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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerAmazfit Balance vs Suunto Race
Get the Amazfit Balance if you're after a lightweight design and advanced wellness features. Weighing just 1.23 oz, it offers a 1.5" AMOLED display and up to 14 days of battery life. Meanwhile, the Suunto Race is the premium choice with a rugged build, but its bulkier 2.93 oz weight might not suit everyone. In real-world use, the Amazfit Balance sacrifices some battery life when using Always-On Display, dropping to 5 days, while the Suunto Race can last up to 26 days in Daily Mode. If you're into sports and need a durable smartwatch, the Suunto Race crushes the competition with military-grade durability and dual-band GPS that tracks accurately in challenging environments.
⚖️ Weight: 1.23 oz vs 2.93 oz💽 Storage: 2.2 GB vs 16 GB💡 Brightness: 1000 nits vs standard brightness
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Amazfit Balance
★4.4
(1,543)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android 7.0 and above; iOS 14.0 and above
Operating System:Zepp OS 4
Case Size:46mm (1.81 x 1.81 x 0.42 inches; without heart rate base)
Case Material:Aluminum alloy middle frame; fiber-reinforced polymer bottom shell
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Suunto Race
★4.2
(297)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android and iOS (via Suunto app)
Operating System:Suunto UI
Case Size:49mm (49 x 49 x 13.3 mm / 1.93 x 1.93 x 0.52 in)
Case Material:Bezel: Stainless Steel; Case: Glass fiber reinforced polyamide; Glass: Sapphire crystal; Strap: Silicone
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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Amazfit Balance
Suunto Race
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Amazfit Balance
1.5"
Suunto Race
1.43 in
Resolution
Amazfit Balance
480 x 480 (323 ppi)
Suunto Race
466 x 466 pixels (1,000 nits brightness)
Performance1 specs
Storage
Amazfit Balance
Music storage (approx. 2.2GB available)
Suunto Race
16 GB (Steel model) / 32 GB (Titanium model)Winner
Battery1 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Amazfit Balance
475 mAh; up to 14 days typical use; up to 25 days battery saver; up to 5 days AOD; up to 26 hours (Accuracy GPS mode); up to 52 hours (Power Saving GPS mode)
Suunto Race
Up to 26 days (Daily Mode); Up to 12 days (Daily HR + AOD); 40 hours (Performance Training / Dual-band GNSS)
Design2 specs
Weight
Amazfit Balance
1.23 oz (without strap)Winner
Suunto Race
83 g / 2.93 oz (Steel model)
Water Resistance
Amazfit Balance
5 ATM (up to 164 feet)
Suunto Race
100 m (10 ATM)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Amazfit Balance
Zepp OS 4
Suunto Race
Suunto UI
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Amazfit Balance
WLAN 2.4GHz; Bluetooth 5.3
Suunto Race
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (for map downloads)
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Amazfit Balance vs Suunto Race
Amazfit Balance
★4.4(1,543)Amazon
Suunto Race
★4.2(297)Amazon
| Criterion | Amazfit Balance | Suunto Race |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.4(1,543)Amazon | ★4.2(297)Amazon |
Compatibility | Android 7.0 and above; iOS 14.0 and above | Android and iOS (via Suunto app) |
Operating System | Zepp OS 4 | Suunto UI |
Case Size | 46mm (1.81 x 1.81 x 0.42 inches; without heart rate base) | 49mm (49 x 49 x 13.3 mm / 1.93 x 1.93 x 0.52 in) |
Case Material | Aluminum alloy middle frame; fiber-reinforced polymer bottom shell | Bezel: Stainless Steel; Case: Glass fiber reinforced polyamide; Glass: Sapphire crystal; Strap: Silicone |
Display Type | AMOLED (tempered glass; anti-glare bezel; anti-fingerprint coating) | AMOLED touchscreen (High definition, always-on capable) |
Display Size | 1.5" | 1.43 in |
Resolution | 480 x 480 (323 ppi) | 466 x 466 pixels (1,000 nits brightness) |
Always On Display | Yes (AOD mode supported) | Yes |
Water Resistance | 5 ATM (up to 164 feet) | 100 m (10 ATM) |
Durability | Tempered glass with anti-glare bezel; aluminum alloy frame | MIL-STD-810H tested; Operating temp: -20°C to +55°C (-5°F to +130°F) |
GPS | Circularly-polarized GPS antenna; dual-band positioning; 6 satellite positioning systems | Dual-band GNSS (L1 + L5); GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BEIDOU |
Connectivity | WLAN 2.4GHz; Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (for map downloads) |
NFC Payments | Zepp Pay (supported in select regions and banks only) | No (Not supported) |
Sensors | BioTracker 5.0 PPG biometric sensor (8PD + 2LED); BIA bioelectric impedance sensor; 3-axis acceleration sensor; Gyroscope sensor; Geomagnetic sensor; Air pressure sensor; Ambient light sensor; Temperature sensor | Optical heart rate; blood oxygen (SpO2); barometric altimeter; digital compass; accelerometer; gyroscope |
Health Features | Readiness score; 24/7 heart rate, SpO2, and stress monitoring; sleep tracking (incl. breathing quality); one-tap health measurement; body composition measurement (BIA) | HRV measurement (Sleep & Daily); 24/7 heart rate; sleep tracking (stages & quality); blood oxygen; stress and recovery status |
Workout Modes | 156 sports modes; Zepp Coach; offline maps and navigation; training templates + interval training; supports external peripherals (HR belt, cycling power meter) | 95+ sport modes; Suunto Coach (AI-based training load & recovery); offline maps; route navigation; race time estimates |
Storage | Music storage (approx. 2.2GB available) | 16 GB (Steel model) / 32 GB (Titanium model) |
Speaker Mic | Microphone: supported; speaker: supported | No (No built-in speaker or microphone) |
Calls | Yes (Bluetooth phone calls) | No (Notification alerts only) |
Battery | 475 mAh; up to 14 days typical use; up to 25 days battery saver; up to 5 days AOD; up to 26 hours (Accuracy GPS mode); up to 52 hours (Power Saving GPS mode) | Up to 26 days (Daily Mode); Up to 12 days (Daily HR + AOD); 40 hours (Performance Training / Dual-band GNSS) |
Charging | Magnetic charging; approx. 2 hours | Suunto magnetic fast charger (USB-A) |
Weight | 1.23 oz (without strap) | 83 g / 2.93 oz (Steel model) |
Band Sizes | 22mm width; silicone fits wrists 5.51–8.46 inches; nylon fits wrists 5.51–8.27 inches | Fits wrist sizes 125–175 mm; standard 22 mm quick-release width |
Extras | Zepp Flow AI voice assistant; Amazon Alexa integrated; offline voice assistant; mini apps ecosystem; quick reply on Android (supported apps vary) | Global offline outdoor maps (free); weather widgets; phone media controls; customizable watch faces; digital crown navigation |
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Amazfit Balance
Rating:★4.4(1,543)Amazon
Compatibility:Android 7.0 and above; iOS 14.0 and above
Operating System:Zepp OS 4
Case Size:46mm (1.81 x 1.81 x 0.42 inches; without heart rate base)
Case Material:Aluminum alloy middle frame; fiber-reinforced polymer bottom shell
Display Type:AMOLED (tempered glass; anti-glare bezel; anti-fingerprint coating)
Display Size:1.5"
Resolution:480 x 480 (323 ppi)
Always On Display:Yes (AOD mode supported)
Water Resistance:5 ATM (up to 164 feet)
Durability:Tempered glass with anti-glare bezel; aluminum alloy frame
GPS:Circularly-polarized GPS antenna; dual-band positioning; 6 satellite positioning systems
Connectivity:WLAN 2.4GHz; Bluetooth 5.3
NFC Payments:Zepp Pay (supported in select regions and banks only)
Sensors:BioTracker 5.0 PPG biometric sensor (8PD + 2LED); BIA bioelectric impedance sensor; 3-axis acceleration sensor; Gyroscope sensor; Geomagnetic sensor; Air pressure sensor; Ambient light sensor; Temperature sensor
Health Features:Readiness score; 24/7 heart rate, SpO2, and stress monitoring; sleep tracking (incl. breathing quality); one-tap health measurement; body composition measurement (BIA)
Workout Modes:156 sports modes; Zepp Coach; offline maps and navigation; training templates + interval training; supports external peripherals (HR belt, cycling power meter)
Storage:Music storage (approx. 2.2GB available)
Speaker Mic:Microphone: supported; speaker: supported
Calls:Yes (Bluetooth phone calls)
Battery:475 mAh; up to 14 days typical use; up to 25 days battery saver; up to 5 days AOD; up to 26 hours (Accuracy GPS mode); up to 52 hours (Power Saving GPS mode)
Charging:Magnetic charging; approx. 2 hours
Weight:1.23 oz (without strap)
Band Sizes:22mm width; silicone fits wrists 5.51–8.46 inches; nylon fits wrists 5.51–8.27 inches
Extras:Zepp Flow AI voice assistant; Amazon Alexa integrated; offline voice assistant; mini apps ecosystem; quick reply on Android (supported apps vary)
✓ Pros:
- • Extremely lightweight design (1.23 oz) for its 46mm size
- • Advanced wellness toolkit including Readiness score and Body Composition analysis
- • Highly accurate dual-band circularly-polarized GPS system
- • Bluetooth calling and local music storage (2.2GB) for phone-free workouts
- • Efficient battery life managing up to 2 weeks on a single charge
✗ Cons:
- • Zepp Pay ecosystem is limited compared to Apple or Google Pay
- • Significant battery impact when Always-On Display is enabled (drops to 5 days)
- • No LTE/Cellular connectivity option available
- • Limited third-party app ecosystem compared to WearOS or watchOS
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Suunto Race
Rating:★4.2(297)Amazon
Compatibility:Android and iOS (via Suunto app)
Operating System:Suunto UI
Case Size:49mm (49 x 49 x 13.3 mm / 1.93 x 1.93 x 0.52 in)
Case Material:Bezel: Stainless Steel; Case: Glass fiber reinforced polyamide; Glass: Sapphire crystal; Strap: Silicone
Display Type:AMOLED touchscreen (High definition, always-on capable)
Display Size:1.43 in
Resolution:466 x 466 pixels (1,000 nits brightness)
Always On Display:Yes
Water Resistance:100 m (10 ATM)
Durability:MIL-STD-810H tested; Operating temp: -20°C to +55°C (-5°F to +130°F)
GPS:Dual-band GNSS (L1 + L5); GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BEIDOU
Connectivity:Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (for map downloads)
NFC Payments:No (Not supported)
Sensors:Optical heart rate; blood oxygen (SpO2); barometric altimeter; digital compass; accelerometer; gyroscope
Health Features:HRV measurement (Sleep & Daily); 24/7 heart rate; sleep tracking (stages & quality); blood oxygen; stress and recovery status
Workout Modes:95+ sport modes; Suunto Coach (AI-based training load & recovery); offline maps; route navigation; race time estimates
Storage:16 GB (Steel model) / 32 GB (Titanium model)
Speaker Mic:No (No built-in speaker or microphone)
Calls:No (Notification alerts only)
Battery:Up to 26 days (Daily Mode); Up to 12 days (Daily HR + AOD); 40 hours (Performance Training / Dual-band GNSS)
Charging:Suunto magnetic fast charger (USB-A)
Weight:83 g / 2.93 oz (Steel model)
Band Sizes:Fits wrist sizes 125–175 mm; standard 22 mm quick-release width
Extras:Global offline outdoor maps (free); weather widgets; phone media controls; customizable watch faces; digital crown navigation
✓ Pros:
- • Vibrant 1.43” AMOLED screen with sapphire crystal durability
- • Excellent battery life (up to 40 hours in max accuracy GPS mode)
- • Free global offline maps with intuitive digital crown zooming
- • Dual-band GNSS provides highly accurate tracking in difficult terrain
- • Military-grade (MIL-STD-810H) durability
✗ Cons:
- • No NFC payments or music storage (music controls only)
- • No built-in speaker or microphone for calls
- • 49mm case size is bulky for smaller wrists
- • Steel version is noticeably heavier (83g) than the Titanium model (69g)
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Which one is better?
The Amazfit Balance is the better buy for most people - its lightweight 1.23 oz design crushes the Suunto Race’s bulkier 2.93 oz. That said, grab the Suunto Race if you need robust features and superior battery life - it lasts up to 26 days on a single charge.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Amazfit Balance if: you want a lightweight smartwatch for daily wear, need advanced wellness tracking, or prefer a more budget-friendly option. (1.23 oz weight, 2.2 GB storage)
Choose the Suunto Race if: you require a rugged GPS watch for outdoor adventures, want a device with military-grade durability, or need extended battery life for long trips. (2.93 oz weight, 16 GB storage)
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Amazfit Balance excels if you value extremely lightweight design (1.23 oz) for its 46mm size. Suunto Race is better if you prioritize vibrant 1.43” amoled screen with sapphire crystal durability. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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