Apple Watch SE 2 and Fitbit Sense 2 are compelling smartwatch choices. Both watches are the latest releases from Apple and Fitbit respectively. When does a Fitbit Sense 2 make more sense than an Apple Watch SE 2? Let us evaluate based on the technical parameters of both watches.
Why is Fitbit Sense 2 better than the Apple Watch SE 2?
Fitbit Sense 2 is priced at $299.99. But, it is loaded with features. Especially, the health tracking features of Fitbit Sense 2 are a league ahead of the Apple Watch SE 2.
For a start, Fitbit Sense 2 can work with Android and iOS devices. So, you can use an Android phone or an iPhone to pair the Sense 2 smartwatch. Sense 2 is compatible with Android version 8 or higher devices. Sense 2 is compatible with iOS 14 or higher devices.
One of the primary things going for Sense 2 is the ‘Always on Display‘ or the AOD with a display resolution of 336 x 336 pixels. Apple Watch SE 2 does not have the ‘Always on Display’ feature.
The battery life of Fitbit Sense 2 is 6 days. The watch comes with fast charging capability. Full charging from zero percent to full levels takes about 2 hours. You get a day’s worth of charge backup with 10 minutes of fast charging. Compared to the Sense 2, the battery life of an Apple Watch SE 2 is 18 hours only.
The biggest differentiators between Fitbit Sense 2 and Apple Watch SE 2 are the heart and health tracking features. Sense 2 has an optical heart sensor for continuous tracking of heart beat. Additionally, it has an electrical sensor that helps in taking on-demand ECG readings.
The electrical sensor also helps in detecting AFib or Atrial Fibrillation instances. Apple Watch SE 2 does have a third-generation optical heart sensor. But, Apple Watch SE 2 lacks the electrical sensor that can help in taking on-demand ECG readings.
One of the best advancements from Sense to Sense 2 is the addition of speaker and microphone on the Fitbit Sense 2. Yes, a speaker and microphone of the watch brings in so many benefits for the wearer. The biggest benefit is the ability to answer calls right off your wrist.
Over and above the health tracking and sleep tracking, skin-based temperature readings are possible with a Sense 2 smartwatch. Blood oxygen levels are tracked through the ‘Red and Infrared Sensors’.
The bottom line is that the Fitbit Sense 2 makes a strong case for itself over the Apple Watch SE 2 for the following summarized reasons:
- Support for iOS and Android
- ECG capability
- Blood Oxygen level or SpO2 tracking
- Always on Display
- Better battery life
Why is Apple Watch SE 2 better than the Fitbit Sense 2?
Apple Watch SE 2 has its own rich set of features that make for a compelling case over the Fitbit Sense 2.
Apple Watch SE 2 (2022 version) contains a fast 64 bit S8 chip that brings in over 20 percent performance gains over the preceding Apple Watch SE (2021 version). The watch is priced at $249 and is, probably, one of the most cost-friendly watches manufactured by Apple.
The biggest positive of an Apple Watch SE 2 over the Sense 2 has to be the appearance and the extensive range of watch bands. Apple Watch SE 2 follows a thin bezel architecture. Therefore, the screen size is relatively larger than the screen size of Fitbit Sense 2. Apple Watch SE 2 comes in 40 mm and 44 mm variants.
Apple Watch SE 2 has a better display resolution too. The 40 mm variant has a display resolution of 324 x 394 pixels and the 44 mm variant has a display resolution of 368 x 448 pixels. This compares well with Fitbit Sense 2’s display resolution of 336 x 336 pixels.
Apple Watch SE 2 is thinner at 10.7 mm thickness and Fitbit Sense 2 has a thickness of 12.35 mm.
Another significant aspect of Apple Watch SE 2 is the ‘fall detection’ feature. Upon detecting a hard fall of the wearer, an Apple Watch SE 2 seeks to get a response from the wearer. If the watch does not get a response from the watch owner, it will alert the designated emergency contacts of the device owner.
The fall notification is sent to the pre-defined emergency contacts. Additionally, the watch can call the emergency services (in supported countries) for assistance.
Similar to the fall detection algorithm, Apple Watch SE 2 has introduced a new ‘Crash Detection‘ feature on the watch. The ‘Crash Detection’ feature uses the in-built accelerometer to detect a car crash.
Upon detecting a car crash, the Apple Watch SE 2 will try to seek a response from the watch owner. If it does not get a response from the watch owner within time, the watch will send in a crash notification to the designated emergency contacts. It can even call the emergency services for assistance.
Fall detection and Crash detection are life saving features on the Apple Watch SE 2. Fitbit Sense 2 does not have either of these two features on the watch.
Apple Watch SE 2 is flexible when it comes to network connectivity. You could choose a GPS variant or a GPS + Cellular variant. The GPS + Cellular variant can connect to the network provider directly from the Apple Watch SE 2 watch. This implies that you do not need to carry your phone at all times because the cellular connectivity of the watch will keep you connected to the telco provider.
Finally, an Apple Watch SE 2 has a device storage of 32 GB. The internal storage helps in storing personal audio content and downloading additional apps on the watch. In comparison, the Fitbit Sense 2 does not provide a clue about internal storage on the watch.
In our analysis, we find that Apple Watch SE 2 would be a better choice for the following reasons:
- Flawless connectivity with iPhone
- Better screen resolution than Sense 2
- Bigger screen than Sense 2
- Very agile touch panel performance
- Fall detection
- Crash detection
- Cellular variant for direct network connectivity
- Extensive range of watch bands
We hope that the comparison above helps you in taking the right decision about your next smartwatch.
In the meanwhile, you may like to read additional content related to the latest smartwatches below:
Helen Kurt is a geeky nerd who loves to cover the wearables space. She has over 5 years of experience in the smartwatch domain. You can reach her on email at [email protected].