Garmin Vivosmart 5 vs Garmin Vivosmart 4: Should You Upgrade?
By Linus T.
Updated May 2023
The Garmin vivosmart 5 & Garmin vivosmart 4 may look rather similar to each other on the outside but there are some fair differences between them.
In this review, we compare the Garmin vivosmart 5 vs Garmin vivosmart 4. We evaluate them based on price, design, features, and performance to determine which fitness tracker is best for you.
On our list
#1 Price
#2 Design & Display
#3 Health & Fitness
#4 Smartwatch Functions
#5 Battery & Power
Garmin Vivosmart 5
Fitness Activity Tracker
A comfortable device that’s with you every step of the way.
Garmin Vivosmart 4
Track Your Wellness and Fitness Activity with Style
A slim, smart activity tracker that blends fashionable design with stylish metal accents and a bright, easy-to-read display.
#1 Price
Garmin Vivosmart 5 vs Garmin Vivosmart 4
When it comes to pricing, the Garmin vivosmart 5 ends up on the higher mark with it being the newer model.
The Garmin vivosmart 5 has a retail price of US$149. The Garmin vivosmart 4 is priced at US$129, but it can usually be purchased for less than US$100 during promotional periods.
#2 Design & Display
Garmin Vivosmart 5 vs Garmin Vivosmart 4
The Garmin vivosmart 5 is an upgrade of the vivosmart 4 that boasts of several improvements. One of the most noticeable differences is the larger display. The vivosmart 5's display measures 10.5mm wide, which is significantly larger than the vivosmart 4's display that only measures 6.6mm. The larger display means that touchscreen operation is now easier than ever, and the data is also easier to read. The vivosmart 5's display also has a higher resolution of 154 x 88 pixels compared to the vivosmart 4's 128 x 48 pixels. This improvement provides users with a more seamless experience when using the device.
Even with the larger display, the vivosmart 5 is still small and lightweight, measuring only 19.5mm wide and weighing 26.5g. This makes it comfortable to wear for extended periods without causing any discomfort. For comparison, the vivosmart 4 measures 15mm and weighs 17.1g. Additionally, the Garmin vivosmart 5 conveniently allows you to swap your watch bands while this is not possible with the Garmin vivosmart 4.
#3 Health & Fitness
Garmin Vivosmart 5 vs Garmin Vivosmart 4
Both the Garmin vivosmart 5 and Garmin vivosmart 4 are equipped with heart rate, pulse ox blood oxygen saturation, accelerometer, and ambient light sensors. With the basic sensors in place, both trackers are able to monitor things like your heart rate, stress, sleep and more. All these are important metrics to give you a better understanding of your body and overall picture of health.
The Garmin vivosmart 5 stands out with its extra features for respiration tracking and more detailed sleep monitoring. With respiration tracking, you can monitor your breathing throughout the day, during sleep, and during breathwork and yoga activities. Additionally, the sleep tracking feature provides a quality score for your sleep and insights on how to improve through the Garmin Connect app.
One downside of the Garmin vivosmart 5 is the absence of a barometric altimeter sensor, which means it cannot count the number of floors climbed. However, it makes up for this by offering additional activity profiles, such as HIIT and Pilates.
#4 Smartwatch Functions
Garmin Vivosmart 5 vs Garmin Vivosmart 4
Both the Garmin vivosmart 5 and Garmin vivosmart 4 help you stay connected with smart notifications. You can receive emails, texts, and alerts directly on your watch when paired with your smartphone, and even respond to texts if you have an Android™ smartphone.
The Garmin vivosmart 5 does get a couple more new features. You can now sync it with Garmin Connect to view all your health and fitness information in one place. Additionally, it includes safety and tracking features such as incident detection (during select outdoor activities) and assistance, which sends messages and live location information to emergency contacts.
#5 Battery & Power
Garmin Vivosmart 5 vs Garmin Vivosmart 4
When it comes to battery life, both the Garmin vivosmart 5 and Garmin vivosmart 4 can last up to 7 days, which is quite impressive. But it's important to keep in mind that battery life can vary depending on usage. For example, if you're using your fitness tracker to track your workouts every day, you may need to charge it more frequently. On the other hand, if you're only using it for regular smartwatch features like receiving notifications and checking the time, it's likely to last longer between charges.
Compare Garmin Vivosmart 5 vs Garmin Vivosmart 4
Final Thoughts
Garmin Vivosmart 5 vs Garmin Vivosmart 4
The Garmin vivosmart range is a highly capable device that offers a great deal of functionality for its price point.
When it comes to deciding between the two models, the notable upgrades in the Garmin vivosmart 5 is the larger display, additional health and fitness tracking capabilities, and more day-to-day smartwatch functions.
If you currently own a vivosmart 4 that is still working well, upgrading may not be necessary. However, if you are in the market for a new fitness tracker, the Garmin vivosmart 5 is worth the investment in the long run.
If you like to read more on Garmin smartwatches, check out our other relevant guides here:
Garmin Venu 2 vs Garmin Forerunner 255
Garmin Venu Sq 2 vs Garmin Venu Sq
Garmin Forerunner 255 vs Garmin Forerunner 745
Explore the full collection for Garmin on Amazon.com or visit the Official Garmin Singapore Store.
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