I was predisposed to like the COROS PACE Pro more than its older siblings for one simple reason: it's the brand's first AMOLED watch. As someone with steadily worsening eyesight, I've never liked using MIP displays except during sunny workouts where they shine, so to speak. Indoors, COROS watches weren't that fun to use.
The PACE Pro felt inevitable and overdue after rivals like Garmin, Suunto, and Polar adopted AMOLED en masse in 2023 and 2024. I loved the COROS PACE 3, calling it the best affordable watch of 2023, but only because MIP felt like a fair sacrifice for the price. The PACE Pro had a higher bar to clear, both for its $349 price tag and my expectations.
