← Back to Smartwatches
2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerGarmin Instinct 3 Solar vs Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium
For 2026, the battle between Garmin Instinct 3 Solar and Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium is clear-cut. The Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium is the flagship option, with a stunning 1.5-inch AMOLED display that shines at 2000 nits, making it a no-brainer for those who prioritize screen quality. In real-world use, the Garmin's solar capability allows for potentially infinite battery life in smartwatch mode, which is perfect for extended outdoor adventures. However, if you need vibrant visuals and offline maps, the Suunto's 32GB storage and beautiful display will be hard to resist, especially with its 250-hour battery life in Tour Mode.
📱 Display: 0.9" vs 1.5"⚖️ Weight: 1.83 oz vs 2.61 oz💽 Storage: 64 GB vs 32 GB
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
★4.6
(1,634)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone (iOS 16 or later); Android (8.0 or later)
Operating System:Proprietary Garmin OS
Case Size:45mm (45 x 45 x 14.5 mm)
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer case with metal-reinforced bezel; Power Glass lens
Check Amazon Price→
Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium
★4.4
(32)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android and iOS (Suunto App); Predefined replies (Android only)
Operating System:Suunto Proprietary OS
Case Size:49mm (49 x 49 x 13.6 mm)
Case Material:Titanium Grade 5 bezel; Glass fibre reinforced polyamide case; Sapphire crystal glass
Check Amazon Price→
Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Custom two-window design; 0.9 in (23 mm) diameter
Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium
1.5 inWinner
Resolution
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
176 x 176 pixels
Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium
466 x 466 pixels
Performance1 specs
Storage
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
64MB (History and CIQ apps only; No onboard music storage)Winner
Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium
32GB (Dedicated for offline maps)
Battery1 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Smartwatch: Unlimited with solar (28 days without); GPS: Up to 30 hours (48 hours with solar); Expedition GPS: Unlimited with solar
Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium
Smartwatch: Up to 20 days; Performance Mode (Dual-band GPS + AOD): Up to 65 hours; Tour Mode: Up to 250 hours
Design2 specs
Weight
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
52 gWinner
Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium
74 g
Water Resistance
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
10 ATM (100 meters)
Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium
100 m
Software1 specs
Operating System
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Proprietary Garmin OS
Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium
Suunto Proprietary OS
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Bluetooth 5.3; ANT+; USB
Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium
Bluetooth
+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: Garmin Instinct 3 Solar vs Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
★4.6(1,634)Amazon
Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium
★4.4(32)Amazon
| Criterion | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar | Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(1,634)Amazon | ★4.4(32)Amazon |
Compatibility | iPhone (iOS 16 or later); Android (8.0 or later) | Android and iOS (Suunto App); Predefined replies (Android only) |
Operating System | Proprietary Garmin OS | Suunto Proprietary OS |
Case Size | 45mm (45 x 45 x 14.5 mm) | 49mm (49 x 49 x 13.6 mm) |
Case Material | Fiber-reinforced polymer case with metal-reinforced bezel; Power Glass lens | Titanium Grade 5 bezel; Glass fibre reinforced polyamide case; Sapphire crystal glass |
Display Type | Monochrome, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) with solar charging | LTPO AMOLED matrix display; Up to 2000 nits brightness; Always-On Display |
Display Size | Custom two-window design; 0.9 in (23 mm) diameter | 1.5 in |
Resolution | 176 x 176 pixels | 466 x 466 pixels |
Always On Display | Yes (MIP display is always visible) | Yes |
Water Resistance | 10 ATM (100 meters) | 100 m |
Durability | MIL-STD-810 thermal, shock, and water resistance; Metal-reinforced polymer bezel | Tested to military standards (MIL-STD-810H); Titanium bezel; Sapphire crystal |
GPS | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | Dual-band GNSS (L1 + L5); GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BEIDOU |
Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3; ANT+; USB | Bluetooth |
NFC Payments | Garmin Pay | — |
Sensors | Garmin Elevate Gen 4 wrist heart rate monitor; Pulse Ox; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer | Optical heart rate (upgraded sensor); Pulse Ox (SpO2); Barometric altimeter (FusedAlti™); Digital compass; Thermometer; Accelerometer; Gyroscope |
Health Features | Sleep Coach; Nap detection; Body Battery energy monitoring; HRV Status; Morning Report; Stress tracking; Respiration rate | HRV recovery measurement; Sleep tracking (duration, quality, stages); Blood oxygen; Stress and recovery status; Fitness Level (VO2max) |
Workout Modes | Strength; HIIT; Cardio; Elliptical; Stair Stepping; Indoor Rowing; Running (Outdoor/Trail/Treadmill); Cycling; Swimming (Pool/Open Water); Obstacle Racing; Triathlon | 115+ sport modes; Triathlon; Swimming (pool/open water); Running (power/pace); Cycling; Hiking; Ski touring; Snorkeling (depth up to 10m) |
Storage | 64MB (History and CIQ apps only; No onboard music storage) | 32GB (Dedicated for offline maps) |
Speaker Mic | — | — |
Calls | No (Call notifications only) | No (Call notifications only) |
Battery | Smartwatch: Unlimited with solar (28 days without); GPS: Up to 30 hours (48 hours with solar); Expedition GPS: Unlimited with solar | Smartwatch: Up to 20 days; Performance Mode (Dual-band GPS + AOD): Up to 65 hours; Tour Mode: Up to 250 hours |
Charging | Garmin proprietary plug charger; Solar charging (Power Glass) | Suunto magnetic fast charger (USB-C) |
Weight | 52 g | 74 g |
Band Sizes | Fits wrists 135-230 mm; Compatible with QuickFit 22 watch bands | Fits wrists 125–175 mm (standard) or up to 215 mm; 22mm width |
Extras | Built-in LED Flashlight (White/Red strobe); Safety and Tracking features; Reference Point; TracBack routing | Integrated LED Flashlight; Offline maps with heatmaps and surface info; Solar charging (Titanium Solar models only, though AMOLED limits efficacy); Climb Guidance; SuuntoPlus ecosystem |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. | Check Price on Amazon→ | Check Price on Amazon→ |
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Rating:★4.6(1,634)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone (iOS 16 or later); Android (8.0 or later)
Operating System:Proprietary Garmin OS
Case Size:45mm (45 x 45 x 14.5 mm)
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer case with metal-reinforced bezel; Power Glass lens
Display Type:Monochrome, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) with solar charging
Display Size:Custom two-window design; 0.9 in (23 mm) diameter
Resolution:176 x 176 pixels
Always On Display:Yes (MIP display is always visible)
Water Resistance:10 ATM (100 meters)
Durability:MIL-STD-810 thermal, shock, and water resistance; Metal-reinforced polymer bezel
GPS:Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
Connectivity:Bluetooth 5.3; ANT+; USB
NFC Payments:Garmin Pay
Sensors:Garmin Elevate Gen 4 wrist heart rate monitor; Pulse Ox; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer
Health Features:Sleep Coach; Nap detection; Body Battery energy monitoring; HRV Status; Morning Report; Stress tracking; Respiration rate
Workout Modes:Strength; HIIT; Cardio; Elliptical; Stair Stepping; Indoor Rowing; Running (Outdoor/Trail/Treadmill); Cycling; Swimming (Pool/Open Water); Obstacle Racing; Triathlon
Storage:64MB (History and CIQ apps only; No onboard music storage)
Speaker Mic:—
Calls:No (Call notifications only)
Battery:Smartwatch: Unlimited with solar (28 days without); GPS: Up to 30 hours (48 hours with solar); Expedition GPS: Unlimited with solar
Charging:Garmin proprietary plug charger; Solar charging (Power Glass)
Weight:52 g
Band Sizes:Fits wrists 135-230 mm; Compatible with QuickFit 22 watch bands
Extras:Built-in LED Flashlight (White/Red strobe); Safety and Tracking features; Reference Point; TracBack routing
✓ Pros:
- • Potentially infinite battery life in smartwatch mode with solar charging
- • Built-in LED flashlight is now available on the standard 45mm size
- • Multi-band GPS with SatIQ delivers superior accuracy in difficult terrain
- • Extreme durability with new metal-reinforced bezel design
✗ Cons:
- • Monochrome low-resolution display (176x176) lacks detail compared to AMOLED rivals
- • No onboard music storage or maps (breadcrumb navigation only)
- • Lacks the newest Gen 5 Heart Rate sensor (No ECG support)
- • Proprietary charging cable is still required if solar is insufficient
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium
Rating:★4.4(32)Amazon
Compatibility:Android and iOS (Suunto App); Predefined replies (Android only)
Operating System:Suunto Proprietary OS
Case Size:49mm (49 x 49 x 13.6 mm)
Case Material:Titanium Grade 5 bezel; Glass fibre reinforced polyamide case; Sapphire crystal glass
Display Type:LTPO AMOLED matrix display; Up to 2000 nits brightness; Always-On Display
Display Size:1.5 in
Resolution:466 x 466 pixels
Always On Display:Yes
Water Resistance:100 m
Durability:Tested to military standards (MIL-STD-810H); Titanium bezel; Sapphire crystal
GPS:Dual-band GNSS (L1 + L5); GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BEIDOU
Connectivity:Bluetooth
NFC Payments:—
Sensors:Optical heart rate (upgraded sensor); Pulse Ox (SpO2); Barometric altimeter (FusedAlti™); Digital compass; Thermometer; Accelerometer; Gyroscope
Health Features:HRV recovery measurement; Sleep tracking (duration, quality, stages); Blood oxygen; Stress and recovery status; Fitness Level (VO2max)
Workout Modes:115+ sport modes; Triathlon; Swimming (pool/open water); Running (power/pace); Cycling; Hiking; Ski touring; Snorkeling (depth up to 10m)
Storage:32GB (Dedicated for offline maps)
Speaker Mic:—
Calls:No (Call notifications only)
Battery:Smartwatch: Up to 20 days; Performance Mode (Dual-band GPS + AOD): Up to 65 hours; Tour Mode: Up to 250 hours
Charging:Suunto magnetic fast charger (USB-C)
Weight:74 g
Band Sizes:Fits wrists 125–175 mm (standard) or up to 215 mm; 22mm width
Extras:Integrated LED Flashlight; Offline maps with heatmaps and surface info; Solar charging (Titanium Solar models only, though AMOLED limits efficacy); Climb Guidance; SuuntoPlus ecosystem
✓ Pros:
- • Stunning 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED display (2000 nits) is significantly brighter than the original MIP
- • Integrated LED flashlight is a game-changer for camping and night safety
- • Maintains incredible battery life (65h dual-band GPS) despite the switch to AMOLED
- • Market-leading offline mapping capabilities with 32GB storage
✗ Cons:
- • No onboard music storage (only media controls)
- • Lacks smart features like NFC payments and Bluetooth calling
- • Large 49mm case size may be overwhelming for smaller wrists
- • Proprietary OS is less fluid/app-rich than Apple Watch or Wear OS
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Which one is better?
The Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium is the better buy for most people - its stunning 1.5" AMOLED display crushes the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar's monochrome screen. That said, grab the Garmin if you want potentially unlimited battery life for long outings - it's lighter at 1.83 oz.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar if: you need potentially infinite battery life, enjoy outdoor activities without worrying about charging, or prefer a lighter watch. (0.9" display, 1.83 oz weight)
Choose the Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium if: you want a vibrant display for navigation, need offline maps for your adventures, or appreciate a rugged build with a titanium bezel. (1.5" display, 2.61 oz weight)
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?
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar excels if you value potentially infinite battery life in smartwatch mode with solar charging. Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium is better if you prioritize stunning 1.5-inch ltpo amoled display (2000 nits) is significantly brighter than the original mip. 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.
Affiliate disclosure
PageBen uses Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This supports independent content for US shoppers.