← Back to Smartwatches
2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSuunto Vertical 2 Titanium vs Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Choosing between Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium and Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) can be tricky. Both are excellent, but they serve different priorities. This guide highlights what matters for US shoppers.
Ratings: 4.4★ vs 4.6★
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium
★4.4
(32)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android and iOS (Suunto App); Predefined replies (Android only)
Operating System:Suunto Proprietary OS
Case Size:49mm (49 x 49 x 13.6 mm)
Case Material:Titanium Grade 5 bezel; Glass fibre reinforced polyamide case; Sapphire crystal glass
Check Amazon Price→
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
Check Amazon Price→
Comparison: Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium vs Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium
★4.4(32)Amazon
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED)
★4.6(1,856)Amazon
| Criterion | Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium | Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.4(32)Amazon | ★4.6(1,856)Amazon |
Compatibility | Android and iOS (Suunto App); Predefined replies (Android only) | iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required) |
Operating System | Suunto Proprietary OS | Garmin OS (Proprietary) |
Case Size | 49mm (49 x 49 x 13.6 mm) | 47mm x 47mm x 13.8mm |
Case Material | Titanium Grade 5 bezel; Glass fibre reinforced polyamide case; Sapphire crystal glass | Fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover; Bezel: Titanium or Stainless Steel; Lens: Sapphire Crystal or Corning Gorilla Glass |
Display Type | LTPO AMOLED matrix display; Up to 2000 nits brightness; Always-On Display | AMOLED; Always-On Mode available; 1000 nits peak brightness |
Display Size | 1.5 in | 1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter |
Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels | 454 x 454 pixels |
Always On Display | Yes | Yes (optional) |
Water Resistance | 100 m | 10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters); Dive rated (EN13319) to 40 meters |
Durability | Tested to military standards (MIL-STD-810H); Titanium bezel; Sapphire crystal | 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 | Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi |
NFC Payments | — | Garmin Pay |
Sensors | Optical heart rate (upgraded sensor); Pulse Ox (SpO2); Barometric altimeter (FusedAlti™); Digital compass; Thermometer; 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 recovery measurement; Sleep tracking (duration, quality, stages); Blood oxygen; Stress and recovery status; Fitness Level (VO2max) | 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 | 115+ sport modes; Triathlon; Swimming (pool/open water); Running (power/pace); Cycling; Hiking; Ski touring; Snorkeling (depth up to 10m) | 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 (Dedicated for offline maps) | 32GB |
Speaker Mic | — | Built-in Speaker; Built-in Microphone (Voice Assistant & Voice Notes) |
Calls | No (Call notifications only) | Yes (Make and take calls via Bluetooth connection to smartphone) |
Battery | Smartwatch: Up to 20 days; Performance Mode (Dual-band GPS + AOD): Up to 65 hours; Tour Mode: Up to 250 hours | 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-C) | Garmin proprietary plug charger (clip-on data cable) |
Weight | 74 g | Stainless Steel: 80g (Case only: 59g); Titanium: 73g (Case only: 52g) |
Band Sizes | Fits wrists 125–175 mm (standard) or up to 215 mm; 22mm width | Fits wrists 125–208mm (Silicone); QuickFit 22mm compatible |
Extras | Integrated LED Flashlight; Offline maps with heatmaps and surface info; Solar charging (Titanium Solar models only, though AMOLED limits efficacy); Climb Guidance; SuuntoPlus ecosystem | Built-in LED Flashlight (Red/White strobes); Dynamic Round-Trip Routing; Garmin Messenger app; Outdoor Maps+ (subscription optional); SkiView Maps |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. | Check Price on Amazon→ | Check Price on Amazon→ |
Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium
Rating:★4.4(32)Amazon
Compatibility:Android and iOS (Suunto App); Predefined replies (Android only)
Operating System:Suunto Proprietary OS
Case Size:49mm (49 x 49 x 13.6 mm)
Case Material:Titanium Grade 5 bezel; Glass fibre reinforced polyamide case; Sapphire crystal glass
Display Type:LTPO AMOLED matrix display; Up to 2000 nits brightness; Always-On Display
Display Size:1.5 in
Resolution:466 x 466 pixels
Always On Display:Yes
Water Resistance:100 m
Durability:Tested to military standards (MIL-STD-810H); Titanium bezel; Sapphire crystal
GPS:Dual-band GNSS (L1 + L5); GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BEIDOU
Connectivity:Bluetooth
NFC Payments:—
Sensors:Optical heart rate (upgraded sensor); Pulse Ox (SpO2); Barometric altimeter (FusedAlti™); Digital compass; Thermometer; Accelerometer; Gyroscope
Health Features:HRV recovery measurement; Sleep tracking (duration, quality, stages); Blood oxygen; Stress and recovery status; Fitness Level (VO2max)
Workout Modes:115+ sport modes; Triathlon; Swimming (pool/open water); Running (power/pace); Cycling; Hiking; Ski touring; Snorkeling (depth up to 10m)
Storage:32GB (Dedicated for offline maps)
Speaker Mic:—
Calls:No (Call notifications only)
Battery:Smartwatch: Up to 20 days; Performance Mode (Dual-band GPS + AOD): Up to 65 hours; Tour Mode: Up to 250 hours
Charging:Suunto magnetic fast charger (USB-C)
Weight:74 g
Band Sizes:Fits wrists 125–175 mm (standard) or up to 215 mm; 22mm width
Extras:Integrated LED Flashlight; Offline maps with heatmaps and surface info; Solar charging (Titanium Solar models only, though AMOLED limits efficacy); Climb Guidance; SuuntoPlus ecosystem
✓ Pros:
- • Stunning 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED display (2000 nits) is significantly brighter than the original MIP
- • Integrated LED flashlight is a game-changer for camping and night safety
- • Maintains incredible battery life (65h dual-band GPS) despite the switch to AMOLED
- • Market-leading offline mapping capabilities with 32GB storage
✗ Cons:
- • No onboard music storage (only media controls)
- • Lacks smart features like NFC payments and Bluetooth calling
- • Large 49mm case size may be overwhelming for smaller wrists
- • Proprietary OS is less fluid/app-rich than Apple Watch or Wear OS
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Check Price on Amazon→
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?
Garmin fēnix 8 (47mm AMOLED) is stronger in overall satisfaction, but Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium could still be the better pick if you value its unique advantages.
Who should buy each?
Expert take:
- Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium suits buyers who need Stunning 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED display (2000 nits) is significantly brighter than the original MIP, Integrated LED flashlight is a game-changer for camping and night safety
- 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 Vertical 2 Titanium excels if you value stunning 1.5-inch ltpo amoled display (2000 nits) is significantly brighter than the original mip. 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.
Affiliate disclosure
PageBen uses Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This supports independent content for US shoppers.