Is there still demand for a modern MIP endurance watch?
-
I know AMOLED is the trend, and I understand why many users prefer it.
Still, I think MIP continues to offer real advantages for an endurance-focused outdoor watch: battery life, daylight readability, and a true always-on experience.
I’m asking because I’ve started thinking about what could eventually replace my Suunto 9 Peak Pro or a Vertical 1.
There are alternatives on the market, and yes, something like the Garmin Enduro looks great on paper. But I’d actually prefer to stay with Suunto if there were still a modern MIP-based endurance option in the lineup, because for me it feels quieter, more professional, and more like a true tool watch in everyday use.
So I’m curious:
If Suunto released a modern endurance-focused watch with updated hardware, current software platform and a MIP display — would you be interested?
If yes: what would matter most to you — battery life, size, weight, maps, price, or true always-on readability?
https://www.strava.com/athletes/37982563
https://www.instagram.com/macdev -
@Ecki-D. I voted yes. At the moment I have Coros Apex 4 for trying it out and quite love the screen especially on sunny days. Additionally battery life and always on screen are the things I love the most.
This is also the same reason I still love my Vertical 1, but it is a very chunky compared to Apex 4 and also screen is worse.Suunto Race 2 (Titanium Trail)
Suunto Vertical (Titanium Solar Forest) -
Yes, I’d buy one right away. I had to get the Enduro 3. The V2 with the AMOLED screen just wasn’t for me.
Vertical Ti Solar
Garmin Enduro 3 -
Sorry, this message went wrong. Don’t know how to delete it -
@aiv4r I think the Apex 4 is almost the watch I would love from Suunto to see. The specs are great and it is not such a clunky thing like the Enduro.
App at Coros is more focused on training guidance than Suunto, while Suunto is more focused on routing, heatmaps and co.
I guess it would be one of my candidates. -
I voted ‘Yes’, but I don’t miss it too much. Sometimes I really enjoy AMOLED. I just don’t like having a black screen on my wrist all the time. But all other downsides are upsides. The screen of the V2 is really good
-
@martintrail Cool profile pic. I was at that race as well (48K in 2023)
-
@Ecki-D. I had (well, I still have it, but I don’t use it anymore) the 9PP. And now I use the Race S. Of course, I miss the MIP display on those sunny days, especially when cycling. And the always-on display effect.
But to be honest, most of the time I’m managing better with the AMOLED. Because, in my opinion, I have to say, the 9PP’s screen wasn’t the best in the world.
However, yes, I think a MIP model with a truly top-tier screen in terms of resolution would be fantastic.
-
I was leaning towards MIP because of my approach to positioning the watch (otherwise I would have gone and bought an Apple watch
). I use it as an off-road computer. But MIP watches have different versions. The MIP screen technology in watches after the Fenix 6X has been significantly improved. On the other hand, I also had the chance to observe the Vertical 2. The screen clarity and map readability are better. My prejudice has been somewhat broken.history:
suunto vertical solar titanium
suunto 9 baro
suunto ambit 3
suunto ambit 2
Suunto Smart Heart Rate Beltsuunto App: apple iphone 14
-
@Ecki-D. Fully agree. I think Suunto is a bit on identity crisis at the moment, with “AI Coach”, CTL prediction lines and Recovery/Resources scores, while I think all the navigation/routing stuff is topnotch. But as you say if Suunto would make something like Apex 4 with MIP and slimmer and their design - I would have to say goodbye to my money for sure.
-
No, I thought so before switching to an AMOLED screen, but the screen is just better and so much visible in all conditions.
-
@Ecki-D.
entirely my opinion. even latest amoled displays have improved a lot, I remain a big fan of mip displays (and solar panel).
I have a V1 and love it too much. there are definitely benefits with mips over amoled. while I also see good things with amoled, still today mips wins in my overall rating -
I’ve had this thought in my head for years, and now seems like the perfect time to mention it: more than just MIP, is there any conceivable way there could be a monochrome LCD screen—not black and white MIP, actual LCD, like the ambit, core, traverse, etc?
I have spent many hours looking for a device that has just a handful of simple features: a basic LCD panel, modern dual-band GNSS support, and the ability to use it completely independent of a phone (ie input coordinates and navigate on device, read out full summary data from activities, etc). Oh, and not bloated “smartwatch” features (ie payments, apps etc—more features=more cost, and more bugs). In other words, literally a Traverse “Bravo” if you will, with modern GNSS support, upgraded battery, and the maturity of a very stable backend that had everything from very good timezone support to on-device sunrise/sunset calculations, with no internet connection required outside of viewing tracks and sending routes to it. Just needed the ability to manually start an activity, not auto-start on GNSS signal lock!
I realize I probably sound old and senile in saying it, but ask any runner, and the data they actually want on their wrist is SIMPLE, sunlight readable, and not prone to crashing (again, more complex features increases this risk). Ask any military guy, any hunter, any fisherman, you’ll get the same answer most likely.
The existence of the Core still on the market after (!) almost 20 years of continuous production simply emphasizes, there is clearly a market for simpler-is-better. Suunto literally has the lowest-priced dual-band GNSS chipsets in a “sports watch” (an appreciated distinction in marketing terms from their competitors). Perhaps the day has come for a combining that with well-established roots. Just some thoughts from a Suunto and sports watch lover that has seen the value in simpler things, and less phone dependence…
PS the original feature that got me a Core given as a gift years ago was the barometer—a tool I use as a forecaster CONSTANTLY, and a tool that is actually enhanced by a lower-resolution screen: one can count in the time domain AND pressure domain of the graph, and get exact hPa values from anywhere in the memory. The Core is literally the only device left on the market like that…just another example where simpler has MASSIVE perks for some not-so-edge applications!
-
@JebClydeNC very well said!
-
I love my Vertical 1. I don’t know if I’ll go for the Vertical 2 AMOLED. Maybe if the V1 loses software support, I’ll have no choice, or I’ll switch to the successor to the Coros Vertix 2—maybe it’ll be the Vertix 3 or Vertix 4. In any case, the Vertix 2 has hardware that’s already too old for 2026. Apparently, the successor to the Vertix 2 will still have a MIP screen this year.
I tested the Coros Apex 4 for two weeks, but it feels too toy-like compared to the Vertical 1.
I liked certain things about the Coros, such as quickly switching to the map and returning to the same watch face.
Suunto has a great design and feels more premium. Coros also has some cool data for runners…
We will see.
-
I voted for AMOLED; I understand the arguments for MIP—my wife wears an Enduro 3. For me, AMOLED is always easier to see, and Suunto doesn’t suffer as much from higher battery consumption with the map screen as Garmin does; I don’t need more than 24 hours of battery life. I like how Suunto handles the power-saving screen—it still shows the map, so I don’t always have to wake the watch to full display.
-
I would like a watch with a solar charging panel. Whether it’s MIP, AMOLED, green phosphor, doesn’t matter much. But for me, an outdoor endurance watch must have a solar panel
-
@UjcoCZ said in Is there still demand for a modern MIP endurance watch?:
I like how Suunto handles the power-saving screen—it still shows the map, so I don’t always have to wake the watch to full display.
Can I get more explanation on this? haven’t seen such magic before.
Suunto Race 2 (Titanium Trail)
Suunto Vertical (Titanium Solar Forest) -
@safari said in Is there still demand for a modern MIP endurance watch?:
I was leaning towards MIP because of my approach to positioning the watch (otherwise I would have gone and bought an Apple watch
). I use it as an off-road computer. But MIP watches have different versions. The MIP screen technology in watches after the Fenix 6X has been significantly improved. On the other hand, I also had the chance to observe the Vertical 2. The screen clarity and map readability are better. My prejudice has been somewhat broken.The V1 has the best MIP screen made. When we were testing V2 we asked and were told MIP screen tech has not changed. So the only advances would be new HR and faster chip. I would argue the V1 is “modern”.
-
@Brad_Olwin Interesting. Coros improved their MIP screen between Apex 2 pro and Apex 4, one can clearly see it and at least for my eyes it looks better/brighter than Vertical 1 also. But not an expert, so might be just confirmation bias or smth.
