Garmin Enduro 4 vs Approach S72: Which Watch Should You Buy?
Compare Garmin Enduro 4 and Approach S72 by purpose, display, battery claims, fit and golf membership costs before choosing your next watch.
Are you looking for a premium Garmin watch but struggling to choose between the Enduro 4 and Approach S72? Both look capable, and both ask you to spend serious money. Still, I would not treat them as two versions of the same purchase.
The Enduro 4 is the more relevant starting point for long outdoor activities. The Approach S72 makes more sense when golf is the reason you want a watch in the first place. In this comparison, we will look at what separates them, what the battery figures really mean, and the questions I would ask before buying.
The quick answer: buy for your main activity
If your weekends involve long trails, navigation and several days away from a convenient charging point, I would start with the Enduro 4. If your regular routine revolves around rounds of golf and practice sessions, I would start with the Approach S72. That is a buying recommendation based on their intended roles, not a verdict from wearing them side by side.
My advice is to write down the three things your current watch cannot do well. A long feature list is easy to admire. A feature that fixes a problem you face every week is much easier to justify.
| Your priority | Where I would start |
|---|---|
| Long outdoor tracking and endurance | Enduro 4 |
| Golf-focused information and practice | Approach S72 |
| A smaller case option | Approach S72 |
| Basic notifications and occasional workouts | Compare less expensive watches first |
Enduro 4: endurance is the main attraction
Garmin’s Enduro 4 announcement lists a 51mm case, 1.4-inch MIP display, solar lens and a US suggested price of $899.99. The company advertises up to 320 hours in an extended activity mode with specified sunlight conditions. That is a maximum manufacturer claim, not our measured battery result.
I like that the trade-off is clear. Before paying for that endurance, ask whether you actually need to record activities for that long. For a short gym session followed by an evening at home, an extreme battery rating may solve a problem you do not have.
Approach S72: golf tools come first
The Approach S72 launch details list 43mm and 47mm sizes, an AMOLED display and US pricing from $799.99. Garmin describes on-wrist swing metrics and course tools. Green reading, aerial imagery and putting analytics require an active Garmin Golf membership.
For a regular golfer, I would ask which of those tools you will use during a round and which you will review afterwards. More information is not automatically better information. The useful purchase is the one that fits how you practise, rather than the one with the longest specification sheet.
Do not compare battery figures without their conditions
Garmin rates the larger S72 at up to 20 hours on the course or 16 days with GPS off. Enduro’s headline solar figure assumes specific outdoor light and a particular activity mode. Those are different workloads, so dividing one number by the other would not be a fair performance comparison.
I would check the battery mode you intend to use, not simply the biggest number on the page. Will you leave navigation running? How often can you charge? Are you usually outdoors or indoors? The answers are more useful than a claim that one watch lasts a certain number of times longer.
For a multiday trip, I would still plan a charging option. A published maximum is a planning reference, not a guarantee that your route, settings and weather will reproduce it.
Fit and ongoing costs deserve equal attention
A watch can be technically impressive and still be the wrong size for you. I would try the case on if possible, check the strap adjustment range and make sure the return policy allows a sensible fit assessment. Photos alone cannot tell you whether a watch will feel comfortable through your routine.
For the S72, include any membership you intend to keep in the total cost. For either model, check warranty coverage and the actual delivered price in your market. A US launch price is not automatically the amount a Nigerian seller will charge, and a currency conversion is not a local offer.
My verdict
I would choose the Enduro 4 for a buyer whose main frustration is keeping a watch going through long outdoor activities. I would choose the Approach S72 for a golfer who can identify specific course or practice tools they want to use regularly.
If neither description sounds like you, I would not force the choice. Keep your current watch a little longer, or compare a cheaper option. A premium sports watch should earn its place in your routine.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better for golf?
The Approach S72 is the golf-focused choice in this comparison. Check course coverage and the membership requirements for the features you need.
Is the Enduro 4 battery figure guaranteed?
No. Garmin’s maximum solar-assisted figures depend on its stated light and power-mode conditions. They are not Gizmoindex test results.
Which has the smaller case?
The Approach S72 offers 43mm and 47mm versions; the Enduro 4 announcement lists a 51mm case.