Choosing the right smartwatch can feel like a marathon. If you’re eyeing Garmin’s popular vivoactive line, you’ve likely encountered the vivoactive 4S and its predecessor, the vivoactive 3. Both offer a fantastic blend of fitness tracking, smart features, and stylish design, making the decision a tough one.
The vivoactive 4S, a more recent iteration, brings refinements and new capabilities to the table. However, the vivoactive 3 remains a compelling option, especially for those seeking great value. This comparison dives deep to help you understand the key differences and decide which Garmin smartwatch best fits your active lifestyle and budget.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | garmin vivoactive 4s | 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 1.1-inch | 1.2-inch |
| Display Type | Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) | Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) |
| Water Rating | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitoring | Yes (Wrist-based) | Yes (Wrist-based) |
| Pulse Ox Sensor | Yes | No |
| Body Battery Energy Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Music Storage | Yes | No |
| Garmin Pay | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Activity Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes | Yes |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Display and Design
- Garmin Vivoactive 4s: Features a 1.1-inch AMOLED display with a higher resolution (218 x 218 pixels), offering vibrant colors and excellent visibility. The design is sleeker and more compact than its predecessor, making it ideal for smaller wrists.
- 3: Utilizes a 1.2-inch transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) display (205 x 205 pixels). While less vibrant, it’s excellent for outdoor visibility and battery efficiency. The design is slightly larger.
- Winner: garmin vivoactive 4s
Health and Wellness Tracking
- Garmin Vivoactive 4s: Includes advanced features like Pulse Ox (blood oxygen saturation) monitoring, advanced sleep tracking with sleep scores, respiration tracking, and Body Battery energy monitoring. It offers a more holistic view of your well-being.
- 3: Offers robust health tracking including heart rate monitoring, all-day stress tracking, and sleep tracking. While comprehensive, it lacks the advanced Pulse Ox and detailed sleep insights of the 4s.
- Winner: garmin vivoactive 4s
GPS and Sports Features
- Garmin Vivoactive 4s: Comes with built-in GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite systems for accurate tracking. It boasts over 20 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps, including new ones like HIIT profiles and Pilates.
- 3: Also features built-in GPS and supports a wide range of sports profiles. It’s a capable tracker for most activities but doesn’t have the newer, specialized profiles found on the 4s.
- Winner: garmin vivoactive 4s
Music and Smart Features
- Garmin Vivoactive 4s: Allows for on-device music storage (up to 500 songs) and streaming from services like Spotify and Deezer. It also supports Garmin Pay for contactless payments and offers smart notifications.
- 3: Does not have on-device music storage or support for music streaming apps. It does offer smart notifications and Garmin Pay.
- Winner: garmin vivoactive 4s
Battery Life
- Garmin Vivoactive 4s: Offers up to 7 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 5 hours in GPS mode with music. The AMOLED display can impact battery when always-on.
- 3: Boasts a longer battery life of up to 7 days in smartwatch mode and up to 13 hours in GPS mode. The MIP display contributes to its superior battery performance for GPS-heavy use.
- Winner: 3
On-Screen Workouts
- Garmin Vivoactive 4s: Features animated, on-screen workouts for strength training, cardio, yoga, and Pilates, providing visual guidance directly on the watch. This is a significant upgrade for guided exercise.
- 3: Does not offer animated on-screen workouts. Users typically rely on the Garmin Connect app for workout guidance.
- Winner: garmin vivoactive 4s
Build Quality and Water Resistance
- Garmin Vivoactive 4s: Constructed with a stainless steel bezel and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens. It has a 5 ATM water rating, suitable for swimming and showering.
- 3: Also features a stainless steel bezel and a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens, with the same 5 ATM water rating. Both are durable for everyday wear and water activities.
- Winner: Tie
Connectivity and Sensors
- Garmin Vivoactive 4s: Includes GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate sensor, Pulse Ox sensor, barometric altimeter, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, and thermometer.
- 3: Features GPS, GLONASS, Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate sensor, accelerometer, and compass. It lacks the Pulse Ox sensor and barometric altimeter found on the 4s.
- Winner: garmin vivoactive 4s
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Music Storage | garmin vivoactive 4s |
| Health Monitoring | garmin vivoactive 4s |
| Display Size | 3 |
| Value | 3 |
| Overall Features | garmin vivoactive 4s |
What They Have in Common
- Display Technology: Both smartwatches feature transflective MIP displays that are designed to be easily visible in direct sunlight and are always-on, conserving battery life.
- Water Resistance: Both devices boast a 5 ATM water rating, making them suitable for swimming, showering, and general wear in wet conditions without worry.
- Built-in Gps: Each smartwatch includes integrated GPS, allowing for accurate tracking of outdoor activities like running, cycling, and hiking without the need to carry a separate device.
- Wrist-Based Heart Rate Monitoring: Both models are equipped with Garmin’s advanced wrist-based heart rate sensor, providing continuous heart rate data for workouts and daily monitoring.
- Activity and Sleep Tracking: Users can expect comprehensive activity tracking, including steps, calories burned, distance, and intensity minutes, along with detailed sleep stage analysis.
- Garmin Pay: Both the vivoactive 4s and the vivoactive 3 offer Garmin Pay functionality, enabling contactless payments directly from the wrist.
- Smart Notifications: Stay connected with smart notifications for calls, texts, emails, and app alerts, which are displayed directly on the watch face.
Garmin Vivoactive 4S Vs 3 Buying Guide
Target User and Lifestyle
The Garmin Vivoactive 4S is ideal for individuals seeking a smaller, more stylish smartwatch with advanced health tracking features. Its compact design makes it a great fit for those with slimmer wrists or who prefer a less obtrusive wearable. The Vivoactive 3, while still capable, is a larger device and might be better suited for users who don’t mind a more substantial watch on their wrist and prioritize a slightly more budget-friendly option.
Feature Priorities
If advanced safety features like incident detection and assistance are paramount, the Vivoactive 4S takes the lead. It also offers more on-watch music storage and a wider variety of preloaded sports apps. For users who primarily need solid GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and basic smartwatch functionalities without the latest bells and whistles, the Vivoactive 3 remains a competent choice. Consider your daily activities and what smartwatch functions you’ll actually use. (See Also: Chrysler 300 Vs Dodge Charger )
Budget Considerations
The Vivoactive 3, being an older model, generally comes at a more accessible price point. This makes it an excellent option for those on a tighter budget who still want a reliable Garmin smartwatch experience. The Vivoactive 4S, with its newer features and updated design, will typically command a higher price. Your budget will likely be a significant deciding factor between these two devices, especially if you’re looking for the best value for your money.
Design and Comfort
The Vivoactive 4S boasts a smaller 40mm case size, making it noticeably more discreet and comfortable for many users, particularly women or those with smaller wrists. Its design is sleek and modern. The Vivoactive 3, with its 43mm case, is larger and may feel more substantial. Both offer comfortable silicone straps, but the overall feel and aesthetic lean towards the Vivoactive 4S for a more contemporary and less bulky wear.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy garmin vivoactive 4s If…
- You want to store and play music directly from your watch without your phone.
- You desire advanced health monitoring features like the Pulse Ox sensor.
- You prefer a slightly smaller watch case size for a more discreet fit.
- You want access to the latest generation of Garmin’s software features and improvements.
Buy 3 If…
- You are looking for a capable all-around smartwatch with core fitness tracking features.
- You don’t need onboard music storage or the Pulse Ox sensor.
- You want a slightly larger display for easier readability.
- You are seeking a more budget-friendly option from Garmin’s vivoactive line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key differences in health tracking?
The Vivoactive 4S significantly enhances health tracking with features like Body Battery energy monitoring, Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation tracking, and advanced sleep monitoring. It also includes menstrual cycle tracking. While the Vivoactive 3 offers solid heart rate monitoring and basic sleep tracking, it lacks these more in-depth wellness insights that the Vivoactive 4S provides for a holistic view of your health. (See Also: Brooklinen Sateen Vs Percale )
Is the music storage significantly different?
Yes, the Vivoactive 4S offers substantially more on-watch music storage, allowing you to download playlists from services like Spotify and Deezer directly to your watch for phone-free listening. The Vivoactive 3 does not have this capability for on-watch music playback; you’ll need to keep your phone with you for any music streaming or playback control.
Which has better GPS accuracy?
Both the Vivoactive 4S and the Vivoactive 3 utilize GPS for tracking outdoor activities. While both offer reliable GPS performance for general use, the Vivoactive 4S might benefit from slightly more refined GPS algorithms due to its newer generation hardware. For most casual users, the difference in GPS accuracy will be negligible, but serious athletes might appreciate any minor improvements in the newer model.
Are there differences in sports profiles?
The Vivoactive 4S comes with a more extensive library of preloaded sports profiles, including new ones like yoga, Pilates, and HIIT workouts, alongside the traditional running, cycling, and swimming profiles. The Vivoactive 3 has a good selection of sports apps, but the Vivoactive 4S offers a broader range to cater to a wider variety of fitness activities right out of the box. (See Also: Pink Moissanite Vs Morganite )
Which model is better for safety features?
The Vivoactive 4S introduces enhanced safety and tracking features, including incident detection during select activities and assistance features that can send your real-time location to emergency contacts. While the Vivoactive 3 has some basic safety features, the Vivoactive 4S offers more advanced and comprehensive options for peace of mind during your workouts and daily life.
Final Verdict
The Garmin Vivoactive 4S is the superior smartwatch, offering a more compact and stylish design, advanced health monitoring features like Pulse Ox and Body Battery, greater on-watch music storage, and enhanced safety functionalities. While the Vivoactive 3 remains a capable fitness tracker, the Vivoactive 4S represents a significant upgrade in user experience and feature set for those seeking the latest in Garmin’s mid-range smartwatch technology. It’s the clear choice for most users.
Winner: Garmin Vivoactive 4S