But this list doesn’t do a great job of capturing software-based updates on the mobile app – for example with the advanced sleep tracking that they rolled out this past spring or so. There’s a huge list of firmware updates since then on the firmware updates page. For example, the Vivosmart 3 got Abnormal Heart Rate Alerts this past summer, and the Vivosmart 4 carries those too. Now, some other things may appear new, that came in via later updates since last year’s Vivosmart 3 launch. – Far clearer screen: It’s actually quite an improvement over the Vivosmart 3 – Battery life increased: Now 7 days versus 5 days – It’s smaller: The unit is now thinner (width) than before
![garmin vivosmart 4 garmin vivosmart 4](https://sakidorico.s3.amazonaws.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/5f62eae0932ef-500x717.jpg)
#Garmin vivosmart 4 software#
Some of these are hardware, and some of them are software updates previously seen added elsewhere in the Garmin realm.
![garmin vivosmart 4 garmin vivosmart 4](https://sm.pcmag.com/pcmag_uk/news/g/garmin-viv/garmin-vivosmart-4-tracks-your-blood-oxygen-body-battery_h9tx.jpg)
Neither of those two new features are found on any other Garmin device (yet), no matter the cost.Ītop that, there are some differences between the Vivosmart 3 and the new Vivosmart 4 that extend beyond that. – Sleep Pulse Ox readings: Tracks SpO2 readings during sleep and shows on mobile app – Body Battery: Gives you a constantly updated ‘energy’ score throughout day Specifically, the newly added features of: And while that’s certainly the case with some new features on the Vivosmart 4, there’s actually two cases where these features are found on no other Garmin devices. What’s new:Īs with most Garmin device iterations you generally see features introduced on other devices filter down into lower-cost devices. Update: In September 2019, Garmin added Connected GPS to this device via a firmware update, which means you’ll now get a GPS track of your workout as well, as long as your phone is with you.
#Garmin vivosmart 4 full#
Since it’s not a full in-depth review, I could find over time that things get either better or worse than my quick poke at it. Down the road, I’ll likely do an in-depth review, mostly because some of the new features here are actually unique on this device and worth investigating deeper. It’s a quick hands-on based on a handful (well, wrist-full) of days of use on a media loaner device. Oh, and before we do that, note that this isn’t a full in-depth review. Still, that’s not the only new feature – so skip down below for the quick run-through of what’s new on this $129 wearable.
#Garmin vivosmart 4 plus#
Previously that was only seen on their highest end and most expensive watch, the Fenix 5X Plus which came out back in June. But in many ways, both companies are on a very similar track – especially when it comes to the addition of SpO2 tracking, which Garmin has added into the Vivosmart 4. And approximately the 86th Vivo-branded device.Īs with new Fitbit’s Charge 3 last week, there aren’t massive changes here from the previous generations. Today we add to the pile with the new Garmin Vivosmart 4, which is, as the name implies, the fourth edition of the Vivosmart series.
![garmin vivosmart 4 garmin vivosmart 4](https://expertreviews.b-cdn.net/sites/expertreviews/files/2018/11/garmin_vivosmart_4_review_1_0.jpg)
Might be a good question for someone at Garmin support.As is customary for this time of year, it’s all about the wearables – and the last two weeks haven’t disappointed in that realm. The catch there is that I don't know how that would influence stuff like training load/recovery/etc on the Fenix. I typically only wear the Vivosmart 4 if I am charging my Fenix or if I want to wear a dumb watch and still track steps/heart rate/stress.Īn additional thought I had on writing this if you want consistent body battery and you don't mind the lesser sleep tracking you may be better off with using the Vivo as the dedicated tracker since you would be wearing it most of the time and only using the Fenix for exercise. I could be wrong on that but that seems to be my experience so far. The best way to have an accurate body battery seems to be to predominately wear one device. You would get better sleep analytics with the Fenix according to Garmin (not sure how valuable that is since Garmin tends to have the worst sleep tracking anecdotally).