Suunto Blog

If you’re considering a Suunto Vertical 2, you might also be curious about how it compares to the original Suunto Vertical. Both watches are designed for outdoor adventures and multisport activities, but there are some key differences worth knowing—especially when it comes to display, charging, heart rate tracking, and built-in features. In this guide, we’ll break down these differences clearly, so you can understand what sets each model apart and decide which one fits your needs best. 1. Display: MIP vs. LTPO AMOLED Suunto Vertical comes with a 1.4-inch memory-in-pixel (MIP) display at 280 × 280 pixels. This screen is designed for outdoor readability and low power consumption, making it ideal for long hikes or extended outdoor adventures. While the colors are more muted than AMOLED, clarity under bright sunlight is excellent. In comparison, Suunto Vertical 2 features a 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED display with 466 × 466 pixels. The larger, higher-resolution screen offers sharper details and more vivid colors, making menus, maps, and notifications easier to read. LTPO technology also adjusts the refresh rate based on the content, which keeps animations smooth while conserving battery. Overall, Vertical’s display focuses on endurance and sunlight visibility, whereas Vertical 2 provides a more dynamic and responsive viewing experience. Both are suitable for outdoor use, but the choice depends on whether you prioritize simplicity and long-lasting visibility or vibrant visuals and interactivity. 2. Charging: USB-A vs. USB-C Suunto Vertical uses a magnetic charging cable with a USB-A connector, a tried-and-true design for reliable power. The cable works well, but some users may find it less convenient with today’s USB-C devices. Suunto Vertical 2 updates the system with a USB-C connector and a stronger magnetic attachment. This makes the cable easier to align, keeps it firmly in place during charging, and matches the connectors on most modern devices. 3. Heart Rate Tracking Both watches feature optical heart rate monitoring, designed to support training and outdoor activities. Suunto Vertical uses a proven optical heart rate sensor that delivers reliable readings across everyday training and long outdoor sessions. Suunto Vertical 2 builds on this foundation with a redesigned glass back panel for better light transmission, a 4PD sensor layout to reduce interference, and updated algorithms that enhance heart rate performance. These improvements also support more consistent blood oxygen readings, HRV measurements, and sleep tracking. 4. Built-in LED Flashlight Suunto Vertical uses a screen-based flashlight mode that turns the display white to provide on-demand illumination. This approach keeps the design streamlined while covering occasional low-light needs during outdoor activities or everyday use. Suunto Vertical 2, by comparison, adds a built-in LED flashlight with multiple brightness levels and a red light mode to help preserve night vision. It also supports practical flashing modes such as pulse, SOS, and strobe, offering additional options in low-light conditions. Which One Should You Choose? Suunto Vertical and Vertical 2 are both built on our trusted multisport platform, each offering unique features and technology to support your adventures. Whether you’re training, exploring outdoors, or going about your day, both watches help you perform and track your progress with confidence. Depending on your needs, you can choose the model that best fits your lifestyle and activities. If you’re looking for the latest in Suunto’s lineup, Vertical 2 is our newest release, featuring the most up-to-date technology and enhancements.

Join the Suunto Path to Chamonix Strava Challenge and log a 15 km run between April 25 and May 3 to earn your digital finisher’s badge, receive a 15% discount for suunto.com, and enter for a chance to win something truly special. One lucky finisher will win a Suunto Race 2 GPS watch and an entry to the UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix, France – the pinnacle of trail running. Five additional winners will be rewarded with the new, ultralight Suunto Spark headphones. The main prize winner can choose which race to enter: UTMB – 174 km CCC – 101 km TDS – 145 km OCC – 57 km MCC – 40 km ETC – 15 km To redeem the entry, the selected runner must meet the UTMB World Series Finals requirements, including: At least 1 Running Stone for UTMB / CCC / OCC A valid UTMB Index in the relevant race category Whether you're challenging yourself, competing with others, or chasing the dream of racing at the UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix, every kilometer gets you closer. HOW TO ENTER 1. Join the Suunto Path to Chamonix Challenge in Strava 2. Run 15 km between April 25 & May 3 3. Sync your activity to Strava 4. Claim your reward and enter the raffle to win 5. If you are lucky, train hard for your race at the UTMB Finals in August! JOIN IN STRAVA NOW Terms and conditions apply. Learn more here. Learn more about using Suunto with Strava here.

Navigation just got sharper. Starting April 2026, we're rolling out updates across Suunto watches and the Suunto app: clearer turn guidance, richer map detail, better climb information, and offline routing capability. These aren't incremental tweaks. If you’re building a route at home the night before or making decisions on the fly in the field, we want the experience to feel immediate, reliable, and legible. That’s what this update is all about. “Navigation has been at the core of Suunto since 1936. These updates build on that foundation — making navigation clearer, more dependable, and fully functional even without connectivity.”— Janne Kallio, Head of Digital Ecosystem at Suunto. Find Your Line: Navigation Updates on Suunto Watches Five meaningful improvements to how navigation feels on your wrist. From the moment you deviate from your route to the final climb of your day, your watch keeps pace with what you need to know. Improved turn guidance with clearer cues and route awareness Enhanced track back and off-route alerts Updated maps with refined labels and terrain representation Improved climb detection and elevation insights Customisable navigation views with adjustable map data fields Availability: Immediately on Suunto Vertical 2, Race 2, and Race S. Selected features also rolling out to Suunto Race. Suunto Ocean support to follow. Plan Ahead, Go Anywhere: Offline Maps and Routing in the Suunto App Plan your route, download your maps, and head out. Once it's on your device, the Suunto app handles everything offline, meaning no signal is needed when it counts. Offline maps provide access to map data without a network connection once downloaded (must be downloaded over Wi-Fi or mobile data in advance). Offline routing enables route creation and navigation offline. Offline maps and offline routing are available to all Suunto app users at no additional cost. Availability Updates begin rolling out from April 7, 2026 across supported Suunto watches and the Suunto app.