We’re getting to the point where we need some clear language to delineate between a simple fitness tracker, a smartwatch and the more powerful and capable varieties of smart wearables that offer a whole lot more.
It’s in that latter tier where you would most likely find the Suunto 7. This watch is the next generation from Suunto and was revealed today at CES in Las Vegas.
Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear processor, and running Google’s Wear OS – you’re certainly not going to be trapped in an ecosystem bubble with the Suunto 7.
What really matters is what gets packed on board, and the more than 70 sport modes from surfing to running and cycling mean this is the watch for the uber active in any sport.
Accurate exercise tracking for the workouts, as well as access to music controls and all the other standard smartwatch features and you’re set.
While in it’s most high performance mode, using GPS tracking the watch has a 12 hour battery life but in everyday use there’s a solid two day battery life expected.
I think the concept of Offline Outdoor maps is intriguing, balancing the need for information with the battery life, the Suunto Heatmaps across 15 different activities allows you to find your way and know the best training routes even when you leave your phone behind.
Of course, being a Suunto, it’s rugged -labelled by the Finnish brand as shock-proof, water-proof and dirt-proof.
Heikki Norta from Suunto’s parent company Amer Sports spoke about the watch at today’s launch “Today, whether sport is your passion or your lunch-hour escape, we live in a blended life that demands a technology partner who does not sacrifice functionality in sport or everyday use. Suunto set out to overcome the challenge of designing a smart watch with robust sports watch features, and vice versa, in order to help users get the most out of both their sports and their busy lives
Combining Suunto’s decades worth of versatile sports and outdoor expertise with the helpful smartwatch features from Wear OS by Google provides an incredible opportunity for us to inspire new and expanding audiences to explore their surroundings, wherever those adventures might take them.”
Unlike many rugged outdoor watches, the Suunto 7 does have a bright OLED touch-display to it’s easy to use as a normal smartwatch in all conditions.
Suunto 7 features:
You won’t have to wait long, the Suunto 7 hits Australia for $799 at JB HiFi at the end of January.
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Trev is a Technology Commentator, Dad, Speaker and Rev Head.
He produces and hosts several popular podcasts, EFTM, Two Blokes Talking Tech, Two Blokes Talking Electric Cars, The Best Movies You’ve Never Seen, and the Private Feed. He is the resident tech expert for Triple M on radio across Australia, and is the resident Tech Expert on Channel 9’s Today Show and appears regularly on 9 News, A Current Affair and Sky News Early Edition.
Father of three, he is often found in his Man Cave.
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