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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, Manufacturer

Suunto Race vs Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm)

Choosing between Suunto Race and Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) can be tricky. Both are excellent, but they serve different priorities. This guide highlights what matters for US shoppers.

Ratings: 4.2★ vs 4.4★

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Suunto Race

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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Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm)

Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm)

★4.4
(1,794)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android 10.0 or newer (requires Google Account and Pixel Watch app); Not compatible with iOS
Operating System:Wear OS 5.0
Case Size:45mm diameter x 12.3mm height
Case Material:100% recycled aluminum housing; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5
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Comparison: Suunto Race vs Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm)

Suunto Race

Suunto Race

★4.2(297)Amazon
Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm)

Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm)

★4.4(1,794)Amazon
Suunto Race

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)

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Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm)

Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm)

Rating:★4.4(1,794)Amazon
Compatibility:Android 10.0 or newer (requires Google Account and Pixel Watch app); Not compatible with iOS
Operating System:Wear OS 5.0
Case Size:45mm diameter x 12.3mm height
Case Material:100% recycled aluminum housing; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Display Type:Actua Display (AMOLED LTPO); 1–60Hz responsive refresh rate; Peak brightness 2000 nits; Minimum 1 nit
Display Size:1.4 in (approx. 40% more screen area than Pixel Watch 2)
Resolution:456 x 456 pixels (320 ppi); DCI-P3 color
Always On Display:Yes
Water Resistance:5 ATM (ISO 22810:2010); IP68 (Dust and water resistant)
Durability:IP68 dust and water resistance rating; Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5
GPS:GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS
Connectivity:4G LTE (optional); Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) 2.4GHz + 5GHz; Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; Ultra-Wideband (UWB)
NFC Payments:Google Wallet
Sensors:Compass; Altimeter; Red and infrared sensors for oxygen saturation (SpO2); Multipurpose electrical sensors (ECG); Multi-path optical heart rate sensor; 3-axis accelerometer; Gyroscope; Ambient light sensor; cEDA sensor (stress); Skin temperature sensor; Ultra-Wideband
Health Features:Loss of Pulse Detection; Daily Readiness; Cardio Load; Target Load; Sleep Profile; ECG app; SpO2; High/low heart rate notifications; Irregular heart rhythm notifications; Skin temperature variations; Body Response (stress detection)
Workout Modes:Advanced Running Form (Cadence, Stride Length, Vertical Oscillation, Ground Contact Time); Custom Runs; Interval Training; 40+ exercise modes including HIIT, Pilates, Strength, Cross-country skiing, and more
Storage:32GB eMMC flash
Speaker Mic:Built-in speaker; Built-in microphone
Calls:Yes (Bluetooth); LTE models support standalone calls
Battery:420 mAh (typical); Up to 24 hours (Always-on Display enabled); Up to 36 hours (Battery Saver mode)
Charging:USB-C Fast Charging Cable (included); 0–50% in ~28 min; 0–80% in ~50 min; 0–100% in ~80 min
Weight:37 g (without band)
Band Sizes:Active Band: Small fits 150–185 mm wrists; Large fits 165–215 mm wrists
Extras:UWB for Watch Unlock and finding devices; Google Home control; Camera Remote for Pixel phones; Offline Google Maps; Recorder app

✓ Pros:

  • • Significantly larger and brighter display (2000 nits) than predecessors
  • • Advanced running metrics (stride, oscillation) without external pods
  • • Unique 'Loss of Pulse Detection' safety feature (first-of-kind)
  • • Deepest integration with Google ecosystem (Nest, Maps, Pixel Camera)
  • • Fast charging helps offset the 24-hour daily battery cycle

✗ Cons:

  • • Battery life rated for only 24h with AOD (daily charging required)
  • • Strictly incompatible with iPhone (Android 10+ only)
  • • Some advanced health insights require Fitbit Premium subscription
  • • Uses proprietary charging pin connection (not standard Qi wireless)

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Which one is better?

Based on ratings and feature balance, Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) has a slight edge for overall satisfaction. Suunto Race remains a strong alternative if its strengths match your needs.

Who should buy each?

Choose Suunto Race if:
- You want Vibrant 1.43” AMOLED screen with sapphire crystal durability, Excellent battery life (up to 40 hours in max accuracy GPS mode)
- Rating: 4.2★ (297 reviews)

Choose Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) if:
- You prefer Significantly larger and brighter display (2000 nits) than predecessors, Advanced running metrics (stride, oscillation) without external pods
- Rating: 4.4★ (1794 reviews)

Conclusion

There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.

Frequently Asked Questions

+Which has better value?

Suunto Race excels if you value vibrant 1.43” amoled screen with sapphire crystal durability. Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) is better if you prioritize significantly larger and brighter display (2000 nits) than predecessors. 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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