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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSuunto Race vs Apple Watch Ultra 3
Get the Apple Watch Ultra 3 unless you need superior GPS accuracy. The numbers: 40 hours of battery life in GPS mode for Suunto Race vs 72 hours in Low Power Mode for Apple Watch Ultra 3. That's a no-brainer for anyone who spends long hours outdoors. In real-world use, the Suunto Race shines with a vibrant 1.43” AMOLED screen, but Apple Watch Ultra 3 crushes it with a jaw-dropping 3,000-nit brightness. If you're looking for a rugged watch that handles everything from diving to hiking, the Ultra 3's titanium build and 100m water resistance offer plenty of versatility for adventurers in 2026.
⚖️ Weight: 2.93 oz vs 2.18 oz💽 Storage: 16 GB vs 64 GB🔋 Battery: 40h GPS vs 72h Low Power Mode
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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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Apple Watch Ultra 3
★4.7
(425)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone Xs or later (incl. iPhone SE 2nd gen+) with iOS 18 or later
Operating System:watchOS
Case Size:49mm (49mm H x 44mm W x 14.4mm D)
Case Material:Aerospace-grade titanium (Natural or Black)
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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
Suunto Race
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Suunto Race
1.43 in
Apple Watch Ultra 3
1245 sq mm display area
Resolution
Suunto Race
466 x 466 pixels (1,000 nits brightness)
Apple Watch Ultra 3
422 x 514 pixels (326 ppi)
Performance1 specs
Storage
Suunto Race
16 GB (Steel model) / 32 GB (Titanium model)
Apple Watch Ultra 3
64GBWinner
Battery1 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Suunto Race
Up to 26 days (Daily Mode); Up to 12 days (Daily HR + AOD); 40 hours (Performance Training / Dual-band GNSS)
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Up to 36 hours (normal use); Up to 72 hours (Low Power Mode)
Design2 specs
Weight
Suunto Race
83 g / 2.93 oz (Steel model)
Apple Watch Ultra 3
61.8 gWinner
Water Resistance
Suunto Race
100 m (10 ATM)
Apple Watch Ultra 3
100 m (ISO 22810); EN13319 recreational scuba diving to 40 m (130 ft)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Suunto Race
Suunto UI
Apple Watch Ultra 3
watchOS
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Suunto Race
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (for map downloads)
Apple Watch Ultra 3
LTE and UMTS; Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n); Bluetooth 5.3; U2 Ultra Wideband chip
+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: Suunto Race vs Apple Watch Ultra 3
Suunto Race
★4.2(297)Amazon
Apple Watch Ultra 3
★4.7(425)Amazon
| Criterion | Suunto Race | Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.2(297)Amazon | ★4.7(425)Amazon |
Compatibility | Android and iOS (via Suunto app) | iPhone Xs or later (incl. iPhone SE 2nd gen+) with iOS 18 or later |
Operating System | Suunto UI | watchOS |
Case Size | 49mm (49 x 49 x 13.3 mm / 1.93 x 1.93 x 0.52 in) | 49mm (49mm H x 44mm W x 14.4mm D) |
Case Material | Bezel: Stainless Steel; Case: Glass fiber reinforced polyamide; Glass: Sapphire crystal; Strap: Silicone | Aerospace-grade titanium (Natural or Black) |
Display Type | AMOLED touchscreen (High definition, always-on capable) | Always-On Retina display (LTPO3 OLED) with flat sapphire crystal |
Display Size | 1.43 in | 1245 sq mm display area |
Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (1,000 nits brightness) | 422 x 514 pixels (326 ppi) |
Always On Display | Yes | Yes |
Water Resistance | 100 m (10 ATM) | 100 m (ISO 22810); EN13319 recreational scuba diving to 40 m (130 ft) |
Durability | MIL-STD-810H tested; Operating temp: -20°C to +55°C (-5°F to +130°F) | IP6X dust resistance; MIL-STD 810H tested |
GPS | Dual-band GNSS (L1 + L5); GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BEIDOU | Precision dual-frequency GPS (L1 and L5) |
Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (for map downloads) | LTE and UMTS; Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n); Bluetooth 5.3; U2 Ultra Wideband chip |
NFC Payments | No (Not supported) | Apple Pay |
Sensors | Optical heart rate; blood oxygen (SpO2); barometric altimeter; digital compass; accelerometer; gyroscope | Electrical heart (ECG), optical heart (Gen 3), temperature (body/water), blood oxygen, depth gauge, altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope |
Health Features | HRV measurement (Sleep & Daily); 24/7 heart rate; sleep tracking (stages & quality); blood oxygen; stress and recovery status | ECG, Blood Oxygen, Heart Rate zones, Sleep Tracking/Apnea notifications, Vitals app, Cycle Tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates |
Workout Modes | 95+ sport modes; Suunto Coach (AI-based training load & recovery); offline maps; route navigation; race time estimates | Multisport, Running (Advanced Metrics), Hiking (Topographic Maps), Ocean Diving, Swimming, Cycling |
Storage | 16 GB (Steel model) / 32 GB (Titanium model) | 64GB |
Speaker Mic | No (No built-in speaker or microphone) | Dual speakers; three-microphone array with beamforming and wind noise mitigation; 86dB Siren |
Calls | No (Notification alerts only) | Yes (via Cellular or Wi-Fi) |
Battery | Up to 26 days (Daily Mode); Up to 12 days (Daily HR + AOD); 40 hours (Performance Training / Dual-band GNSS) | Up to 36 hours (normal use); Up to 72 hours (Low Power Mode) |
Charging | Suunto magnetic fast charger (USB-A) | Fast charging (0–80% in approx. 1 hour) with USB-C Magnetic Fast Charger |
Weight | 83 g / 2.93 oz (Steel model) | 61.8 g |
Band Sizes | Fits wrist sizes 125–175 mm; standard 22 mm quick-release width | Fits 130–210mm wrists (Alpine Loop, Trail Loop, Ocean Band) |
Extras | Global offline outdoor maps (free); weather widgets; phone media controls; customizable watch faces; digital crown navigation | S10 SiP, Double Tap gesture, On-device Siri, Precision Finding for iPhone, Flashlight/Night Mode, Crash Detection, Fall Detection |
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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)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Rating:★4.7(425)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone Xs or later (incl. iPhone SE 2nd gen+) with iOS 18 or later
Operating System:watchOS
Case Size:49mm (49mm H x 44mm W x 14.4mm D)
Case Material:Aerospace-grade titanium (Natural or Black)
Display Type:Always-On Retina display (LTPO3 OLED) with flat sapphire crystal
Display Size:1245 sq mm display area
Resolution:422 x 514 pixels (326 ppi)
Always On Display:Yes
Water Resistance:100 m (ISO 22810); EN13319 recreational scuba diving to 40 m (130 ft)
Durability:IP6X dust resistance; MIL-STD 810H tested
GPS:Precision dual-frequency GPS (L1 and L5)
Connectivity:LTE and UMTS; Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n); Bluetooth 5.3; U2 Ultra Wideband chip
NFC Payments:Apple Pay
Sensors:Electrical heart (ECG), optical heart (Gen 3), temperature (body/water), blood oxygen, depth gauge, altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope
Health Features:ECG, Blood Oxygen, Heart Rate zones, Sleep Tracking/Apnea notifications, Vitals app, Cycle Tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates
Workout Modes:Multisport, Running (Advanced Metrics), Hiking (Topographic Maps), Ocean Diving, Swimming, Cycling
Storage:64GB
Speaker Mic:Dual speakers; three-microphone array with beamforming and wind noise mitigation; 86dB Siren
Calls:Yes (via Cellular or Wi-Fi)
Battery:Up to 36 hours (normal use); Up to 72 hours (Low Power Mode)
Charging:Fast charging (0–80% in approx. 1 hour) with USB-C Magnetic Fast Charger
Weight:61.8 g
Band Sizes:Fits 130–210mm wrists (Alpine Loop, Trail Loop, Ocean Band)
Extras:S10 SiP, Double Tap gesture, On-device Siri, Precision Finding for iPhone, Flashlight/Night Mode, Crash Detection, Fall Detection
✓ Pros:
- • Class-leading 3,000-nit display brightness
- • Rugged titanium build with 100m water resistance
- • Excellent battery life relative to category (up to 72h low power)
- • Precision dual-frequency GPS ideal for outdoor sports
✗ Cons:
- • Large 49mm case may be too bulky for smaller wrists
- • High price point
- • Exclusive to iPhone ecosystem
- • Minimal design changes from previous generation
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Which one is better?
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the better buy for most people - its 3,000-nit display crushes the Suunto Race's 1,000 nits. That said, grab the Suunto Race if you prioritize GPS accuracy and need it for intense outdoor sports - it's 40 hours in GPS mode versus the Ultra 3's 36 hours in regular use.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Suunto Race if: you want the best GPS accuracy for long outdoor adventures, need up to 40 hours of battery life in GPS mode, or prefer a more budget-friendly option.
Choose the Apple Watch Ultra 3 if: you need a bright display for easy readability outdoors, value a rugged design for water sports, or want cellular features for on-the-go connectivity. (2.18 oz weight, 64 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?
Suunto Race excels if you value vibrant 1.43” amoled screen with sapphire crystal durability. Apple Watch Ultra 3 is better if you prioritize class-leading 3,000-nit display brightness. 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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