Suunto 7 or Garmin Fenix 6: which to choose? Comparison, differences.

The Suunto 7 and the Fenix 6 Pro (with mp3 player and payment solution) are two very different high-end watches that we chose to compare because they both offer both advanced sports features and very popular tools that are rarely offered together: music, payment and cartography.

Suunto 7: combining everyday life and sport with downloadable apps

Released in January 2020, the Suunto 7 is the first Suunto watch to run under Wear OS, Google's watch operating system. Unlike today's connected watches, this one offers advanced sports functions. It is therefore ideal for people looking for a watch for mixed use (sport and city). The advantage of Wear OS is to offer the best of the smart features of the moment thanks to downloadable apps.

It has a high definition AMOLED colour touch screen and all the sensors useful for sport including a barometric altimeter. It includes topographical maps, a payment solution and allows you to listen to music without a Smartphone. Wear OS gives access to the Google assistant (the watch has a microphone on it to interrogate it), to health monitoring (Google Fit), to access to information (Internet). In terms of sports functions, this watch is similar to the Suunto 5 but with the added mapping. On the other hand, it has a much lower range, does not offer adaptive custom training and has limited GPS navigation.

Garmin Fenix 6: the most complete sports watch on the market in 2020

Improved model of the famous Fenix 5 Plus, the Fenix 6 Pro is a watch with extraordinary functionalities declined in 9 versions including one with solar recharge. It is currently the most complete GPS cardio watch on the market. But this luxury comes at a price!... It offers record-breaking battery life and intelligent battery management. In addition to numerous functions to help the athlete (performance analysis, physiological measurements, health monitoring, coaching, etc.), it includes, as an option, colour mapping (roads, cycle tracks, paths, ski slopes) and an mp3 player. It has advanced connected functions (live tracking of other athletes, possibility to be tracked online, etc.), complete GPS navigation, Garmin Pay contactless payment solution, blood oxygen level assessment. It offers more than 41,000 golf courses. The Fenix 6 is available in 3 housing sizes (for thin to wide wrists) and 3 versions (Standard, Pro and Solar).

The main differences between Suunto 7 and Fenix 6 Pro

In the comparative table below, we highlight the differences between the main characteristics of the 2 watches. While Suunto 7 is less expensive, its AMOLED screen displays rich and vibrant colours and app downloads offer unlimited possibilities, it offers however less advanced sports features, limited GPS navigation, significantly shorter battery life and a slightly larger size for smaller wrists. Its advantage is that it offers a remarkable screen and the possibility to download numerous apps, which makes it more durable than classic sports watches.

	Suunto 7	Fenix 6 Pro

Price	479 €	699 / 1049 €⁽¹⁾
Weight	70 g	61 to 93 g ⁽²⁾
Case Size	50 mm	42 to 51 mm ⁽²⁾
Thickness	15.3 mm	13.8 to 14.9 mm ⁽²⁾
Screen size	1,4" (35 mm)	1,2" (30 mm) to 1,4" (35 mm) ⁽²⁾
Definition	454 x 454 px	240 x 240 px to 280 x 280 px ⁽²⁾
Touch screen	•
Colour screen	•	•
Sports profiles	70+	22
Autonomy (GPS mode)	12 h	25 to 60 hours
GPS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, Beidu	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
True multi-sports		•
Wrist cardio	•	•
Training programming		•
Interval training		•
Evaluates recovery	•	•
24/7 activity monitoring	Via Google Fit	•
Waterproofing	50 m	100 m
GPS Navigation	GPS track	•
Barometric altimeter	•	•
Mp3 player	Music via app	•
Payment function	•	•
Colour mapping	•	•
Path generator		•
Assistance in case of a fall		•

Comparative prices and physical characteristics

The price: a difference that is justified

The basic Fenix 6 (without music and cartography but with payment) starts at 599 €. For music and cards, an additional 100 € is required, i.e. 699 €. The Suunto 7 has the advantage of offering these features and a much better display for much less money (479 €). The Fenix 6, on the other hand, is still much more complete in terms of sporting features, which justifies its higher price.

Design, structure and robustness

Suunto offers a robust watch in a one-size (50 mm) reinforced polyamide case with a stainless steel bezel and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla glass (the glass often used for smartphone windows). People with small wrists will therefore have to make do with a watch that is a little bulky, a regrettable point for a product intended to be worn on a daily basis.

It is available in 3 colours: Black and Black Lime (black case and black and yellow strap), White Burgundy (white case and black and white strap) and Black (black case and black strap). The bracelets are 24 mm wide and are interchangeable without tools. The watch comes with a silicone strap but Suunto also offers fabric and leather straps to be purchased separately.

The Suunto weighs 70 g, which is correct for an outdoor watch but a bit heavy for a connected watch. It is waterproof up to 50 meters (5 ATM) and the push buttons can be used underwater without any problem.

We particularly appreciate this model for its 3 case sizes (42, 47 and 51 mm) to fit all wrists, especially thin wrists! At last here is a top-of-the-range cardio watch that knows how to be discreet (see also our comparison of the best women's cardio watches). The strap is interchangeable without tools and its width varies according to the size of the watch case (thin straps for thin wrists, etc.).

The brand offers chic bracelets in leather, steel, titanium and braided nylon in addition to the silicone bracelet designed for sport. The scratch-resistant sapphire crystal is offered as an option on the Pro version. Otherwise, he's in Corning Gorilla 3.

	Suunto 7	Fenix 6 Pro

Price	479 €	699 / 1049 €
Weight	70 g	61 to 93 g ⁽²⁾
Case Size	50 mm	42 to 51 mm
Thickness	15.3 mm	13.8 to 14.9 mm
Screen size	1.4" (35 mm)	1.2" (30 mm) to 1.4" (35 mm)
Definition	454 x 454	240 x 240 px to 280 x 280 px
Touch screen	•
Colour screen	•	•
Glass	Corning Gorilla	Sapphire or Corning Gorilla
Bazel	Stainless Steel	Steel or titanium
Interchangeable bracelet	•	•

The screen

Suunto stands out here from Garmin for its connected watch by offering a high definition touch screen (454 x 454 px !) and AMOLED technology (read our explanations here and the advantages of an AMOLED). It offers a brighter display, shimmering colors and a significantly richer color palette than the 64 colors of conventional MIP transflective displays. This type of screen is particularly suitable for displaying high-quality animated watch faces. On the other hand, it consumes much more.

Garmin, on the other hand, offers a non-touch color screen (less convenient for map navigation) and a much smaller resolution.

Autonomy: weak on the Suunto 7!

High autonomy for the Fenix 6. Limitations of the Suunto 7.

Suunto 7's big black spot is its range, which is limited to 12 hours in GPS mode or 5 hours in outdoor use (8 hours if you train while listening to music). With a connected watch, it only lasts 2 days, hardly more than the Apple Watch, or 6 pm if you do a bit of sport with it. This low autonomy is linked to the AMOLED screen which consumes a lot of power. To limit battery usage, Suunto offers a screen that turns off after 10 seconds of inactivity. A "watch" mode (disabling all functions except the clock and battery status display) will last 40 days.

Also regrettable on this model is the lack of intelligent battery management, as on the Suunto 5 and Suunto 9, which allows you to adjust the battery mode (and therefore the accuracy of the measurements) while driving. FusedTrack (extrapolation of the GPS track in the absence of a GPS signal) is not offered either. This intelligent algorithm made it possible to switch to a power-saving mode by decreasing the frequency of GPS measurements without affecting the quality of the track too much.

Due to its limited range, the Suunto 7 cannot be used for long distances (long hikes, ultra-trail, etc.).

For its part, Garmin offers a watch with a very long autonomy (up to 120 hours in Ultra mode on the 6X Pro model), including a solar model that allows you to gain up to 10% more autonomy. It is not for nothing that Garmin unveiled its watch at the UTMB 2019 (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc).

	Suunto 7	Fenix 6 Pro
Watch mode	40 days	9 to 21 days
Connected watch mode	2 days
GPS mode	12 h	25 to 60 hours
Outdoor use	5 h
UltraTrac Mode		50 to 120 h
Rechargeable during activity	•	•

Charging without stopping the watch

The 2 watches of our comparison can be recharged during the activity, without stopping the current registration. However, the watch must be removed from the wrist for a pause as recharging is carried out via a connector located under the watch.

Sensors

Both watches are well equipped: cardio on the wrist (the Garmin's one works underwater), GPS, ABC sensors (barometric altimeter, barometer, compass). Suunto benefits from Wear OS and downloadable apps to offer certain functions without having to develop them internally: compass, weather access, storm alerts.

In addition, Garmin offers a thermometer and pulse oximeter for measuring blood oxygen levels and assessing altitude acclimatization. This sensor will be of particular interest to mountaineers, divers but also to competitors who train at an altitude very different from the one where the competition will take place (the watch corrects the VO2max).

The big difference between the Suunto 7 and the Fenix 6 is mainly in the external sensors. Suunto 7 is not compatible with any external sensor, not even a cardio belt. On the Garmin, it will be possible to connect a power sensor, a footpod, speed and cadence sensors for the bike and more.

	Suunto 7	Fenix 6 Pro
Barometer	•	•
Barometric altimeter	•	•
Manual altimeter calibration		•
Altitude combining GPS and barometer	•
GPS systems	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, Beidu	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
Wrist cardio	•	•
Underwater wrist cardio system		•
Power		With external sensor
Compass	Via app	•
Pulse oximeter		•
Thermometer		•
Weather functions	Via app	•
Storm Alerts	Via app	•
External sensor compatibility	No	ANT+, Bluetooth

Features compared

Cartography and navigation: an advantage to the Fenix 6

GPS navigation (route tracking, route planning, return to the start, navigation to waypoints, etc.) is an essential function for hiking, exploring, trekking but also for organizing a cycling or running trip on unknown trails. With cartography, it's the ultimate.

While Suunto 7 offers full-colour maps including heat maps (the route most used by the community), these are limited in size (50 km x 50 km at the most). The watch will download a new map itself depending on the position, provided you have a connection (Smartphone or Wi-Fi nearby). The touch screen allows you to move the map easily or zoom in and out. The big disadvantage of Suunto 7 is GPS navigation: Suunto records the track but gives no indication of how to follow a programmed route or retrace your steps. You will have to do your best to follow the trace displayed on the screen and zoom in if necessary.

The Fenix 6 offers a more complete navigation tool. It includes full colour cartography of the country or continent of purchase (city maps, roads, cycle tracks, paths, hiking maps with contour lines according to options, ski slopes in more than 2000 resorts worldwide), heat maps, as well as powerful functions to help the sportsman: generator of looped routes, on roads or cycle tracks, starting from a given distance, generator of popular routes (Trendline function based on heat maps), future route profile (ClimbPro function). It also allows you to find a hotel, a refuge, a hostel around you and be guided turn by turn to get there. A voice guidance function allows you to navigate without looking at your watch.

display maps and ski tracks — The cartography of the Fenix 6 includes the ski tracks of more than 2000 resorts in the world

In addition to these functions, Garmin has generalized on its watches the LiveTrack function that allows them to be tracked on the Internet. The Fenix 6 also offers the GroupTrack function to track other athletes wearing a Garmin watch with this feature.

	Suunto 7	Fenix 6 Pro
GPS Navigation	+	+++
Integrated path generator		•
On-board heat cards	•	•
Cartography	•	•
Altitude profile		•

Sports profiles and functions

While Suunto offers many profiles, Garmin's more limited profiles are studied to provide relevant data for each sport: race dynamics for running, number of strokes and cadence for rowing, number of runs for skiing, etc. Other profiles can be downloaded via Garmin Connect. Also note that the Fenix 6 is very complete for golf with advanced features and more than 41,000 courses on board.

Except for swimming, where the Suunto is very complete, Garmin offers richer features. The possibility of connecting external sensors also makes the measurements more comprehensive. The watch is also a true multi-sport watch and can be used for triathlon. On Suunto, it is not possible to chain activities without stopping the registration and restarting a new exercise.

Garmin offers many functions to help the athlete: programming of training sessions taking into account previous outings, split sessions, running against an opponent or against oneself, estimating running time, assistance in the mountains for cycling and in the hills for running, audio coaching, programming of alerts, setting of objectives, etc. These functions, combined with physiological measurements, offer powerful tools for demanding athletes.

	Suunto 7	Fenix 6 Pro
Sports profiles	70+	22
Triathlon		•
Golf		41,000 routes
Training programming		•
Interval training		•
Training follow-up		•
Virtual partner		•
Running
Running dynamics (e.g. cadence, stride length...)		7
Fractional drive assistance		•
Race pace	•	•
Stroke power		•
Tour comparison	•	•
Speed and cadence sensor support		•
Running Time Predictor		•
PacePro (assistance in the hills)		•
Bike
Speed	•	•
Average real time speed	•	•
Power Sensor Compatibility		•
Bicycle path		•
Altitude profile		•
Strava Live segments	•	•
Swimming
HR measurement and monitoring	•	•
Swimming rhythm in pool and distance	•	•
Open water swimming rhythm and distance	•	•
Swimming type detection	•	•
Swimming efficiency (SWOLF)	•
Swimming time per length (pool), laps, total	•	•
Cadence and number of movements	•	•
HR measurements underwater		•
Outdoor
Route registration	•	•
Slope profile		•
Real-time trace	•	•
Navigating to a POI		•
Evaluates altitude acclimatization		•
ETA (estimated time of arrival)		•
Heat maps	•	•
Heat maps on the watch	•	•
Path generator		•
Vertical speed	•	•
GPS Altitude	•	•
Total ascent/descent	•	•
Temperature	Via app	•
Sunrise/sunset times	Via app	•
Storm warning	Via app	•

Physiological measurements

Physiological measurements help the athlete to manage his training and optimize his performance, even predicting a running time according to the distance to be covered, the level of training and the athlete's physical condition. The watch can estimate the VO2max, stress level, lactic threshold and more. At Garmin, these estimates are provided by Firstbeat's algorithms. At Suunto, this is delegated to Google via Wear OS.

	Suunto 7	Fenix 6 Pro
Calories expended	•	•
VO2max		•
Race Time Predictor		•
Training effect		•
Lactic threshold		•
Recovery time	•	•
Drive load		•
Training status		•
Stress Level		•

Connected functions: 2 different worlds

Suunto offers infinite possibilities thanks to the downloadable apps. Suunto 7 has a microphone and allows you to consult the Google Smart Wizard. You can ask the watch a question and get an answer, as long as it is connected to a smartphone and the network is available. The watch allows you to access services on the Internet or on your Smartphone (agenda, weather, calendar, reservations, consulting flight schedules, etc.). It does not have an mp3 player but a dedicated app allows you to listen to music. A payment function is available. You can also reply to SMS messages by dictating a message. All features offered by Garmin (except those using the oximeter) can potentially be offered on Suunto 7 as long as a dedicated app exists in the Google Play Store.

Garmin offers tracking and support functions: LiveTrack and GroupTrack to be tracked on the Internet or to know the position of other athletes in the group, a payment solution, control of compatible devices (VIRB 3D camera, etc.), a fall detection function and assistance in the event of an incident (SOS call with GPS coordinates). The Fenix 6 Pro features an mp3 player and allows you to listen to music from the watch or stream with Spotify, Deezer or Amazon Music. The watch displays smart notifications (emails, calls and SMS) and offers the possibility to reject incoming calls from a smartphone or to send predefined SMS messages.

	Suunto 7	Fenix 6 Pro
MP3 Player	Via app	•
Contactless payment	•	•
Google Assistant	•
Downloadable Apps	•
Live Track		•
Group Track		•
Fall detection		•
SOS support/call		•
Object control (camera, etc.)		•

Activity monitoring

Garmin provides traditional activity monitoring functions. At Suunto, this function is delegated to Google Fit.

	Suunto 7	Fenix 6 Pro
Distance		•
Number of steps	•	•
Calories	•	•
Climbing floors		•
Detailed sleep analysis	•	•
Stress		•
Intensive Minutes		•

Our opinion on the Suunto 7 and the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro: which one is the best?

These 2 watches are excellent but target different uses and a different audience. One is a connected watch with advanced sports functions. The other is a purely sports watch with a few connected functions and a design that allows it to be worn on a daily basis.

Suunto 7: for everyday life and sport

The Suunto 7, with its smart features that make it similar to an Apple Watch (but much less elegant and much larger) will appeal to people who are primarily looking for a connected watch for everyday life and who, in addition, want to be able to use it for sports. It's hard to imagine training seriously with an Apple Watch.

While it benefits from all Suunto's experience in terms of sports functions, it has a number of limitations that can be prohibitive for many sportsmen and women. Its functions are less developed than those of other Suunto watches (Suunto 5, Suunto 9). Its autonomy is too low for some sports (ultra-trail, hiking more than 5-6 hrs). It does not allow the connection of external sensors, such as a cardio belt. The training possibilities are therefore limited. It could be a good outdoor watch thanks to the onboard maps and its heat maps. Unfortunately, navigation is limited (no route tracking). Physiological measurements remain limited. In short, of the three characteristics that make the brand strong (autonomy, reliability and advanced outdoor functions), two are not respected.

Its interest remains the use in the city with sports functions much better than the classic Smartwatch (Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Garmin Venu) and a superb screen. Apart from its bulky and a little too sporty design, it will appeal to people who would like to wear an Apple Watch but only have an Android smartphone.

Garmin Fenix 6: for experienced sportsmen, competitors and triathletes

With the Garmin Forerunner 945, it is undoubtedly the most complete watch on the market today, in terms of sensors, functionalities, physiological measurements, GPS navigation and user-friendly interface. The range of the 6X model is also excellent and is suitable for ultra-trail races. Elegant, she is doing well in the city and at work in addition to sports.

With the Forerunner 945, a model more suited to competition and triathlon, this is the watch we recommend for professional use or for demanding sportsmen and women looking for advanced tools and statistics who, at the same time, are looking for a watch to wear every day.

This watch has the advantage of fitting all wrist sizes, including thin wrists. Garmin also offers many chic bracelets for the city and work. Hard to do better! The flip side of the coin is its high price.

For exclusively sports use, we recommend the Garmin Forerunner 945, lighter than the Fenix 6 and cheaper depending on the model (but less chic too).

	Weaknesses	Strong points
Suunto 7	Limited sports featuresLow Low battery life Sporty and bulky look	A mixed model (daily life and sport) Music Payment Cartography GoogleAssistant Downloadable apps under Wear OS
Fenix 6 Pro	Garmin-specific functions or Firstbeat algorithms. Limited number of widgets compared to Wear OS apps.	Suitable for thin to wide wrists Very comprehensive Featured athletic support functions Physiological measurements Running dynamics Advanced GPS navigation Colour mapping Integrated route generator MP3 player Payment system

Verdict

Suunto takes a giant step forward by integrating Wear OS into a sports watch, offering a smart connected watch for sports. However, the model must become more mature to really seduce. The slightly too sporty and bulky look is not to attract the envious Apple Watch. The sports functions, which are too limited compared to Suunto 5 and Suunto 9, and the short range limit its use for sports. The Fenix 6 Pro, on the other hand, is expensive and doesn't offer the smart features of an Apple Watch, but offers ultra-complete sports features in addition to outstanding athletic support functions.

How to choose between Suunto 7 and Fenix 6

The 2 watches are in fact very different and each one is aimed at a different audience. It is above all the cartography which remains the common point between the 2 models. If you are looking for a watch with carto and don't want to pay the price of a Fenix 6, then the Suunto 7 is a good choice. As long as you don't rely on GPS navigation for guidance... If you're looking for a connected watch that also allows you to do a little sport, the Suunto 7 is a good compromise. Provided again that you don't look too much at the design side. Finally, for purely sporting use, the Fenix 6 remains the best choice.

Features	Suunto 7	Fenix 6 Pro

Price	$$$	$$$$
Recommended sports	Running, cycling, swimming, hiking	Triathlon, running, trail, ultra, ski, mountaineering, trekking, hiking, outdoor, golf
Comfort (weight, size, elegance)	••	•••
Autonomy	•	•••
Useful functions	Cartography, altimetry, music, payment, smart functions	Mapping, altimetry, music, payment, advanced sports functions
Training and analysis	Peak Training Effect	Running dynamics, physiological measurements
Sensors	HR at wrist GPS Accelerometer Compass Barometric altimeter	GPS HR at wrist Accelerometer Compass Barometric altimeter Pulse oximeter Thermometer
External sensors		Power, cadence, speed, cardio
Suitable for running	•••	•••
Adapted to the mountain	•••	••••
Suitable for swimming	•••	••••
Suitable for cycling	•••	••••
Suitable for outdoor use	•••	••••
Suitable for triathlon		••••

Where to buy these models