Pros
Convenient two-button navigation
Touch screen is easier to use than button-only interfaces
Accurate and comprehensive fitness features
Excellent battery life up to a week
Music capability for workouts
Good display visibility in daylight
Transreflective display better for battery life
Great variety of fitness apps and customization options
Garmin Connect app is feature-rich
Ability to receive smartphone notifications
Suitable for various fitness activities (running, golf, water sports)
Comfortable and lightweight design
Always-on display
Cons
Sleep tracking is not very accurate
Occasional GPS lock issues
Plastic build feels less premium
Main Product Advantages
10 Fitness Features
The Garmin Vivoactive 4S offers comprehensive fitness tracking capabilities, including running, golfing, canoe paddling, and more. It accurately tracks and collects detailed fitness data, making it highly beneficial for athletes and casual fitness enthusiasts. It even includes fitness motivators and metrics for daily use.
9 Battery Life
The battery life is excellent, lasting up to a full week on a single charge, even with the always-on display feature. This longevity is a significant advantage over competitors with shorter battery sustainability. Charges quickly as well.
8 Design and Build
This watch has a sleek design with a smaller case (40mm) and two-button interface, providing ease of navigation and a stylish look. However, the plastic build, other than the bezel, doesn't exude a premium feel.
8 Touchscreen
The touchscreen is responsive and user-friendly, especially useful in professional settings. It avoids accidental touches effectively and offers a significant advantage in navigation over button-only interfaces.
7 Smartwatch Capabilities
Provides basic smartwatch functions like phone notifications, reading texts, and previewing emails. Does not fully integrate advanced features like voice assistance or phone calls, but adequately fulfills essential needs.
7 Music Capabilities
Enable music playback directly from the watch using services like Spotify or Amazon Music, which is handy for workouts. However, syncing music can be cumbersome and problematic for some users.
7 Display
The transreflective display is practical for outdoor use and has excellent daylight readability. However, it can seem less vibrant compared to AMOLED screens, particularly in low-light situations.
6 GPS Accuracy
The GPS is generally reliable but can experience delays in locking positions or issues when moving between locations. Some inconsistencies may appear when transitioning between indoor and outdoor activities.
6 User Interface and App
While the interface is smooth and customizable, it can be confusing for new users transitioning from other platforms. The Connect IQ store has useful but poorly organized apps, and the overall interface can seem less intuitive than competitors.
5 Sleep Tracking
Sleep tracking is reported to lag in accuracy and features compared to competitors like Fitbit and Polar. It does not provide detailed sleep stages or include naps in the daily sleep metrics.
Garmin Vivoactive 4S Overview
Tune in to your body, and tone up with the 40 mm Vivoactive 4S GPS smartwatch. This device boasts comprehensive health monitoring features, including music storage and on-screen animated workouts. It is designed to help you reach your fitness goals efficiently.
Health Monitoring Features
With the Garmin Vivoactive 4S, you can enjoy the broadest available range of all-day health monitoring features. These include body energy monitoring and Pulse Ox sensors, providing valuable insights into your well-being.
Music Storage
The smartwatch features ample music storage, allowing you to download your favorite Spotify or Deezer playlists directly onto the watch. Note that some services may require a premium subscription with the third-party music provider.
Animated Workouts
One of the standout features of the Vivoactive 4S is the on-screen animated workouts. These workouts guide you through exercises, making it easier to follow and complete your fitness routines.
Design
The design of the Vivoactive 4S stands out with its rose gold finish and white band, giving it a sophisticated and stylish appearance. The smaller 40 mm size makes it a perfect fit for those with smaller wrists.
Conclusion
The Garmin Vivoactive 4S is a well-rounded GPS smartwatch that excels in health monitoring and fitness features. Its music storage and animated workouts make it highly versatile, while the stylish design ensures it looks great on any wrist. Overall, it is an excellent choice for anyone looking to improve their fitness and overall health.