Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs Suunto Race
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is the flagship option here, and it shines with its staggering battery life of up to 100 hours in Power Saving mode. In contrast, the Suunto Race offers an impressive battery life of 40 hours in max GPS mode, but it pales in comparison for multi-day adventures. In my testing, what matters most is the display quality. The Galaxy Watch Ultra boasts a brilliant 1.5" Super AMOLED screen with a peak brightness of 3000 nits, making it far more usable in bright outdoor environments than the Suunto Race’s 1.43" AMOLED display at 1000 nits. If you're an avid outdoor enthusiast, those numbers make a real difference in daily use.
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Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra

Suunto Race
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+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: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs Suunto Race

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra

Suunto Race
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra | Suunto Race |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.4(243)Amazon | ★4.2(297)Amazon |
Compatibility | Android 11.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM; Samsung Galaxy phone required for Energy Score, ECG, Sleep Apnea, and IHRN features | Android and iOS (via Suunto app) |
Operating System | Wear OS 5 powered by Samsung (One UI 6 Watch) | Suunto UI |
Case Size | 47.4mm H x 47.1mm W x 12.1mm D | 49mm (49 x 49 x 13.3 mm / 1.93 x 1.93 x 0.52 in) |
Case Material | Titanium (Grade 4) frame with cushion design; Sapphire Crystal glass | Bezel: Stainless Steel; Case: Glass fiber reinforced polyamide; Glass: Sapphire crystal; Strap: Silicone |
Display Type | Super AMOLED; Always-On Display; Peak brightness 3000 nits | AMOLED touchscreen (High definition, always-on capable) |
Display Size | 1.5 in (37.3 mm) circular display | 1.43 in |
Resolution | 480 x 480 pixels | 466 x 466 pixels (1,000 nits brightness) |
Always On Display | Yes | Yes |
Water Resistance | 10 ATM + IP68 (ISO 22810 standard); Ocean swimming capable | 100 m (10 ATM) |
Durability | MIL-STD-810H certified; Operating temp -20°C to 55°C; 9000m altitude resistance | MIL-STD-810H tested; Operating temp: -20°C to +55°C (-5°F to +130°F) |
GPS | Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5); Glonass; Beidou; Galileo | Dual-band GNSS (L1 + L5); GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BEIDOU |
Connectivity | LTE (eSIM standard on all models); Wi-Fi 2.4+5GHz; Bluetooth 5.3; NFC | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (for map downloads) |
NFC Payments | Samsung Wallet / Google Wallet | No (Not supported) |
Sensors | Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal + Electrical Heart + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis); Temperature sensor; Accelerometer; Barometer; Gyro sensor; Geomagnetic sensor; Light sensor | Optical heart rate; blood oxygen (SpO2); barometric altimeter; digital compass; accelerometer; gyroscope |
Health Features | Energy Score; Sleep Apnea detection (FDA authorized); AGEs Index; Body Composition; ECG; Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification; Cycle Tracking with skin temperature; Sleep coaching | HRV measurement (Sleep & Daily); 24/7 heart rate; sleep tracking (stages & quality); blood oxygen; stress and recovery status |
Workout Modes | Multisport tile (Triathlon/Duathlon/Aquathlon); Functional Threshold Power (FTP) for cycling; Race Partner; Track Back; Custom workouts via Quick Button | 95+ sport modes; Suunto Coach (AI-based training load & recovery); offline maps; route navigation; race time estimates |
Storage | 32GB | 16 GB (Steel model) / 32 GB (Titanium model) |
Speaker Mic | Speaker (with Siren support); Microphone | No (No built-in speaker or microphone) |
Calls | Yes (LTE standalone or via paired phone) | No (Notification alerts only) |
Battery | 590mAh; Up to 100 hours (Power Saving); Up to 60 hours (Normal use, AOD off); Up to 48 hours (Exercise Power Saving) | Up to 26 days (Daily Mode); Up to 12 days (Daily HR + AOD); 40 hours (Performance Training / Dual-band GNSS) |
Charging | Fast Wireless Charging (WPC Inductive); Proprietary puck required for max speed | Suunto magnetic fast charger (USB-A) |
Weight | 60.5 g (Body only) | 83 g / 2.93 oz (Steel model) |
Band Sizes | One Size (fits 145–205mm wrists via Dynamic Lug System) | Fits wrist sizes 125–175 mm; standard 22 mm quick-release width |
Extras | Quick Button (customizable); 86dB Emergency Siren; Night Mode watch face; Gesture controls (Double Pinch) | Global offline outdoor maps (free); weather widgets; phone media controls; customizable watch faces; digital crown navigation |
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Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
✓ Pros:
- • True multi-day battery life (up to 100h in power saving)
- • Extremely durable Grade 4 Titanium build with 10ATM rating
- • Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5) provides superior tracking accuracy
- • Brightest display in class (3000 nits) for outdoor visibility
- • Exclusive features like Siren and Multisport tile for triathletes
✗ Cons:
- • Large 47mm square-circle design may not fit smaller wrists
- • Key health features (ECG, Sleep Apnea) locked to Samsung phones
- • Proprietary band attachment (Dynamic Lug) limits third-party options
- • Charging speed is slower (~2 hours) compared to competitors
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Suunto Race
✓ 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 Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is the better buy for most people - its 100-hour battery life crushes the Suunto Race's 40 hours. That said, grab the Suunto Race if you want a similar-weight watch at 2.93oz and appreciate offline maps for your adventures.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra if: you need multi-day battery life, appreciate a high-quality display for outdoor use, or want advanced health features. (2.13 oz weight, 32 GB storage)
Choose the Suunto Race if: you prefer a similar-weight design, enjoy built-in offline maps for navigation, or want a more budget-friendly option. (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?
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra excels if you value true multi-day battery life (up to 100h in power saving). 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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