The Vivoactive 4 from Garmin looks a lot like the Vivoactive 3 and the Forerunner 645. Around the edge of the watch is a band of silver metal that is not as shiny as chrome. It has the same Gorilla Glass 3 technology as the Fenix 6, but its screen is not sunken like the Fenix 6’s. This makes it a little bit less safe. But every bit of this kind of defense makes a watch bigger.
We used to use the Forerunner 645 Music, but now we use the Vivoactive 4. We use this watch to keep track of our runs from week to week. The Vivoactive 4 is much bigger than the Vivoactive 3. But if you want a slim watch, just buy a Vivoactive 4S. It has the same features, but its screen and battery are a bit smaller.
Specifications
- Size: 45.1 x 45.1 x 12.8 mm
- Display tech: 1.3″ MIP screen, 260px x 260 px
- On-board GPS: Yes
- Max battery life: Up to 8 days
Where to get Garmin Vivoactive 4 smartwatch?
This watch is easy to wear, but the Forerunner 645 is still a little bit better. The rubber band that comes with the Vivoactive 4 is thicker and has less “give” than the band that comes with the Forerunner. The smaller and lighter a watch is, the less likely it is that you will notice it after a few hours. We usually take the Vivoactive 4 off every day for a few hours. Only if you tie the strap really tight do you get marks on your wrist that look angry.
If you are happy to wear it all day, you don’t have to take it off except to charge it. The Vivoactive 4 can handle water up to 5ATM, which is enough to take a shower or go swimming. The Garmin Vivoactive 4 has the same specs as the Fenix 6: a 1.3-inch screen with a resolution of 260 x 260 pixels.
If you’ve never had a Garmin or similar watch before, this screen won’t look like much. These screens are transflective, which means they reflect light, making them easier to see on sunny days. This is the exact opposite of the LCD and OLED screens used in many other trackers. Instead of being “powered” by the sun, they have to make their lights brighter to compete with it.