Suunto Vertical 2 Review: AMOLED Screen and 65-Hour GPS Tested

The Suunto Vertical 2 is a trail and ultra-focused GPS watch built around three headline specs: an AMOLED display, a built-in flashlight, and up to 65 hours of GPS battery life. That puts it in direct conversation with the Garmin Fenix 8 and Coros Vertix 2S, two watches that dominate the long-distance trail market right now.

The AMOLED screen is a real upgrade from the original Vertical's MIP display. Colors are sharp in low light, and the always-on mode is usable without torching your battery. Garmin has been pushing AMOLED across its lineup since the Forerunner 965, so Suunto needed this to stay competitive at the premium price point.

The built-in flashlight is not a gimmick. For pre-dawn starts, night ultras, or transition zones in long triathlons, having a wrist-mounted light that pairs with your nav data is genuinely useful. Coros and Garmin both offer this now on select models, but Suunto's implementation sits at a solid brightness level for trail use.

65 hours of GPS is the core selling point for ultra runners. The Coros Vertix 2S pushes past 140 hours in its lowest accuracy mode, which sets a high bar. Suunto's 65 hours is competitive for most 100-mile events, but if you're planning multi-day fastpacking, you'll want to compare modes carefully before committing.

Solid watch for trail runners who want a premium screen without going full Garmin ecosystem. Not the longest battery on the market. But the flashlight plus AMOLED combo in one package is a real differentiator for athletes racing in mixed light conditions.