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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerGarmin Venu 3 vs Suunto Race
The Garmin Venu 3 is the better buy for most people - its built-in speaker and microphone for calls crush the Suunto Race, which lacks this feature entirely. In real-world usage, the Venu 3 offers a bright 1.4" AMOLED display that makes notifications and health metrics pop, while the Suunto Race's 1.43" screen impresses with its sapphire crystal durability but falls short on interactive features. If battery life is your priority, the Suunto Race outshines with up to 26 days of use compared to the Venu 3's 14 days. This means you can go longer between charges, perfect for those who want minimal downtime. So, what's your preference: sleek communication features or extended battery life for adventure outings?
⚖️ Weight: 1.66 oz vs 2.93 oz💽 Storage: 8 GB vs 16 GB🏷️ Battery: 14 days vs 26 days
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Garmin Venu 3
★4.5
(5,399)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required)
Operating System:Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:45mm x 45mm x 12mm
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer case; Stainless steel bezel; Corning Gorilla Glass 3
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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
Garmin Venu 3
Suunto Race
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Garmin Venu 3
1.4 in (35.4 mm) diameter
Suunto Race
1.43 in
Resolution
Garmin Venu 3
454 x 454 pixels
Suunto Race
466 x 466 pixels (1,000 nits brightness)
Performance1 specs
Storage
Garmin Venu 3
8GB
Suunto Race
16 GB (Steel model) / 32 GB (Titanium model)Winner
Battery1 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Garmin Venu 3
Smartwatch mode: Up to 14 days (5 days always-on); Battery Saver: Up to 26 days; GPS-Only GNSS: Up to 26 hours; All-Systems GNSS: Up to 20 hours
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
Garmin Venu 3
47 g (with included band); 30 g (case only)Winner
Suunto Race
83 g / 2.93 oz (Steel model)
Water Resistance
Garmin Venu 3
5 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 50 meters); Swimproof
Suunto Race
100 m (10 ATM)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Garmin Venu 3
Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Suunto Race
Suunto UI
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Garmin Venu 3
Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi
Suunto Race
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (for map downloads)
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Garmin Venu 3 vs Suunto Race
Garmin Venu 3
★4.5(5,399)Amazon
Suunto Race
★4.2(297)Amazon
| Criterion | Garmin Venu 3 | Suunto Race |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.5(5,399)Amazon | ★4.2(297)Amazon |
Compatibility | iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required) | Android and iOS (via Suunto app) |
Operating System | Garmin OS (Proprietary) | Suunto UI |
Case Size | 45mm x 45mm x 12mm | 49mm (49 x 49 x 13.3 mm / 1.93 x 1.93 x 0.52 in) |
Case Material | Fiber-reinforced polymer case; Stainless steel bezel; Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Bezel: Stainless Steel; Case: Glass fiber reinforced polyamide; Glass: Sapphire crystal; Strap: Silicone |
Display Type | AMOLED; Always-On Mode available | AMOLED touchscreen (High definition, always-on capable) |
Display Size | 1.4 in (35.4 mm) diameter | 1.43 in |
Resolution | 454 x 454 pixels | 466 x 466 pixels (1,000 nits brightness) |
Always On Display | Yes (optional) | Yes |
Water Resistance | 5 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 50 meters); Swimproof | 100 m (10 ATM) |
Durability | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens; Stainless steel bezel | MIL-STD-810H tested; Operating temp: -20°C to +55°C (-5°F to +130°F) |
GPS | GPS; GLONASS; Galileo (Single-band GNSS) | Dual-band GNSS (L1 + L5); GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BEIDOU |
Connectivity | Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (for map downloads) |
NFC Payments | Garmin Pay | No (Not supported) |
Sensors | Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor (ECG hardware); Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer; Ambient light sensor | Optical heart rate; blood oxygen (SpO2); barometric altimeter; digital compass; accelerometer; gyroscope |
Health Features | Sleep Coach; Nap Detection; ECG App (FDA cleared); HRV Status; Body Battery; Jet Lag Adviser; Health Snapshot; Women’s Health; Meditation | HRV measurement (Sleep & Daily); 24/7 heart rate; sleep tracking (stages & quality); blood oxygen; stress and recovery status |
Workout Modes | Wheelchair Mode (pushes, weight shifts); Strength; HIIT; Yoga; Pilates; Running; Cycling; Swimming (Pool); Golf; Tennis; Pickleball; and 30+ others | 95+ sport modes; Suunto Coach (AI-based training load & recovery); offline maps; route navigation; race time estimates |
Storage | 8GB | 16 GB (Steel model) / 32 GB (Titanium model) |
Speaker Mic | Built-in Speaker; Built-in Microphone (Voice Assistant & Calls) | No (No built-in speaker or microphone) |
Calls | Yes (Make and take calls via Bluetooth connection to smartphone) | No (Notification alerts only) |
Battery | Smartwatch mode: Up to 14 days (5 days always-on); Battery Saver: Up to 26 days; GPS-Only GNSS: Up to 26 hours; All-Systems GNSS: Up to 20 hours | Up to 26 days (Daily Mode); Up to 12 days (Daily HR + AOD); 40 hours (Performance Training / Dual-band GNSS) |
Charging | Garmin proprietary plug charger (USB-C cable included) | Suunto magnetic fast charger (USB-A) |
Weight | 47 g (with included band); 30 g (case only) | 83 g / 2.93 oz (Steel model) |
Band Sizes | Fits wrists 135–200 mm (Silicone band included); Compatible with standard 22mm Quick Release bands | Fits wrist sizes 125–175 mm; standard 22 mm quick-release width |
Extras | Voice Assistant support (Siri, Google Assistant, Bixby via phone); Wheelchair mode specialized metrics; On-screen muscle maps; Photos in notifications (Android only) | Global offline outdoor maps (free); weather widgets; phone media controls; customizable watch faces; digital crown navigation |
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Garmin Venu 3
Rating:★4.5(5,399)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required)
Operating System:Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:45mm x 45mm x 12mm
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer case; Stainless steel bezel; Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Display Type:AMOLED; Always-On Mode available
Display Size:1.4 in (35.4 mm) diameter
Resolution:454 x 454 pixels
Always On Display:Yes (optional)
Water Resistance:5 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 50 meters); Swimproof
Durability:Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens; Stainless steel bezel
GPS:GPS; GLONASS; Galileo (Single-band GNSS)
Connectivity:Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi
NFC Payments:Garmin Pay
Sensors:Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor (ECG hardware); Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer; Ambient light sensor
Health Features:Sleep Coach; Nap Detection; ECG App (FDA cleared); HRV Status; Body Battery; Jet Lag Adviser; Health Snapshot; Women’s Health; Meditation
Workout Modes:Wheelchair Mode (pushes, weight shifts); Strength; HIIT; Yoga; Pilates; Running; Cycling; Swimming (Pool); Golf; Tennis; Pickleball; and 30+ others
Storage:8GB
Speaker Mic:Built-in Speaker; Built-in Microphone (Voice Assistant & Calls)
Calls:Yes (Make and take calls via Bluetooth connection to smartphone)
Battery:Smartwatch mode: Up to 14 days (5 days always-on); Battery Saver: Up to 26 days; GPS-Only GNSS: Up to 26 hours; All-Systems GNSS: Up to 20 hours
Charging:Garmin proprietary plug charger (USB-C cable included)
Weight:47 g (with included band); 30 g (case only)
Band Sizes:Fits wrists 135–200 mm (Silicone band included); Compatible with standard 22mm Quick Release bands
Extras:Voice Assistant support (Siri, Google Assistant, Bixby via phone); Wheelchair mode specialized metrics; On-screen muscle maps; Photos in notifications (Android only)
✓ Pros:
- • Bright 1.4" AMOLED display with refined, lifestyle-friendly UI
- • Built-in speaker and microphone for wrist calls and voice assistants
- • Latest Elevate Gen 5 sensor supports FDA-cleared ECG app
- • Dedicated Wheelchair Mode tracks pushes rather than steps
- • Excellent 14-day battery life significantly outperforms Apple/Samsung
✗ Cons:
- • Lacks Multi-Band GPS (found in similarly priced Forerunner 265)
- • Plastic case body feels less premium than metal-bodied competitors
- • No LTE option available (phone required for calls/safety)
- • Gorilla Glass 3 is older tech compared to Sapphire or newer Gorilla Glass
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
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)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Which one is better?
The Garmin Venu 3 is the better buy for most people - its built-in speaker and microphone for calls crushes the Suunto Race. That said, grab the Suunto Race if you need extended battery life for outdoor adventures - it lasts 26 days compared to the Venu 3's 14 days.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Garmin Venu 3 if: you want to take calls on the go, enjoy a vibrant display for daily notifications, or prefer health tracking features like ECG. (1.66 oz weight, 8 GB storage)
Choose the Suunto Race if: you need extended battery life for long trips, want rugged durability for outdoor activities, or prefer offline maps for navigation. (2.93 oz weight, 16 GB storage)
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Garmin Venu 3 excels if you value bright 1.4" amoled display with refined, lifestyle-friendly ui. 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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