Compare Garmin Forerunner 970 vs Suunto Vertical

P1 Garmin Forerunner 970
P2 Suunto Vertical

Comparison Takeaways

Garmin Forerunner 970

Where It Has the Edge

  • contactless payments is 4.3 vs 1.0. Contactless payments were consistently confirmed through Garmin Pay or NFC payments, with caveats around bank support.
  • onboard music storage is 4.5 vs 1.3. Onboard music storage was strongly supported, with 32GB storage and offline music or streaming-service downloads mentioned across reviews.
  • ECG functionality is 4.2 vs 1.0. ECG functionality was widely confirmed as a major health upgrade, usually described as manual or snapshot-based rather than...
  • heart rate accuracy is 4.5 vs 2.3. Heart-rate accuracy was one of the clearest strengths, with many reviewers finding the Elevate Gen5 sensor close to...

Suunto Vertical

Where It Has the Edge

  • battery life is 4.9 vs 3.3. Battery life was the clearest strength, with reviewers reporting week-plus daily use, strong GPS endurance, and class-leading longevity.
  • reliability is 4.7 vs 3.1. Reliability was supported by long-term battery stability and a reviewer describing it as dependable.
  • pairing reliability is 4.2 vs 2.7. Pairing and syncing evidence was positive for fast satellite acquisition and quick app syncing.
  • companion app quality is 4.6 vs 3.7. The Suunto app was strongly praised for route planning, visual data, and a simpler organization than some competitors.
Average score
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.0
Product 2: Suunto Vertical
3.8
activity auto-detection
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.0

Auto-detection evidence was limited but positive, with support for automatic sport-specific counts and lap auto-detection during swim testing.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
No score yet
app ecosystem
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.5

The app ecosystem was a clear Garmin advantage, with Connect IQ, downloadable faces, apps, and extensive sports-watch software repeatedly mentioned.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.2

Reviewers saw a useful SuuntoPlus and partner-app ecosystem, but one noted that only one SuuntoPlus app can run at a time.

band quality
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.2

Band quality had limited evidence but one review praised the strap’s subtle stretch and stabilizing micro-adjustment effect.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.3

Band feedback was positive overall: reviewers liked the comfort, standard 22mm compatibility, ventilation, and secure strap design.

battery life
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
3.3

Battery life was the most mixed repeated theme: GPS endurance was usable or improved, but AMOLED smartwatch endurance and always-on use were frequent concerns.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.9

Battery life was the clearest strength, with reviewers reporting week-plus daily use, strong GPS endurance, and class-leading longevity.

blood oxygen tracking
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.0

Blood oxygen support is present through PulseOx or SpO2, and reviewers also tied it to breathing disturbance and broader sensor tracking.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.0

Blood oxygen was confirmed as an available widget/tracking view, but reviewers did not deeply validate SpO2 accuracy.

Bluetooth connectivity
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.4

Bluetooth connectivity was supported for headphones and external sensors, including Bluetooth and ANT+ pairings.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
3.8

Bluetooth support covers common external sport sensors, including heart-rate straps, though sensor management is not especially advanced.

brightness
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.6

Brightness was one of the most consistent upgrades, with reviewers calling the AMOLED display substantially brighter or Garmin’s brightest yet.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.3

Brightness improved versus older Suunto models, with reviewers praising the backlight and quick wrist illumination.

build quality
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.5

Build quality was strong overall, supported by sapphire, titanium, polymer construction, and a premium feel.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.7

Build quality was repeatedly described as premium, rugged, sturdy, and tank-like.

button controls
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.8

Button controls were a strength, with the five-button layout and dedicated buttons preserving reliable control when touch is not ideal.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.2

Button feedback was mostly positive for gloves, solidity, and simplicity, though one reviewer wanted a five-button layout.

call handling
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
3.8

Call handling was useful but mixed: reviewers liked wrist calls and speaker/mic additions, while some found call volume or wrist talking less compelling.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
No score yet
calorie tracking usefulness
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
No score yet
Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.2

Calorie estimates were viewed as more realistic than another tested watch in one review.

charging convenience
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
3.0

Charging convenience was mixed, with the familiar cable supported but reviewers still wanting wireless charging or noting the watch must be removed to extend recording.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
2.9

Charging convenience was mixed: the magnetic charger attaches easily, but reviewers disliked proprietary/no-wireless charging and one reported charging trouble.

charging speed
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
No score yet
Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.2

Charging speed was presented positively in the review evidence, with a full charge cited at about 90 minutes.

coaching features
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.3

Coaching features were broad and useful, with Garmin Coach, triathlon plans, daily suggested workouts, race planning, and structured training repeatedly supported.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.1

Coaching and training tools include VO2-related tests, Suunto Coach, and personalized training/recovery guidance.

comfort
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.5

Comfort was a major strength, with reviewers finding the lighter, slimmer body comfortable for 24/7 wear despite occasional sleep bulk concerns.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.3

Comfort was good for a large outdoor watch, with reviewers saying it was not chunky and could be worn or slept in comfortably.

companion app quality
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
3.7

Companion app quality was mixed: Garmin Connect was comprehensive and synced well, but one reviewer criticized app layout and built-in workouts.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.6

The Suunto app was strongly praised for route planning, visual data, and a simpler organization than some competitors.

contactless payments
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.3

Contactless payments were consistently confirmed through Garmin Pay or NFC payments, with caveats around bank support.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
1.0

Contactless payments are a clear miss, with reviewers explicitly noting no NFC or tap-to-pay functionality.

cross-platform compatibility
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
3.8

Cross-platform compatibility was functional but limited by phone platform, especially Apple restrictions on replies and media in notifications.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.0

The route-planning experience extends beyond the phone, with one reviewer noting tablet and macOS desktop use.

customization options
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.6

Customization options were strong, including customizable watch faces, widgets, data pages, focus modes, and battery profiles.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.3

Customization is strong across widgets, watch faces, activity profiles, buttons, and home-screen data.

display quality
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.6

Display quality was widely praised for the bright, crisp, clear AMOLED touchscreen, with several reviewers calling it vibrant or readable.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.4

Display quality improved markedly, with a larger, readable MIP screen, though it is less flashy than AMOLED rivals.

durability
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.6

Durability was broadly positive due to sapphire scratch resistance and long-term mark-free use, though one review reported bezel scrapes.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.9

Durability evidence was strong, citing sapphire glass, MIL-level testing, and long-term rough-use confidence.

ECG functionality
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.2

ECG functionality was widely confirmed as a major health upgrade, usually described as manual or snapshot-based rather than passive continuous monitoring.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
1.0

ECG is not included, and one reviewer grouped it with other missing smartwatch-style features.

fit
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.1

Fit was positive for reviewers who liked the 47mm balance and wrist feel, though sleep fit and one-size limitations created caveats.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.5

Fit was praised by one reviewer who found the watch lighter and less noticeable than a larger previous GPS watch.

fitness tracking accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.5

Fitness tracking accuracy was strongly supported in one detailed review that found near-perfect land-based workout tracks and solid optical heart-rate accuracy.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
3.1

General fitness tracking was strong on land, but open-water swim tracking was a serious weak spot in one in-depth review.

GPS accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.6

GPS accuracy received broad agreement as excellent or top-tier on land, including road, trail, city, and race testing, with only some open-water caveats elsewhere.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.7

GPS accuracy received broad agreement as a major strength, with reviewers repeatedly calling the tracks accurate or best-in-class.

health tracking accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.1

Health tracking evidence was mostly positive for derived health signals, including heart-related data and cycle/temperature-related observations, but one review noted Garmin can overestimate sleep.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
3.8

Health tracking evidence was limited but generally positive for training data realism, while other health metrics were mixed.

heart rate accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.5

Heart-rate accuracy was one of the clearest strengths, with many reviewers finding the Elevate Gen5 sensor close to chest straps or reliable in running and workouts.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
2.3

Heart-rate accuracy was the most consistent weakness, especially for sports, with several reviewers recommending or implying a chest strap.

LTE connectivity
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
1.0

LTE connectivity was a clear weakness because reviews explicitly said the 970 lacks cellular or LTE functionality.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
No score yet
mapping and navigation
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.1

Mapping and navigation were major strengths for offline maps, routes, ClimbPro, and route tools, but map lag and rerouting bugs were repeated caveats.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
No score yet
materials quality
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.5

Materials quality was strong, with titanium and sapphire repeatedly cited as premium upgrades while keeping the watch light.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.9

Materials quality was a strength thanks to sapphire glass plus titanium or steel construction.

menu navigation
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
3.8

Menu navigation was powerful but mixed: buttons and touchscreen offer control, while some reviewers found menu depth and clicks cumbersome.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.6

Menu navigation was described as intuitive and easy, with key settings and data not buried too deeply.

music controls
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.1

Music controls were supported through direct wrist playback and standard Garmin music features, though audio quality was not a central strength.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
3.5

Music controls are available for controlling phone audio, but the feature does not extend to onboard playback.

onboard music storage
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.5

Onboard music storage was strongly supported, with 32GB storage and offline music or streaming-service downloads mentioned across reviews.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
1.3

Onboard music storage is absent, and multiple reviewers called that a downside or missed opportunity.

operating system experience
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.2

Operating system experience was mostly positive for Garmin’s depth, but reviewers also found the feature set overwhelming or less polished in some areas.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
3.5

The operating system was considered usable and intuitive enough, but not especially polished.

outdoor visibility
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.4

Outdoor visibility was strong, with multiple reviewers reporting good readability in sunlight or bright conditions.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.3

Outdoor visibility was mostly strong in bright sun, though one long-term reviewer reported glare in some cloudy situations.

pairing reliability
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
2.7

Pairing reliability had limited direct evidence and was mixed, with one reviewer needing several attempts to pair the watch with the app.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.2

Pairing and syncing evidence was positive for fast satellite acquisition and quick app syncing.

recovery insights
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.5

Recovery insights were consistently praised, especially impact load, running tolerance, training readiness, recovery time, and load guidance for managing training.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.4

Recovery insights were viewed positively through Suunto app metrics, training load, fitness change, and recovery guidance.

reliability
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
3.1

Reliability evidence was mixed: some long-term use was reassuring, while route crashes and map glitches appeared in several reviews.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.7

Reliability was supported by long-term battery stability and a reviewer describing it as dependable.

safety features
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.5

Safety features were strong, with flashlight strobe, Incident Detection, LiveTrack, emergency alerts, and nighttime visibility cited.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.0

Safety-related tools include storm alerts, weather alerts, and sunset information, with storm accuracy described as useful but imperfect.

size options
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
2.3

Size options were weak because the 970 comes only in a 47mm size, which reviewers noted may not suit smaller wrists.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
2.0

Size options are limited, with one-size hardware and variation mainly by materials or straps.

sleep tracking accuracy
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
3.6

Sleep tracking was useful and often consistent for sleep timing or ratings, though reviewers were cautious about stages and noted misses or comfort issues overnight.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
3.9

Sleep tracking was mixed: several reviewers liked sleep/wake timing, while another distrusted motion-based sleep data.

smartphone notifications
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.0

Smartphone notifications were supported directly, including notifications, weather, calendar alerts, and phone-range message handling.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
3.4

Smartphone notifications work, but one reviewer noted weak emoji support.

smartwatch features
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.3

Smartwatch features were solid for a sports watch, covering notifications, calls, voice assistant, music storage, NFC payments, and general daily smarts.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
2.6

Smartwatch features are limited compared with broader smartwatches, especially for music, payments, and richer smart functions.

software smoothness
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
2.6

Software smoothness was a recurring caveat, with reviewers citing lag, slow saves, map delays, route crashes, and unclear guidance in some advanced metrics.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
2.8

Software smoothness was a recurring complaint, though later software was described as noticeably improved.

stress tracking
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.4

Stress tracking drew positive evidence, especially when reviewers saw stress feed into recovery, daily training, or Body Battery style insights.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.0

Stress tracking appears through Suunto's resources metric, tying stress and recovery into energy-level feedback.

style and design
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.3

Style and design were generally praised as sleek, good-looking, premium, and less intimidating than rugged adventure watches, though not everyone loved the rubber-band look.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.5

Style and design were widely liked, with reviewers praising the clean, rugged, premium Suunto look.

third-party app support
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.4

Third-party app support was strong through Connect IQ and integrations or services such as Strava, Komoot, RideWithGPS, and useful extra apps.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.4

Third-party app support is useful through SuuntoPlus, partner apps, and an app store reviewers felt had caught up.

touchscreen responsiveness
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
3.8

Touchscreen responsiveness was mixed: some found it snappy and useful, while others noticed scrolling lag, sensitivity quirks, or overwhelming touch interactions.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
2.8

Touchscreen behavior was mixed: usable in rain and sweat, but repeatedly criticized for lag.

user interface
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.5

User interface evidence was positive where reviewers highlighted quicker menus and an easy-to-use widget/glance structure.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.1

The interface was generally understandable and organized, though hardware/software lag held it back.

value for money
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
3.4

Value for money was mixed: reviewers called it capable and sometimes worth it, but repeatedly emphasized the high price and stronger value from alternatives.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
3.4

Value was mixed: the watch is expensive, but some reviewers found it competitive versus Garmin and COROS alternatives.

voice assistant quality
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.0

Voice assistant quality was useful for commands, timers, phone assistant access, and watch controls, though reviewers noted it is not always immediate or broad.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
No score yet
watch face quality
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.6

Watch face quality was supported by multiple stock faces and many Connect IQ options, though only one review directly discussed it.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
3.5

Watch-face options exist and can be customized, but one reviewer still wanted better watch faces.

water resistance
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
3.9

Water resistance was adequate for swimming and 50-meter or 5ATM use, but reviewers emphasized it is not diveproof like some Fenix models.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.3

Water resistance was treated as suitable for swimming/snorkeling, with reviewers citing 100m specs and shallow-water use.

wellness insights
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.4

Wellness insights were a strength, with Evening and Morning reports, Body Battery, sleep coaching, health status, and day-planning guidance repeatedly cited.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.2

Wellness insights include HRV and broader training/recovery context rather than deep medical-style health features.

Wi-Fi connectivity
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
No score yet
Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.0

Wi-Fi enables map downloads, but reviewers noted constraints such as needing normal Wi-Fi, a charger, and time.

workout tracking variety
Product 1: Garmin Forerunner 970
4.5

Workout tracking variety was very strong, with reviews citing large sport libraries, new sport profiles, multisport tools, swimming, cycling, strength, and running modes.

Product 2: Suunto Vertical
4.8

Workout variety is broad, with reviewers citing more than 90 modes, up to 95 sport modes, and many sport profiles.