Suunto Race 3S vs Polar Vantage M3 specs comparison
These are closely matched performance watches, but their strengths are different. The Race 3S is better for maps, durability and longer GPS use, while the Vantage M3 offers richer health sensing and Polar’s strong recovery and physiological testing tools. Suunto is the better outdoor option, while Polar makes more sense for data-focused training.
Full comparison
The full record
76 specifications across 6 areas, with 24 genuine differences.
1. Design & display Mixed
Fact
Suunto Race 3S
Polar Vantage M3
Release date
2026-10
2024-10
Physical size
46 x 46 x 11.4 mm
44.7 x 44.7 x 12.2 mm
Weight
56 g with silicone strap; 38 g watch head
53 g
Material
Titanium bezel and case-back; glass fibre reinforced polyamide case; sapphire crystal; silicone strap
Plastic case. Stainless Steel bezel.
Water resistance
5 ATM
5 ATM
Color options
Black, Orchid, Feather
Night Black, Greige Sand
Display type
AMOLED
AMOLED
Display size
1.32 inch
1.28 inch
Display resolution
466 X 466
416 x 416 pixels
2. Battery & charging Suunto Race 3S
Fact
Suunto Race 3S
Polar Vantage M3
Battery
Rechargeable lithium-ion battery (silicon-carbon)
Rechargeable lithium-polymer battery; 310 mAh
Battery life
Up to 12 days smartwatch mode; up to 38 h All-Systems GNSS + Multi-Band (32 h AOD); up to 45 h All-Systems GNSS + Single-Band (40 h AOD); up to 120 h power-saving GNSS modes
Up to 30 h performance training; up to 90 h Eco training; up to 7 days smartwatch mode
Charging
Provided USB charging cable; fast charging supported
Custom USB cable for charging and data synchronization.
3. Sensors & positioning Polar Vantage M3
Fact
Suunto Race 3S
Polar Vantage M3
GNSS type
Built-in dual-band L1 + L5 GNSS
Built-in dual-band GNSS
GPS
Yes (dual-band L1 + L5)
Yes
GALILEO
Yes
Yes
GLONASS
Yes
Yes
QZSS
Yes
Yes
Beidou
Yes
Yes
Accelerometer
Yes
Yes
Gyroscope
Yes (gyro-assisted compass)
Yes
Barometric altimeter
Yes
Yes
Compass
Yes
Yes
Geomagnetic
No
Yes
Ambient light sensor
Yes
Yes
Optical heart rate
Yes (6 LEDs + 4 photodiodes; Valencell technology)
Yes
Electrical heart rate
No
Yes
SpO2
Yes
Yes
Temperature
Yes
Yes
Galvanic skin response
No
No
Microphone
No
No
Speakers
No
No
Vibration motor
Yes
Yes
4. Health & activity Polar Vantage M3
Fact
Suunto Race 3S
Polar Vantage M3
Steps
Yes
Yes
Distance
Yes
Yes
Calories burned
Yes
Yes
Floors
No
No
Sports tracking
Yes (120+ sports modes)
Yes
Sleep
Yes
Yes
Heart rate
Yes
Yes
HRV
Yes
Yes (Nightly Recharge)
Stress
Yes
Yes (Nightly Recharge / ANS charge)
Blood oxygen
Yes
Yes
Respiration rate
No
Yes (during Nightly Recharge)
Skin temperature
No
Yes
ECG
No
Yes
Blood pressure
No
No
Body composition
No
No
Glucose
No
No
Hydration level
No
No
UV exposure
No
No
Calorie intake
No
No
Hyperglycemia risk assessment
No
No
Arterial stiffness detection
No
No
Pulse wave arrhythmia analysis
No
No
5. Smart features Suunto Race 3S
Fact
Suunto Race 3S
Polar Vantage M3
Smartphone compatibility
Android and iOS
Android and iOS
Operating system at launch
Proprietary
Proprietary
Processor
Apollo 510
275 MHz
Storage
64 GB (maps + music)
32 GB
Bluetooth
Yes (Bluetooth LE)
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes (802.11 b/g/n, 2.4 GHz)
No
NFC / connected pay
No
No
UWB
No
No
Cellular
No
No
Smartphone notifications
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth calling
No
No
Smartphone music control
Yes
Yes
On-board music storage
Yes (offline music playback; post-launch OTA update)
No
Voice assistant
No
No
6. Navigation & safety No clear edge
Fact
Suunto Race 3S
Polar Vantage M3
Maps
Yes (free global offline maps)
Yes
Offline maps
Yes
Yes
Navigation
Offline maps, route navigation, breadcrumb trail and points of interest
Yes (offline maps, route guidance, Track Back and Back to Start)
Emergency SOS
No
No
Satellite SOS
No
No
Fall detection
No
No
LED flashlight
No
No
Diving
No scuba diving; freediving/snorkeling depth meter to 10 m
No