Suunto’s latest endurance watch combines 38-hour dual-band GPS, offline maps and AI-assisted training in a 46mm case, but its premium price leaves it facing tough competition.
Suunto has refreshed its endurance-focused running watch line with the Race 3S, a compact model aimed at trail runners and athletes who need long battery life, offline navigation and more structured training support. The company says the new watch extends dual-band GPS endurance to 38 hours, up from 30 hours on the earlier Race S, while keeping the case size relatively small at 46mm and the weight at 56g with the silicone strap.
The hardware changes are concentrated on visibility and durability. Suunto has fitted the Race 3S with a 1.32-inch LTPS AMOLED display that reaches a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, alongside a titanium bezel and sapphire crystal. The watch also includes 64GB of storage for offline maps and music, and the company says it supports over 100 sport modes. Tom’s Guide reported that the brighter screen and lighter build make the watch a strong fit for smaller wrists, while also noting that the premium positioning places it in a crowded segment.
Navigation remains a central part of the product. According to Suunto, the watch can store maps and routes locally so users can access terrain data without an internet connection or subscription. Its Climb Guidance feature is designed to show upcoming ascents and descents, which is particularly useful for trail running where route profile can matter more than immediate pace. The company also says the Race 3S uses an upgraded optical heart-rate sensor with six LEDs and four photodetectors, and an Apollo 510 processor to handle the system load.
On the software side, Suunto is pushing harder into personalised training. The Suunto AI Coach service, delivered through the Suunto app, is meant to answer training questions, generate charts, recommend workouts and build custom plans that can be synced to the watch. Suunto has also previewed Race Planner, which will calculate pace using route, weather and performance goals in a later update, and it says offline music playback will also arrive through future software support rather than at launch. New buyers who activate the watch by 31 December 2026 are eligible for a three-month AI Coach trial, although the terms vary by region.
The Race 3S went on sale in Europe and China on 15 October, with North America and Asia-Pacific due to follow on 29 October. Suunto is pricing the watch at $599 in the US and €499 in Europe, with violet, grey and black finishes listed, while some regional pages also show titanium variants under the same launch window. Tom’s Guide said the watch delivers accurate GPS tracking and strong build quality, but also pointed out that its high price puts it under pressure from cheaper rivals offering similar training and navigation features.
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