August 13, 2025 – The premium sports watch arena is heating up. Finnish outdoor tech powerhouse Suunto appears poised to launch direct successors to its acclaimed Race and Vertical models, potentially as soon as this month. Leaked regulatory filings and retailer listings have revealed the Suunto Race 2 and Suunto Vertical 2, setting the stage for a fierce battle with Garmin's Fenix and Epix series.
Whispers of an August release have been circulating among outdoor enthusiasts and tech watchers. Now, concrete evidence has emerged, confirming the existence of these next-generation wearables and hinting at their imminent arrival.
Regulatory Green Light: The Smoking Gun
The most significant confirmation comes from official channels. Both the Suunto Race 2 (Model: SS050150W) and the Suunto Vertical 2 (Model: SS050149W) recently passed through the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) certification process in the United States. This critical step is mandatory before any device using radio frequencies (like GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi) can be legally sold in the US market.
You can view the official FCC certification details for the Suunto Race 2 here: Suunto Race 2 FCC Certification
Passing FCC certification is a strong indicator that a product launch is just weeks away, aligning perfectly with the rumored August timeframe.
Retailer Listings Hint at Details
Adding fuel to the fire, a Norwegian retailer, Multicom, briefly listed the Suunto Race 2 in a striking new "Coral Orange" colorway. While the listing was swiftly removed (a common tactic before official announcements), it provided crucial details:
- Model Confirmation: Clearly identified as "Suunto Race 2".
- New Color Option: The vibrant Coral Orange suggests Suunto is expanding its aesthetic offerings.
- Pricing Glimpse: The listing hinted at a Norwegian price point of 5,990 NOK (approximately $550 USD / €510 EUR at current rates), positioning it competitively in the high-end market.
The now-removed Multicom listing for the Coral Orange Suunto Race 2 was captured here: Multicom Suunto Race 2 Coral Orange (Note: Link may be inactive post-removal).
Community Buzz Builds
The leaks haven't gone unnoticed by Suunto's dedicated user base. Discussions are already buzzing on platforms like Reddit, with users speculating on potential upgrades and eagerly anticipating official confirmation.
See the growing speculation and discussion on the Suunto subreddit: Suunto Race 2 Rumors on Reddit
What to Expect: Race 2 vs. Vertical 2
While official specs remain under wraps, the original models provide clues:
- Suunto Race 2: The original Race impressed with its bright AMOLED display, comprehensive multi-sport tracking (especially running and cycling), and excellent battery life. The Race 2 is expected to refine this formula – potential upgrades could include an even more efficient processor, enhanced GPS accuracy (multi-band as standard?), longer battery endurance, new training metrics, and the confirmed new color options.
- Suunto Vertical 2: The Vertical stood out for its rugged build, topographic maps offline, and features tailored for serious adventurers and mountaineers (like a barometric trend graph and storm alarms). The Vertical 2 will likely double down on outdoor prowess, possibly offering improved mapping detail, longer expedition-grade battery life in GPS modes, enhanced durability, and advanced environmental sensors.
Positioned as Garmin Challengers
The timing and positioning of these releases are no accident. Suunto is directly targeting Garmin's dominance in the high-end multisport and adventure watch segment (Fenix 7/Epix Pro series). Key differentiators Suunto will likely emphasize include:
- Superior Value: Potentially offering flagship features at a slightly lower price point than equivalent Garmin models.
- Best-in-Class Displays: Suunto's AMOLED screens on the Race series are renowned for brightness and clarity.
- Finnish Outdoor Heritage: A strong focus on core outdoor navigation and durability.
- Suunto App Ecosystem: Known for its clean interface and insightful long-term trend analysis.
Release Date & Availability
All signs point towards an official announcement and release before the end of August 2025. The FCC clearance is the strongest indicator that the watches are production-ready. Expect global availability through Suunto's website, authorized outdoor retailers, and major online marketplaces shortly after the launch event.
Keep an eye on Suunto's official Amazon store for launch availability: Suunto Store on Amazon
The Bottom Line
The imminent arrival of the Suunto Race 2 and Vertical 2 signals Suunto's serious intent to capture a larger share of the premium GPS watch market. By building on the solid foundations of their predecessors and likely introducing meaningful upgrades, these watches are set to be formidable rivals to Garmin's best. For athletes, runners, hikers, and adventurers looking for a top-tier wearable this fall, Suunto just made the decision a lot more interesting. Stay tuned for the official launch!
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