| Polar Grit X | Suunto Vertical | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $749 | $599★ |
| Subscription | ✓ None | ✓ None |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 57g★ | 70g |
| Water resistance | 100m | 100m |
| Battery | 40 days★ | 20 days |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ✅★ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Sports GPS | Sports GPS |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Apr 11, 2024 | Oct 15, 2025 |
| Cycle advice | bad | good★ |
| Deals advice | good★ | neutral |
| Next model | — | — |
Five times the battery of the Vantage V3 — enough for week-long mountain stages or ultramarathons without charging access.
Automatically segments your run by uphill and downhill sections, calculating pace and power for each — essential for mountain race training.
Running power without a chest strap or foot pod — Polar's key differentiator versus Garmin at this price tier.
The Vertical 2 replaces the MIP screen with a bright 1.5" AMOLED LTPO — delivering vivid colour maps and improved night readability while still providing 65 hours of dual-band GPS.
An integrated LED flashlight is new to the Vertical 2, adding practical trail and camp utility without a separate device — especially useful for early morning and night runs.
Global topographic maps with dual-band GPS, 20-day smartwatch battery, and an AI Coach that personalises training load and recovery recommendations directly on the watch.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$599 vs $749 over 3 years · no required subscription.
40 days vs 20 days battery.
4 sensors.
57g · no required subscription.
Trail runners, hikers, and outdoor athletes who want Polar's analytics with significantly longer battery life than the Vantage V3. The titanium case and sapphire glass make it suitable for technical terrain where watch durability matters.
Full details →Mountain runners, alpinists, and expedition athletes who want full offline maps, long GPS battery, and a bright AMOLED display in a rugged adventure watch. Suunto loyalists who need the brand's navigation precision and now want a readable colour display in the field.
Full details →