Those who have been using Fitbit devices for the past decade have a good idea of where the business is headed with its newest offerings. There has been a dramatic shift in the last three years, with Fitbit going from basic activity trackers to sophisticated health monitors.
Companies like Garmin and Samsung are also competing in this sector, indicating their potential success. However, the Apple Watch continues to be the primary competitor to Fitbit. Both have been competing at a high level for some time now, and with good reason: one has a variety of useful features that set it apart from the other.
Our goal in this piece is to determine if Fitbit has maintained its lead or if Apple has taken the initiative with the release of the Apple Watch 8, both of which have been introduced relatively lately.
Contents
General Comparison:
| Apple Watch 8 | Fitbit Sense 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | September 7, 2022 | August 25, 2022 |
| Predecessor | Apple Watch 7 | Fitbit Sense |
| Company | Apple Inc | Fitbit |
| Operating System | Wear OS | Fitbit OS |
| Compatible Smartphones | iOS | Android, iOS |
| Competition | Fitbit Sense 2, Ticwatch Pro 4G, Galaxy Watch 5/5 Pro, Apple Watch 7 | Apple Watch 7, Garmin Venu 2, Ticwatch Pro 3, Galaxy Watch 5 Pro |
| Sensors | Ambient light sensor, High dynamic range Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Emergency SOS, Third-generation optical heart sensor, Electrical heart sensor, Blood oxygen sensor, altimeter, Compass | Multi-path optical heart rate sensor, CEDA, ECG, SpO2, Gyroscope, Altimeter, 3-axis accelerometer, Skin temperature sensor, Ambient light sensor, Vibration moto |
Apple Watch 8 vs Fitbit Sense 2: Pricing
There are two iWatch 8 variants available: GPS-only and GPS + Cellular. The second option is $100 more expensive. Further, the 41mm and 45mm versions of each model are available, with the larger iWatch costing an additional $30 due to its larger display and battery.
The Fitbit Sense 2 comes in a single size and a single configuration (GPS alone). The device can be purchased for $300 (the same as the original Sense’s launch price in 2020). The most useful features, however, require a Fitbit Premium subscription, which costs $10 each month.
When compared to the Fitbit Sense 2, the Apple Watch 8 has the same pricing when you factor in both the one-time purchase price and the monthly service fee.
Winner: Tied
Apple Watch 8 vs Fitbit Sense 2: Design & Display
| Apple Watch 8 | Fitbit Sense 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 45mm: 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm, 41mm: 41 x 35 x 10.7mm | 40.5×40.5x 12.35 mm |
| Buttons | 1 button+ Digital Crown | 1 Button |
| Weight | Aluminum: 45mm: 38.8g | 41mm: 32gStainless Steel: 45mm: 51.5g | 41mm: 42.3g | 48 g |
| Colors | midnight, starlight, silver, graphite (PVD), silver, and gold (PVD), (PRODUCT)RED | Blue Mist/Soft Gold, Shadow Grey/Graphite, Lunar White/Platinum |
| Band Size | Not specified | 24mm (M/L) |
| Casing Material | Aluminum, Stainless steel | Aluminum |
| Strap Material | Silicone | Silicone |
| Screen Size | 45mm: 1.7 inches | 41mm: 1.4 inches | 1.58 inches |
| Screen Type | Retina LTPO OLED display | AMOLED |
| Screen Resolution | 45mm: 396 x 484 Pixels; 41mm: 352 x 430 Pixels | 454 x 454 pixels |
| Screen Protection | Aluminum: Ion-X front glass | Stainless steel: Sapphire Crystal Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Always-on Display | Yes | Yes |
| Waterproofing | 5 ATM (up to 50m) | Suitable for Shower, Swimming | 5 ATM (up to 50m) | Suitable for Shower, Swimming |
They both have a square form factor, a high-resolution AMOLED screen, and detachable straps, so it’s interesting to see how similarly they’re designed.
Aside from the screen, both devices also include physical buttons for navigating. A digital crown and a physical side button distinguish the iWatch from the Fitbit Sense 2, which just features a single button on its right side. In contrast to the singular size option available on the Fitbit Sense 2, the Apple Watch 8 comes in two different options (41 and 45mm) (38mm). Both the water resistance and scratch resistance are 5 ATM certified, thus they are on par with other commonplace items.
Both screens are of the highest quality. On the other hand, Apple Watch 8 has a slightly better resolution. The iWatch’s screen is brighter and the text is easier to read because of this.
You can choose the color and metal finish of either watch to complement your wardrobe.
Winner: Apple Watch 8
Apple Watch 8 vs Fitbit Sense 2:Smart Features
| Apple Watch 8 | Fitbit Sense 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Watch OS | Fitbit OS |
| Connectivity Options | LTE and UMTS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth, NFC, WiFi |
| Processor | S8 with 64-bit dual-core processor | Not Specified |
| RAM | 1GB RAM | Not Specified |
| Storage | 32GB | 7 days of detailed motion data |
| Companion App | Watch | Fitbit |
| Contactless Payment (NFC) | Apple Pay | Google Pay, Fitbit Pay |
| Standalone Calling and Texting | Yes | No |
| Voice Assistant | Siri | Alexa, Google Assistant |
Since it acquired Fitbit in 2021, Google has been working diligently to incorporate Google’s services into Fitbit’s devices.
The new Fitbit Sense 2 is a prime example of this because it incorporates several Google services (including Google Wallet, Google Maps, and Google Assistant) into a single device. Fitbit OS, rather than Google’s WearOS, is powering the watch, which means that it doesn’t have much compatibility with other apps.
The Fitbit Sense 2 has Bluetooth calling and messaging capabilities, however, customers with iPhones may run into problems. In addition to contactless payments and Deezer music streaming, the watch can also take pictures.
This intelligence, however, isn’t enough to make the Fitbit Sense 2 competitive with the Apple Watch. Apple Pay, Spotify, Siri, and a wealth of third-party apps like Strava, Headspace, Nike Run Club, Myfitnesspal, and more are just a few of the features available on the Apple Watch Series 8.
The iWatch is the greatest smartwatch on the market because it uses the WatchOS, which also has a vast feature set. The interface and operation are both very simple and very easy to use.
Winner: Apple Watch 8
Apple Watch 8 vs Fitbit Sense 2:Fitness Features & Health Tracking
| Apple Watch 8 | Fitbit Sense 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Heart Rate Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep Monitoring | Yes (Advanced) | Yes (Advanced) |
| Stress Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| ECG Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Blood Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Workouts | 30+ | 25+ |
| Automatic Workout Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| GPS Tracking | L1 GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou | Yes + Glonass |
If your heart rate ever becomes abnormal, you can get an alarm from your Apple Watch 8 or Fitbit Sense 2. Both devices feature an ECG app specifically designed for this purpose, and it has been certified by the Food and Drug Administration. Both smartwatches include the ability to monitor your oxygen saturation (SpO2) and provide data on the quality of your night’s rest. Monitors for stress, heart rate, and menstrual cycles are also widely available.
The electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor in the Fitbit Sense 2 is a new way to monitor your stress response. When an excessive amount of EDA is detected, the watch will vibrate to alert the wearer. Similar to the Fitbit Sense 2, the temperature sensor on the Apple Watch 8 is aimed primarily at women’s health monitoring.
When it comes to training and performance enhancement, Fitbit is in the lead. The Fitbit Coach+ feature within the Fitbit app gives the watch superior assistance and tutoring compared to the Apple Watch 8.
Using your wrist, you may access on-demand workouts, individualized suggestions, and live classes. Additionally, the watch skillfully integrates raw measurements to provide you with a more complete view of your exercise and rest (Daily readiness score, Activity Zone Minutes).
Both have built-in GPS navigation systems. Nonetheless, the Apple Watch 8 is equipped with dual-frequency GPS that can detect two separate satellite signals, allowing for more precise tracking of outside runs. Even though these watches offer a wide variety of training programs, the iWatch now comes out on top thanks to the inclusion of sophisticated running stats in the latest WatchOS9.
Winner: Tied
Apple Watch 8 vs Fitbit Sense 2: Battery Performance
| Apple Watch 8 | Fitbit Sense 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Type | lithium-ion | lithium-ion |
| Expected Battery Performance | Up to 18 hours+36 hours in basic mode | Almost 6+ days |
| Fast Charging Support | Yes | Yes |
Much like the original Sense, the Fitbit Sense 2 has a long-lasting battery. On a single charge, the smartwatch mode should last for about 6 days of typical use. If you turn on the always-on screen, you should expect a performance drop from 3.5 to 3.5.
However, the Apple Watch 8 has a battery life of 18 hours. This has been a very stable figure for every Apple Watch produced in the last few years.
Both timepieces are equipped to be charged rapidly, allowing you to get a full charge in a short amount of time. Additionally, each watch only needs a 10-minute charge to track your sleep for an entire night.
The Fitbit Sense 2 is the winner.
Apple Watch 8 vs Fitbit Sense 2: Final Verdict
While the Apple Watch 8 has improved its battery life and health tracking features, the Fitbit Sense 2 still comes out on top. The iWatch also excels in nearly every other category. The new WatchOS9 improves upon its predecessor in terms of speed and functionality. But how well it performs under real-world constraints is yet to be seen. If and when we learn more about Apple Watch 8, we will revise our verdict. You can visit TheActiveNews.Com for further updates.