Polar just announced the new Grit X2 sports watch, a more compact and lighter version of their high-end Grit X2 Pro. It promises to bring most of the same features in a smaller package that fits better for people preferring less bulky watches.
The good news? It also comes at a lower price than the Pro model. The catch? This less expensive tag comes with some caveats, especially in the US market.
The Grit X2 brings Polar’s rugged and stylish design to a smaller 45mm case while keeping key features like dual-band GPS, extensive sports tracking, and health metrics. However, the watch is launching globally excluding the United States for now, and Polar hasn’t shared a US release date yet.
This post will explore what we do know about the Grit X2, how it compares to the Grit X2 Pro, and what the pricing situation looks like both inside and outside the US.
Polar Grit X2 Pricing and the US Launch Situation
Launch Price Outside the US
The Polar Grit X2 is announced at €479, which translates roughly to $550. That makes it noticeably cheaper than the higher-end Grit X2 Pro.
Polar says they plan to launch the watch in the US eventually but haven’t shared a specific date yet. Based on current info, the US release probably won’t be immediate.
US Market Pricing Challenges
To understand why the US launch is delayed, it helps to look at how pricing changed with the Grit X2 Pro. When the Pro first launched, it cost about €749 or $749 in the US market.
Now, the same model is listed at about $885, while the titanium version nears $1,000.
Check the price comparison:
| Model | Europe Price | US Price (Current) |
|---|---|---|
| Grit X2 Pro | €749 | $885 (standard) |
| Titanium Grit X2 Pro | €749 | ~$1,000 (titanium) |
| Grit X2 (New) | €479 | Not yet available |
Meanwhile, in Europe, the Grit X2 Pro’s price hasn’t changed since its launch. The price hike in the US comes down to increased tariffs tied to trade tensions affecting imported goods. This isn’t Polar’s fault; it’s part of ongoing trade disputes that raise the costs of products manufactured in certain regions.
Interestingly, Polar’s Vantage V3 and M3 models have seen much smaller price increases—in the range of $10 since launch—which may be due to different manufacturing sources or stock levels.
Because the Grit X2 shares production aspects with the Grit X2 Pro, it’s likely to face the same tariff-related price hike, making it less competitive if released in the US at its European price.
With all that, Polar has held off on the US market launch for now while the global market, including Europe, sees the Grit X2 becoming available.
Polar Grit X2 Hardware and Design Details
Design Inspiration and Look
The Grit X2 borrows many design elements from the Grit X2 Pro, featuring a rugged yet refined look with a stainless steel bezel.
The bezel is smaller and smoother than the Pro’s, giving it a less bulky and more stylish feel. This is a great option for those who want a tough watch without an oversized appearance.
Size, Weight, and Build
- Case size: 45mm diameter, 12.5mm thick
- Comparison: Grit X2 Pro is 48mm by 13.4mm thick
- In size, the Grit X2 is quite close to the Polar Vantage M3, which is popular for its comfortable fit. The X2 is just a little bigger, likely due to its tougher case construction.
- Weight: The watch weighs 62 grams with the band and 39 grams without it. This is light for a watch with a stainless steel bezel.
- It comes with a 22mm industry-standard band, enabling easy swapping with other bands like nylon for more comfort or a lighter feel.
Durable Features
The Grit X2 features a sapphire glass lens, just like the Grit X2 Pro. This lens offers superior resistance to scratches compared to the Gorilla Glass used on Polar’s Vantage series, making it more reliable for outdoor and rugged use.
Display
- 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen
- Resolution: 416 x 416 pixels
- The same display as the Vantage M3, known for delivering bright visuals that perform well even in direct sunlight.
Battery Life and Sustainability
- Up to 1 week of smartwatch use
- Around 30 hours of GPS tracking at the highest accuracy setting
- The battery life is shorter than the Grit X2 Pro but similar to comparable watches like the Vantage M3.
- A notable feature: the battery is replaceable by sending the watch to Polar, promoting sustainability by extending the device’s lifespan rather than forcing a full replacement.
Polar Grit X2 Features and Functionalities
Sports and Training Features
The Grit X2 carries the same fitness and training tools as the Grit X2 Pro. This includes:
- Heart rate sensor, SpO2 sensor for blood oxygen, and HRV tracking
- Training Load Pro system for detailed workout analysis
- Polar’s sleep tracking, is highly regarded for its insight into sleep quality.
Navigation and Maps
- Comes with a dual-band satellite GPS chipset for accurate location tracking.
- Includes offline maps with turn-by-turn route guidance.
- Storage capacity is 32GB, allowing you to save a large number of maps and routes.
- Like other Polar watches, it does not support music storage or playback.
Software and Platform
The Grit X2 uses the same platform as Polar’s recent models — the Vantage V3, Vantage M3, and Grit X2 Pro.
This means it should get ongoing software updates and feature additions, keeping the user experience fresh and consistent across devices.
Competitor Comparison and Market Positioning
Comparison to Suunto Watches
- The Suunto Race S is a close size match, priced at about €349 on Amazon—significantly cheaper but missing sapphire glass.
- Even Suunto’s Titanium Rest S, which is closer in price, also doesn’t offer sapphire glass, which many see as a missed opportunity.
- Suunto watches have good GPS and mapping but Polar’s health and training insights and heart rate accuracy tend to be superior.
Also See:- Suunto Run In-Depth Review: $249 with Offline Music & More.
Comparison to Coros Watches
- Coros Pace Pro is another competitor, priced around €399 ($349 in the US). It has an AMOLED screen but uses a plastic case without sapphire glass.
- The Pace Pro is known for smooth offline map performance and solid accuracy in tracking.
Also See:- Best Coros Watch for Ultra Running in 2025 – Tested for 100-Mile Races
Comparison to Garmin Watches
- Garmin’s Forerunner 970 costs about €749on Amazon, much higher than the Grit X2, but boasts fully routable offline maps and a built-in flashlight.
- Garmin’s Forerunner 965, often on sale for about $499 on Amazon, lacks sapphire glass but offers full map routing and a broader feature set, although it’s now an older model.
Also Read:-
Market Position Summary
Polar’s Grit X2 holds a strong position outside the US, standing out with its rugged design, sapphire lens, and detailed health features at a competitive price.
However, the ongoing pricing issues in the US create a tricky situation for its Stateside debut and impact its affordability and appeal compared to Garmin and others.
Final Thoughts – Is the Polar Grit X2 Worth It?
The new Polar Grit X2 is an interesting shift—bringing top-tier features into a smaller, more accessible package with a strong emphasis on durability and performance.
The delayed US launch leaves some questions open, especially about final US pricing, but internationally, it’s shaping up to be a compelling choice for athletes looking for a rugged, feature-packed watch with solid navigation and training tools.
Once it’s available for testing in the US, we’ll get a better sense of how it performs day-to-day. Until then, it’s worth keeping an eye on updates.
If you’re excited about the Grit X2 or planning to pick one up when it debuts, stay tuned for new reviews and insights.
Purchase the Polar Grit X2 for non-US markets: Polar Grit X2.
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