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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 16, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSuunto Vertical Solar vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
If you are torn between Suunto Vertical Solar and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, this breakdown is for you. We compare specs, pros, and cons so you can decide confidently.
Ratings: 4.3★ vs 4.4★
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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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Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
★4.4
(243)•Amazon
Compatibility:Android 11.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM; Samsung Galaxy phone required for Energy Score, ECG, Sleep Apnea, and IHRN features
Operating System:Wear OS 5 powered by Samsung (One UI 6 Watch)
Case Size:47.4mm H x 47.1mm W x 12.1mm D
Case Material:Titanium (Grade 4) frame with cushion design; Sapphire Crystal glass
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Comparison: Suunto Vertical Solar vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Suunto Vertical Solar
★4.3(200)Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
★4.4(243)Amazon
| Criterion | Suunto Vertical Solar | Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.3(200)Amazon | ★4.4(243)Amazon |
Compatibility | Android and iOS (via Suunto app) | Android 11.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM; Samsung Galaxy phone required for Energy Score, ECG, Sleep Apnea, and IHRN features |
Operating System | Suunto UI | Wear OS 5 powered by Samsung (One UI 6 Watch) |
Case Size | 49mm (49 x 49 x 13.6 mm / 1.93 x 1.93 x 0.54 in) | 47.4mm H x 47.1mm W x 12.1mm D |
Case Material | Bezel: Titanium Grade 5; Case: Glass fiber reinforced polyamide; Glass: Sapphire crystal; Strap: Silicone | Titanium (Grade 4) frame with cushion design; Sapphire Crystal glass |
Display Type | Matrix Memory-in-Pixel (MIP) with LED backlight | Super AMOLED; Always-On Display; Peak brightness 3000 nits |
Display Size | 1.4 in | 1.5 in (37.3 mm) circular display |
Resolution | 280 x 280 pixels | 480 x 480 pixels |
Always On Display | Yes (Passive technology) | Yes |
Water Resistance | 100 m (10 ATM) | 10 ATM + IP68 (ISO 22810 standard); Ocean swimming capable |
Durability | MIL-STD-810H tested (Military Standard); Operating temp: -20°C to +55°C (-5°F to +130°F) | MIL-STD-810H certified; Operating temp -20°C to 55°C; 9000m altitude resistance |
GPS | Dual-band GNSS (L1 + L5); GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BEIDOU | Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5); Glonass; Beidou; Galileo |
Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (required for map downloads) | LTE (eSIM standard on all models); Wi-Fi 2.4+5GHz; Bluetooth 5.3; NFC |
NFC Payments | No (Not supported) | Samsung Wallet / Google Wallet |
Sensors | Optical heart rate; blood oxygen (SpO2); barometric altimeter; digital compass; depth meter (snorkeling up to 10m) | Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal + Electrical Heart + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis); Temperature sensor; Accelerometer; Barometer; Gyro sensor; Geomagnetic sensor; Light sensor |
Health Features | HRV (Heart Rate Variability); blood oxygen; sleep tracking (duration, quality, stages); stress and recovery status; VO2max | Energy Score; Sleep Apnea detection (FDA authorized); AGEs Index; Body Composition; ECG; Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification; Cycle Tracking with skin temperature; Sleep coaching |
Workout Modes | 95+ sport modes; Suunto Coach (AI training guidance); offline route navigation; POI navigation; bearing navigation | Multisport tile (Triathlon/Duathlon/Aquathlon); Functional Threshold Power (FTP) for cycling; Race Partner; Track Back; Custom workouts via Quick Button |
Storage | 32 GB (Flash memory for offline maps) | 32GB |
Speaker Mic | No (No built-in speaker or microphone) | Speaker (with Siren support); Microphone |
Calls | No (Notification alerts only; predefined quick replies on Android) | Yes (LTE standalone or via paired phone) |
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) | 590mAh; Up to 100 hours (Power Saving); Up to 60 hours (Normal use, AOD off); Up to 48 hours (Exercise Power Saving) |
Charging | Suunto magnetic fast charger (USB-A); Solar charging | Fast Wireless Charging (WPC Inductive); Proprietary puck required for max speed |
Weight | 74 g / 2.61 oz (Titanium Solar model) | 60.5 g (Body only) |
Band Sizes | Fits wrist sizes 125–175 mm; standard 22 mm quick-release width | One Size (fits 145–205mm wrists via Dynamic Lug System) |
Extras | Free global offline outdoor maps; weather forecast; storm alarm; solar intensity widget; flashlight mode (screen based); snorkeling mode | Quick Button (customizable); 86dB Emergency Siren; Night Mode watch face; Gesture controls (Double Pinch) |
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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
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Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Rating:★4.4(243)Amazon
Compatibility:Android 11.0 or higher with 1.5GB+ RAM; Samsung Galaxy phone required for Energy Score, ECG, Sleep Apnea, and IHRN features
Operating System:Wear OS 5 powered by Samsung (One UI 6 Watch)
Case Size:47.4mm H x 47.1mm W x 12.1mm D
Case Material:Titanium (Grade 4) frame with cushion design; Sapphire Crystal glass
Display Type:Super AMOLED; Always-On Display; Peak brightness 3000 nits
Display Size:1.5 in (37.3 mm) circular display
Resolution:480 x 480 pixels
Always On Display:Yes
Water Resistance:10 ATM + IP68 (ISO 22810 standard); Ocean swimming capable
Durability:MIL-STD-810H certified; Operating temp -20°C to 55°C; 9000m altitude resistance
GPS:Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5); Glonass; Beidou; Galileo
Connectivity:LTE (eSIM standard on all models); Wi-Fi 2.4+5GHz; Bluetooth 5.3; NFC
NFC Payments:Samsung Wallet / Google Wallet
Sensors:Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal + Electrical Heart + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis); Temperature sensor; Accelerometer; Barometer; Gyro sensor; Geomagnetic sensor; Light sensor
Health Features:Energy Score; Sleep Apnea detection (FDA authorized); AGEs Index; Body Composition; ECG; Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification; Cycle Tracking with skin temperature; Sleep coaching
Workout Modes:Multisport tile (Triathlon/Duathlon/Aquathlon); Functional Threshold Power (FTP) for cycling; Race Partner; Track Back; Custom workouts via Quick Button
Storage:32GB
Speaker Mic:Speaker (with Siren support); Microphone
Calls:Yes (LTE standalone or via paired phone)
Battery:590mAh; Up to 100 hours (Power Saving); Up to 60 hours (Normal use, AOD off); Up to 48 hours (Exercise Power Saving)
Charging:Fast Wireless Charging (WPC Inductive); Proprietary puck required for max speed
Weight:60.5 g (Body only)
Band Sizes:One Size (fits 145–205mm wrists via Dynamic Lug System)
Extras:Quick Button (customizable); 86dB Emergency Siren; Night Mode watch face; Gesture controls (Double Pinch)
✓ Pros:
- • True multi-day battery life (up to 100h in power saving)
- • Extremely durable Grade 4 Titanium build with 10ATM rating
- • Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5) provides superior tracking accuracy
- • Brightest display in class (3000 nits) for outdoor visibility
- • Exclusive features like Siren and Multisport tile for triathletes
✗ Cons:
- • Large 47mm square-circle design may not fit smaller wrists
- • Key health features (ECG, Sleep Apnea) locked to Samsung phones
- • Proprietary band attachment (Dynamic Lug) limits third-party options
- • Charging speed is slower (~2 hours) compared to competitors
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Which one is better?
Based on ratings and feature balance, Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra has a slight edge for specific features. Suunto Vertical Solar remains a strong alternative if its strengths match your needs.
Who should buy each?
Choose Suunto Vertical Solar if:
- You want Industry-leading battery life with solar charging efficiency, Free global offline maps with ample 32GB storage and Wi-Fi downloading
- Rating: 4.3★ (200 reviews)
Choose Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra if:
- You prefer True multi-day battery life (up to 100h in power saving), Extremely durable Grade 4 Titanium build with 10ATM rating
- Rating: 4.4★ (243 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 Vertical Solar excels if you value industry-leading battery life with solar charging efficiency. Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is better if you prioritize true multi-day battery life (up to 100h in power saving). 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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