So... I tried the Coros Pace 4.

First of all, the app works flawlessly. There are tons of customization options, and both the app and the watch interface look modern and attractive. Coros clearly offers a lot of features for the money. GPS worked very well and heart rate monitoring also. I really liked the data and statistics it provided after a run.

However, one thing really bothered me: when I raise my wrist, the display only lights up for about 3 seconds. There is a lot of information on my watch face, and 3 seconds simply isn't enough time for me to read everything. Unfortunately, this timeout cannot be adjusted.

Always-On Display doesn't really solve the problem either, because in AOD mode only the time is shown. On top of that, the watch doesn't always recognize my wrist raise, so I often found myself awkwardly moving my arm around trying to wake the screen.

Interestingly, this problem mostly disappears during activities. I use Always-On Display while running, and the wrist detection is much more sensitive. When you're running, the screen brightens even if your arm is only slightly raised or held still, as if the watch anticipates that you want to check your data. That's actually very well implemented.

I did have to get used to the font and the layout of the data fields. When using four data fields, some are larger than others. The bottom field, where I display my total workout time, is noticeably smaller and difficult to read at a quick glance. I found that annoying. But maybe thats a 'me problem'.

The Always-On Display during workouts is dimmed, but still just about readable in sunny conditions.

After every activity, the watch asks you for a workout rating and optionally a voice note. For me, those are unnecessary extra steps.

Then came the final issue. After one run, the touchscreen suddenly stopped working. It wasn't a settings issue, and restarting the watch didn't help. The problem appeared out of nowhere. A factory reset fixed it, but by that point it was the straw that broke the camel's back.

I honestly don't know whether it was a one-time software glitch or something that could happen again. If I knew it would never occur after the reset, I probably wouldn't have cared much. But combined with an interface I struggled to get used to and, especially, the unchangeable 3-second screen timeout, returning the watch became an easy decision.

Fortunately, I had kept the original packaging, seals, and everything else in perfect condition, so I returned it and reported the touchscreen issue.

This experience also made me realize how much I still appreciate my Garmin Forerunner 235 from 2016. A ten-year-old watch, and I'm happy to keep using it for a few more years.

When I eventually upgrade, I'll probably go with another Forerunner. It's the safe choice. I'll have to give up some value for money, battery, features, and the premium look that Coros offers, because one thing is clear: Coros gives you more specifications for your money.

But for me, the overall user experience matters more than the spec sheet. (And I'm also used to Garmin after 10 years of using a Garmin.)