Suunto may be developing a screenless heart rate monitor to rival Garmin
A regulatory leak suggests Suunto is working on a screenless heart rate monitor codenamed HR264, with certification photos showing a rechargeable optical band. Key details remain unknown and launch may be months away.
TechRadar reported on October 16, 2026, that the listing was first spotted by the5krunner in the UAE's Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority database. The entry describes a Suunto heart rate monitor under the codename HR264 but does not include a product name, price or features list. It is also unclear whether the device is a chest strap, an armband, a wrist-worn tracker or another type of wearable.
Certification photos of the HR264 show a rechargeable optical band intended for 24/7 recovery tracking, according to the5krunner. The images appear to show a product measuring roughly 44mm in height and 30mm in width. The5krunner believes the device could still be months away from launch.
Suunto's app is currently free and offers an optional paid AI coach. TechRadar reported that the HR264 could follow a similar model, which would help it avoid the expensive subscription required for devices made by companies such as Whoop.
Suunto has built a reputation for smartwatches. TechRadar's review of the Vertical 2 gave it a high score, and the company's Race 2 smartwatch performed well in heart rate monitoring when tested last year. The HR264 would be Suunto's first foray into screenless devices, a category where the user experience depends almost entirely on the companion app.
TechRadar's reviewer said Suunto's smartphone app is acceptable but not as good or as all-encompassing as Garmin's. That comparison matters because Garmin already competes in screenless wearables and because Suunto would be entering a market with established rivals. When the HR264 launches, if it does, it would give users another screenless fitness tracker to consider, and competition could push the category forward if Suunto brings something new to the table.
The leak also arrives as screenless fitness bands gain more attention. Devices like the Fitbit Air and Garmin Cirqa have shown that a display is not necessary for a wearable to be useful, and Suunto would be joining that trend rather than setting it. The company has not confirmed the HR264, and the regulatory listings do not guarantee a commercial release.