Suunto Race 3S In-Depth Review: A Pricey Upgrade

The newly introduced Suunto Race 3S arrives with a brighter display panel, expanded internal storage capacity, and several software updates that bypassed the existing Race S model earlier in the summer. While these adjustments do not represent a radical reinvention of the previous hardware generation, the refinements are nonetheless welcome additions. Among the notable physical revisions is an upgrade in materials, with the watch transitioning from a stainless steel bezel to a titanium bezel, enhancing both durability and aesthetic appeal while reducing overall weight. Over recent weeks, the device has been put through its paces across varied activities to evaluate its performance and compare it against other newly launched sports watches entering the market.

What’s New

As sports technology enthusiasts are likely aware, the Suunto Race 3S serves as a direct successor to the existing Suunto Race S. Interestingly, the product lineage skipped a potential Suunto Race 2S, and perplexingly, the company has not yet introduced a larger companion model under a baseline Suunto Race 3 moniker. When queried about the conspicuous absence of a larger variant, representatives offered a standard "no comment," leaving the question open as the device hits store shelves.

When evaluating the hardware changes compared to the original Suunto Race S—which continued to receive firmware updates through April—the list of modifications is substantial. The peak display brightness has been upgraded from 1,000 nits to 2,000 nits, while the lens cover material has shifted from Gorilla Glass to sapphire crystal glass. The bezel has moved from stainless steel to titanium, and the device incorporates an upgraded optical heart rate sensor paired with a faster Apollo 510 processor.

Battery performance has also seen improvements, with dual-frequency GPS endurance extending from 30 hours to 38 hours, or 45 hours in single-frequency mode. Daily smartwatch battery life climbs from nine days to twelve days, and internal storage doubles from 32GB to 64GB, enabling offline music playback via MP3 file transfers, though streaming service integration remains absent. Additional hardware updates include support for three concurrent SuuntoPlus apps within a single profile instead of two, an official case size increase from 45mm to 46mm, a weight reduction from 60 grams to 56 grams, and a sharp retail price increase from $349 USD to $599 USD, with European pricing moving from 349 EUR to 499 EUR.

On the software side, the watch inherits features previously rolled out to the Suunto Race 2 over the summer, including a tide widget, expanded map labels for road names, water bodies, and mountain peaks, and ascent as an exercise target. Furthermore, Suunto has confirmed that a new "Race Planner" feature will arrive later in the year, bringing advanced weather integration and historical training comparisons without requiring the paid AI Coach subscription. The watch is launching in three color options: purple, white, and black.

In the Box

Unboxing the Suunto Race 3S follows the familiar packaging design established by recent Suunto releases. Inside the box, users will find the watch pod separated from the strap, a braided magnetic charging cable, and the standard collection of introductory paperwork. The magnetic charging cable represents a notable improvement over the design included with the original Suunto S model, which frequently suffered from alignment issues during charging sessions. Assembling the watch requires a brief attachment process to secure the standard straps to the watch pod before the device is ready for daily use and outdoor tracking.

The Basics

Daily usage of the Suunto Race 3S revolves around a traditional three-button layout supplemented by a responsive touchscreen. Users can navigate the user interface using either touch inputs or physical controls. The upper right button accesses the workout menu, the middle digital crown scrolls through lists and opens pinned widgets during smartwatch mode, and the bottom button serves as a back and escape function, leaving the left side entirely clean of hardware buttons.

The 2,000-nit touchscreen remains legible in bright sunlight and shaded trail conditions alike. However, industry observers have noted that many competing devices released in the current market cycle utilize brighter panels exceeding 3,000 nits while retailing for substantially lower prices. While visibility during outdoor workouts remains strong, the inclusion of display technology that lags behind contemporary competitors raises questions about the premium retail positioning. Power-saving algorithms can also feel overly aggressive, dimming the panel quickly after a wrist gesture. Additionally, despite sharing a $599 price point with the Suunto Vertical 2, the Race 3S omits a physical LED flashlight in favor of a screen-based illumination option.

Navigating through customizable widgets reveals quick-access data streams, though user interface responsiveness can occasionally exhibit minor stutter despite the inclusion of the upgraded processor. Sleep tracking performance generally aligns closely with competing wearables regarding sleep duration and wake times, while heart rate-driven metrics benefit significantly from the newly engineered optical sensor located on the underside of the case. The expanded 64GB storage capacity primarily caters to offline MP3 music storage, as map files remain heavily optimized and require minimal space. Because third-party streaming service integration is unsupported due to industry restrictions, users must manually transfer owned audio files via a USB cable and pair Bluetooth headphones directly to the watch.

Sports Usage & Mapping

Accessing sport profiles requires a press of the upper right button to open the workout panel, which automatically loads the most recent activity mode while acquiring GPS connectivity and heart rate lock. Users can select from an extensive list of activity profiles, load pre-planned navigation routes, or enable up to three concurrent SuuntoPlus apps within a single sport profile. Exercise settings also allow athletes to configure elevation and ascent targets directly on the device.

Maps are not pre-loaded out of the box but can be quickly downloaded via Wi-Fi through the Suunto mobile app by selecting specific geographical regions. However, the synchronization process between the mobile application and the watch continues to rely on a modal structure that locks the device interface during data transfers, occasionally delaying quick adjustments in the field.

During active navigation, turn-by-turn prompts provide audible chrips and visual alerts, while off-course notifications ensure athletes are quickly alerted if they miss a turn. Map rotation is instantaneous, though zooming in and out frequently triggers temporary black square rendering tiles while detailed cartography loads, an aesthetic quirk that lacks the smoother fading transitions found on competing platforms. Post-workout summaries appear immediately on the watch display before syncing automatically to the Suunto app and connected third-party platforms such as Strava and TrainingPeaks.

Accuracy of Heart Rate & GPS

The newly redesigned optical heart rate sensor on the Suunto Race 3S—featuring six LEDs and four photodetectors beneath curved sensor glass—delivers strong performance across demanding testing scenarios. Field evaluations involving rolling hills, steep descents, and rugged trail running demonstrate reliable heart rate tracking that closely mirrors chest strap reference monitors, marking a substantial improvement over previous Suunto hardware generations.

On the GNSS and GPS side, multi-band testing across urban environments and complex trail networks shows solid overall tracking. While dense downtown corridors surrounded by tall buildings present typical accuracy challenges for all contemporary wearable manufacturers, open-sky trail runs yield precise positioning with minimal deviation from established pathways. Elevation data collected via the barometric altimeter remains consistent throughout extended outdoor sessions, and battery consumption closely matches official specifications, even when running resource-intensive navigation and dual-frequency tracking modes.

Suunto AI Coach Subscription

Suunto’s introduction of the Suunto AI Coach subscription service brings advanced, data-driven race planning and training insights into the mobile application environment. While the service offers deep analytical capabilities utilizing historical training data, the rollout has drawn criticism for its pricing transparency. New Suunto Race 3S buyers receive a three-month complimentary trial, but the company has not yet established the permanent subscription cost that will take effect once the promotional period concludes. Meanwhile, Suunto has also announced a free developer-focused initiative, the Suunto MCP, which will remain accessible to all platform users without a fee.

Wrap-Up

The Suunto Race 3S arrives following a period of steady product development and consistent firmware support from the Finnish brand. However, the device’s positioning is complicated by its pricing strategy. Retailing at $599 USD, the watch represents a sharp cost increase compared to its predecessor without introducing a revolutionary hardware leap. While the brighter display, titanium bezel, and vastly improved optical heart rate sensor are welcome upgrades, the lack of contemporary hardware features like a physical flashlight or streaming music support, combined with aggressive pricing competition from alternative brands, leaves the Suunto Race 3S occupying a challenging space in the current sports watch market.