{"id":36026,"date":"2026-05-24T16:19:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T14:19:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harlerunner.de\/?p=36026"},"modified":"2026-07-11T16:05:49","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T14:05:49","slug":"suunto-vertical-2-review-outdoor-flagship-with-amoled-flashlight-and-finally-a-better-ohr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harlerunner.de\/en\/suunto-vertical-2-review-outdoor-flagship-with-amoled-flashlight-and-finally-a-better-ohr\/","title":{"rendered":"Suunto Vertical 2 Review: Outdoor Flagship with AMOLED, Flashlight, and Finally a Better OHR"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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There was no getting around the Suunto Vertical 2 in Titanium, since its sibling, the Race 2, had already won me over. What the Vertical 2 does better, and where it hits its limits, is what you’ll find here.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Not a review unit:<\/a><\/strong> I bought the Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium with my own money. Suunto had no influence on this content \u2014 this post reflects my personal experience only.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Suunto Vertical 2 is Suunto’s current outdoor flagship, released September 2025. At 689 euros (Titanium) or 589 euros (stainless steel), it sits firmly in the premium segment. Anyone looking for a clean, functional overall package with long battery life, offline maps, and serious outdoor capability \u2014 without caring about a Garmin ecosystem or an app jungle \u2014 gets one of the most convincing watches on the market. Anyone expecting an app store like Garmin’s, or contactless payment, should look elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Link<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

suunto.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Price<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

689 euros (Titanium) \/ 589 euros (stainless steel)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Actively tested<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

8 weeks<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Keine Produkte gefunden.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Suunto Vertical 2: Specs at a Glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Display<\/td>LTPO AMOLED, 1.5 inch, 466 \u00d7 466 pixels, up to 2,000 nits, sapphire glass<\/td><\/tr>
Case<\/td>Titanium (Titanium) \/ stainless steel, 49 mm diameter, 13.6 mm thickness<\/td><\/tr>
Weight<\/td>74 g (Titanium) \/ 87 g (stainless steel), without strap<\/td><\/tr>
GPS<\/td>Dual-band GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS), up to 32 satellites<\/td><\/tr>
Heart rate<\/td>Newly developed optical HR sensor, flatter case underside<\/td><\/tr>
Battery<\/td>up to 20 days (everyday mode), 65 hrs with GPS (highest accuracy), 250 hrs (tour mode)<\/td><\/tr>
Water resistance<\/td>WR100 (100 m)<\/td><\/tr>
Durability<\/td>MIL-STD-810<\/td><\/tr>
Sport profiles<\/td>115+<\/td><\/tr>
Navigation<\/td>Offline maps, heatmaps, climb guidance, Suunto Route Planner<\/td><\/tr>
Other<\/td>Integrated LED flashlight (white\/red), Bluetooth multi-sensor pairing<\/td><\/tr>
Price<\/td>589 euros (stainless steel) \/ 689 euros (Titanium)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

First Impressions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"Open\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Unboxing\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To me, the Vertical 2 gets the design right in every way: five buttons, a clear bezel, clean looks. The black Titanium version sits comfortably on the wrist; at 74 grams, it’s also noticeably lighter than the stainless steel variant. The new, flatter case underside sits better against the skin \u2014 something you notice not just in wearing comfort, but also in heart rate tracking. More on that shortly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Close-up\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Close-up\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Close-up\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What’s New Compared to the Vertical 1?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming from the Vertical 1<\/a>, you don’t get a completely new product \u2014 but one reworked in the right places. Most important first: the display. Switching from MIP to LTPO AMOLED at 2,000 nits is no gimmick. In sunlight, the MIP display still at least holds its own, but in the evening, at dusk, or when checking map data \u2014 that’s where the difference really shows. And the watch faces? Wow. ;)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Smartwatch\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Then there’s the flashlight. You can smile about it \u2014 until the first time you actually need it. White for lighting the path, red for night-vision mode. You can assign the function to one of the case buttons for easy access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Close-up\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The new charger was overdue. The magnetic mechanism on the Vertical 1 was a test of patience; the new version simply holds. The Vertical 2 also now supports Bluetooth multi-pairing for sensors within one category \u2014 meaning you can now switch between a chest strap and an armband sensor without unpairing. Handy when switching between training types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Close-up\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Back\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

GPS, Navigation, and Structured Workouts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The dual-band GNSS with up to 32 satellites does a solid job \u2014 in my tests there were no notable outliers in the recorded tracks, even in dense forest. No longer a unique selling point over Garmin or Coros, but it works. Full stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s more satisfying: the improvements to structured training sessions. As with my Race 2 experience \u2014 which I already covered in detail here<\/a> \u2014 handling interval workouts has gotten much better on the Vertical 2 too. Seeing the target corridor, current value, and deviation at a glance makes it easier to execute a structured workout cleanly without constantly staring at the watch. Sounds small, but makes a real difference day to day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Man<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For trail and outdoor use, there’s now also the new browser-based route planner \u2014 including GPX export, so it’s usable independent of brand. Plan your route on a big screen, then transfer it to the watch. :)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heart Rate: Finally Reliable \u2014 With the Right Strap<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This was the chapter I was most curious about. The optical HR sensor on the first Vertical generation had its quirks \u2014 and even on the Race 2, the optical readings weren’t quite there for me yet. Sometimes spot on, sometimes not. In the meantime, a firmware update brought further improvement here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Close-up\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On the Vertical 2, Suunto did two things: fitted the newly developed sensor and made the case underside flatter so the watch sits closer to the skin. What’s often underestimated \u2014 and was the deciding factor for me \u2014 is a fabric strap. With one fitted, the watch hugs the wrist much more evenly, and since then the optical sensor has actually been reliable, even at higher intensities. With the standard silicone strap, I still occasionally got small dropouts at the start of a session. So if you’re struggling with the optical sensor: try switching the strap before reaching for a chest strap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For anyone who really cares about accuracy for HRV analysis and power-based training \u2014 a chest strap remains the more reliable choice. That’s not a weakness specific to the Vertical 2; it applies to all optical sensors. But for everyday use and moderate intensities: it works now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Battery: Promise Kept<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

65 hours in highest-accuracy mode \u2014 that’s quite a claim. In everyday use with heart rate active, I get almost two weeks \u2014 in line with what other reviewers report. That’s a top figure for this device class, especially since the AMOLED display barely shortens runtime. Fully charged in 2 hours \u2014 anyone planning long adventures knows the ritual. ;)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  • LTPO AMOLED display at 2,000 nits \u2014 significantly better than the old MIP display in low light and everyday use<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Clear, functional menu navigation with no frills \u2014 Suunto’s biggest UX asset remains untouched<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Integrated LED flashlight (white\/red) \u2014 genuine practical value for early and late sessions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Reworked optical HR sensor with flatter case underside \u2014 finally reliable with a fabric strap<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Structured workouts with improved display \u2014 clearer than on the Vertical 1<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Battery remains unrivaled in the segment despite AMOLED \u2014 around 2 weeks in everyday mode<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • New charger with strong magnets \u2014 no longer a test of patience<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Titanium variant at just 74 g \u2014 noticeably lighter than stainless steel (87 g)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Suunto Route Planner in the browser with GPX export \u2014 usable independent of brand too<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Cons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    • Flashlight only reachable through several menu levels during an activity \u2014 firmware update needed<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Typical for AMOLED: display isn’t always on \u2014 a bit of an adjustment when glancing at it from the corner of your eye. Can be changed in settings, though.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • No app store, no contactless payments \u2014 anyone who needs that is better off with Garmin<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Optical sensor accuracy still limited at very high intensities \u2014 a chest strap is recommended for precise training<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • New generation’s titanium bezel less shiny than its predecessor \u2014 a matter of taste, but noticeable<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      My Take:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \"\"<\/div>
      Suunto Vertical 2 Review: Outdoor Flagship with AMOLED, Flashlight, and Finally a Better OHR<\/div><\/div>
      My Take<\/div>
      Anyone looking for a serious outdoor and running watch that skips the frills but delivers top-tier performance in everything that matters \u2014 battery, navigation, durability, menu navigation \u2014 is making the right call with the Vertical 2. That's especially true if you're into trail running, plan longer adventures, or simply want a watch that lasts two weeks without a charger. On the other hand, anyone who needs a large app ecosystem, Garmin Connect integration, or payment functionality, or who mainly runs on the road and already knows the Race 2, doesn't necessarily need the Vertical 2. For running specialists, the Race 2 is the more finely honed tool; the Vertical 2 is the more versatile one.<\/div><\/div>
      Quality<\/div>
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      Function<\/div>
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      Enthusiasm<\/div>
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      Price \/ Performance<\/div>
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      4.9<\/div>
      Bewertung<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>