Six ways Suunto Race 2 is better vs version 1

Suunto has dropped the Race 2 today, a lighter, faster upgrade with a brighter 1.5-inch AMOLED screen, 55-hour GPS battery, sharper heart tracking, offline maps and smarter training tools.

But that’s not all. No, there’s no sight yet of Vertical 2. But alongside the watch, Suunto has also introduced the Wing 2 open-ear headphones. These feature bone conduction technology, improved bass, upgraded sound clarity, and intelligent LED safety lights that activate dynamically when turning or slowing down.

It has been about two years since the first Suunto Race arrived. It’s a watch that became popular with trail runners thanks to its bright display, solid battery and solid training features. Now, the Race 2 is here. So how does it improve on the original? Let’s dive in.

A brighter, smoother display

One of the most obvious upgrades is the display. The Race 2 upgrades to Suunto’s biggest and brightest screen yet, packing a 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED panel that pushes up to 2000 nits. This allows for excellent readability under direct sunlight, and the 60Hz refresh rate makes scrolling through stats feel smoother and faster. Slimmer bezels also give the watch a cleaner, more modern look that stands out on the wrist.

Compared to the Race 1’s smaller 1.43-inch screen with just 600 nits of brightness, this is a big step up. Interestingly, the resolution is the same on both devices 466 x 466 pixels. But the other screen specs should make the Race 2’s display easier to read and interact with.

Slimmer, lighter, and built to last

At 49mm, the diameter of both generations is the same. But Race 2 trims its body by about 6 percent, now measuring 12.5mm thick compared to the 13.3mm profile of the original. It also sheds a few grams, weighing 65g in titanium and 75g in stainless steel.

Sapphire glass protects the display, while premium steel or Grade 5 titanium bezels make the watch durable enough for serious training. The lighter design makes it more comfortable for all-day wear, especially during longer sessions.

More power for long races

Battery life is another area that has been improved. The Race 2 now delivers up to 55 hours of continuous dual-band GNSS tracking, up from 50 hours on the first version. So it’s not a huge upgrade. Granted, the original had pretty good battery life.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

With Race 2 ultramarathoners can cover 100km, 168km, or even 200km trail races without worrying about a recharge. LTPO display tech also helps conserve power when you don’t need the highest refresh rate, balancing brightness and endurance.

Smarter training and recovery insights

Suunto has packed far more performance-focused tools into the Race 2, making it a stronger training companion than the original. Structured interval workouts are now supported, letting you create detailed, personalised sessions and sync them directly from the Suunto app or SuuntoPlus. These allow runners to plan precise blocks for pacing, recovery and intensity instead of guessing on the fly.

The new unified Recovery Score pulls together heart rate variability, sleep quality, and training stress into a single, easy-to-read figure, helping you decide when to push harder and when to rest. With 115+ preloaded sport modes covering everything from trail running and cycling to gym sessions and triathlons, plus fully customisable data fields, the Race 2 is a pretty capable watch.

Upgraded heart rate tracking

The Race 2 includes an improved optical heart rate sensor with a redesigned layout for better accuracy. This should especially be evident during high-intensity workouts.

You can enable all-day heart rate tracking and set high heart rate alerts directly from the watch. This makes it easier to train in the right zones, avoid overtraining and track recovery progress more precisely.

Connectivity, navigation and what’s missing

Suunto says the Race 2 is its most connected watch. It works with over 300 third-party apps and services, including Strava, TrainingPeaks, Adidas Running and Runkeeper. You can sync workouts across platforms or import planned courses directly into the Suunto app.

The watch still includes offline maps, allowing you to explore without relying on your phone or mobile signal. Climb Guidance is also available, helping manage energy more effectively on ascents and descents during long efforts. However, there is still no offline storage for music, only Bluetooth control when connected to a smartphone, and no NFC chip for contactless payments.

The bottom line

The Race 2 builds on the first model with upgrades that make a difference day to day. The screen is bigger, brighter, and smoother to use, which helps when checking stats mid-run or glancing at maps. GPS battery life now stretches to 55 hours, giving you more freedom on longer outings. Heart rate tracking has been improved, and you also get structured intervals and a Recovery Score to better manage training and recovery. The case is slimmer and lighter too, which makes it more comfortable to wear for hours at a time.

Not everything has moved forward, though. There’s still no offline music storage, so you’ll need your phone if you want to listen on the go. Bluetooth controls are there, but that’s it. And there’s still no NFC chip for payments. For existing Race users, this isn’t a complete overhaul, but the tweaks add up and make the watch easier to live with.

You can check out both watches on suunto.com and Amazon.

Suunto Race 2 vs 1: Key tech specs compared

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