In-depth written and video review of the Samsung Gear Fit 2 smartwatch which is Samsung's fitness smartwatch. See what we like and don't like.
Above is a nice shot of this fitness smartwatch.
Below you can jump to different parts of the review.
Contents
What to Consider Before Buying a Samsung Gear Fit2
There’s a new breed of smartwatches in town. It’s something of a combination between a smartwatch and a fitness tracker.
Of course, this isn’t a new idea. In fact, even the first-generation Apple Watch featured fitness tracking technologies in the form of Apple Health.
Yet several companies have taken the idea to the next level. One of them is Samsung.
The original Samsung Gear Fit was a fitness tracker through and through. It had very few features outside of those designed for fitness.
Released shortly after was the Samsung Gear S2. A stylish and effective smartwatch, it was designed to be just that – a smartwatch. Very few fitness features were present.
The Samsung Gear Fit2 is a combination of both (plus a little extra). It has everything you need in a smartwatch plus everything you need in a fitness tracker.
This makes it an excellent choice for fitness buffs that also want a smartwatch. Use the Gear Fit2 to log your morning run then continue wearing it for the rest of the day to receive calls, text, and email notifications.
For a smartwatch that doubles as a fitness tracker, there’s no denying that the Gear Fit2 is attractive. Yet it’s definitely still sporty looking.
If you want to make a fashion statement with your smartwatch, there are plenty of options that are better than the Gear Fit2.
My other smartwatch reviews will give you a better idea of Gear Fit2 alternatives if you put fashion first.
Presenting the Product
The Samsung Gear Fit2 is one of several new smartwatches that don’t fit into the traditional mold.
They’re a part smartwatch, part fitness tracker, rather than one or the other. Though the competition in this category is intense, the Samsung Gear Fit2 comes out near the top.
It’s impossible to say if it’s the best of the best, as that depends on your personal preferences, but it is clear this is currently Samsung’s most powerful smartwatch.
At under $200 ($179 MSRP), the Gear Fit2 is certainly one of the most affordable of this new breed of smartwatch/fitness tracker. Yet despite the low price, it doesn’t sacrifice anything in terms of quality.
So just how good is the Samsung Gear Fit2? Like I said earlier, it depends on your needs and preferences, though it’s certainly a good choice for those that prefer a sporty-looking fitness tracker with effective smartwatch features.
Video Review
Video is probably the best way to check out a product like this.
Samsung Gear Fit2 Pros
- Affordable price
- Durable, sporty, slim design
- Intuitive software
- Includes heart rate monitor
- Built-in GPS
Samsung GearFit2 Cons
- Not waterproof (no swimming or showering)
- Lackluster battery life
- Limited text reply capabilities
We also had our videographer and photographer weigh in on their opinion given they used this watch quite a bit making the video and taking photos. Plus, they’re very familiar with all smartwatches since they make the videos. Here are their thoughts:
Videographer’s Pros
- Stylish and Comfortable design;
- Can change out the straps;
- Built-in GPS;
- Decent quality screen;
- Fairly accurate tracking; and
- Can sync music from the phone.
Videographers’ Cons
- Short battery life compared to similar-sized smartwatches. Example: Fitbit Charge 2 lasts 2-3 days longer;
- Loading up apps or widgets can be a bit spotty (a little slower);
- All connections are wireless, would have loved to see a USB cord to connect to your pc or mac; and
- So you can load music onto it.
Features & Benefits
Design/Display
Here’s a photo gallery:
The Samsung Gear Fit2 isn’t as elegant or stylish as some smartwatches, but it does look beautiful in its own sporty way.
In fact, it’s one of the best-looking smartwatches that also doubles as a fitness tracker. All too often fitness smartwatches put looks as an afterthought.
The most notable aspect of the Gear Fit2’s design is its large screen. It perfectly complements the textured strap and smooth curves.
The 1.5-inch full-color curved screen boasts an impressive 432×216 pixel resolution. It’s bright, clear, crisp, and incredibly easy to navigate.
Another highlight of the screen is its Gorilla Glass 3 construction. I’m prone to banging my smartwatch around (and even dropping it when taking it on/off), so it’s scratch and crack proof design is a bigtime plus in my book.
The rugged elastomer strap ensures the smartwatch stays locked to your wrist. The textured strap ensures comfort. It looks pretty cool too.
A single button clasp makes it easy to take the smartwatch on and off. This hassle-free design is much appreciated compared to the relatively difficult to fasten band on most Fitbits.
Also noteworthy is that the Gear Fit2 comes in two sizes. There’s a small size with a band that accommodates wrists between 125-170mm and a large size that accommodates wrists between 155-210mm.
The only difference, other than strap size, between the two sizes, is the weight. The large size is a few grams heavier (30 grams compared to 28 grams).
Performance
The Samsung Gear Fit2 does what it’s designed to do – and does this very well. It stacks up very well against similarly-priced smartwatches.
The Gear Fit2 was initially only compatible with Android Wear and Android devices. The smartwatch is now also compatible with iOS and iPhones. It works smoothly with either.
Take a look inside this particular device and you’ll find a 1GHz dual-core processor. This is backed up by 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage.
The Gear Fit2 boasts high speeds with little loading time, no matter the particular application or feature you’re using. The vertical interface makes things easier to read and also greatly improves the flow of navigation (especially on the go).
The big disappointment of the Gear Fit2 related to performance is its water resistance. It’s not water-proof and shouldn’t be used while swimming or showering.
Key Features
Turn this baby on and you’re greeted with a simple interface. In addition to on-screen touch-buttons, there are two buttons on the side of the watch. These buttons make navigating the home screen and various apps even easier.
The music player is another basic smartwatch feature that excels on the Gear Fit2. You can download music directly onto the device or sync it to the device with Bluetooth from the Spotify app on your phone.
It might seem like a hassle to sync Spotify from your phone to the device, but it’s well worth it, in my opinion. Put your smartphone in your pocket when you go for a run and skip songs, shuffle, access playlists, and more from your smartwatch.
The American Council on Exercise states you can boost your performance by listening to music while exercising. Yet another benefit of the Gear Fit2!
What about using the device as a basic smartwatch?
Accessing texts, calls, emails, apps, and your calendar are a cinch with the simple navigation interface. You can tailor notification settings so you only receive notifications that are important (others go to your smartphone).
Other than basic apps, you don’t have the option to download many others. This is largely due to the fact that Fit2 is a new device. There should be more available soon.
Alright, let’s get down to business and talk fitness, as fitness is crucial to the Samsung Gear Fit2.
The smartwatch utilizes a built-in GPS, a heart rate monitor, gyroscope, barometer, and accelerometer to track your activity. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have an altimeter.
Something I liked about the Gear Fit2 fitness tracker is its automatic detection. It automatically detects movement and starts tracking your activity. This is ideal to track how much you walk in a day or how many stairs you climb, for instance.
You can also manually engage the activity tracker for actual workouts, such as running. You can select from a variety of goals (such as target pace or duration) to boost your performance.
Fitness and activity tracking were very accurate. Heart rate, on the other hand, not so accurate. It can help give a good baseline but don’t trust the heart rate monitor completely.
The Samsung Gear Fit2 also detects when you’re sleeping. Though it’s accurate, even for naps, Sleep.org states that smartwatch fitness trackers aren’t a substitute for a doctor if you’re struggling with a sleep disorder.
Battery Life
The Gear Fit2 comes with a 200 mAh battery. According to Samsung, it should last between 3 to 4 days on a single charge.
That claim is far-fetched in my opinion. Even using the smartwatch on an average brightness, limiting GPS and music playing to an hour of exercise per day, I only got about 2 days most on a single charge.
Fortunately, charging the Gear Fit2 isn’t difficult. It comes with both a cradle and a charger. A full charge takes one hour.
Social Proof
The majority of online reviews by users of the Samsung Gear Fit2 are positive.
The smartwatch is praised for its good looks, rugged design, ease of navigation, and its fitness tracking capabilities.
One user said, “Stylish, innovative, and tons of features.”
Another user said, “A truly great, affordable fitness watch that ticks all the marks.”
Complaints were few and far between but were generally focused on the low battery life and lack of waterproofing.
Alternatives
Fitbit Blaze
The Fitbit Blaze is another fitness-oriented smartwatch.
It’s very stylish and comes with all the normal features you demand from a smartwatch (such as Internet browsing, notifications, and calendar). It also has multiple fitness features, including activity tracking and a heart rate monitor.
Fitbit Blaze vs Samsung Gear Fit2
- Comparable prices
- Different styles (Blaze is stylish, Fit2 is sporty)
- The Blaze doesn’t have built-in GPS
- The Blaze has the most accurate heart rate monitor on a smartwatch
- Can’t make/receive calls on the Blaze
The Blaze is a good choice for those that want a less sporty-looking fitness smartwatch with similar features. Check out my Fitbit Blaze review for more details.
Polar M600
The Polar M600 is difficult to beat when it comes to a smartwatch dedicated to fitness.
It features my favorite fitness tracking app in Polar Flow. It also has a built-in GPS and an accurate fitness tracker. Of course, it comes with all the normal smartwatch features you need.
Polar M600 vs Samsung Gear Fit2
- M600 is more expensive
- M600 is bulkier
- Both have built-in GPS
- M600 is waterproof (Gear Fit2 isn’t)
- M600 has a rugged silicon band
The M600 is very similar to the Gear Fit2. The main difference is its rugged design (plus waterproofing) and dedicated fitness app. If you’re willing to spend a few hundred dollars more, it’s an excellent choice.
Apple Watch S2
If you’re a long-time fan of Apple products, then you’ll feel right at home with the Apple Watch S2.
It has a similar layout to other Apple products, especially the navigational interface. It also comes with Siri. While it excels as a basic smartwatch, it’s a little lackluster on special features.
Apple Watch S2 vs Samsung GearFit2
- Apple Watch is more expensive
- Apple Watch is less stylish
- Siri is a nice feature on Apple Watch
- Apple Watch uses the intuitive Apple Health for fitness
- Apple Watch has limited fitness features
The Apple Watch S2 is a good choice for those familiar with Apple products. Those that want something fine-tuned for fitness, on the other hand, should avoid it. Read my Apple Watch S2 review for more information.
