The wait is over for American outdoor enthusiasts and fitness fanatics. Polar, the Finnish company renowned for its scientific approach to fitness tracking, has officially launched the Polar Grit X2 in the United States. This release marks a significant move in the high-stakes smartwatch arena, positioning the Grit X2 as a direct competitor to popular Garmin wearables like the Fenix and Enduro series.
Arriving stateside after its initial debut in other markets, the Grit X2 is not to be confused with the more expensive Grit X2 Pro. Instead, Polar has crafted a strategic offering that delivers the core experience of its top-tier adventure watch at a more accessible price point, creating a compelling new option for those seeking premium features without the premium Pro price tag.
The Heart of the Matter: Power and Performance in a New Package
At the core of the Polar Grit X2 is a mission to provide robust, trail-ready functionality. The watch is built on a foundation that will be familiar to Polar fans but includes key upgrades and strategic compromises to hit its competitive price.
The most notable upgrade is the vibrant AMOLED display. This screen technology offers deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and superior visibility in all lighting conditions compared to the memory-in-pixel (MIP) displays commonly found on many adventure watches. It’s housed in a 44.7 mm case, which results in a slightly smaller 1.29-inch screen (down from 1.39-inches on the Pro) but maintains an incredibly sharp pixel density of approximately 460 PPI.
Under the hood, the Grit X2 is powered by a capable suite of hardware, including 32 GB of storage for music and maps, 37 MB of RAM, and a 275 MHz CPU. This ensures smooth navigation through menus and workout data, even when the watch is handling complex GPS tracking or offline music playback.
For a detailed look at all the specifications and features, you can explore the official product page on Polar's website.
Where the Grit X2 Differs: Strategic Compromises for a Better Price
To achieve its more attractive price, Polar made several conscious design choices that distinguish the Grit X2 from the Grit X2 Pro. The most significant changes are in the build materials and battery life.
- Build & Durability: While it retains a stainless steel bezel for a premium look and scratch resistance, the Grit X2 opts for a plastic front and back case instead of the Pro's stainless steel and bio-based plastic construction. It also features a water resistance rating of 50 meters, which is still ample for swimming and surface water sports, though halved from the Pro's 100-meter rating.
- Battery Life: The internal battery is 36% smaller than the Pro's, coming in at 310 mAh. This translates to the following battery estimates from Polar:
- Up to 30 hours in full-performance GPS mode
- Up to 90 hours in eco training mode
- Up to 7 days in smartwatch mode
- While this is a reduction of 30-35% compared to the Grit X2 Pro, it remains highly competitive with many other AMOLED-equipped sports watches on the market.
The Feature Set That Rivals the Best
Despite these compromises, Polar has ensured the Grit X2 retains the vast majority of its high-end features, making it a powerhouse for serious athletes.
Crucially, it includes advanced health monitoring sensors like ECG (electrocardiogram) for heart rhythm analysis and skin temperature monitoring during sleep. It also boasts the full suite of Polar's renowned training analytics, including Hill Splitter™ for elevation data, FuelWise™ for smart nutritional guidance, and Komoot integration for turn-by-turn navigation on the trails.
As noted in an in-depth analysis by Connect the Watts, the Grit X2 successfully bridges the gap between a premium outdoor tool and a modern smartwatch, offering a compelling alternative to the established leaders.
Pricing, Availability, and the Garmin Rivalry
The Polar Grit X2 is available in one size (44.7 mm) and one color—Night Black—for a retail price of $799.99. This positions it squarely as a rival to the Garmin Fenix series and places it just $100 below the ultra-endurance-focused Garmin Enduro 3.
This pricing strategy is aggressive. For $799, users get a feature-rich watch with a brilliant AMOLED screen and top-tier training metrics, undercutting the Grit X2 Pro by $200. For those ready to invest in a high-performance adventure watch, the Grit X2 presents a very tempting value proposition.
The Polar Grit X2 is now available for purchase in the United States. You can check current pricing and availability directly on Amazon.
The Bottom Line: The arrival of the Polar Grit X2 in the US market shakes up the high-end adventure watch segment. By offering a stunning AMOLED display, core Pro features, and a robust set of training tools at a sub-$800 price, Polar has created a serious contender that is poised to challenge Garmin's dominance and win over discerning athletes looking for a premium experience without the top-shelf cost.
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