COROS Pace 3 Discontinued: Out of Stock, Not Coming Back

COROS confirmed the Pace 3 is effectively discontinued, but don’t panic, it’s still supported. The watch is out of stock on COROS’s regional websites in the USA and UK and won’t be replenished. The company hasn’t officially stated why, but newer models such as Pace 4 and Pace Pro are likely the reason.

The Pace 3 launched at $229 and frequently sold for under $200. The cheapest COROS running watch is now $249.

It’s the end of an era. That era was “obviously cheap and good”. Newer pricing levels are clearly taking the company in a different direction from what originally made it successful.

What Discontinued Actually Means

The Pace 3 is still supported with firmware updates and bug fixes. It’s not at End Of Life (EOL). If you own one, it’ll continue to receive fixes for the foreseeable future. COROS is no longer producing them and likely won’t add new features to those owned by customers.

If you find Pace 3 stock at third-party retailers, it’s legit remaining inventory. Once that’s gone, it’s gone. I suspect those low price levels will never return (inflation + Coros strategy)

 

Why COROS Killed It

The Pace 4 launched five months ago. Both watches target very similar market segments: runners who want serious training features without spending $500+. Having two similar watches at $200 and $249 creates confusion and cannibalises sales of the newer model.

COROS spent years positioning the Pace 3 as a Garmin Forerunner alternative, specifically targeting the Forerunner 165 ($249.99 with GPS+music, $299.99 for Music version) and the Forerunner 265 ($449.99). The Pace 3 significantly undercuts both models while delivering comparable GPS accuracy and training features.

That positioning worked. The Pace 3 became the default recommendation for runners who wanted data-driven training without paying Garmin prices. Now COROS is betting the Pace 4 can hold that position at a higher price point. So far, it seems to be doing that successfully.

What You Lose: The Last MIP Display

The Pace 3 used a transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) display. The Pace 4 switched to AMOLED. MIP is definitely heading in the same direction as the dinosaurs – extinction.

MIP advantages:

• Always-on visibility in direct sunlight without backlight
• Lower power consumption in bright conditions
• Matte finish reduces glare
• No screen burn-in risk over years of use

AMOLED advantages:

• Brighter, more colourful interface
• Better low-light visibility
• Smoother animations
• Touch screen responsiveness
• (The newer generation of AMOLED has excellent battery lives)

COROS claims the Pace 4’s battery life matches the Pace 3 despite the AMOLED screen (up to 26 days smartwatch mode, 32 hours GPS). This negates MIP’s traditional battery advantage; if there were significant demand for MIP display tech, it would likely also become more energy-efficient.

But not everyone wants AMOLED. Garmin discovered this during the transition of the Forerunner line: some runners certainly prefer MIP readability in bright sunlight and don’t care about vivid colour displays. The Pace 3 served that market, but now it’s gone, and there is no MIP option in COROS’s lineup.

Market Impact

The Pace 3’s discontinuation raises COROS’s entry price from ~$200 (sale price) to $249. This is quite an important distinction at this part of the market:

1. Budget runners lose what was widely considered their best option. The Pace 3 was the most cost-effective way to access legitimate training metrics, structured workouts, and accurate GPS without compromising core features. Now the door has been left open to AMAZFIT, which makes excellent watches at the old price levels Coros once dominated. AMAZFIT watches offer all the features Coros does.
2. Garmin’s budget dominance strengthens. The Forerunner 55 ($199.99) and Forerunner 165 ($249.99) now face less direct competition in the sub-$250 segment. However, Garmin will likely replace those models in 2026, so the situation is likely to change. Most likely, Garmin will also push prices up a tad.
3. No MIP alternative remains. Runners who specifically want transflective displays are pushed elsewhere. At this end of the market, I suspect that’s not a major factor. MIP will likely remain available for more capable devices that require ultra-long battery life. Let’s see how this pans out over the next few years.
4. Coros repositioning. Coros bill of materials is likely similar to what it always was. Raising retail prices by a notch makes sense for profitability. However, it is abandoning its unique selling point (value) and moving into far more expensive, feature-rich segments of the market, often targeting informed buyers. For Coros to survive here, it will likely need to adopt a similar overall pricing strategy as Garmin with periodic discounting (Coros rarely discounts).

What to Do If You Want a Pace 3

Check third-party retailers. Amazon, REI, speciality running stores—anyone who stocked Pace 3 inventory before discontinuation might still have units available. Once the current stock sells out, it’s over. Always be mindful of buying second-hand watches, as their batteries will have degraded.

The Bigger Picture

COROS appears to see itself as a wannabe Garmin, pushing loyal customers toward newer models, and standardising on AMOLED across the range. This simplifies manufacturing and increases the average selling price.

For buyers, this means fewer choices but better products. Pace 4 is genuinely improved over Pace 3. Whether those improvements set coros apart from its new, higher-priced competition remains to be seen.

The Pace 3 was (is) a great watch. It was transformational for the company and probably also for the market as a whole, redefining the value equation.

If you’re considering a COROS watch now, it’s Pace 4 ($249), Apex 2 ($399), Apex 2 Pro ($499), or Vertix 2 ($699). No more budget entry point. That’s the trade-off for better screens and updated sensors across the lineup.

Last Updated on 10 February 2026 by the5krunner