Wear Radar

Suunto RacevsSuunto Vertical

$100
price gap
Suunto Race cheaper
10g
lighter
Suunto Race
Suunto Race
Buy/Wait:good

Early in release cycle

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Suunto Vertical
Buy/Wait:good

Early in release cycle

Full details →
Suunto RaceSuunto Vertical
Pricing
Starting price$499$599
Subscription✓ None✓ None
Hardware
Weight60g70g
Water resistance100m100m
Battery16 days20 days
Always-on display
GPS
Cellular
PlatformiOS & AndroidiOS & Android
TierSports GPSSports GPS
Buy timing
ReleasedAug 27, 2025Oct 15, 2025
Cycle advicegoodgood
Deals adviceneutralneutral
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Health Sensors

Suunto Race only
No exclusive sensors
Both
4 shared
Heart RateContinuous or on-demand pulse tracking
SpO2Blood oxygen saturation, tracked during sleep
HRVHeart rate variability — stress & recovery scores
Training LoadCumulative workout stress over time
Suunto Vertical only
No exclusive sensors

Why buy each?

Suunto Race

Significantly improved heart rate accuracy

The redesigned optical HR sensor on Race 2 delivers far more reliable readings during high-intensity sessions — a notable weak point of the original Race that has been addressed.

Dual-frequency GPS at 55h

Dual-frequency L1+L5 multi-constellation GPS for sub-meter precision in urban areas and dense forests, with 55 continuous GPS hours on a single charge.

1.5" AMOLED, thinner and lighter

The display grows to 1.5" at 2000 nits while the case slims to 12.5mm and drops to 76g — more readable in sunlight and easier to wear day-to-day than its predecessor.

Suunto Vertical

AMOLED display — first for the Vertical line

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.

Built-in LED flashlight

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.

Full offline maps, 65h GPS, AI Coach

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.

Quick Winner

The right pick depends on what you optimize for.

For the budget
Suunto Race wins

$499 vs $599 over 3 years · no required subscription.

For battery life
Suunto Vertical wins

20 days vs 16 days battery.

For health depth
Suunto Race wins

4 sensors.

For daily comfort
Suunto Race wins

60g · no required subscription.

Bottom Line

Technical gaps
  1. Weight. Race is 10g lighter — relevant for all-day comfort and sleep.
Commercial gaps
  1. Hardware cost. Race is $100 cheaper upfront ($499 vs $599).
Pick the Suunto Race if…

Competitive road and trail runners who want Suunto's precise multi-band GPS tracking and a vivid AMOLED display in a lighter, thinner package. A strong alternative to Garmin for athletes who prefer Suunto's clean interface and ecosystem.

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Pick the Suunto Vertical if…

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.

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