Suunto’s Q1 2026 update adds better maps and recovery tools
Suunto is lining up a pretty substantial Q1 update for its watches, from smarter route guidance to better recovery insights and improved swim tracking.
Better maps and route tools
Some big changes are coming to the navigation side, which makes sense given Suunto’s outdoor focus. The watches will do a better job of recognising when you have gone off your planned route, which should be especially helpful on trail runs and hikes where paths split off in several directions.
More importantly, it looks like Suunto is adding a proper way to guide you back. Instead of just telling you that you are off course, the watch can show an arrow pointing you back towards the route along with the remaining distance. That is the kind of thing that sounds simple, but out on a long run or hike it can save you a lot of time.
There is also a Track Back option, so you can retrace your steps along the exact route you have already taken. Add in auto zoom, better turn alerts and map labels for things like city names and elevation contours, and the whole navigation experience looks a lot more polished.
More useful training features
Training tools are also getting a nice lift. One of the additions is heart rate broadcasting straight from the watch.
That means you should be able to use the watch as a heart rate source for gym equipment, cycling computers or other compatible devices, without always needing a chest strap. It is something competitors have offered for a while, so it is good to see Suunto bringing it in.
There is also heart rate recovery tracking after workouts, which is actually a useful fitness marker if you are training regularly. Seeing how quickly your heart rate drops after effort can help give a better sense of recovery and overall conditioning over time.
Swimmers are getting something too, with a drill mode and better lap button syncing in the pool. For anyone who does structured swim sessions, that should make tracking a lot less fiddly.
A few other bits and pieces
Some of the smaller changes are also worth a mention. One that stands out is the ability to use the touchscreen during sports mode, which should make the watch feel a bit less restrictive during workouts. That will be optional so you can switch it on or off.
There are also weekly recurring alarms, mixed unit support and some notification and sound tweaks.
Overall, this feels like a really solid update from Suunto. It should improve the experience, especially for outdoor sports and training. We’re not sure of the exact timing of the rollout but keep an eye out on any notifications in the app in the coming days. Presumably, these updates will be coming to Race 2 and Vertical 2, and perhaps some of the older watches.
Suunto Q1 update changelog
Navigation and maps
Improved off-route detection
Back-to-route guidance (arrow pointing to the route plus distance on display)
Track Back function (return along your own tracks)
Auto-zoom and alerts for upcoming turns
Climb display with dynamic zoom based on distance
City names and icons on the map
Contour lines with elevation labels on the map
Partially customizable bottom display bar
Training and performance
Heart rate broadcasting from the watch (HR Broadcast)
Heart rate recovery analysis after training (HRR)
Vertical gain as a training goal
Drill mode for pool swimming
Lap button synchronization with automatic intervals during swimming
UI / UX / System
Option to enable the touchscreen in sports mode
Support for extended (mixed) unit systems
Notification and sound management for daily use and sports
The dial rotates continuously (no stop at the end)
Deactivation / silencing of auto-lap during an ongoing interval
Alarms for specific days of the week
Indonesian language
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