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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSuunto Vertical Solar vs Apple Watch Ultra 3
The Suunto Vertical Solar is the premium option here, while the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the flagship model. If you're looking for long-lasting battery life, the Suunto shines with up to 60 days in daily mode, compared to the Apple Watch's 72 hours in low power mode. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 offers a stunning 3,000-nit display that blows the Suunto's 280x280 pixel MIP display out of the water. This means you'll enjoy vibrant visuals and better usability in bright conditions, making it a game-changer for outdoor adventures in 2026.
⚖️ Weight: 2.61 oz vs 2.18 oz💽 Storage: 32 GB vs 64 GB🔋 Battery: 60 days vs 72 hours
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Suunto Vertical Solar
★4.3
(200)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android and iOS (via Suunto app)
Operating System:Suunto UI
Case Size:49mm (49 x 49 x 13.6 mm / 1.93 x 1.93 x 0.54 in)
Case Material:Bezel: Titanium Grade 5; 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 Vertical Solar
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Suunto Vertical Solar
1.4 in
Apple Watch Ultra 3
1245 sq mm display area
Resolution
Suunto Vertical Solar
280 x 280 pixels
Apple Watch Ultra 3
422 x 514 pixels (326 ppi)
Performance1 specs
Storage
Suunto Vertical Solar
32 GB (Flash memory for offline maps)
Apple Watch Ultra 3
64GBWinner
Battery1 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Suunto Vertical Solar
Up to 60 days (Daily Mode with solar); Up to 85 hours (Dual-band GPS with solar); Up to 500 hours (Tour mode with solar)
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Up to 36 hours (normal use); Up to 72 hours (Low Power Mode)
Design2 specs
Weight
Suunto Vertical Solar
74 g / 2.61 oz (Titanium Solar model)
Apple Watch Ultra 3
61.8 gWinner
Water Resistance
Suunto Vertical Solar
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 Vertical Solar
Suunto UI
Apple Watch Ultra 3
watchOS
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Suunto Vertical Solar
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (required 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 Vertical Solar vs Apple Watch Ultra 3
Suunto Vertical Solar
★4.3(200)Amazon
Apple Watch Ultra 3
★4.7(425)Amazon
| Criterion | Suunto Vertical Solar | Apple Watch Ultra 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.3(200)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 13.6 mm / 1.93 x 1.93 x 0.54 in) | 49mm (49mm H x 44mm W x 14.4mm D) |
Case Material | Bezel: Titanium Grade 5; Case: Glass fiber reinforced polyamide; Glass: Sapphire crystal; Strap: Silicone | Aerospace-grade titanium (Natural or Black) |
Display Type | Matrix Memory-in-Pixel (MIP) with LED backlight | Always-On Retina display (LTPO3 OLED) with flat sapphire crystal |
Display Size | 1.4 in | 1245 sq mm display area |
Resolution | 280 x 280 pixels | 422 x 514 pixels (326 ppi) |
Always On Display | Yes (Passive technology) | 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 (Military Standard); 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 (required 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; depth meter (snorkeling up to 10m) | Electrical heart (ECG), optical heart (Gen 3), temperature (body/water), blood oxygen, depth gauge, altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope |
Health Features | HRV (Heart Rate Variability); blood oxygen; sleep tracking (duration, quality, stages); stress and recovery status; VO2max | 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 training guidance); offline route navigation; POI navigation; bearing navigation | Multisport, Running (Advanced Metrics), Hiking (Topographic Maps), Ocean Diving, Swimming, Cycling |
Storage | 32 GB (Flash memory for offline maps) | 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; predefined quick replies on Android) | Yes (via Cellular or Wi-Fi) |
Battery | Up to 60 days (Daily Mode with solar); Up to 85 hours (Dual-band GPS with solar); Up to 500 hours (Tour mode with solar) | Up to 36 hours (normal use); Up to 72 hours (Low Power Mode) |
Charging | Suunto magnetic fast charger (USB-A); Solar charging | Fast charging (0–80% in approx. 1 hour) with USB-C Magnetic Fast Charger |
Weight | 74 g / 2.61 oz (Titanium Solar 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 | Free global offline outdoor maps; weather forecast; storm alarm; solar intensity widget; flashlight mode (screen based); snorkeling mode | S10 SiP, Double Tap gesture, On-device Siri, Precision Finding for iPhone, Flashlight/Night Mode, Crash Detection, Fall Detection |
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Suunto Vertical Solar
Rating:★4.3(200)Amazon
Compatibility:Android and iOS (via Suunto app)
Operating System:Suunto UI
Case Size:49mm (49 x 49 x 13.6 mm / 1.93 x 1.93 x 0.54 in)
Case Material:Bezel: Titanium Grade 5; Case: Glass fiber reinforced polyamide; Glass: Sapphire crystal; Strap: Silicone
Display Type:Matrix Memory-in-Pixel (MIP) with LED backlight
Display Size:1.4 in
Resolution:280 x 280 pixels
Always On Display:Yes (Passive technology)
Water Resistance:100 m (10 ATM)
Durability:MIL-STD-810H tested (Military Standard); 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 (required for map downloads)
NFC Payments:No (Not supported)
Sensors:Optical heart rate; blood oxygen (SpO2); barometric altimeter; digital compass; depth meter (snorkeling up to 10m)
Health Features:HRV (Heart Rate Variability); blood oxygen; sleep tracking (duration, quality, stages); stress and recovery status; VO2max
Workout Modes:95+ sport modes; Suunto Coach (AI training guidance); offline route navigation; POI navigation; bearing navigation
Storage:32 GB (Flash memory for offline maps)
Speaker Mic:No (No built-in speaker or microphone)
Calls:No (Notification alerts only; predefined quick replies on Android)
Battery:Up to 60 days (Daily Mode with solar); Up to 85 hours (Dual-band GPS with solar); Up to 500 hours (Tour mode with solar)
Charging:Suunto magnetic fast charger (USB-A); Solar charging
Weight:74 g / 2.61 oz (Titanium Solar model)
Band Sizes:Fits wrist sizes 125–175 mm; standard 22 mm quick-release width
Extras:Free global offline outdoor maps; weather forecast; storm alarm; solar intensity widget; flashlight mode (screen based); snorkeling mode
✓ Pros:
- • Industry-leading battery life with solar charging efficiency
- • Free global offline maps with ample 32GB storage and Wi-Fi downloading
- • Dual-band GNSS offers exceptional accuracy in deep canyons and forests
- • Military-grade construction (MIL-STD-810H) with Titanium and Sapphire
- • Made in Finland with 100% renewable energy
✗ Cons:
- • MIP display is less vibrant than AMOLED competitors
- • No music storage (music controls only)
- • No NFC payments or smart features like voice assistants
- • Large 49mm footprint may be too bulky for small wrists
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 Suunto Vertical Solar is the better buy for most people - its 60-day battery life crushes the Apple Watch's 72-hour limit. That said, grab the Apple Watch Ultra 3 if you want a superior display and smart features - it's a no-brainer for those integrated into the Apple ecosystem.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Suunto Vertical Solar if: you prioritize battery life for long outdoor trips, need free offline maps for adventure, or want military-grade durability. (2.61 oz weight, 32 GB storage)
Choose the Apple Watch Ultra 3 if: you want the brightest display for clear visibility, need cellular capabilities for calls, or prefer a more comprehensive health tracking experience. (2.18 oz weight, 64 GB storage)
Conclusion
Suunto Vertical Solar and Apple Watch Ultra 3 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 Vertical Solar excels if you value industry-leading battery life with solar charging efficiency. 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.
Affiliate disclosure
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