All four Approach S-series watches are older models that Garmin no longer sells new, so you would be buying from a reseller. If you find one, the S40 is the one to look for: a colour touchscreen, automatic shot distances, phone notifications and up to 15 hours of GPS battery life (tied with the S20). Choose the S10 if you only want yardages, the S20 for the same features in a button-operated watch, and the S60 only if you want PlaysLike distances and swing tempo. Our full golf GPS watch guide covers current alternatives.
Garmin Approach S10 vs S20 vs S40 vs S60: specs
| S10 | S20 | S40 | S60 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | April 2018 | January 2016 | March 2019 | May 2017 |
| Launch price (US) | $149.99 | $199.99 | $299.99 | $399.99 (standard), $499.99 (premium) |
| Display | 23 x 23 mm | 23 x 23 mm | 1.2 in, 240 x 240 pixels, colour touchscreen | 1.2 in, 240 x 240 pixels, colour touchscreen |
| Controls | Buttons | Buttons | Touchscreen and button | Touchscreen and button |
| Weight | 35 g | 42.2 g | 43 g | 52 g (standard), 61 g (premium) |
| Battery, GPS golf mode | Up to 12 hours | Up to 15 hours | Up to 15 hours | Up to 10 hours |
| Battery, watch mode | Up to 14 weeks | Up to 8 weeks | Up to 10 days | Up to 10 days |
| Water rating | 5 ATM | 5 ATM | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Preloaded courses | 41,000+ | 40,000+ | 41,000 | 41,000 |
| Front, middle, back of green | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hazard, layup and dogleg distances | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Move the pin on the green | No | Yes | Yes (tap) | Yes (tap or drag) |
| Automatic shot distances (AutoShot) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Phone notifications | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Step and activity tracking | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| TruSwing sensor support | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PlaysLike distance, touch targeting, PinPointer, swing tempo | No | No | No | Yes |
Launch prices are what Garmin announced at release, not what any seller charges now. The S10 column says "No" where Garmin's owner's manual does not describe the feature, and the S10 manual says it calculates distances to the green, not the actual pin position. Announcement dates are from Garmin's press releases (the S60 was available from June 2017).
Sources
- Garmin product pages: S10, S20, S40, S60
- Owner's manuals: S10, S20, S40, S60
- Press releases: S10, S20, S40, S60
Which model suits which golfer
- You want yardages and nothing else: the S10. It shows the distance to the front, middle and back of the green and to hazards, doglegs and layups. Garmin's manual notes it calculates those three green distances, not the pin location. It has no phone connection and no shot tracking.
- You want shot tracking and notifications without a touchscreen: the S20. It adds automatic shot distances, step tracking, phone notifications and the ability to move the pin.
- You want a touchscreen and up to 15 hours of GPS battery (tied with the S20): the S40. It has the S60's colour touchscreen at a lower launch price and a longer GPS battery life than the S60.
- You want slope-adjusted distances and swing tempo: the S60. It is the only one of the four with PlaysLike distance, touch targeting, PinPointer and swing tempo, and it has the shortest GPS battery life.
The four models in brief
Garmin Approach S10
The entry model. Small, light (35 g) and rated for up to 12 hours of GPS golf use. It is operated by buttons and, per Garmin's manual, gets software and course updates by USB through Garmin Express on a computer. Read our Approach S10 review.
Garmin Approach S20
Adds automatic shot detection, step tracking, phone notifications and course updates through the Garmin app, with up to 15 hours of GPS battery life. It is still a button-operated watch with a small display. Read our Approach S20 review.
Garmin Approach S40
A 1.2-inch colour touchscreen, a green view where you tap to move the pin, AutoShot distances, notifications and up to 15 hours in GPS mode. Garmin's S40 manual also covers the Approach CT10 club sensors. Read our Approach S40 review, or the direct comparison in Garmin S60 vs S40.
Garmin Approach S60
The most feature-heavy of the four: the same 1.2-inch, 240 x 240 colour touchscreen, plus PlaysLike distance, touch targeting, PinPointer and swing tempo. It is also the heaviest (52 g standard) and has the shortest GPS battery life, up to 10 hours. Read our Approach S60 review.
Which to buy today
All four are older models. On 5 October 2026, Garmin's own store pages for the S10, S40 and S60 no longer offered them for sale, and the S20 page on Garmin's Irish site was labelled Discontinued. That does not mean none are available: retailers and marketplaces may still hold stock, and you should check condition, warranty and the seller before paying. We have not verified current prices or stock for any of them.
If you do find one, the S40 is the model most worth looking for. Compare the seller's price with the launch prices above before you buy. The card below links to an Amazon listing for the S40, and availability varies.
Garmin Approach S40, Stylish GPS Golf Smartwatch, Lightweight with Touchscreen Display, Black
Garmin has since announced newer Approach watches, including the Approach S44 and S50 and the Approach S70. If you would rather buy something that is still sold, start there.
Alternatives to the S-series
If you want a touchscreen golf watch from another brand, our reviews cover the GolfBuddy Aim W10 and the GolfBuddy GB9 WTX+. If you are not sure a watch is right for you, see GPS or rangefinder: which is better.
Source and date
Specs checked against the Garmin owner's manuals, product pages and press releases linked above on 5 October 2026. Garmin's figures for battery life are maximums and depend on use.
