Garmin Vivoactive 4 vs Vivoactive 5: Which must you purchase?

The ageing Garmin Vivoactive 4 lastly obtained a successor in September of 2023, although it’s a reasonably completely different watch this time round. The Vivoactive 5 borrows extra from the Venu 3 household than it does its predecessor. Is the most recent Vivoactive value selecting up? That’s what we goal to reply on this Garmin Vivoactive 4 vs Vivoactive 5 comparability.

Editor’s observe: This assessment was initially revealed on September 28, 2023. Since then it has been up to date to replicate worth modifications, extra hands-on assessment particulars, and extra. The final replace was on February 6, 2025.

The Vivoactive 5 seems to be rather a lot like a cross between its predecessor and the Venu 3 sequence. It borrows the two-side button structure of the Vivoactive 4, however its precise chassis has extra in widespread with the Venu. By way of dimension, the Vivoactive 5 suits proper in between the Vivoactive 4 and 4S with its 20mm band and a physique dimension of 42.2 x 42.2 x 11.1mm. For these questioning, there is no such thing as a Vivoactive 5S; Garmin has opted for only a one-size-fits-all method for its.

One factor you’ll discover immediately is the Vivoactive 5 is significantly lighter than earlier Garmin watches within the sequence at simply 36g. The Vivoactive 4S weighed 40g regardless of being smaller, and the Vivoactive 4 was a a lot weightier 50.5g.

There are additionally a whole lot of new options discovered inside the most recent Vivoactive. That is most obvious when wanting on the show. Gone is the memory-in-pixel (MIP) display, changed by a stunning AMOLED that we really feel is way more vibrant and simpler to see in all lighting situations, as famous in our assessment.

The Vivoactive 4 sequence does have one benefit over the newest mannequin: the stainless-steel entrance. The Vivoactive 5 opts for a less expensive and lighter aluminum bezel and polymer casing. This materials change makes it really feel rather less premium, nevertheless it’s additionally going to be way more snug in your wrist. We additionally need to say that it nonetheless seems to be nice and its smaller footprint, improved show, and design tweaks give it a way more fashionable look total.

Chrome steel could maintain up a bit higher to dings and scratches, however at the very least the Vivoactive 5 retains the identical 5ATM water resistance and Gorilla Glass 3 on the entrance of its show.

A four-year hole is a very long time within the smartwatch world, so it’s no shock the Vivoactive 5 has improved sensors. Whereas the Vivoactive 4 has a whole lot of the identical options on paper, newer sensors and improved software program make the Vivoactive 5 a a lot better expertise.

You’ll nonetheless get Pulse Ox readings, a coronary heart price monitor, and all the opposite goodies like sleep monitoring on the Vivoactive 4. They’re only a lot higher on the Vivoactive 5. There are a number of enhancements to the Sleep Coach, Physique Battery, health monitoring, and exercise monitoring. In fact, some options like stress and menstrual monitoring aren’t all that completely different.

For individuals who care about coronary heart price monitoring, remember the Gen 4 Elevate coronary heart price sensor is a leap ahead from the Gen 3 sensor on the older watches. You’ll discover a significant enchancment in accuracy in consequence, although the Gen 5 sensor within the Venu 3 household is even higher if this can be a function that actually issues to you.

The remainder of the core options are all fairly related together with notification assist, Discover My Cellphone, climate, music controls, and Garmin Pay. Android customers do have one perk that isn’t obtainable on the Vivoactive 4 household. Now you can ship responses to messages straight out of your watch’s keyboard with out having to carry out your smartphone.

Whereas this isn’t a lot a function, it’s necessary to notice that the Vivoactive 5 has an improved processor and subsequently is way quicker when navigating menus and performing different duties.

The Garmin Vivoactive 4 initially arrived for $349.99 and whereas it was initially nonetheless bought on the Vivoactive 5’s launch, the watch has since been discontinued. In fact, it’s nonetheless doable to search out it new on-line. For instance, Amazon gives it for round $250. The Vivoactive 4S ($349 at Amazon) will also be bought on-line for a similar worth.

The brand new Vivoactive 5 is definitely $50 cheaper than the Vivoactive 4 sequence retailed at, largely on account of its cheaper building supplies we’d wager. There are a number of completely different colour selections to select from. There’s a mannequin that comes with a Slate bezel with a Black case, a Metallic Orchid bezel and case, a Cream Gold bezel with an Ivory case, or a mannequin with a Metallic Navy case and bezel.

You may definitely nonetheless purchase a Vivoactive 4, however must you? Truthfully, until you completely are hooked up to stainless-steel, no. Even then, we’d argue you’d be higher off spending a bit extra to get the Venu 3 ($449.99 at Amazon) as an alternative. It includes a related building however expands on the Vivoactive 5’s function set, including key coaching instruments like HRV standing, Restoration, and automated nap detection. The Vivoactive 5 is a significant improve in each manner aside from construct supplies. In the event you’re a fan of the Vivoactive sequence we’d completely get the newest mannequin, and in the event you’ve been holding off to improve, now is a superb time.