Coros unleashes Apex 2 and Apex 2 Pro, boasting improved battery and touchscreen

Coros has unveiled the next generation of its mid-range GPS sports watch line, the Apex 2 and Apex 2 Pro.

The two watches have been teased frequently by the Chinese company over the last few weeks, and, at least on paper, bring plenty of improvements over the original Apex devices. 

A redesigned optical HR sensor promises to boost accuracy during exercise tracking, with HRV support also being introduced for the first time as a result. A feature from the Coros Vertix 2 - blood oxygen measurements at altitude - will now be present, too.

Also seeing a redesign is the GPS antenna, which Coros believes will lead to a 50% performance improvement, with wearers now able to tap into offline maps and set checkpoints, as well. Battery life, as we look at in more detail below, is also getting a huge jump.

As we've seen introduced on some Garmin outdoor watches this year, the usual button design on both Apex 2 models will now be accompanied by a full touchscreen.

And, interestingly, though users will only be able to load music files onto either device at launch, Coros has indicated that support for music streaming services is currently being worked on - and could launch next year on the Apex 2 devices as a firmware update.

Naturally, there are also plenty of differences between these two watches, though, so let's take a closer inspection at the design specs, battery life and price.

Coros Apex 2 vs. Apex 2 Pro: Key differences

Design specifications

Unlike the standard Apex model from the first generation, the Apex 2 (seen below) will this time only be available in one size - and it clocks in at 43 x 42.8 x 14.6mm. 

The Apex 2 Pro (shown above) is slightly larger - again coming in just one size - with the full dimensions being 46.1 x 46.5 x 15.8mm. 

The display size is roughly the same on both models - 1.2-inch on the Apex 2, and 1.3-inches on the Pro - and both use the same always-on LCD display covered by sapphire glass. The bezel is also identical, made from Grade 5 titanium with PVD coating.

One big discrepancy between the two is the internal storage, though. On the Apex 2, you'll receive 8GB, while the Apex 2 Pro offers a massive 32GB.

Battery life

In the standard smartwatch mode, Coros estimates that you'll get 17 days from the Apex 2 and 30 days from the Apex 2 Pro. 

However, naturally, this drops depending on your tracking activity - and will fluctuate dramatically based on how you're tracking it. If you're using standard GPS tracking, the Apex 2 is designed to last around 45 hours, while the Pro can go until 75 hours. 

However, using the more accurate Dual Frequency tracking (designed for all location tracking systems - GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and Beidou) Coros notes that the Apex 2 Pro will manage just 25 hours, and doesn't give an estimate for the standard Apex 2.

We're currently testing out both watches, so will be testing this out as thoroughly as we can - stay tuned for our full verdict.

Price, release date and color variants

The Apex 2 is available in black, grey or coral, and is available for $399 / £419 / €479. The Apex 2 Pro, meanwhile, comes in either black, grey or green and is priced at $499 / £499 / €579.

Both are available from today.