Calling all outdoor enthusiasts, hill climbers, and trailblazers! If you’ve ever found yourself reaching for a smartwatch on your excursions, this one’s for you. 

The story we’re diving into today is all about those techy wrist companions that become our best friends on the trails. Our key players? The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro and the Suunto 9 Peak Pro. 

In the land of high-quality smartwatches, these two stand tall, but which one takes the crown? We’ll put them head-to-head in this ultimate face-off.

Please Note: This comparison is between the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro (47mm) and the Suunto 9 Peak Pro (43mm).

So let’s dive in and compare Garmin Fenix 7 Pro vs Suunto 9 Peak Pro.

Garmin Fenix 7 Pro vs Suunto 9 Peak Pro: Pricing

First things first, we all know that tech gadgets can be pricey, and it’s no different for these two. So, let’s talk numbers. 

The Suunto 9 Peak Pro plays in the mid-range field with its price tag reading $549 in the US, £419 in the UK, and AU$759 in Australia. 

But if you’re ready to splash a bit more cash, you’ll find the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro waiting at the counter with a price tag of $799 in the US, £749.99 in the UK, and a whopping $1,349 in Australia. 

Oh, and did I mention that Garmin also offers a posh titanium version, just to give it that extra flair?

Where to Buy?

• Garmin Fenix 7 Pro: View on Amazon
• Suunto 9 Peak Pro: View on Amazon

Garmin Fenix 7 Pro vs Suunto 9 Peak Pro: Specs Comparison

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Garmin Fenix 7 Pro vs Suunto 9 Peak Pro: In-Depth Review

Design & Build Quality

In terms of their looks, both watches are made to last with their rugged build, perfect for those muddy or rocky adventures. 

But where Suunto has gone for a slim, lightweight design, measuring a svelte 10.8mm in thickness and weighing just 64g, Garmin has gone the extra mile with its display. 

Suunto’s 1.2-inch sapphire crystal display might not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially with its black-and-white scheme and a relatively modest 240 x 240-pixel resolution.

On the flip side, the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro sports a slightly larger 1.3-inch transflective display, which is easy to read both indoors and out. 

With touchscreen support, a higher resolution of 260 x 260 pixels, and a power-boosting solar-charging feature, it’s no surprise that it is a crowd favorite. 

Not to forget, Garmin has also thrown in a handy LED flashlight, perfect for those late-night camp setups.

Health & Fitness Tracking

When it comes to health and activity tracking, both watches are neck and neck. 

The Suunto 9 Peak Pro boasts a hefty roster of 95 trackable activities (including snorkeling, for those aquatic adventurers), along with useful training tools. 

But it doesn’t quite reach the heights of comprehensive insights seen in other devices. Meanwhile, the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro goes above and beyond, offering an impressive array of sports profiles, activity metrics, and even new features like Endurance Scores and Hill Scores.

GPS & Navigation

For outdoor enthusiasts, GPS and navigation capabilities are crucial features in a smartwatch. 

Both the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro and the Suunto 9 Peak Pro are well-equipped in this department, but there are some differences worth considering.

The Suunto 9 Peak Pro features GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, and BEIDOU positioning systems, providing reliable and accurate tracking during outdoor activities. 

It also offers breadcrumb-style and turn-by-turn navigation, allowing users to plan, upload, and follow routes easily. 

However, the smaller and relatively low-resolution display may make it slightly challenging to utilize navigation features effectively, especially while on the move.

On the other hand, the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro comes with GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and Multi-Frequency positioning for improved tracking accuracy. 

It offers preloaded topographic maps, road and trail maps, and ski resort maps with touchscreen support for easy navigation. 

Garmin has enhanced the mapping mode with Relief Shading to offer more detailed maps, making it easier to interpret terrain information. 

The Fenix 7 Pro also provides Up Ahead, which shows Points of Interest nearby, ideal for trail runners and cyclists.

Performance

Performance-wise, the Suunto 9 Peak Pro delivers pretty solid results, but there can be occasional hiccups in responsiveness, especially if you’re doing a couple of things at once. 

Garmin, however, doesn’t disappoint in this department. With a multi-frequency GNSS mode for improved tracking accuracy, reliable heart rate monitoring, and robust battery life, it edges out Suunto.

App & Compatiblity

Both the Suunto 9 Peak Pro and the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro come with handy companion apps for Android and iOS devices. 

Suunto offers detailed post-workout data, while Garmin’s Connect app provides a user-friendly interface and robust data-tracking capabilities.

Smartwatch Features

In terms of smartwatch features, Garmin steals the show again. Both offer essential notification support, a stopwatch, an alarm clock, calendar sync, and weather information. 

However, Garmin ups the game with Garmin Pay and access to the Connect IQ Store for additional app downloads.

Battery Life

Let’s not forget the crucial battery life. Suunto can keep you going for up to 21 days in smartwatch mode, 40 hours with GPS, and an astounding 300 hours in power-saving mode. 

Garmin, on the other hand, offers a slightly superior 22 days, which can be stretched even further using solar charging.

Garmin Fenix 7 Pro vs Suunto 9 Peak Pro: Which Should You Buy?

So, who takes the crown? Both the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro and the Suunto 9 Peak Pro are superb companions for your adventures. 

Suunto shines with its sustainable design, comfortable fit, and a broad range of fitness-tracking capabilities. 

However, if you’re looking for a more feature-packed, versatile, and user-friendly experience, Garmin might just be the winner in this battle. 

But remember, both watches are champions in their own right, and the final choice should align with your personal needs and preferences. 

Happy adventuring!