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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSuunto Race vs Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Time to compare Suunto Race with Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED). We will cover the essentials so you can buy with confidence.
Ratings: 4.2★ vs 4.6★
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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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Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
★4.6
(1,856)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required)
Operating System:Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:47mm x 47mm x 13.8mm
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover; Bezel: Titanium or Stainless Steel; Lens: Sapphire Crystal or Corning Gorilla Glass
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Comparison: Suunto Race vs Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Suunto Race
★4.2(297)Amazon
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
★4.6(1,856)Amazon
| Criterion | Suunto Race | Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.2(297)Amazon | ★4.6(1,856)Amazon |
Compatibility | Android and iOS (via Suunto app) | iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required) |
Operating System | Suunto UI | Garmin OS (Proprietary) |
Case Size | 49mm (49 x 49 x 13.3 mm / 1.93 x 1.93 x 0.52 in) | 47mm x 47mm x 13.8mm |
Case Material | Bezel: Stainless Steel; Case: Glass fiber reinforced polyamide; Glass: Sapphire crystal; Strap: Silicone | Fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover; Bezel: Titanium or Stainless Steel; Lens: Sapphire Crystal or Corning Gorilla Glass |
Display Type | AMOLED touchscreen (High definition, always-on capable) | AMOLED; Always-On Mode available; 1000 nits peak brightness |
Display Size | 1.43 in | 1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter |
Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (1,000 nits brightness) | 454 x 454 pixels |
Always On Display | Yes | Yes (optional) |
Water Resistance | 100 m (10 ATM) | 10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters); Dive rated (EN13319) to 40 meters |
Durability | MIL-STD-810H tested; Operating temp: -20°C to +55°C (-5°F to +130°F) | MIL-STD-810H thermal/shock/water tested; Leakproof inductive buttons; Metal sensor guard |
GPS | Dual-band GNSS (L1 + L5); GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BEIDOU | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou |
Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (for map downloads) | Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi |
NFC Payments | No (Not supported) | Garmin Pay |
Sensors | Optical heart rate; blood oxygen (SpO2); barometric altimeter; digital compass; accelerometer; gyroscope | Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor; Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer; Ambient light sensor; Depth sensor (up to 40m) |
Health Features | HRV measurement (Sleep & Daily); 24/7 heart rate; sleep tracking (stages & quality); blood oxygen; stress and recovery status | Body Battery energy monitoring; Sleep Score and advanced sleep monitoring; HDR (High Dynamic Range) Heart Rate; HRV Status; Pulse Ox; Nap detection; Jet Lag Adviser; Health Snapshot |
Workout Modes | 95+ sport modes; Suunto Coach (AI-based training load & recovery); offline maps; route navigation; race time estimates | Advanced Strength Training (sport-specific); Recreational Scuba Diving (Single Gas); Apnea Diving; HIIT; Trail Run; Ultra Run; Triathlon; Skiing; Surfing; Golf (43,000+ courses); and 100+ others |
Storage | 16 GB (Steel model) / 32 GB (Titanium model) | 32GB |
Speaker Mic | No (No built-in speaker or microphone) | Built-in Speaker; Built-in Microphone (Voice Assistant & Voice Notes) |
Calls | No (Notification alerts only) | Yes (Make and take calls via Bluetooth connection to smartphone) |
Battery | Up to 26 days (Daily Mode); Up to 12 days (Daily HR + AOD); 40 hours (Performance Training / Dual-band GNSS) | Smartwatch mode: Up to 16 days (7 days always-on); GPS Only: Up to 47 hours (37 hours always-on); Expedition GPS: Up to 14 days |
Charging | Suunto magnetic fast charger (USB-A) | Garmin proprietary plug charger (clip-on data cable) |
Weight | 83 g / 2.93 oz (Steel model) | Stainless Steel: 80g (Case only: 59g); Titanium: 73g (Case only: 52g) |
Band Sizes | Fits wrist sizes 125–175 mm; standard 22 mm quick-release width | Fits wrists 125–208mm (Silicone); QuickFit 22mm compatible |
Extras | Global offline outdoor maps (free); weather widgets; phone media controls; customizable watch faces; digital crown navigation | Built-in LED Flashlight (Red/White strobes); Dynamic Round-Trip Routing; Garmin Messenger app; Outdoor Maps+ (subscription optional); SkiView Maps |
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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.
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Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Rating:★4.6(1,856)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required)
Operating System:Garmin OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:47mm x 47mm x 13.8mm
Case Material:Fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover; Bezel: Titanium or Stainless Steel; Lens: Sapphire Crystal or Corning Gorilla Glass
Display Type:AMOLED; Always-On Mode available; 1000 nits peak brightness
Display Size:1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter
Resolution:454 x 454 pixels
Always On Display:Yes (optional)
Water Resistance:10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters); Dive rated (EN13319) to 40 meters
Durability:MIL-STD-810H thermal/shock/water tested; Leakproof inductive buttons; Metal sensor guard
GPS:Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou
Connectivity:Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi
NFC Payments:Garmin Pay
Sensors:Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor; Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer; Ambient light sensor; Depth sensor (up to 40m)
Health Features:Body Battery energy monitoring; Sleep Score and advanced sleep monitoring; HDR (High Dynamic Range) Heart Rate; HRV Status; Pulse Ox; Nap detection; Jet Lag Adviser; Health Snapshot
Workout Modes:Advanced Strength Training (sport-specific); Recreational Scuba Diving (Single Gas); Apnea Diving; HIIT; Trail Run; Ultra Run; Triathlon; Skiing; Surfing; Golf (43,000+ courses); and 100+ others
Storage:32GB
Speaker Mic:Built-in Speaker; Built-in Microphone (Voice Assistant & Voice Notes)
Calls:Yes (Make and take calls via Bluetooth connection to smartphone)
Battery:Smartwatch mode: Up to 16 days (7 days always-on); GPS Only: Up to 47 hours (37 hours always-on); Expedition GPS: Up to 14 days
Charging:Garmin proprietary plug charger (clip-on data cable)
Weight:Stainless Steel: 80g (Case only: 59g); Titanium: 73g (Case only: 52g)
Band Sizes:Fits wrists 125–208mm (Silicone); QuickFit 22mm compatible
Extras:Built-in LED Flashlight (Red/White strobes); Dynamic Round-Trip Routing; Garmin Messenger app; Outdoor Maps+ (subscription optional); SkiView Maps
✓ Pros:
- • Stunning 1.4" AMOLED display with efficient 16-day battery life
- • Legitimate dive computer features (rated to 40m) with leakproof buttons
- • Built-in LED flashlight and speaker/mic add massive daily utility
- • Comprehensive offline mapping and best-in-class GPS accuracy
- • Advanced strength training plans tailored to specific sports
✗ Cons:
- • High price point compared to previous generations and competitors
- • No LTE/Cellular option for standalone calls (requires phone nearby)
- • Titanium models with Sapphire glass command a significant premium
- • Proprietary charging cable (not wireless/Qi standard)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Which one is better?
Looking at user satisfaction (Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED): 4.2★ vs Suunto Race: 4.6★), Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) pulls ahead. The gap is small—choose based on the priorities below.
Who should buy each?
Expert take:
- Suunto Race suits buyers who need Vibrant 1.43” AMOLED screen with sapphire crystal durability, Excellent battery life (up to 40 hours in max accuracy GPS mode)
- Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) suits buyers who want Stunning 1.4" AMOLED display with efficient 16-day battery life, Legitimate dive computer features (rated to 40m) with leakproof buttons
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?
Suunto Race excels if you value vibrant 1.43” amoled screen with sapphire crystal durability. Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) is better if you prioritize stunning 1.4" amoled display with efficient 16-day battery life. 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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