Suunto 9 Peak vs 5 Peak Review: Detailed Comparison

The Suunto 9 Peak was introduced to the market in the fall of 2021, but the Suunto 5 Peak is considered a more modern watch because it was introduced to consumers in February of 2022. So, what sets apart these smartwatches that have names that are so similar to one another that it's easy to get them confused? To assist you in selecting the best watch for your needs, we will compare the Suunto 5 Peak and the Suunto 9 Peak in this post.

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What's Different About the Suunto 5 Peak This Year?

Suunto claims that the new 5 Peak watch has been put through rigorous testing in challenging settings. It is a fantastic training partner that can handle anything from rough roads to windy beaches and even tolerate water depths of up to 30 meters.

When it comes to the physical design of the Suunto 5 Peak, you have a wide variety of customization options to choose from. This package will find Suunto's first strap manufactured from waste products from the production process and nine extra 22mm accessory straps and six other color straps. Additionally, Suunto's bright belt and cycling sensor are compatible with one another.

The best features of the Suunto 5 Peak are as follows:

• It has a weight of 39 grams, making it lighter than any other Suunto product.
• It is equipped with a music player. The three available battery types are Performance (for 20 hours), Endurance (for 40 hours), and Tour (for 100 hours).
• A single charge allows the watch to function in Time Mode for up to 10 days at a time.
• There are more than 80 different sports modes available for selection.
• You are able to design and track itineraries for twenty different sports using the heat maps available in the Suunto app.
• With the Suunto app, you can plot out your trips in three dimensions and view them as you go.
• In addition to providing a training plan that can be customized, tracking steps, calories, and recuperation time, it also has a sleep monitoring function.
• The brand new Burner function determines the number of carbohydrates and fat that are burned off during the activity.

How does the newly released Suunto 5 Peak stack up against the already established Suunto 9 Peak?

Design

Suunto 9 Peak

One noticeable distinction between the 9 Peak and the 5 Peak is their difference in physical size. The 9 Peak weighs 62 grams more than the 5 Peak, which only weighs 39 grams, yet the 9 Peak is only half as thick.

The 9 Peak can be broken down into:

• Steel that is greyish stainless
• Granite blue titanium
• Titanium
• By inserting itself into the holes on the opposing strap, a plug clasp takes the role of the traditional strap stay.

The 9 Peak is available from Suunto in a variety of configurations, including two made of titanium and two made of stainless steel. The brushed titanium version is approximately 8 grams lighter and has a very streamlined form and a high-quality feel.

The watch features three buttons for tactile manipulation, but it also has a sensitive touchscreen even when it is wet. The touchscreen may be accessed by using any button to unlock the screen.

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Suunto 5 Peak

The Suunto 5 Peak is designed to look very similar to the Suunto 9 Peak, but in order to keep the price down, it does not include all of the same features. At first glance, it appears like Suunto will continue to adhere to the Nordic design aesthetic, which prioritizes sleek and uncluttered lines over a more rugged one.

It is an improved version of the Suunto 5, and it incorporates some of the design components and particulars of the Suunto 9 as well as some new functionality.

Sensors

Suunto 9 Peak

The Peak 9 also comes with an optical heart rate sensor, which is highly accurate when the user is at rest but less accurate when the user is jogging. In addition, an SPO2 sensor may be found on the reverse side of the watch (pulse oximeter). In contrast to others, this sensor will not respond unless specifically asked to do so; there is no continuous monitoring, and users cannot access it while they are exercising. Both of these services extend the life of the battery.

In all honesty, none of the significant manufacturers of GPS watches offer a proper SPO2 monitoring function while the device is being used. Manual measures are only suitable for doing spot checks on altitude, despite some people using SPO2 to evaluate the quality of their sleep and their general state of health.

Suunto 5 Peak

The optical pulse sensor is the only sensor on the 5 Peak that has not been changed since it was first installed. The Valencell sensor that is featured on the Suunto 5 and the Suunto 5 Peak are identical (and other older models of the brand). The truth of the matter is that its Performance has already started to decline, but the reduced weight of the Suunto 5 Peak will help it perform more consistently.

The majority of the other sensors have not been altered at all. There was a great deal of conjecture that the smartphone might come equipped with a barometric sensor; however, this was not the case. The GPS position is still the only factor that can determine the barometric altitude of the watch (the 9 Peak does have a barometric sensor).

Another thing that is lacking is a blood oxygen sensor, which is something that is becoming increasingly popular in modern smartwatches. Although the heart rate sensor is identical to the one found in the Suunto 5, the new and better algorithms should result in an increase in the device's level of accuracy.

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GPS 

Suunto 9 Peak

Numerous reports indicate that Peak 9 now possesses capabilities known as "snap to the route." The user must generate a route or a GPX file must be uploaded to the device before an activity may begin. You have the ability to "snap" to a route, and if you do so, the GPS track will continue to follow the path until a certain point is reached, regardless of whether or not you deviate from it.

When it comes to tracking GPS-based activities, Snap to Route gets really close to being perfect. This capability makes it possible to improve the GPS's reliability in regions and modes traditionally plagued by weak GPS signals, such as dense forests and huge cities.

The effectiveness of Snap to Route depends on accurate route planning, which is a task that is much more challenging to complete on trails than on roadways. However, trail runners may find it challenging to use because it is designed for those who run in major cities and rely on their data to be correct even when the connection is weak. This feature looks to be intended for persons who run in significant city marathons and races.

Suunto 5 Peak

Even if your Suunto 5 Peak is in an area with poor GPS reception, you may still record a route in it to follow later.

It is possible to link routes to services like Training Peaks, Strava, or Komoot and then use a Suunto 5 Peak to follow the route turn by turn (using Komoot). This makes it extremely difficult to become disoriented.

Using the Suunto app on your smartphone, you can examine heat and 3D maps to see popular routes in a region, plan your excursions, and then synchronize them with the clock. You can do all of this from the convenience of your pocket. Take into consideration that the Suunto 5 Peak does not come with any built-in maps.

Suunto 5 Peak's remaining battery life

In Performance mode, the Suunto 5 Peak has a battery life of 20 hours, which is respectable and should be a crucial factor for athletes to take into consideration when selecting a GPS watch.

It is possible to extend the battery life to 40 hours when using the Endurance mode, and it may be extended to 100 hours when using the Tour mode (modes vary depending on GPS accuracy, screen brightness, and whether Bluetooth mode is activated, among other variables).

Battery life can last up to ten days in Tour mode when the heart rate monitor is turned on 24 hours a day, and smartphone notifications are enabled, which is more than satisfactory for a watch in the middle price category.

Suunto 9 Peak

When the battery on the 9 Peak is becoming low, an intelligent reminder will flash, prompting the user to change the mode they are currently using. Performance, Endurance, Ultra, and Tour are the four primary modes of operation for the battery.

The default mode, Performance, is automatically selected while the battery level is high. This setting is used for the vast majority of runs. However, if longer runs or activities are required, another mode can be selected.

In Performance mode, GPS pings are sent out once every second, while in Tour mode, they are sent out once every hour. This results in a battery life of 170 hours.

Suunto 5 Peak Watch Features and functions

On the Suunto 5 Peak, you have your choice of 80 different activities to participate in. You will be able to manage your training more effectively by keeping track of your sleep, recovering from your workouts, and having the option to schedule alarms for sunrise and sunset.

Through the app, you will be able to alter and customize the various displays and parameters of the watch. Additionally, the app will perform the functions of a smartwatch by allowing you to get notifications on the watch and listen to music that is stored on your mobile device. In essence, the 5 Peak and the 9 Peak offer nearly identical functionality, but the 5 Peak does so at a more affordable price.

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Suunto 9 Peak

Users who have experience with earlier Suunto models will find the user interface of the 9 Peak to be very similar to what they are accustomed to. Since the Peak 9, Suunto has updated the software across their whole line of sports watches, providing consumers with the consistency of operation while also adding features that were previously only available in more expensive models. It would appear that this is a common technique throughout the industry that not only strengthens customer loyalty to brands but also increases the shelf life of older products. Touchscreen capability, barometric altimeter, and magnetic compass are some of the features that are exclusive to the 9 Peak model and not found on the 5 Peak model.

Sunnto 5 Peak Vs. 9 Peak Availability

The Suunto 5 Peak was available for early preorders on the company's website on January 20, and sales of the watch began in all other retail locations on February 1. We anticipate that the Suunto 5 Peak will be available to users in the rest of the world in the very near future.

The Suunto 9 Peak is an older model, making it one of the more readily available options.