Polar has unveiled its latest adventure-ready run tracker to rival the Garmin Fenix 7 and the Epix Pro 2. The new Polar Grit X2 Pro is the latest GPS running watch in Polar’s line-up to feature a full AMOLED touchscreen and accuracy-boosting dual-frequency GPS. It comes hot off the heels of the Polar Vantage V3 and packs the same upgraded sensor tech into a watch with beefed up durability for wilder adventures off the beaten track.
Polar Grit X2 Pro: What’s new?
Polar announced two models, the Polar Grit X2 Pro and the Polar Grit X2 Pro Titan. Both feature a 1.39-inch, 326ppi resolution AMOLED touchscreen display that’s 15% larger than the previous Grit X Pro. The screen kicks out a maximum brightness of 1050 nits – not quite the Apple Watch Ultra 2’s 3,000 nits but still punching things up from the original Grit X2 Pro.
While the Polar Grit X2 Pro has stainless steel front casing, the Titan model has a titanium chassis. Both watches have scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass and when it comes to durability, they’re the first Polar watches tested to MIL-STD 810 standards and are waterproof to 100m.
The Polar Grit X2 Pro joins the Polar Vantage V3 offering dual frequency GPS (with the L1/L5 channels) and a new signal-boosting antenna. In terms of the GPS hardware at least, it now rivals the likes of the Garmin Forerunner 965, the Fenix 7 series, the Epix Pro 2 and then Forerunner 265.
It also features the same biosensor set up as the Polar Vantage V3 with Polar’s Elixir technology, ECG, nightly skin temperature and blood oxygen sensors. Plus, its new fourth generation optical heart rate sensor and updated algorithms aim to weed out more of the inaccuracies that can occur with wrist-based heart rate, specifically during interval sessions and strength training.
Navigation smarts have been improved, too. The watch now comes pre-loaded with offline TOPO maps for North America and Europe (you can download other regions for free with up to 32GB storage). There’s also added breadcrumb navigation, support for Komoot and Strava routes. Plus Polar says the Grit X2 Pro’s faster processing makes moving around maps – that bit where you need to navigate off what’s on your screen – snappier.
Fans of seeing in the dark without turning The Big Light on will be pleased to hear there’s a flashlight. Although, rather than a built-in front-facing torch like you’ll find on the Garmin Fenix 7 series, Polar converts the screen into a torch.
When it comes to price, at launch the Polar Grit X2 Pro price is set at $749.90 / £649 while the Polar Grit X2 Pro Titan is priced at $869.90 / £749.
Better at the ups and downs?
When it comes to new features, the Polar Grit X2 Pro is pretty light on shiny new tools. The most interesting addition to the features are new measurements for tracking speed on ascents and descents including VAM and vertical speed which measures the rate at which you climb or descend so you get more accurate data and insights into your upward or downward movements when you train in varying terrains.
There’s also a new 3D speed readout that factors in the speed you're going on horizontal terrain and the speed you're going vertically to calculate your true speed as you tackle those accents.
Beyond that you’re getting Polar’s full suite of training, racing, recovery and sleep tracking. It offers more than 150 sport modes along with familiar tools including Performance Tests, FuelWise fuelling recommendations and energy usage breakdown, wrist-based running power, Recovery Pro, Orthostatic Test, Nightly Recharge recovery insight, sleep tracking with Sleep Plus Stages and SleepWise.
Polar Grit X2 Pro: How long is the battery life?
When it comes to staying power, Polar plans to tweak the names of its battery power modes across all of its watches with three new presets: Performance Training Mode, Eco Training Mode and Smartwatch Mode.
On paper, the Polar Grit X2 Pro battery life gets a bump over the Polar Grit X Pro and offers the same runtime as the Polar Vantage V3. You’ll get up to 43 hours in the dual-frequency Performance mode, 61 hours in standard GPS mode, 140 hours in Eco Training Mode and 10 days in Smartwatch Mode (with no GPS training).
Polar Vantage V3 vs Polar Grit X2 Pro: What’s the difference?
Good news for Polar Vantage V3 owners – or anyone who wants a V3 experience in a more rugged watch – the electronics inside the Polar Vantage V3 and the Grit X2 Pro are identical. That means all features and functions on Polar Grit X2 Pro will come to the Vantage V3.
So aesthetics aside, these devices should perform on par. If you’ve already invested in a Vantage V3, you won’t need to upgrade to access the features and software improvements.
