Suunto appears to be gearing up to launch a new smartwatch, as hinted by a recent campaign on Chinese social media. The company is actively recruiting trail runners participating in the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) to test an unreleased “off-road watch.” This move, combined with recent leaks, suggests a significant product update is on the horizon.
A Covert Testing Campaign
Rather than a typical marketing launch, Suunto’s approach is notably low-key. The company has posted an invitation on Chinese social media platforms, seeking runners who are competing in the 2025 UTMB and are active on social media. Those selected will have the opportunity to wear a “new off-road watch” and will receive gear sponsorship.
The UTMB is a globally recognized trail running event that takes place annually in the Alps at the end of August. Its challenging course, which circles Mont Blanc and passes through France, Italy, and Switzerland, serves as an ideal real-world testing ground for a durable sports watch. The timing of this recruitment drive, right before the August 29th race, suggests Suunto is keen to get its new device on the wrists of serious endurance athletes.
While it’s possible this is a new color variant from the UTMB World Series collection, the nature of the recruitment program—focused on a product trial rather than a public reveal—indicates a new model is more likely.
Leaks Point to a Race 2 and Vertical 2
This testing initiative isn’t happening in a vacuum. It follows a series of recent leaks that have fueled speculation about Suunto’s future products. About a month ago, the Suunto app briefly and accidentally listed two new watches: the Race 2 and Vertical 2, before the listings were quickly removed. The original Suunto Race was launched in October 2023, followed by a smaller version, the Race S, in June 2024. The Suunto Vertical was released in May 2023.
Further supporting these leaks, a Norwegian retail site has recently listed a Suunto Race 2 with a tentative release date of August 14th. The listed price is approximately $680, which is a significant increase of about $200 over the current Race model. This price jump strongly suggests that the new device will offer more than just cosmetic changes.
What to Expect from the New Model
With a higher price point, the Race 2 and Vertical 2 are expected to come with many upgrades. While official specifications are not yet available, the watch is likely to double down on features essential for trail running and endurance sports. Key improvements could include:
- Display and Design: It will likely maintain a high-definition AMOLED touchscreen and a digital crown for fast navigation. The design might be slightly refined, as suggested by leaks.
- Performance and Metrics: Expect enhanced training metrics, potentially building on the existing “Coach AI” support. The watch will continue to offer over 95 sports modes.
- GPS and Navigation: It will likely feature dual-band GPS/GNSS for improved accuracy, as well as a new GNSS firmware update to enhance tracking. Offline maps are expected to remain a key feature.
- User Interface: A new, more responsive user interface and improved software stability are highly anticipated, as these have been areas for improvement in previous models.
- Battery Life: The current Suunto Race has a strong battery life, and the next iteration is expected to continue this trend.
- Other Features: Look for a new heart rate sensor for better accuracy and improvements to daily features like sleep tracking, HRV measurement, and notification handling.
The combination of the retail listing, the app leak, and this new testing program makes it highly probable that Suunto is preparing to launch a new flagship device. The company is strategically using the UTMB as both a demanding field test and a potential marketing platform, allowing them to gather valuable data and content from the runners themselves.
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