| Garmin Fenix | Suunto Race | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $999 | $499★ |
| Subscription | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr | ✓ None |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 56g★ | 60g |
| Water resistance | 10ATM | 100m★ |
| Battery | 18 days★ | 16 days |
| Always-on display | ✅ | ✅ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Sports GPS | Sports GPS |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Aug 14, 2024 | Aug 27, 2025 |
| Cycle advice | bad | good★ |
| Deals advice | good★ | neutral |
| Next model | Garmin Fenix 9 (H2 2026) | — |
First Fenix to include a speaker — enabling phone calls, Bluetooth audio, and voice prompts directly from the watch.
AMOLED for the best display at 18 days. Solar MIP for up to 48+ days in expedition conditions where charging is impossible.
EN13319 dive mode (up to 40m), MIL-STD-810 shock resistance, and TopoActive maps covering 100+ countries — the most capable outdoor watch in Garmin's lineup.
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 L1+L5 multi-constellation GPS for sub-meter precision in urban areas and dense forests, with 55 continuous GPS hours on a single charge.
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.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$499 vs $1209 over 3 years.
18 days vs 16 days battery.
11 sensors.
56g.
Expedition athletes, adventure racers, triathletes, mountaineers, and divers who need the most capable and durable GPS watch Garmin makes. Also for anyone who wants Garmin's best — full stop.
Full details →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.
Full details →