Suunto smartwatches are very specialised. More often than not, they are marketed towards those who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, trekking or climbing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it as a daily driver. In fact, I’ve been using the new Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar as my day-to-day smartwatch in preparation for this review.
But first things first, I must clarify that I’ve not actually used the wearable for any of the outdoor activities that it is advertised for, so I can’t really evaluate certain specialised features that it comes with, such as vertical mapping and so on. However, as I mentioned earlier, Suunto smartwatches are also designed to be used on the regular, so there’s still plenty to talk about.
What Am I Looking At?
For those who’ve missed our launch coverage, here’s a quick recap. The Suunto Vertical series are rugged outdoor smartwatches that are offered with either stainless steel or titanium bodies, but in a single 49mm size option. Regardless of variant, both feature MIL-STD-810H rating in terms of durability and are also water resistant up to 100m. It is also worth noting that the Titanium Solar model, as implied by its name, exclusively comes with solar charging capabilities.
Thanks to its size, the Vertical packs an equally large 1.4-inch circular display with 280 x 280 pixel resolution. It is covered with sapphire crystal, so you can rest assured that the screen is capable of resisting drops and scratches, much like the rest of the watch. Meanwhile, found on its back are an array of sensors for the numerous health and fitness tracking features that the wearable offers.
Last but not least, connected to either version of the Suunto Vertical are silicone straps with a quick release mechanism underneath, which allows you to swap them out for a different colour option. On that note, the unit that I received for this review arrived with a matching “Forest” or olive green coloured straps.
What’s Good About It?
For such a rugged smartwatch, the Suunto Vertical is very comfortable to wear – even after long periods of time of having it on my wrist. This is an important factor, as the watch is designed to be your companion and navigator for your outdoor trips after all. I should also note that the variant that I’ve received for this review, the Titanium model, is very light. Suunto says it is actually 12g less heavier than its Stainless Steel sibling, though this is not to say that the latter is any less comfortable.
When it comes to battery life, let it be known this watch is an absolute monster. While I couldn’t fully put Suunto’s 60-day claim to the test, I can testify that the Vertical just refuses to die throughout the two weeks that was given to me for this review. In fact, the battery still had over 64% of charge left before I returned it, which is downright impressive.
Also not forgetting the fact that the Vertical Titanium Solar variant also comes with solar charging capabilities, meaning that it can push on even longer under ideal conditions. However, keep in mind that the charging rate for this feature is very minuscule and is only meant to top up the Vertical’s battery in small doses. Nevertheless, its inclusion is much appreciated, especially in ensuring the watch to have enough power while you’re in the great outdoors.
Of course, the insane battery life isn’t the only highlight of the Suunto Vertical. Next up are its positioning-based features, which includes the built-in compass, GPS location tracking and vertical mapping function. The second function allows you to download maps onto the watch for offline navigation, whereas the latter keeps you informed of your current elevation – both are remarkably useful features, which greatly benefits the likes of hikers and climbers.
Apart from those, also onboard are typical smartwatch functions such as message notifications and music playback controls, as well as various health monitoring features. Meanwhile, syncing the Vertical to your phone and companion app doesn’t require a complicated pairing ritual and the process itself is decently fast, though the same can’t be said for a certain aspect of the wearable.
Speaking of which…
What’s the catch?
The software on the Suunto Vertical, at least on the Titanium Solar variant that I’m reviewing, is horrendously slow. The interface lags when switching between the different screens and functions, while its response rate isn’t that great either. And in case you’re wondering, the watch isn’t running on Google’s Wear OS platform, but rather Suunto’s own proprietary system that’s also featured on its Peak 9 model.
It is also painfully plain in terms of visual presentation, with most of its interface look as if it was programmed for a product that was made during the infancy of smart devices. The use of colours is very minimal, much to the point that I forgot the Vertical actually offers a colour display. Granted, it does provide you with ample amount of information on screen for each onboard feature, but for a wearable that costs a premium, you’re not wrong to have expected a better-looking interface.
Then there’s the weird “hybrid” interaction approach on the Suunto Vertical. Rather than allowing you to fully navigate, scroll or select via touch alone, certain features will require you to use its touchscreen and side buttons together or separately. While it is something I could eventually get used to after a while, this method will definitely cause plenty of confusion for newcomers, especially to those who are already accustomed to other smartwatches in the market.
I also have to point out that its onboard GPS positioning feature isn’t all that perfect either. Throughout my time with the smartwatch, there have been numerous occasions where the tracking system just wouldn’t load, despite already having offline maps downloaded. I really can’t say for sure whether the issue lies in the Vertical itself or the satellite navigation system in Malaysia. And speaking of downloading maps, expect to wait a while for it to be transferred wirelessly from the companion app to the wearable.
Should I buy it?
I honestly feel that the Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar is a tough product to recommend. On one hand, it does come with essential features that really benefits those who enjoy spending time adventuring in the great outdoors. Whereas on the other, it just falls behind in many aspects when compared to most rugged and specialised smartwatches available in the market.
Also not forgetting its price point of RM3,799, which is very hefty indeed. On the flip side, you are in for a smartwatch that offers a durable, weather-resistant body with a decent design, as well as months-long battery life. However, if you’re merely looking for a wearable just to fulfil your daily drive and nothing else, then perhaps the Vertical is not for you.
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