Titanium and a better cardio sensor for the Apex 2 and Apex 2 Pro multisport watches from Coros

The trend is definitely towards outdoor GPS multisport watches. Already renowned in this sector, Coros cannot leave the spotlight to its competitors Garmin (Fenix), Suunto (9 Peak Pro) or Apple (Watch Ultra). It is thus renewing its Apex with a version 2 which notably emphasizes a new, more precise heart rate sensor and a dual-frequency GPS chip on its Pro variant.

Sapphire crystal and titanium bezel

It is therefore not one, but two Apex 2s that Coros is introducing into its catalog. The first is more compact with its 43 mm format (43 x 42.8 x 12.8 mm for 53 g with its silicone strap and 42 g with its nylon strap). It incorporates a transflective LCD screen MiP (Memory in Pixel) with a definition of 240 x 240 px. Not as sexy as an AMOLED screen, but very readable in direct sunlight, this screen is protected by a sapphire crystal and surrounded by a titanium bezel, for better scratch resistance.

The case remains for its part in composite and supports a standard silicone bracelet with a width of 20 mm. Its resistance to immersion is guaranteed up to 50 m (5 ATM), which means that the watch will be suitable for swimming, but not for diving or water sports (10 ATM minimum recommended).

Dual frequency GNSS and better autonomy for the Pro version

Despite its relatively compact appearance, the Apex 2 benefits, according to Coros, from an autonomy of up to 17 days in daily use and 30 hours in activity with GNSS geolocation using the five satellite systems simultaneously (GPS, Glonass, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS). In GPS mode alone, the autonomy could increase to 45 hours.

For even more battery life, opt for the Pro version of the Apex 2. Larger with its 46 mm format (46.1 x 46.5 x 14 mm for 66 g with 22 mm silicone strap and 53 g with nylon strap), it incorporates a larger battery that allows it to reach up to 30 days of autonomy in daily use, 45 hours in multi-satellite mode and 75 hours in GPS alone. The Apex 2 Pro also benefits from a larger screen (1.3 “and 260 x 260 px) and a dual-frequency GPS chip for better capture in congested environments (cities, forests, etc.) In dual frequency mode, however, the battery life drops to 26 hours.

Trail and hiking enthusiasts will be happy to learn that the Apex 2 have a map to find their way directly on the watch, without having to use their smartphone. The Apex 2 incorporates 8 GB of memory for this, which we can use to add the maps of our choice via a connection to a computer, while the Apex 2 Pro comes directly with world cartography in its 32 GB memory. A function for creating routes will be offered later, promises Coros.

A more accurate cardio sensor

In addition to the usual sensors (accelerometer, altimeter, gyroscope, compass and SpO2), the Apex 2 and Apex 2 Pro have a new heart rate sensor with five LEDs and four photodiodes whose accuracy Coros boasts. Useful of course for training, but also for the analysis of physical recovery. Watches are also capable of measuring heart rate variability, in order to determine if our body is rested enough to respond to new sports demands.

Each available in three colors (gray and black, but also coral for the Apex 2 and green for the Pro version), the Apex 2 and Apex 2 Pro are launched at €479 and €579 respectively.