watch as well as other smart functions such as wireless payment. So turns out the Pace 3 isn't all that smart.
Tracking: accurate – or is it?
It’s normally difficult to pinpoint how accurately a sports watch measures. As I’m currently testing several watches and straps, I’m taking the opportunity to make a comparison.
The Coros Pace 3 doesn’t perform well in the first measurement. It does much better in the second – just as good as the competition. For this review, I counted more steps. Generally speaking, I have to reckon with an error rate of one to two per cent in everyday life, which is acceptable. However, there may well be outliers.
My measurements are also confirmed by reviewers such as DC Rainmaker, who’ve dealt much more intensively with training tracking. Their review and comments attest to the good accuracy of the Pace 3.
Source: Lorenz Keller
In a nutshell
Strong battery life, solid overall package
The Coros Pace 3 beats the competition in terms of battery life. Otherwise, the smart sports watch is a faithful companion through everyday life. Functional and solid, but not really exciting or special.
The lightweight, inexpensive, but not particularly high-quality watch is suitable for anyone who doesn’t want bells and whistles, just looking for a tracker for occasional sports and everyday health.
Pro
- battery life up to two weeks
- display easy to read even in the sun
- lightweight housing
- fair price
- no frills
Contra
- sluggish touchscreen
- app and data evaluation visually modest
- lots of plastic used
Header image: Lorenz Keller
Lorenz Keller
Senior Editor
Lorenz.Keller@digitecgalaxus.chGadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.