Suunto Race S

Name: Suunto Race S
Brand: Suunto
SKU: 4525

Manufacturer: Suunto

The Suunto Race S is a GPS-enabled sports watch built for athletes who want detailed tracking across a wide range of activities. It features a 1.32″ OLED/AMOLED touchscreen with a resolution of 466 x 466 px and a pixel density of 499 ppi, housed in a 45 mm case that weighs just 60 g. Always-On Display is supported, and the watch includes 32 GB of internal storage alongside compatibility with both iOS and Android devices.

On the sensor side, the Suunto Race S includes a heart rate monitor, pulse oximeter, barometer, accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass, supporting metrics such as VO2 max, HRV tracking, and resting heart rate. Battery life reaches up to 312 hours in power save mode, with 30 hours available when GPS is active. The watch is waterproof to 50 m at a 5 ATM rating, supports wireless charging, ANT+, and Galileo satellite systems, and includes multi-sport mode, sleep tracking, route navigation with uploadable maps, and thunderstorm risk alerts.

Pros

The OLED/AMOLED touchscreen with a pixel density of 499 ppi and Always-On Display mode delivers sharp, persistent visibility during training
Battery life extends to 312 hours in power save mode and 30 hours with GPS active, covering extended outdoor use
A comprehensive sensor suite includes GPS, heart rate monitor, pulse oximeter, barometer, gyroscope, and compass for thorough performance data
Waterproof to 50 m with a 5 ATM rating and diving support makes it suitable for water-based activities
32 GB of internal storage with uploadable maps and Galileo satellite support adds meaningful navigation capability
The free, ad-free companion app covers a wide range of health and training tools including coaching, routes, and music playback

Cons

No Wi-Fi, NFC, or cellular connectivity limits on-device data syncing and contactless functionality
Lacks a body temperature sensor, cadence sensor, and perspiration monitor, which may leave gaps for some training disciplines
No irregular heart rate warnings or fast/slow heart rate notifications reduces passive cardiac monitoring
Fall detection and smart alarm are absent, limiting passive safety and recovery features
No external memory slot restricts storage expandability beyond the built-in 32 GB

Who is this for?

The Suunto Race S is well suited to dedicated endurance athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who need reliable, detailed performance data across multiple disciplines. With multi-sport mode, diving support, and a swim stroke counter, it covers a broad range of activities beyond basic running or cycling. The extensive sensor suite, GPS with fast lock and Galileo support, uploadable maps, and a waterproof rating of 50 m make it a practical choice for those who train in demanding environments. Users who want in-depth health monitoring — including HRV tracking, VO2 max, pulse oximetry, and readiness scoring — will find the feature set well matched to structured training routines.

Who is this NOT for?

Users looking for a smartwatch with strong everyday connectivity features will find this watch limited, as it lacks NFC, Wi-Fi, and a cellular module, making contactless payments and standalone connectivity unavailable. Those who rely on passive health alerts — such as irregular heart rate warnings, fast/slow heart rate notifications, or fall detection — will find those features absent. The watch is also not suited to golfers, since golf-specific functionality is not supported, and users who need a cadence sensor or body temperature tracking built in will need to look elsewhere, as neither is included.

Design:

screen size	1.32"
Display type	OLED/AMOLED
water resistance	Waterproof
has branded damage-resistant glass	✓
ATM rating	5 ATM
resolution	466 x 466 px
Watch band is replaceable	✓
has a touch screen	✓
weight	60 g
waterproof depth rating	50 m
Has sapphire glass display	✕
thickness	11.4 mm
Always-On Display	✓
height	45 mm
pixel density	499 ppi
maximum operating temperature	50 °C
lowest potential operating temperature	-20 °C
Has a display	✓
width	45 mm
width of band	22 mm
volume	23.085 cm³

The Suunto Race S features a 1.32″ OLED/AMOLED touchscreen with a resolution of 466 x 466 px and a pixel density of 499 ppi, and supports an Always-On Display mode. The case measures 45 x 45 mm with a thickness of 11.4 mm, weighs 60 g, and has a total volume of 23.085 cm³, with a 22 mm replaceable band. It includes branded damage-resistant glass, though not sapphire glass. Water resistance is rated at 5 ATM to a depth of 50 m, and the watch operates across a temperature range of -20 °C to 50 °C.

Sensors:

has GPS	✓
Has a heart rate monitor	✓
Monitors blood oxygenation levels	✓
Has a barometer	✓
has an accelerometer	✓
has a compass	✓
Has a temperature sensor	✕
Has a cadence sensor	✕
has a gyroscope	✓
Has a wind speed sensor	✕
Monitors perspiration	✕

The Suunto Race S is equipped with built-in GPS alongside a heart rate monitor, pulse oximeter for blood oxygenation tracking, barometer, accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass. It does not include a body temperature sensor, cadence sensor, wind speed sensor, or perspiration monitor.

Activity tracking:

Has a route tracker	✓
Tracks distance	✓
Measures pace	✓
Has trackback mode	✓
Tracks your sleep	✓
Has multi-sport mode	✓
Detects activities automatically	✓
Tracks elevation	✓
Tracks steps taken	✓
Provides sleep reports	✓
Has exercise tagging	✓
Has a stroke counter for swimming	✓
Tracks calorie intake	✓
Designed for diving	✓
Designed for golf	✕

The Suunto Race S covers a broad range of activity tracking capabilities, including route tracking, distance, pace, elevation, and step counting, along with trackback mode and automatic activity detection. It supports multi-sport mode and is designed for diving, while also offering a swim stroke counter and exercise tagging. Sleep tracking with detailed sleep reports is included, as are calorie intake and food tracking. Golf-specific features are not supported.

Connectivity:

Is compatible with iOS	✓
Is compatible with Android	✓
supports Wi-Fi	✕
has a cellular module	✕
supports ANT+	✓
has NFC	✕

The Suunto Race S is compatible with both iOS and Android devices and supports ANT+ for connecting to external accessories. It does not include Wi-Fi, a cellular module, or NFC.

Battery:

battery life	9 days
battery life with GPS on	30 hours
battery life in training mode	30 hours
has wireless charging	✓
Has a solar power battery	✕
battery life in power save mode	312 hours
has a rechargeable battery	✓
has a removable battery	✕

The Suunto Race S carries a rechargeable battery rated at 9 days of standard use, 30 hours with GPS or in training mode, and up to 312 hours in power save mode. It supports wireless charging and does not have a removable battery or solar charging capability.

Features:

has HRV tracking	✓
measures VO2 max	✓
measures resting heart rate	✓
has fast/slow heart rate notifications	✕
shows readiness level	✓
Can upload maps	✓
Has vibrating alerts	✓
Has a stopwatch	✓
Locates your phone	✕
Has silent alarm	✓
has irregular heart rate warnings	✕
has fall detection	✕
Has notifications	✓
Acquires GPS faster	✓
Has call control	✕
Provides the sunrise/sunset time	✓
internal storage	32GB
Can be used to answer calls	✕
supports Galileo	✓
Has smart alarm	✕
Informs about the risk of thunderstorms	✓
has voice commands	✕
Has a built-in camera remote control function	✕

The Suunto Race S includes HRV tracking, VO2 max measurement, resting heart rate monitoring, and a readiness and recovery indicator for day-to-day training management. It supports fast GPS lock with Galileo satellite compatibility, map uploads, and 32 GB of internal storage. Practical tools such as a stopwatch, silent alarm, vibrating alerts, wrist notifications, and sunrise/sunset times are all present, and the watch can warn about thunderstorm risk. It does not offer fast/slow heart rate notifications, irregular heart rate warnings, fall detection, a smart alarm, call control, phone finder, voice commands, or a camera remote shutter.

App & Software:

Provides activity reports	✓
Has inactivity alerts	✓
Counts how many calories you've burned	✓
Has goal setting	✓
Has achievements	✓
Free app	✓
Has exercise diary	✓
Ad-free	✓
Has weight tracking	✓
Tracks water intake	✓
Has coaching	✓
Has temperature tracking	✕
Supports routes	✓
Has music playback	✓
Includes maps	✓
Supports widgets	✓
Can be personalised	✓
Has barcode scanner on app	✕

The companion app for the Suunto Race S is free and ad-free, and supports a wide range of tracking and management features including activity reports, calorie burn, weight, water intake, exercise diary, goal setting, and achievements. It also offers coaching, route support, maps, music playback, widgets, and app personalisation, with inactivity alerts to help keep users on track. Temperature tracking and a barcode scanner are not available within the app.

Miscellaneous:

has a battery level indicator	✓
Is compatible with Windows	✓
Has auto pause	✓
Compatible with external heart rate monitors	✓
USB ports	0
Is compatible with Mac OS X	✓
has an external memory slot	✕
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack	✕

The Suunto Race S includes a battery level indicator, auto pause, and compatibility with external heart rate monitors. It works with Windows and Mac OS X. The watch has no USB ports, no external memory slot, and no 3.5 mm audio jack.

Final Verdict

The Suunto Race S is a capable sports watch built around a rich set of tracking and navigation tools that will appeal most to serious endurance athletes and outdoor adventurers. Its sharp OLED display, broad multi-sport coverage, and thorough health monitoring — anchored by GPS with fast lock, Galileo support, and uploadable maps — make it a dependable companion for demanding training environments. While it falls short for users who prioritize smartwatch connectivity features or passive safety alerts, the Suunto Race S remains a well-rounded, feature-dense option for those whose primary focus is structured athletic performance and outdoor exploration.