An In-Depth Review of the Handy Coros APEX Pro

Have you ever gone hiking outside and wished you had a smart tool that can help you navigate your way? Or have you ever gone through a full workout session and realized that you want to know your physical stats in real-time? Well, these are only some of the reasons why we now have smartwatches like the Coros APEX Pro. This handy sports smartwatch was designed with athletes in mind so that they would be able to go through rugged environments as conveniently and easily as possible. With that in mind, let us delve a little deeper into the details of the reliable Coros APEX Pro and everything it has to offer. 

Overview of the Coros APEX Pro 

The Coros APEX Pro was originally released back in September 2019. This sports watch made quite an impact on both patrons of the brand and the general public because it was equipped with all sorts of impressive features that allowed it to stand out even amongst a veritable crowd of smartwatches in the horology industry. In fact, just a month after it was officially introduced to the world, the Coros APEX Pro became the recipient of the Best in Gear award by BelieveInTheRun running blog. This just shows that there is far more to the Coros APEX Pro than meets the eye.

In-Depth Look at the Coros APEX Pro

First things first, the Coros APEX Pro is actually an improved version of the Coros APEX, which was launched just a year prior to the Pro. It is classified as a Premium Multi-Sport Watch that is designed for athletes and those who love going on outdoor adventures. Now, let us take a closer look at the extraordinary features of the Coros APEX Pro.

Case and Dial

The Coros APEX Pro is presented in a 47mm titanium alloy case with a durable, scratch-resistant aluminum cover. Its bulky size makes this watch best suited for those with average-to-large-sized wrists. However, it is also made from titanium alloy, which weighs 45% less than regular stainless steel. As a result of its titanium composition, the Coros APEX Pro has a rather lightweight build, so even those with smaller wrists can easily wear this watch around all day.

The Coros APEX Pro is offered in three different colorways: white, silver, and black. Each option is incredibly sleek and classic, showcasing a sporty exterior that is perfect for that athleisure style. On the right side of the case, you can also find a stout crown which is surrounded by two smooth pushers. The crown has wide, deeply grooved sides, which provides wearers with a better grip so they can hold and turn it more easily. The functions of the two pushers are also carefully engraved in black on the watch case. This facilitates ease of use and ensures that you will not be confused by the Coros APEX Pro’s many functions.

Meanwhile, the dial of this watch showcases a Touch Screen Memory LCD display with a resolution of 240 x 240 pixels. It offers a colorful and vibrant display screen that is highly legible, whether under bright light or in the dark. This dial is also protected by a layer of sapphire glass, which boasts unmatched robustness and scratch-resistant properties. This means that you can peacefully work out and exercise without having to worry about damaging your watch in the process.

Band 

The Coros APEX Pro comes with a high-quality black silicone band that measures 22mm long, so it fits snugly around your wrist. You also have the opportunity of adding a nylon strap to your purchase, in case you ever want to swap out the original bracelet and try a different style. Both the nylon strap and silicone bracelet are great, practical options for sports and outdoor activities, so you can choose whichever one best suits your personality and preferences.

Technical Specifications 

The most important part, when talking about an outdoor smartwatch, is what technical specifications it has to offer. These details would determine whether the smart accessory is worth it or not. Luckily, the Coros APEX Pro is equipped with numerous functions that are perfect for all kinds of adventures and activities. In fact, it was designed specifically with athletes enduring harsh conditions in mind. 

First of all, the Coros APEX Pro has an in-depth navigation system that supports offline mapping, which means you can keep track of your routes in real-time. This model also comes with an extensive training mode that covers different sports like cycling, running, swimming, and strength training. It offers over 200 accessible workouts and exercises that range from simple running and trekking to more niche activities like speed surfing, catering to just about any sport you could think of.

With the Coros APEX Pro, you also get state-of-the-art sensors such as an oximeter, a heart rate monitor, a barometric altimeter, a compass, and many more. This watch also possesses a water resistance capacity of up to 100 meters, which makes it quite a reliable underwater companion as well.

All of these functions are powered by a rechargeable battery that boasts superior quality. You can wear the Coros APEX Pro continuously for 30 days in regular use mode, for 40 hours in full GPS mode, and for 100 hours in UltraMax mode. When you finally do need to recharge this Coros APEX Pro, it will take only up to two hours for you to get a full battery charge.

Price 

With the range of high-tech features they offer, smartwatches tend to come at fairly exorbitant prices. That said, the Coros APEX Pro breaks from the mold, offering a very reasonable price tag of just $399 USD. It almost sounds too good to be true when you think about all the functions and capabilities the Coros APEX Pro comes with.

3 Alternatives to the Coros APEX Pro 

Below are some alternative models to the Coros APEX Pro that you should also keep on your radar. 

1. Suunto 9 Ref. SS050450000F   

First, we have the Suunto 9 Ref. SS050450000F, which is a staple smartwatch amongst outdoor enthusiasts and those with active lifestyles. Much like the Coros APEX Pro, it is equipped with excellent features that would make your adventures even more fun and convenient. On top of that, this timepiece also doubles as a great everyday watch, as it comes with handy functions that you can use daily.

This Suunto 9 watch comes in a glass-fiber-reinforced polyamide case, which is paired with a textile strap in a bright lime hue. The touchscreen dial is made of sapphire crystal, which is a material known for its durability and scratch resistance. It showcases an LED matrix display with a decent resolution of 320 x 300 pixels, providing wearers with a vibrant color display.

The biggest reason why this Suunto watch is a great alternative to the Coros APEX Pro is because of all its impressive functionality and multitude of features. These include 24/7 trackers and numerous outdoor modes for trekking, hiking, and other such activities. For instance, if you like exploring the great unknown, you can feel at ease with this watch as it has an elaborate GPS and navigation system. It also offers access to different environmental trackers such as a barometer, a thermometer, a weather radar, and more.

When it comes to exercise and training, this Suunto 9 watch comes with multiple sports modes that cover both land and water activities. If you are currently in recovery, you can also manage your physical stats through the watch’s impressive health trackers. Finally, this watch runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that allows for a lifespan of one to 14 days, depending on the mode in use.

If you do not mind forking out more money, you should definitely consider getting this excellent $640 USD smartwatch.

2. Alpina AlpinerX Ref. AL-283LBBO5SAQ6

Next up, we have the Alpina AlpinerX Ref. AL-283LBBO5SAQ6. This is perfect for those who want something as powerful as the Coros APEX Pro, but with a more traditional, classic aesthetic. Highly-advanced smartwatches are great, but they are not for everyone, so this Alpina watch serves as a great middle-ground for those who want the best of both worlds.

This Alpina AlpinerX piece is housed in a 45mm stainless steel case, coupled with a thick black rubber strap that gives the watch a very sporty and robust look. Affixed to the top of the watch case is a thick, rotating stainless steel bezel. Unlike most smartwatches that come with fixed bezels, the Alpina AlpinerX Ref. AL-283LBBO5SAQ6’s bezel shows off indicators in black for its compass scale.

The dial, likewise, distinguishes itself from traditional smartwatches by showing off a hybrid layout with both analog and digital displays. It contains pointed hour indices and Arabic numeral hour markers in a bold white typeface, all of which are generously coated with lume. Located on the top half of the dial are luminous sword hands outlined in vivid orange, which add a more playful, vibrant edge to this timepiece. On the lower half of the watch face, you can also find a simple black digital screen.

Thanks to this digital screen, this watch can do a lot more than your average analog timepiece. Its functions include activity and sleep tracking, dynamic coaching, a Worldtimer, a smart alarm, notifications for calls and messages, a UV indicator, an altimeter, a thermometer, a barometer, and a time recorder. All of these features can be helpful when you are out and about in nature or in everyday life.

Our very favorite thing about this Alpina watch is that you do not have to constantly charge it, as it is powered by an MMT-283-1 quartz movement. This quartz caliber has a battery life of more than 24 months, so you just need to get the batteries changed every couple of years. You can also use this watch for all sorts of water activities as it has a 100-meter water resistance rating.

The Alpina AlpinerX Ref. AL-283LBBO5SAQ6 retails at $1,195 USD.

3. TAG Heuer Connected Ref. SBR8010.BT6255

Last but not the least, we have the TAG Heuer Connected Ref. SBR8010.BT6255, which serves as the most luxurious option on this list. It belongs to TAG Heuer’s acclaimed selection of smartwatches, which is known for being equipped with top-of-the-line specifications. Like the Coros APEX Pro, this watch comes with a very chic and modern design that is easy to pair with any style.

This TAG Heuer Connected Modular watch utilizes a 42mm stainless steel case and a smooth black rubber strap, enhancing the watch’s sophisticated yet sporty vibe. The dial features a boxed sapphire crystal, which allows for a clean and clear screen view. While it does have a full touchscreen display, you also have the option of using the crown and pushers to navigate this watch too. Moreover, it is powered by a rechargeable battery that boasts a 330 mAh capacity, which can be charged to full in just one hour and thirty minutes.

When it comes to functionality, this TAG Heuer Connected watch showcases high-level innovation. Its features include fitness tracking, health monitoring, and seamless WiFi connectivity. If you like to exercise or play certain sports, you can easily track your performance through TAG Heuer’s optimized sports system, too. You can also connect it to your smartphone, so you will have access to smart notifications and other downloadable apps for your watch.

The TAG Heuer Connected Ref. SBR8010.BT6255 might be considerably more expensive than the Coros APEX Pro. That said, it is only to be expected, considering you are paying both for the watch’s impeccable specifications and for its prestigious TAG Heuer branding. You can get your hands on this watch for approximately $1,830 USD.

Final Thoughts

The Coros APEX Pro is one of the best smartwatches you can get on the market, especially for its value. Despite its reasonable price, it is equipped with quality features that are on par with big names like Suunto and Garmin. In fact, the Coros APEX Pro serves as a safe choice for those who are not comfortable spending over $500 USD on a smartwatch. Despite its affordability, you can rest assured that the functionality and reliability of the Coros APEX Pro are not compromised in any way. 

Photo Credits: Coros Website and WatchShopping Site

If you are sporty and like playing golf, check out this piece on the 10 Best Golf Watches!