Vivoactive 5 is the 5th-generation smartwatch. Vivoactive 4 has been one of the highest-selling smartwatches of Garmin. Vivoactive 5 was released in September 2023. Vivoactive 4 was released in 2019.
We examine the core differences between the Vivoactive 5 and Vivoactive 4 smartwatch models.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 differs from Vivoactive 4 in terms of the number of significant factors. We expand on each of these factors in detail below.
Display
One of the biggest improvements in Vivoactive 5 is the addition of the AMOLED display. Due to the AMOLED display, the screen is brighter and offers a higher display resolution. It also helps in supporting the Always-on-display or the AOD mode.
A short comparison of display feature differences between the Vivoactive 5 and Vivoactive 4 is shared below.
| Display specifications | Vivoactive 5 | Vivoactive 4 | Vivoactive 4S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display lens | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Display lens size | 1.3″ or 33 mm | 1.2″ or 30 mm | 1.1″ or 27 mm |
| Display type | AMOLED | MIP (Memory-in-pixel) | MIP (Memory-in-pixel) |
| Display resolution | 390 x 390 pixels | 260 x 260 pixels | 218 x 218 pixels |
| Ambient light sensor | Yes | No | No |
In terms of display, Garmin Vivoactive 5 has:
- higher display resolution
- always-on-display mode
- ambient light sensor
Size and weight
Garmin Vivoactive 5 comes in a single-size model. Vivoactive 4 is offered in two different sizes. A comparison of the size and weight of Vivoactive 5, Vivoactive 4, and Vivoactive 4S is given here under.
| Physical specifications | Vivoactive 5 | Vivoactive 4 | Vivoactive 4S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watch size | 42 mm | 45 mm | 41 mm |
| Dimensions | 42.2Â x 42.2 x 11.1Â mm | 45.1 x 45.1 x 12.8 mm | 40.0 x 40.0 x 12.7 mm |
| Thickness | 11.1 mm | 12.8 mm | 12.7 mm |
| Recommended wrist circumference | 125-190 mm | 135-200 mm | 110-175 mm |
| Bezel | Anodized aluminum | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Weight | 36 g | 50.5 g | 40 g |
| Band size | 20 mm | 22 mm | 18 mm |
You will find Vivoactive 5 lighter than Vivoactive 4 and Vivoactive 4S. However, the bezel of Vivoactive 5 is made of anodized aluminum. Vivoactive 4 and Vivoactive 4S have the bezel made of stainless steel.
Sensors
Vivoactive 4 had additional sensors. Vivoactive 5 comes with a reduced number of sensors. The difference in sensors is shared below.
| Sensors | Vivoactive 5 | Vivoactive 4 | Vivoactive 4S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barometric altimeter | No | Yes | Yes |
| Gyroscope | No | Yes | Yes |
Storage
Garmin Vivoactive 5 has improved the internal storage.
- Vivoactive 5 has 4 GB of internal storage
- Vivoactive 4 and Vivoactive 4S have storage to store 200 hours of activity data
Additional apps
Garmin Vivoactive 5 comes with upgraded software or firmware. It has added new apps for enhancing watch functionality. Some of these additional apps allow added functionality for:
- nap detection
- sleep coaching
- meditation
- health snapshot
Vivoactive 4 and 4S are missing all these apps or functionality.
Activity profiles
There are significant differences between Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Vivoactive 4 in terms of the supported activity profiles. We look at the supported profiles below.
| Activity profiles | Vivoactive 5 | Vivoactive 4 | Vivoactive 4S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym | Strength, HIIT, Cardio, Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Indoor Rowing | Strength, Cardio and Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Floor Climbing, Indoor Rowing, Pilates, Yoga | Strength, Cardio and Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Floor Climbing, Indoor Rowing, Pilates, Yoga |
| Wellness | Walking, Pilates, Yoga | – | – |
| Indoor running | Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running | – | – |
| Outdoor running | Running | – | – |
| Outdoor recreation | Disc Golf | Skiing, Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing | Skiing, Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing |
| Cycling | Biking, Indoor Biking, eBiking, Handcycling, Indoor Handcycling | Biking, Indoor Biking | Biking, Indoor Biking |
| Swimming | Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming | Pool Swimming | Pool Swimming |
| On the water | Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing | – | – |
| Racket sports | Tennis, Pickleball, Badminton, Squash, Table Tennis, Padel, Platform Tennis, Racquetball | – | – |
| Snow & winter | Skiing, Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, Snowshoeing | – | – |
| Team sports | Basketball, Volleyball, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Football/Soccer, American Football, Lacrosse, Rugby, Ultimate Disc, Cricket, Softball, Baseball | – | – |
| In the ring | Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts | – | – |
The software of Garmin Vivoactive 5 is more advanced than Vivoactive 4 and 4S. This allows the Garmin Vivoactive 5 to support and offer more activity profiles.
Battery backup
Garmin Vivoactive 5 comes with improved battery backup. A comparison of battery backup in different watch modes is shared below.
| Watch mode | Vivoactive 5 | Vivoactive 4 | Vivoactive 4S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch mode | Up to 11 days (5 days display always-on) | Up to 8 days | Up to 7 days |
| Battery Saver mode | Up to 21 days | – | – |
| GPS mode without music | Up to 21 hours | Up to 18 hours | Up to 15 hours |
| GPS mode with music | Up to 9 hours | Up to 6 hours | Up to 5 hours |
| All Systems GNSS mode without music | Up to 17 hours | – | – |
| All Systems GNSS mode with music | Up to 8 hours | – | – |
An important difference between Vivoactive 5 and Vivoactive 4/4S is the ‘Battery Saver Mode’ in Vivoactive 5. The battery-saver mode allows you to use the smartwatch at extremely low power settings. The battery backup in the Battery Saver mode is up to 21 days.
Wheelchair mode
Garmin Vivoactive 5 has a wheelchair mode to help track the physical activities of wheelchair users. The pushes made by wheelchair users are tracked as part of daily activities.
Vivoactive 5 also has wheelchair workouts to help wheelchair users in managing activities throughout the day.
Garmin Vivoactive 4 and 4S do not support the wheelchair mode.
Costs
Garmin Vivoactive is cheaper than the Vivoactive 4 and 4S.
- Garmin Vivoactive 5 has a list price of $299.99
- Garmin Vivoactive 4 has a list price of $349.99
- Garmin Vivoactive 4S has a list price of $349.99
Closing thoughts
Garmin Vivoactive 5 is cheaper and has much better or improved watch software. The good things about the Vivoactive 5:
- AMOLED display
- Vastly improved display resolution
- Always-on-display mode
- Additional profiles for different activities
- Significantly sleeker and thinner
- Special apps for sleep coaching and nap detection
- Wheelchair mode
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Helen Kurt is a geeky nerd who loves to cover the wearables space. She has over 5 years of experience in the smartwatch domain. You can reach her on email at [email protected].