Samsung hopes to obtain more attention in the smartwatch market with its new Galaxy Watch 3. Both smartwatches are similar based on the specs, with only a few differences. But in terms of how they work, design, and their perspective audiences, they are somewhat different.
Fitbit focuses on health and wellness, so Versa 2 is a great companion for playing sports, working out, and keeping track of your daily activity. However, both the Versa 2 and Galaxy Watch 3 offer fitness tracking. Track exercise and specific sports and heart rate and sleep, which contribute to overall health and well-being.
The Fitbit Versa 2 tracks various sports and exercises, from treadmills to cycling and swimming, and even offers on-screen coaching with workouts to choose from. There is also a pulse oximeter to track blood oxygen saturation. A few are free, but others are available for a fee with a Fitbit Premium subscription.
The Galaxy Watch also comes with a slew of fitness programs. The Galaxy Watch 3 stands out for fitness because it can pair with a compatible TV to show workouts on the big screen. Fitbit can accomplish this via screen mirroring from the app, but the process is more intuitive with the Galaxy Watch 3. It tracks specific activities, adds automatic activity detection and real-time detailed running analysis, and a pulse oximeter for some of them.
At some point, Galaxy Watch 3 has an ECG measurement and blood pressure monitor, but those features are only available in South Korea for now. Unfortunately, Fitbit doesn't track with the Versa 2 either. On-board GPS is another benefit with the Watch 3: You can go for a run and leave your phone at home while keeping track of the route.
It combines the fitness features in a design that rivals a standard wristwatch you can wear every day. It has all the smartwatch and fitness tracker features, including detailed LTE connectivity, sleep tracking, and fall detection. It is a solid watch option worth considering, even if it's an old model.
+ Stylish wristwatch design
+ Built-in GPS
+ Pairs with TV for workouts
+ LTE option
+ Two size options are available
- More smartwatch than fitness
- Short battery life
- Expensive
Fitbit is the leader in the smartwatch and fitness tracker for a good reason. Tools like the Versa 2 are versatile, can track about anything, and connect to a vast community of users who can help to inspire you. The Versa 2 is an old model but for a good deal.
+ Detailed sleep tracking
+ Great battery life
+ More affordable
+ Good size and design options
+ On-screen coaching
- Notifications sometimes finicky
- No built-in GPS
Fitbit wins due to its large community of users who communicate in competitions and daily goals when it comes to users. Can follow detailed guided programs, various daily challenges, and even mindfulness activities, all accessible through the app.
So, this is a huge factor when choosing a smartwatch. Both devices have storage for music, but the Galaxy Watch 3 has more, allowing the store tons of playlists, podcasts, and more. With the LTE connectivity option, you can even leave your phone at home or in a gym locker and stream music services like Spotify, which will reportedly come pre-loaded.
The Fitbit Versa 2 has little music storage, and it's a complicated process to view music at first. You can stream from Spotify, Deezer but music playback isn't this watch's strong suit.
These 2 watches differ mainly in how they look. The Galaxy Watch 3 is designed like a standard wristwatch with a round face, slim band, and sleek design. In contrast, the Versa 2 is like a smartwatch with a square face, side buttons, and various band choices.
The Watch 3 comes in Mystic Silver and Mystic Black for the 45mm version and Mystic Bronze or Mystic Silver for the 41mm. The Versa 2 comes in 7 colors, from Black and Carbon Aluminum to Petal and Copper Rose Aluminum, and a special edition in Smoke Wave and Mist Gray Aluminum. The Versa 2 has a button on the left for navigating menus, but everything else is done via the large touchscreen. It has a physical rotating bezel.
Both watches customize the look with different clock faces. Like the band, the Versa 2 has a range of watch face options, from analog to digital, fun, and quirky.
Samsung also has neat watch faces, including the ability to cycle through different ones throughout the day and live animation. Also, Samsung found another way to make the Galaxy Watch 3 stand out: If you go out at night, take a picture of your clothes, and the watch will create a background that matches the colors and patterns of your outfit.
You can access apps with both devices, though Fitbit's app ecosystem lacks compared to Samsung's. The Versa 2 adds Alexa voice control; you can receive text-based responses on-screen or use it to control compatible smart home devices.
The factor for some is battery life. While the Watch 3 lasts up to a day for the 41mm version or 2 days for the 45mm option, the Versa 2 has 6+ days battery life. That is, you've to charge only once or twice a week.
The Watch 3 works Wireless PowerShare, recharging it by drawing power from a compatible smartphone without worrying about a proprietary charger and charging cord. Still, it's challenging to compete with the Versa 2's great battery life. Both have the same waterproof rating of about 50 meters, which is safe to use in water.
The Watch 3 has some notable features that make it worth choosing instead, even if you don't care about the looks. Fall detection is a helpful factor for the elderly or those with mobility issues. Some features make it easy, from built-in GPS to LTE connectivity and up to 32GB storage. However, the Versa 2's superior battery life, large community users, on-screen workouts, customizable watch, and access to apps still make it a winner. Both have the latest versions that rank among the best Android smartwatches.
Lowanna Smith arrived on the cyber security scene in the early 2000s when virus and malware were still new and slowly evolving. Her longtime affair with writing with an interest in the cybersecurity industry, combined with her IT degree, has contributed to experience several aspects of security suite industry such as blogging at Mcafee.com/activate or Mcafee.com/activate
