Fitbit vs. Apple Watch: Comparing smartwatches vs. fitness trackers

Desk of contents

good watch and exercise tracker At present, there are a lot of such manufacturers, however some stand out. apple watch Established a powerful repute within the smartwatch class – and Upcoming Collection 10 It is rumored to come back with some cool new upgrades — and types like Fitbit already dominate the health monitoring area. since Google acquires Fitbit Again in 2019, competitors between the 2 manufacturers was fierce, particularly now that the Google Pixel watch faucets into Fitbit’s well being monitoring capabilities.

Whereas there are definitely some clear variations between the Apple Watch and Fitbit — evaluating sure fashions would possibly appear to be evaluating apples and oranges — Google’s entry into the smartwatch class, and Apple’s growing funding in well being monitoring options, means these There may be extra crossover between manufacturers than ever earlier than.

So, is it higher to purchase an Apple Watch or a Fitbit? I have been testing them out over the previous few weeks, and here is every little thing you’ll want to know.

Left: Google Pixel Watch 2 (Fitbit built-in) Proper: Apple Watch Collection 4
Photograph credit score: RJ Andersen/Mashable

Dimension and display

There are a number of selections in the case of show high quality and display dimension, particularly in the case of Fitbit. Because the model presents each exercise trackers and smartwatches, their trackers are usually smaller, easier, and extra discreet—the 1.45-inch Cost 6 has a full-color AMOLED show with a most brightness of 450 nits—whereas their Smartwatches provide bigger, higher-quality shows. For instance, the Google Pixel Watch 2 has a 41mm AMOLED show with a most brightness of 1,000 nits, making it a more sensible choice for these involved in a brighter, clearer show.

Whereas Apple does not provide a standard health tracker, it does provide a spread of smartwatches in a full vary of sizes — which is a particular win in comparison with Fitbit’s single-sized smartwatch choices. Collection 9 is offered in 41mm or 45mm sizes (SE in 40mm or 44mm, Extremely 2 in 49mm), and has an unequalled Retina LTPO OLED show with a most brightness of two,000 nits.

Winner: Apple

Inner {hardware}

Whereas Fitbit has a wider product vary, which implies a greater variety of {hardware} inside, I made a decision to check smartwatches to smartwatches to see which one has essentially the most spectacular specs within the class. I used to be happy to search out that the Google Pixel Watch 2 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 chip together with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, however the specs of the Apple Watch Collection 9 are equally spectacular, with an Apple S9 chip, 1GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. Efficiency-wise, it is exhausting to inform the distinction between the 2 with out rigorous side-by-side testing.

Winner: Tie

Well being and health monitoring

Each Apple Watch and Fitbit provide user-friendly well being and health monitoring options, which implies each manufacturers help you observe a wide range of metrics similar to steps, coronary heart charge, train time, energy burned, sleep, and extra. Nonetheless, the most effective health tracker in the end is dependent upon what knowledge you are involved in monitoring, as this varies from model to model and From product to product.

Fitbit presents a wider vary of exercise trackers.
Photograph credit score: RJ Andersen/Mashable

For instance, each the Fitbit and Apple Watch provide sleep monitoring, so you’ll be able to observe issues like sleep time and sleep levels, however the Collection 9 and Google Pixel Watch 2 have comparatively brief battery lives (18 hours and 24 hours, respectively). This makes them much less appropriate for twenty-four/7 put on, particularly since they’re smaller than different sleep trackers similar to Oura Ring. Nonetheless, Fitbit’s different exercise trackers—together with the Luxe, Cost 6, and Encourage 3—all boast 5 days (or extra) of battery life, making them higher choices for folks involved in sleep knowledge .

If you wish to observe GPS whereas operating, Apple Watch and most Fitbit merchandise provide built-in GPS (besides the Fitbit Luxe and Encourage 3). Pixel Watch 2 and Collection 9 additionally provide coronary heart charge zone coaching, so that you might be notified if you change your coronary heart charge zone throughout train, one thing you do not get with different Fitbit merchandise.

Whereas Fitbit presents some fairly cool well being monitoring insights — together with pores and skin temperature, coronary heart charge variability, and oxygen saturation — none of those are measured with the Google Pixel Watch 2 except you put on it in a single day. Additionally, Apple Watch helps all of those measurements (besides Blood oxygen operate has been deleted), no have to put on the watch all night time.

Winner: Tie

Good watch features

For those who’re in search of the most effective smartwatch between Apple Watch and Fitbit, the reply is evident: select one which’s suitable together with your telephone. General, Apple does have the higher smartwatch, however when you’re not an iPhone person, that does not matter.

For those who’re an Android person, the Pixel Watch 2 actually stands out from different Fitbit smartwatches. It is trendy, straightforward to make use of, and filled with helpful apps and options – together with Google Assistant, Security Verify, and the Google Play Retailer – making it a extra succesful smartwatch than Fitbit’s different fashions. Is it the most effective Android smartwatch in the marketplace? It is exhausting to say, particularly since Samsung Galaxy 6 has a reasonably good repute, however what Google does subsequent with Fitbit is price watching.

Nonetheless, in case you are an iPhone person, follow the Apple Watch as an alternative of the Fitbit smartwatch. Technically, Fitbit’s different smartwatches – the Versa 4 and Sense 2 – are suitable with Android and iOS, however some options (like smartphone notifications) solely work with Android telephones… and it is exhausting to beat Apple’s smartwatch expertise .

Winner: Apple Watch

Battery Life

On the subject of battery life, Fitbit comes out on prime. The Apple Watch Collection 9 does have a battery lifetime of 18 hours (36 hours in low-power mode), however the Google Pixel Watch 2 has barely higher battery life, with a claimed battery lifetime of 24 hours. Different Fitbit merchandise are much more spectacular. The Versa 4 and Sense 2 have a battery lifetime of greater than six days. The Fitbit Luxe has a battery life of 5 days. The Cost 6 has a battery lifetime of seven days. The Fitbit Luxe has a battery lifetime of greater than six days. The battery life is as much as 10 days.

Winner: Fitbit

Sturdiness and longevity

For those who’re in search of a health tracker that may deal with all types of damage and tear, the Apple Watch and Fitbit are each fairly strong choices. All Fitbit merchandise are waterproof to 50 meters, with the Pixel Watch 2 rated to five ATM (as much as 50 meters) and in addition IP68 dust- and waterproof. The Apple Watch can also be waterproof to 50 meters, with the Collection 9 having an extra IP6X10 dust-resistant ranking (the SE doesn’t), whereas the Extremely 2 is even higher, with 100 meters of water resistance, an IP6X dust-resistant ranking, and an extra EN13319 Leisure scuba diving is rated as much as 40 meters.

When it comes to longevity, it is troublesome to make a direct comparability between manufacturers as a result of number of choices obtainable. Some Reddit person mentioned their Fitbit trackers usually final round two years, whereas different Reddit customers Report Their Apple Watches sometimes final 4 to 6 years. That is pretty in keeping with my expertise, as I have been utilizing a Collection 4 Apple Watch since January 2019 with none points. Will the Google Pixel Watch 2 final this lengthy? It is too early to inform.

Winner: Apple Watch

Smartphone compatibility

Chances are you’ll be questioning “Is the Fitbit suitable with the iPhone?” Truthfully, it relies upon.

The Fitbit app is suitable with hottest smartphones, together with iOS and Android gadgets, and excluding the Google Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2, all Fitbit merchandise are technically suitable with the iPhone. Fitbit’s different smartwatches (Versa 4 and Sense 2) are Technically Appropriate with iPhone, however doesn’t embody many further options similar to smartphone notifications.

That being mentioned, the best choice for you is dependent upon your telephone. For those who use an iPhone, follow an Apple Watch or considered one of Fitbit’s exercise trackers. For those who use an Android machine, you should use any of Fitbit’s merchandise, which technically makes Fitbit the winner on this class.

Winner: Fitbit

value vary

Fitbit’s wider product vary means it additionally has a greater value vary. In case you are on a finances, then Fitbit is your best option for you. Its exercise trackers are less expensive than smartwatches, with the Encourage 3 beginning at $99 and its hottest tracker, the Cost 6, promoting for $159.

Nonetheless, when you’re in search of a smartwatch, costs are extra comparable between manufacturers. The Google Pixel Watch 2 begins at $349, which is barely cheaper than the Apple Watch Collection 9 (beginning at $399) and barely dearer than the Apple Watch SE (beginning at $249).

Sure, Fitbit technically has extra smartwatches to select from — the Versa 4 ($199) and Sense 2 ($249) — however contemplating their lack of an app retailer, placing them subsequent to the Versa 4 It does really feel misplaced on the identical degree.

Winner: Fitbit

Different options

Whereas I get pleasure from utilizing Fitbit merchandise, there aren’t many standout options that make me favor one over the opposite. The Pixel Watch 2 is a strong smartwatch, as is the Collection 9, so once more, it actually is dependent upon which telephone you utilize.

So far as exercise trackers go, Fitbit is lacking a semi-critical function, not less than for health fans: Most of its lineup, excluding the Cost 6, is not suitable with train gadgets. machine. On the similar time, that is a necessary function of Apple Watches—even my outdated Collection 4 can use NFC to hook up with suitable gear on the health club—which makes it all of the extra shocking that Fitbit skipped the function.

Is that this a deal breaker? May not be for most individuals, however it’s a function I actually get pleasure from utilizing on my Apple Watch, so it feels bizarre not having it.

Winner: Apple Watch

judgment

It isn’t the flashiest reply, however the clear winner between Apple Watch and Fitbit is as much as you. For those who’re in search of a easy health tracker, the most effective Fitbit watch could be the Cost 6. With extra options, nice battery life and a strong price ticket.

For those who’re extra involved in a very good smartwatch, then get one that matches your telephone. The Apple Watch is a superb alternative that is each sensible and sturdy, however the Google Pixel Watch 2 is shaping as much as be a good competitor.