Garmin Edge 1050 vs Edge 1040 vs Edge 840 Bike Computers Specification Compared

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A couple of days ago, Garmin launched its latest flagship bike computer, the Edge 1050.

Following the trend of their recent watches, the Edge 1050 ditches the old low-resolution transflective display and has swapped it out for an LCD display. It is a shame they haven’t used OLED as it may save a bit of battery, but LCD displays can go brighter, and with this being a bike computer, it has more space for a battery than a watch.

So what else has changed, and is the Garmin Edge 1050  worth it over the older Edge 1040 and 840?

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Garmin Edge 1050 vs Edge 1040 vs Edge 840 Specification

Garmin SpecificationEdge 1050Edge 1040Edge 840
Garmin PayYesNoNo
General
Dimension60.2 x 118.5 x 16.3 mm59.3 x 117.6 x 20.0 mm57.8 x 85.1 x 19.6 mm
Weight161 g126 g84.8 g
Water RatingIPX7IPX7IPX7
TouchscreenYesYesYes
Display TypeLiquid crystalTransflective TFTTransflective TFT
Display Size88.9 mm  diagonal88.9 mm diagonal66 mm diagonal
Display Resolution480 x 800 pixels282 x 470 pixels246 x 322 pixels
Colour DisplayYesYesYes
Built-In Speaker:YesNoNo
Battery TypeRechargeable lithium-ionRechargeable lithium-ionRechargeable lithium-ion
Battery LifeUp to 20 hours demanding use35 hoursUp to 26 hours
Up to 60 hours, battery save mode
Battery Save ModeYesYesYes
In-Ride Power Compatible (Power Mount And Garmin Charge Battery Pack)YesYesYes
Maps & Memory
Ability To Add MapsYesYesYes
Wi-Fi Map ManagerYesNoNo
BasemapPreloaded Garmin cycle mapPreloaded Garmin cycle mapPreloaded Garmin cycle map
Storage And Power Capacity64 GB internal memory only32 GB internal memory32 GB
Waypoints/Favourites/Locations200200200
Navigation Routes100 Courses100 Courses100 Courses
HistoryUp to 200 hoursUp to 200 hoursUp to 200 hours
Sensors
GpsYesYesYes
GlonassYesYesYes
GalileoYesYesYes
Barometric AltimeterYesYesYes
GyroscopeYesYesYes
AccelerometerYesYesYes
Ambient Light SensorYesYesYes
Multi-Band GnssYesYesYes
MagnetometerYesYesYes
Daily Smart Features
ConnectivityBluetooth, ANT+, Wi-FiBluetooth, ANT+, Wi-FiBluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi
Connect Iq™ (Downloadable Watch Faces, Data Fields, Widgets And Apps)YesYesYes
On-Device Connect  StoreYesYesYes
Smart NotificationsYesYesYes
Text Response/Reject Phone Call With Text (Android Only)YesYesYes
Weather ForecastsYesYesYes
Realtime Settings Sync With Garmin Connectâ MobileYesYesYes
Controls Smartphone MusicYesYesYes
Virb Camera RemoteYesYesYes
Smart Trainer ControlYesYesYes
Smartphone CompatibilityiPhone, AndroidiPhone, AndroidiPhone, Android
Safety And Tracking Features
AssistanceYesYesYes
LivetrackYesYesYes
GrouptrackYesYesYes
Group Ride (Cycling)YesYesYes
Groupride Competitions And AwardsYesNoNo
Rider-To-Rider MessagingYesYesYes
Incident DetectionYes (includes off-road)Yes (includes off-road)Yes (includes off-road)
Groupride Incident DetectionYesNoNo
Community Generated Hazards ReportingYesNoNo
Find My EdgeYesYesYes
Bike AlarmYesYesYes
Weather AlertsYesYesYes
Inreach  CompatibleYesYesYes
Activity Tracking Features
Calories BurnedYesYesYes
Intensity MinutesYesYesYes
Training, Planning And Analysis Features
Customisable Screen(S)YesYesYes
Downloadable Training PlansYesYesYes
Daily Workout SuggestionsYes (event specific)YesYes
Primary And Secondary Workout TargetsYesYesYes
Auto PauseYesYesYes
Interval TrainingYesYesYes
Advanced WorkoutsYesYesYes
Auto LapYesYesYes
Vo2 MaxYesYesYes
Training Status – CyclingYesYesYes
Training Load – CyclingYesYesYes
Training Load Focus – CyclingYesYesYes
Real-Time Stamina – CyclingYesYesYes
Cycling Ability AnalysisYesYesYes
Course Demands AnalysisYesYesYes
Training EffectYesYesYes
Recovery AdvisorYesYesYes
Virtual PartnerYesYesYes
Race An ActivityYesYesYes
SegmentsYesYesYes
Auto ScrollYesYesYes
Physio TrueupYesYesYes
Unified Training StatusYesYesYes
Outdoor Recreation
Climbpro Ascent Planner – CyclingYesYesYes
Climbpro – CoursesYesYesYes
Climbpro – Free RidingYesYesYes
Cycling Features
CoursesYesYesYes
Alerts (Triggers Alarm When You Reach Goals Including Time, Distance, Heart Rate Or Calories)YesYesYes
Ftp (Functional Threshold Power)YesYesYes
Garmin Cycle Map (Routable Cycling-Specific Street Map)YesYesYes
Mtb DynamicsYesYesYes
Compatible With Variaâ Radar (Rear-Facing Radar)YesYesYes
Compatible With Varia Radar CameraYesYesYes
Compatible With Variaâ LightsYesYesYes
Power Meter CompatibleYesYesYes
On-Device Course CreatorImprovedYesYes
On-Device Location SearchYesYesYes
Power GuideYesYesYes
Trendline Popularity Routing – CyclingYesYesYes
Popularity HeatmapYesYesYes
Cycling Dynamics CompatibleYesYesYes
Integrated Trailforks Trail DataYesYesYes
Ebike Smart Range RoutingYesYesYes
Connectivity
Edge RemoteYesYesYes
Varia RemoteYesYesYes
Ant  Electronic ShiftingYesYesYes
Shimano Di2 Synchro Shift IntegrationYesYesYes
Sram Axs IntegrationYesNoNo
Extended Display (Allows A Garmin Watch To Share Data Screens On Edge®)YesYesYes

Garmin Edge 1050 vs Edge 1040 vs Edge 840 Key Differences

The key differences and similarities among the Garmin Edge 1050, Edge 1040, and Edge 840 include:

  • Garmin Pay: Only the Edge 1050 supports Garmin Pay, allowing for contactless payments directly from the device.
  • Dimensions and Weight: The Edge 1050 is the largest and heaviest, measuring 60.2 x 118.5 x 16.3 mm and weighing 161 g. The Edge 1040 is slightly smaller and lighter at 59.3 x 117.6 x 20.0 mm and 126 g, while the Edge 840 is the most compact and lightest at 57.8 x 85.1 x 19.6 mm and 84.8 g.
  • Display: The Edge 1050 boasts the largest and highest-resolution display (88.9 mm diagonal, 480 x 800 pixels), compared to the Edge 1040 (88.9 mm diagonal, 282 x 470 pixels) and Edge 840 (66 mm diagonal, 246 x 322 pixels).
  • Battery Life: The Edge 1040 leads with up to 35 hours of use, extending to 60 hours in battery save mode. The Edge 840 follows with up to 26 hours, and the Edge 1050 offers up to 20 hours of demanding use or 60 hours in battery save mode.
  • Storage: The Edge 1050 has 64 GB of internal memory, doubling the 32 GB found in both the Edge 1040 and Edge 840.
  • Built-In Speaker: Unique to the Edge 1050, enhancing navigation with voice directions.

Garmin Edge 1050 vs Edge 1040 vs Edge 840 Display

The Edge 1050 boasts the largest and most advanced display of the three. It features an 88.9mm diagonal liquid crystal touchscreen with a resolution of 480×800 pixels. The Edge 1040 matches the 1050’s screen size but uses a transflective TFT display with a lower 282×470 pixel resolution. The Edge 840, being more compact, has a 66mm diagonal transflective TFT display with 246×322 pixels.

In terms of physical dimensions, the Edge 1050 is the largest at 60.2 x 118.5 x 16.3mm, followed by the 1040 at 59.3 x 117.6 x 20.0mm, and the 840 is the most compact at 57.8 x 85.1 x 19.6mm.

Garmin Edge 1050 vs Edge 1040 vs Edge 840 Battery Life & Solar

The Edge 1050 offers up to 20 hours of battery life under demanding use and up to 60 hours in battery save mode. 

The Edge 1040 boasts an impressive 35 hours of battery life and 70 hours with a battery saver.

The Edge 840 can last up to 26 hours, but the battery saver performance is not stated.

All three models are compatible with in-ride power sources like the Power Mount and Garmin Charge Battery Pack.

Both the Edge 1040 and 840 are available in solar models, which adds £70 to the cost of the Edge 840 and £100 to the Edge 1040.

The Edge 1040 is then capable of up to 45 hours with solar (adding 10 hours).

The solar on the Edge 840 extends the battery to 32 hours.

For most people, the 20-hour battery life of the Edge 1050 will be more than acceptable, but it is also a little disappointing. If you go out on a full-day ride, you will want to make sure the unit is fully charged, whereas the other solar-powered models provide more flexibility.

Navigation and Mapping

All three devices come preloaded with Garmin cycle maps and support the addition of new maps. However, the Edge 1050 introduces a new Wi-Fi Map Manager feature, making it easier to update and manage maps wirelessly. The 1050 also offers 64GB of internal storage, while the 1040 and 840 have 32GB each.

Connectivity and Smart Features

All three models support Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi connectivity. They’re compatible with smartphones, offer smart notifications, and can control smartphone music. The Edge 1050 stands out with its built-in speaker and Garmin Pay functionality, features absent in the 1040 and 840.

Safety and Tracking

While all three devices offer basic safety features like Assistance, LiveTrack, and Incident Detection, the Edge 1050 introduces new features such as GroupRide Competitions and Awards, GroupRide Incident Detection, and Community Generated Hazards Reporting.

Training and Analysis

All three devices provide advanced training features including VO2 Max estimation, Training Status, Training Load, and ClimbPro. The Edge 1050 offers event-specific daily workout suggestions, a feature not mentioned for the other models.

Cycling-Specific Features

All three computers are compatible with various cycling accessories like power meters, Varia radar and lights. The Edge 1050 introduces improved on-device course creation and SRAM AXS integration, features not available on the 1040 and 840.

Garmin Edge 1050 vs Edge 1040 vs Edge 840 Price and Alternative Options

The Garmin Edge 1050 has an RRP of £650

The Garmin Edge 1040 Solar is priced at £630, and the standard model is £530

The Edge 840 Solar is £520, and the standard model is £450

The Edge 540, which is the same as the 840 but lacks the touch display, is currently only available without solar and is priced at £350.

As for alternative options from competing brands, you have:

Overall Opinion

The Edge 1050 is not the most exciting launch from Garmin. The main difference is the new 3.5” Transmissive LCD display, which is capable of 1,000 Nits brightness with a resolution 480×800.

It is a nice upgrade, but not really a reason to buy it if you have one of the older models.

The bike bell, road hazards and group ride features are nice additions. I love the idea of road hazards, but I am not sure how useful it will be. It is going to take a long time to build up a community-powered road hazard database, but I guess it will be useful for group riders.

Many of the software features are being rolled down to the 540/840/1040, so it is really just the hardware features that make a difference.

The pricing makes it challenging to make a decision on which bike computer to buy. You can get the Garmin Edge 1050 for £650 with its fancy new display and bike bell or for £20 less; you can get the Edge 1040 Solar with its superior battery, or alternatively, you can save £120 by getting the standard 1040.

As I am a tight-fisted northerner, if I was parting with my own money, I think I’d save the cash and get the standard 1040 (or even the 540/840).

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