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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSuunto Race vs Withings ScanWatch Nova
The Suunto Race is the better buy for most people - its vibrant 1.43" AMOLED display crushes the Withings ScanWatch Nova's small monochrome screen. With 40 hours of battery life in GPS mode, it's designed for serious athletes and outdoor adventurers who need long-lasting performance. In real-world use, the Suunto Race's dual-band GNSS ensures accurate tracking even in tough terrains, while the ScanWatch Nova's reliance on smartphone GPS may lag during intense workouts. If you're looking for a stylish health tracker, the Nova shines with clinical-grade sensors, but it can't compete with the performance and display quality of the Race in demanding conditions.
⚖️ Weight: 2.93 oz vs 2.22 oz📱 Display: 1.43" AMOLED vs 0.63" OLED🔋 Battery: 40h vs 30d
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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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Withings ScanWatch Nova
★4
(268)•Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone (iOS 15+) and Android (Android 9+)
Operating System:HealthSense™ OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:42mm (42 mm diameter / 1.65 in; 12.8 mm thickness)
Case Material:Case: Polished stainless steel; Bezel: Ceramic and stainless steel (rotating); Glass: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
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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
Withings ScanWatch Nova
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Suunto Race
1.43 in
Withings ScanWatch Nova
0.63 in (digital screen)
Resolution
Suunto Race
466 x 466 pixels (1,000 nits brightness)
Withings ScanWatch Nova
14,504 pixels (282 PPI)
Performance1 specs
Storage
Suunto Race
16 GB (Steel model) / 32 GB (Titanium model)
Withings ScanWatch Nova
Free unlimited online storage; 7 days of data stored on watch
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)
Withings ScanWatch Nova
Up to 30 days (Standard use); Rechargeable Lithium-ion
Design2 specs
Weight
Suunto Race
83 g / 2.93 oz (Steel model)
Withings ScanWatch Nova
63 g (2.22 oz) without wristbandWinner
Water Resistance
Suunto Race
100 m (10 ATM)
Withings ScanWatch Nova
10 ATM (100 meters)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Suunto Race
Suunto UI
Withings ScanWatch Nova
HealthSense™ OS (Proprietary)
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Suunto Race
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (for map downloads)
Withings ScanWatch Nova
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
+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: Suunto Race vs Withings ScanWatch Nova
Suunto Race
★4.2(297)Amazon
Withings ScanWatch Nova
★4(268)Amazon
| Criterion | Suunto Race | Withings ScanWatch Nova |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.2(297)Amazon | ★4(268)Amazon |
Compatibility | Android and iOS (via Suunto app) | iPhone (iOS 15+) and Android (Android 9+) |
Operating System | Suunto UI | HealthSense™ OS (Proprietary) |
Case Size | 49mm (49 x 49 x 13.3 mm / 1.93 x 1.93 x 0.52 in) | 42mm (42 mm diameter / 1.65 in; 12.8 mm thickness) |
Case Material | Bezel: Stainless Steel; Case: Glass fiber reinforced polyamide; Glass: Sapphire crystal; Strap: Silicone | Case: Polished stainless steel; Bezel: Ceramic and stainless steel (rotating); Glass: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal |
Display Type | AMOLED touchscreen (High definition, always-on capable) | Grayscale OLED (0.63 inch) + Analog hands (Hybrid) |
Display Size | 1.43 in | 0.63 in (digital screen) |
Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (1,000 nits brightness) | 14,504 pixels (282 PPI) |
Always On Display | Yes | Yes (Analog hands always visible) |
Water Resistance | 100 m (10 ATM) | 10 ATM (100 meters) |
Durability | MIL-STD-810H tested; Operating temp: -20°C to +55°C (-5°F to +130°F) | Sapphire crystal face; Stainless steel case; Ceramic bezel; 5-year guarantee (region dependent) |
GPS | Dual-band GNSS (L1 + L5); GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BEIDOU | Connected GPS (Requires smartphone connection) |
Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (for map downloads) | Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) |
NFC Payments | No (Not supported) | No (Not supported) |
Sensors | Optical heart rate; blood oxygen (SpO2); barometric altimeter; digital compass; accelerometer; gyroscope | Multi-wavelength PPG (Heart rate/SpO2); TempTech24/7 Module (Body temp); High Dynamic Range Accelerometer; Altimeter; ECG electrodes |
Health Features | HRV measurement (Sleep & Daily); 24/7 heart rate; sleep tracking (stages & quality); blood oxygen; stress and recovery status | ECG (AFib detection); Body temperature variation (day/night); Blood oxygen (SpO2); Sleep quality score; Respiratory scan; Heart rate variability (HRV) |
Workout Modes | 95+ sport modes; Suunto Coach (AI-based training load & recovery); offline maps; route navigation; race time estimates | 40+ sports modes; Automatic activity detection (Walking, Running, Swimming, Cycling); Fitness Level (VO2 max estimation) |
Storage | 16 GB (Steel model) / 32 GB (Titanium model) | Free unlimited online storage; 7 days of data stored on watch |
Speaker Mic | No (No built-in speaker or microphone) | No (No built-in speaker or microphone) |
Calls | No (Notification alerts only) | 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) | Up to 30 days (Standard use); Rechargeable Lithium-ion |
Charging | Suunto magnetic fast charger (USB-A) | USB-C compatible docking station (approx. 2 hours to 100%) |
Weight | 83 g / 2.93 oz (Steel model) | 63 g (2.22 oz) without wristband |
Band Sizes | Fits wrist sizes 125–175 mm; standard 22 mm quick-release width | Fits wrist sizes (approx. 163–239 mm); Standard 20 mm lug width |
Extras | Global offline outdoor maps (free); weather widgets; phone media controls; customizable watch faces; digital crown navigation | Luminova hands/indexes; Digital crown for navigation; Stopwatch; Timer; Alarm; Breathwork; Apple Health & Google Fit sync |
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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→
Withings ScanWatch Nova
Rating:★4(268)Amazon
Compatibility:iPhone (iOS 15+) and Android (Android 9+)
Operating System:HealthSense™ OS (Proprietary)
Case Size:42mm (42 mm diameter / 1.65 in; 12.8 mm thickness)
Case Material:Case: Polished stainless steel; Bezel: Ceramic and stainless steel (rotating); Glass: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Display Type:Grayscale OLED (0.63 inch) + Analog hands (Hybrid)
Display Size:0.63 in (digital screen)
Resolution:14,504 pixels (282 PPI)
Always On Display:Yes (Analog hands always visible)
Water Resistance:10 ATM (100 meters)
Durability:Sapphire crystal face; Stainless steel case; Ceramic bezel; 5-year guarantee (region dependent)
GPS:Connected GPS (Requires smartphone connection)
Connectivity:Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
NFC Payments:No (Not supported)
Sensors:Multi-wavelength PPG (Heart rate/SpO2); TempTech24/7 Module (Body temp); High Dynamic Range Accelerometer; Altimeter; ECG electrodes
Health Features:ECG (AFib detection); Body temperature variation (day/night); Blood oxygen (SpO2); Sleep quality score; Respiratory scan; Heart rate variability (HRV)
Workout Modes:40+ sports modes; Automatic activity detection (Walking, Running, Swimming, Cycling); Fitness Level (VO2 max estimation)
Storage:Free unlimited online storage; 7 days of data stored on watch
Speaker Mic:No (No built-in speaker or microphone)
Calls:No (Notification alerts only)
Battery:Up to 30 days (Standard use); Rechargeable Lithium-ion
Charging:USB-C compatible docking station (approx. 2 hours to 100%)
Weight:63 g (2.22 oz) without wristband
Band Sizes:Fits wrist sizes (approx. 163–239 mm); Standard 20 mm lug width
Extras:Luminova hands/indexes; Digital crown for navigation; Stopwatch; Timer; Alarm; Breathwork; Apple Health & Google Fit sync
✓ Pros:
- • Elegant 'diver' aesthetic with ceramic bezel and sapphire glass
- • Clinical-grade health sensors (ECG, SpO2, Temperature) in a non-intrusive form factor
- • Exceptional battery life (30 days) compared to standard smartwatches
- • Water-resistant to 10 ATM (100m), suitable for swimming and snorkeling
- • Distraction-free interface with a small, discreet digital screen
✗ Cons:
- • Small monochrome screen limits notification readability and smart features
- • No built-in GPS (relies on phone connection for tracking routes)
- • No music controls, NFC payments, or third-party apps
- • Heavy on the wrist (63g watch head only) due to steel construction
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
Which one is better?
The Suunto Race is the better buy for most people - its impressive 40-hour GPS battery life crushes the Withings ScanWatch Nova's 30-day standard use battery. That said, grab the Nova if you want a lighter, more elegant watch for everyday health monitoring - it's lighter.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Suunto Race if: you need 40 hours of GPS battery life, want a vibrant 1.43" display, or need rugged durability for outdoor activities.
Choose the Withings ScanWatch Nova if: you prefer a lightweight design for daily wear, appreciate clinical-grade health monitoring, or want a stylish watch with a diver aesthetic. (2.22 oz weight)
Conclusion
Suunto Race and Withings ScanWatch Nova are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Suunto Race excels if you value vibrant 1.43” amoled screen with sapphire crystal durability. Withings ScanWatch Nova is better if you prioritize elegant 'diver' aesthetic with ceramic bezel and sapphire glass. 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.
Affiliate disclosure
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