Suunto has just brought out a new GPS Sports Watch called “Suunto Race.” It’s got some cool new features.

But, how does it compare to the well-known Garmin Fenix 7 Pro series?

Even though the Fenix 7 Pro is about twice the price of the Race, does it mean it’s that much better? Or can Suunto’s Race give it a good challenge?

Let’s dive in and see which one might be best for you.

Suunto Race vs Garmin Fenix 7 Pro: Price & Availability

The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro series costs more than the Suunto Race, as we’ve mentioned earlier. 

Garmin brought out their Fenix 7 Pro series on May 31, 2023. In this series, there are three watches, each of a different size: the Fenix 7S Pro is 42mm, the Fenix 7 Pro is 47mm, and the Fenix 7X Pro is 51mm. The size of the screen and how long the battery lasts are the main differences between these watches. We’ll talk more about that later.

A cool thing about the Fenix 7 Pro watches is that they can charge using sunlight. Unlike the Fenix 7, all the watches in the Pro series can do this. The price for the least expensive Fenix 7 Pro starts at $799 or £749.

On the other hand, Suunto’s Race watch comes in two types: one with a steel bezel and one with a titanium bezel. The steel one costs $449, £389, or 449 Euros. If you want the titanium one, it’s a bit more – $549, £479, or 549 Euros.

Where to Buy?

Suunto Race vs Garmin Fenix 7 Pro: Specs Comparison

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Suunto Race vs Garmin Fenix 7 Pro: Design & Display

When you put the two watches side by side, it’s clear that the Fenix 7 Pro looks tougher and bolder than the Suunto Race. Suunto made the Race for High-performance Sports and borrowed some design ideas from their outdoor-focused Vertical watch.

The Race’s outer ring, or bezel, comes in two choices: steel or titanium. The titanium one looks nicer and is a bit lighter. Both versions have a slimmer design compared to older Suunto watches.

The big highlight of the Race is its bright and colorful AMOLED touchscreen. This is Suunto’s first high-end sports watch with such a vivid screen. The screen size is 1.43 inches with a sharp 460 x 460 pixels resolution, similar to many modern smartwatches.

On the side of the Race, there are three buttons. One of them is a spinning crown, and the other two are flat buttons. The back has a sensor to measure heart rate and blood oxygen levels. To charge the watch, you’ll need a special cable.

The straps on the Race are made of a soft silicone material. Suunto seems to be trying out some fun new styles for their watch straps, which is nice to see.

The Fenix 7 Pro is built strong. It’s meant to handle rough outdoor adventures. It’s chunkier and sturdier than Garmin’s other watches, like the Forerunner 265. This Fenix 7 Pro watch feels big and solid on the wrist.

There are three sizes for the 7 Pro. The one we looked at was 47mm. It has a plastic body, a steel back, and a steel outer ring, weighing 79g. The straps can be easily changed with a button. This watch is also water-resistant up to 100 meters, so it’s great for swimming.

The screen on the 7 Pro is 1.3 inches with a 260 x 260 resolution. It’s not as bright as the Race, but it saves battery. Garmin added their PowerGlass on top of the screen which lets the watch charge with sunlight. So, if you’re outdoors a lot, the watch battery can last longer.

An extra feature on the 7 Pro is the LED flashlight. It’s useful when it’s dark and you don’t want to use your phone light.

Garmin uses the same charging cable for the Fenix 7 Pro as they do for the Fenix 7. Overall, it’s a well-made watch that feels just right on the wrist and has a clear screen to check your stats and maps.

Suunto Race vs Garmin Fenix 7 Pro: Features

Suunto Race Features

1. Software Improvements: Suunto improved its software, making it faster and easier to use.
2. User Interface: The watch has a new interface. It is simpler and more intuitive. It’s inspired by Garmin’s design, letting users easily see notifications, health info, and other data.
3. Sports Tracking: Swipe in a certain direction and you can see different sports modes.
4. GPS and Mapping: Suunto Race has a dual-band GPS, which is good for tracking. It also shows maps with color details like contour lines.
5. Custom Screen for Races: Users can change the screen to show the data they care most about during races.
6. Coaching Mode: Suunto Race uses AI for a new coaching mode. It checks your heart rate during sleep to give advice on recovery.
7. Suunto Plus Store: This watch works with the Suunto Plus Store. It seems Suunto will change the store to be more like an app store, similar to Garmin’s store.
8. Smartwatch Features: Suunto Race has features like notifications and music controls. Suunto also introduced new headphones, but they don’t work with this watch.

Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Features

1. Outdoor Features: The Fenix 7 Pro is designed for people who love the outdoors. It has features for running, golfing, swimming, cycling, hiking, surfing, skiing, and more.
2. Navigation: This watch has detailed maps. It can show weather info and points of interest.
3. Training Analysis: Garmin added new scores to help users understand their training. The watch checks your past workouts and gives scores on endurance and hill ability.
4. Heart Rate Sensor: Garmin improved the heart rate sensor for better accuracy during workouts. However, using an extra heart rate monitor is still recommended for the best results.
5. Performance: The Fenix 7 Pro keeps the good features of the Fenix 7. It has a great GPS mode and good mapping. The new scores added are interesting, but they might not be useful for everyone. The battery life is also very good.
6. Smartwatch Functions: The Fenix 7 Pro has smartwatch features like notifications, music controls, Garmin Pay, and the Garmin Connect IQ Store.

In simple words, both watches have improved software, better user interfaces, and many sports and smartwatch features. The Suunto Race focuses on an intuitive experience and coaching. The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro is great for outdoor enthusiasts with detailed maps and training analysis.

Suunto Race vs Garmin Fenix 7 Pro: Battery Life

When it comes to battery life, both watches offer impressive durations. Suunto was hoping to reach a 14-day battery life with the Race, but they achieved 12 days. If you just use it to see the time, the battery could last up to 26 days. It’s unclear if this time includes having the screen always on. However, it’s good news that this bright AMOLED sports watch won’t need charging every other day.

In terms of GPS use, the Race can last 40 hours when set to the highest accuracy. Although it’s less than the 60-85 hours offered by the Suunto Vertical, it’s more than the 19 hours provided by Garmin’s Forerunner 965.

Garmin’s Fenix 7 Pro stands out with its solar charging feature. Solar charging was first seen in the Garmin Fenix 6 series and was then added to other Garmin models. In the Fenix 7, the solar panels have grown by up to 54%, making the watch even more efficient.

The Fenix 7 Pro screen might not be as bright as other AMOLED screens from Garmin, but it works well under sunlight and on cloudy days. Its solar charging ability, combined with efficient power use, means you get long battery life.

Here’s a breakdown of the Fenix 7 Pro battery stats:

Garmin Fenix 7S Pro:

• Smartwatch mode: 14 days
• With GPS: 46 hours

Garmin Fenix 7 Pro:

• Smartwatch mode: 22 days
• With GPS: 73 hours

Garmin Fenix 7X Pro:

• Smartwatch mode: 37 days
• With GPS: 122 hours

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

Buy Suunto Race if:

• You’re looking for a more budget-friendly option.
• You prioritize a vivid AMOLED touchscreen with a sharp resolution.
• You want a sleeker and slimmer design inspired by high-performance sports aesthetics.
• Coaching Mode with AI that provides advice based on sleep heart rate is important to you.
• You want up to 26 days of battery life in time-seeing mode or 40 hours in GPS mode with the highest accuracy.
• You’re interested in the new Suunto Plus Store and a more intuitive user interface.
• A watch with a bright screen suitable for sports activities and races is essential for you.

Buy Garmin Fenix 7 Pro if:

• You’re okay with spending more on additional features and ruggedness.
• You need a watch designed for a wide range of outdoor activities, from running to skiing.
• Solar charging capability is crucial for extended battery life outdoors.
• You value detailed navigation maps, weather info, and training analysis.
• You want the option to choose from different sizes with varying battery life durations.
• You’re looking for a sturdy watch that’s also water-resistant up to 100 meters.
• A watch with a longer battery life (e.g., 22 days in smartwatch mode or 73 hours in GPS mode for Fenix 7 Pro) is a priority.
• You prefer a watch with an established ecosystem like the Garmin Connect IQ Store.

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