The now four-year-old Garmin Vivoactive 4 has finally received a successor. The new Vivoactive 5 actually borrows more from the Venu 3 family than it does its predecessor. Is the newest Vivoactive worth picking up? That’s what we aim to answer in this Garmin Vivoactive 4 vs Vivoactive 5 comparison.
Garmin Vivoactive 4Garmin Vivoactive 4SGarmin Vivoactive 5
Display1.3-inch MIP, 260 x 260 resolution
Corning Gorilla Glass 31.1-inch MIP, 218 x 218 resolution
Corning Gorilla Glass 31.2 inch AMOLED, optional always-on 390 x 390 resolution
Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Dimensions and weight45.1 x 45.1 x 12.8 mm
22mm band
50.5g40.0 x 40.0 x 12.7 mm
22mm band
40g42.2 x 42.2 x 11.1mm
20mm band
36g
Build materialsStainless steel bezel bezel
Fiber-reinforced polymer rear cover
Silicone bandStainless steel bezel bezel
Fiber-reinforced polymer rear cover
Silicone bandAnodized aluminum bezel
Fiber-reinforced polymer case
Silicone band
BatteryUp to 8 days in smartwatch mode
Up to 6 hours with GPS + musicUp to 7 days in smartwatch mode
Up to 5 hours with GPS + MusicUp to 11 days in smartwatch mode (5 days with always-on display enabled)
Up to 21 days in Battery Saver Smartwatch mode
Up to 7 hours in all-Systems GNSS mode + music
IP rating5 ATM5 ATM5 ATM
SensorsGarmin Elevate heart rate sensor
GPS
GLONASS
Galileo
Compass
Accelerometer
Theremometer
Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor
Garmin Elevate heart rate sensor
GPS
GLONASS
Galileo
Compass
Accelerometer
Theremometer
Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitorGarmin Elevate heart rate sensor
GPS
GLONASS
Galileo
Compass
Accelerometer
Thermometer
Ambient light sensor
Pulse ox blood oxygen saturation monitor
ConnectivityBluetooth
ANT+
Wi-FiBluetooth
ANT+
Wi-FiBluetooth
ANT+
Wi-Fi
CompatibilityAndroid, iOSAndroid, iOSAndroid, iOS
Garmin PayYesYesYes
Smartwatch featuresConnect IQ-compatible
Smartphone notifications
Text response/reject phone call with text (Android only)
Controls smartphone music
Plays and controls smartwatch music
Find my phone/find my watch
Incident Detection
LiveTrackConnect IQ-compatible
Smartphone notifications
Text response/reject phone call with text (Android only)
Controls smartphone music
Plays and controls smartwatch music
Find my phone/find my watch
Incident Detection
LiveTrackConnect IQ-compatible
Smartphone notifications
Text response/reject phone call with text (Android only)
Controls smartphone music
Plays and controls smartwatch music
Find my phone/find my watch
Incident Detection
LiveTrack
ColorsSilver Stainless Steel bezel with Shadow Gray caseLight Gold bezel with Dust Rose case, Rose Gold bezel with White case, Silver bezel with Powder Gray caseMetallic Orchid, Slate, Cream Gold with Ivory case, Metallic Navy with Navy case
The Vivoactive 5 looks a lot like a cross between its predecessor and the Venu 3 series. It borrows the two-side button layout of the Vivoactive 4, but its actual chassis has more in common with the Venu. In terms of size, the Vivoactive 5 fits right in between the Vivoactive 4 and 4S with its 20mm band and a body size of 42.2 x 42.2 x 11.1mm. For those wondering, there is no Vivoactive 5S; Garmin has opted for just a one-size-fits-all approach for its.
