Featured in this comparison are three of Gamin’s cheapest fitness trackers; the Vivosport vs Vivosmart 4 vs Vivofit 4 – Three outstanding smartbands – All great choices for tracking your active life and some of the very best on the market. We compare the specs and features head-to-head so you know what the differences are, and which is the best choice for you.
Garmin Vivosport vs Vivosmart 4 vs Vivofit 4 – Specifications
| Garmin Vivosport | Garmin Vivosmart 4 | Garmin Vivofit 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  | |
ABOUT DEVICE | |||
| Device name | Garmin Vivosport | Garmin Vivosmart 4 | Garmin Vivofit 4 |
| Device type | Fitness Smartband | Fitness Smartband | Fitness Smartband |
| Predessesor | __ | Garmin Vivosmart 3 | Garmin Vivofit 3 |
| Successor | __ | Garmin Vivosmart 5 | __ |
| Released date | August, 2017 | August, 2018 | February, 2018 |
| Ideal for | Unisex | Unisex | Unisex |
DISPLAY | |||
| Display type | Transflective memory-in-display (MIP) | Monochrome OLED | Transflective memory-in-display (MIP) |
| Display size | 0.85 inch | 0.75 inch | 0.43 inch |
| Display resolution | 72 x 144 pixels | 48 x 128 pixels | 88 x 88 pixel |
| Pixel density | 190.47 PPI | 182.3 PPI | -- |
| Input type | Touchscreen | Touchscreen 1 haptic button | Touchkey |
| Always-on | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Customizable watch face | N/A | Yes | __ |
BODY | |||
| Shape | Rectangular/curved | Rectangular/curved | Rectangular/curved |
| Dimension | 32 x 21 x 10.9 mm | 15 x 10.5 x 197mm (small) 15 x 10.5 x 223mm (large) | 21.2 x 19 x 9.4 mm |
| Weight | 24.1 g (small band) 27 g (large band) | 16.5g (small) 17.1g (large) | 25.5 g (large strap) |
| Casing material | Polymer | Polycarbonate | Polycarbonate |
| Strap/band material | Silicone | Silicone | Silicone (black) TPU (white) |
| Bezel Material | Polymer | Aluminum | _ |
| Strap size | 122-188 mm (Small) 148-215 mm (large) | 122-188 mm (Small) 148-215 mm (large) | 122-188 mm (Small) 148-215 mm (large) |
| Interchangeable band | No | No | Yes |
| Screen protection | Chemically strengthened glass | Chemically strengthened glass | Chemically strengthened glass |
| Water resistant/Protection | Yes, 5ATM | Yes, 5ATM | Yes, 5ATM |
| Swim-proof | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended |
| Color(s) | Slate, limelight | Rose-gold/gray band Midnight/black band | Black, white |
MEMORY | |||
| RAM | N/A | N/A | -- |
| Internal storage | 14 days of activity tracking data | 14 days of activity tracking data | 4 weeks of tracked data |
| Memory card slot | No | No | No |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth and ANT+ | Bluetooth and ANT+ | Bluetooth and ANT+ |
| Bluetooth calling | No | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | No | No | No |
| NFC | No | No | No |
| Payment system | No | No | No |
| GPS | Yes | No (connected GPS) | No |
CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY | |||
| Technology | No | No | No |
| SIM | No | No | No |
| Band | No | No | No |
NOTIFICATIONS | |||
| Email alert | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SMS alert | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Calls alert | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Event reminder | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Weather | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Third-party apps | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Text response | No | Yes | No |
FITNESS TRACKING | |||
| Sleep apnea | No | No | No |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Steps | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Floors climbed | Yes | Yes | No |
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes | No |
| Calories | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Distance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stress | Yes | Yes | No |
| VO2 Max. | Yes | Yes | No |
| Blood oxygen | No | Yes | No |
| Blood pressure | No | No | No |
| Menstrual cycle tracking | No | Yes | No |
| Swim tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Under-water heart rate tracking | No | No | No |
| Preloaded maps | No | No | No |
| On-screen workout modes | No | No | No |
| Triathlon mode | No | No | No |
| ECG Tracking | No | No | No |
| Preloaded sport modes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Safety tracking | No | No | No |
MEDIA | |||
| Audio | No | No | No |
| Music streaming | No | No | No |
| Bluetooth music | No | No | No |
| Radio | No | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | No | No | No |
| Microphone | No | No | No |
| Camera | No | No | No |
SENSORS | |||
PLATFORM | |||
| Operating system (OS) | Proprietary OS | Proprietary OS | Proprietary OS |
| Chipset | -- | -- | -- |
| CPU | -- | -- | -- |
| GPU | -- | -- | -- |
BATTERY | |||
| Type of battery | Lithium polymer | Lithium polymer | 2 x SR43 replaceable battery |
| Battery capacity | -- | -- | -- |
| Battery life | GPS mode: Up to 8 hours Smartwatch mode: Up to 7 days | Smartwatch mode: Up to 7 days | Mixed usage: 1 year+ |
| Charging type | Charging cable | Clip-type charging cable | No charging |
| Charging time | About 1-2 hrs | About 1-2 hrs | __ |
| Battery saver mode | No | No | No |
| Solar power | No | No | No |
| Rapid charging | No | No | No |
CLOCK FEATURES | |||
| Time/Date | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stopwatch | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Alarm | Yes | Yes | Yes |
OTHER FUNCTIONS | |||
| Control camera | No | No | No |
| Music control | Yes | Yes | No |
| Find phone | Yes | Yes | Yes |
MISC | |||
| Compatibility | Android and iOS Check if your device is compatible | Android 7.0+ and iOS 15.0+ Check if your device is compatible | Android and iOS Check if your device is compatible |
| Companion app | Garmin connect IQ | Garmin connect IQ | Garmin connect IQ |
| Voice command | No | No | No |
BOX CONTENTS | |||
| Garmin Vivosport | Garmin Vivosmart 4 | Garmin Vivofit 4 | |
| Charging cable | Charging cable | Band | |
| Quick start guide | Quick start guide | __ | |
| __ | __ | Quick start guide | |
| NOTE: We can't guarantee that all the information on this table are 100% correct. Read full disclaimer. Please, report an error. | |||
| Official Site | Official Site | Official Site | |
Garmin Vivosport vs Vivosmart 4 vs Vivofit 4 Features Compared
- Design
- Fitness Tracking
- Battery Life
In general, each of these three is lightweight, sleek and very comfortable to wear which are all the attributes of a nice fitness smartband. However, the Vivosmart 4 powered by OLED has a more interactive display compared to the transflective memory-in-pixel display powering the Vivosport and Vivofit 4. Although, the display of the later two are easier to read outdoors compared to the Vivosmart 4.
The Vivosmart 4 also has the most stylish design with the aluminum bezel lining the top that leaves it with a more decent appearance, while also weighing a bit less than the other two which no doubt makes it the most befitting wear.
The major difference between these three is in the available sensors and subsequently fitness tracking features. Each of these three can track your steps, distance, sleep, calories burned and as well can remind you after a long period of inactivity.
However, the Vivofit 4 being a basic activity tracker lacks some fitness tracking features present on the Vivosport and Vivosmart 4. The latter two come with heart rate sensor, barometric altimeter which gives you more insight on your intensity helping you know when to scale up or down your intensity, and is also great choices for tracking climbing activities.
In addition, the Vivosport has inbuilt GPS that makes it a great choice for outdoor activity tracking but lacks a pulse ox sensor present on the Vivosmart 4. The pulse ox monitors your oxygen level and comes handy when you’re climbing, helping you see how well your body is adjusting to higher heights and as well monitors oxygen circulations while you sleep.
Each of these three boast a long battery life that lets you go long on a single charge, allowing you focus on your goal for the day. However, the Vivofit 4 uses a SR43 cell battery that last over a year before requiring a replacement, while the Vivosmart 4 and Vivosport use rechargeable lithium batteries that last just about a week which is impressive.
Which Should You Buy?
No doubt, any of these three would be a great choice for monitoring your daily activities. However, the Vivosport and Vivosmart are higher-end compared to the Vivofit 4 that’s a basic tracker lacking some vital sensors and fitness tracking features.
In other words, the Vivosport and Vivosmart 4 are better choices with the Vivosmart 4 being a more outstanding device, and that makes it the best choice.
Our Pick
The Vivosmart 4 has the most stylish design and also has the least weight while also being a comprehensive activity tracker with an impressive battery life. The Vivosmart 4 is our preferred choice.
It looks like the Vivosmart 4 band is not actually replaceable: https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=azcNLA1A721NPsLqrZyPT6 – you should update that part!
Thank you ARLEY for the tip-up, I have effected the changes. Thank you once again!
Thank you.
Thanks DaveQB for visiting.
Comments are closed.