Whether you own a smartwatch or not, you can’t run away from the fact these gadgets are both trendy and functional. They allow you to track your fitness and activity while also receiving notifications from your smartphone. What’s more, they’re appealingly hi-tech. Yet, with so many different smartwatch brands to choose from, picking the right one can be a real uphill task. For many consumers, it all comes down to the Fitbit vs Samsung Watch. But which is the better smartwatch overall? Let’s break things down to find which of the two is best.
Fitbit vs Samsung Watch: Side-by-Side Comparison
Fitbit | Samsung Watch | |
---|---|---|
Developer | Fitbit, Inc. | Samsung Electronics |
First Release | Fitbit Tracker (2009) | Samsung Galaxy Watch (2018) |
Units Sold Annually | 9.2 million (2022) | 14 million units (2022) |
Display Type(s) | Digital | Digital |
Paired Device(s) | iOS, Android, Windows | Android |
Latest Release(s) | Charge 6 Pixel Watch 2 Versa 4 Sense 2 | Galaxy Watch 6 Galaxy Watch 6 Classic Galaxy Watch 5 Pro Galaxy Watch 4 |
Fitbit vs Samsung Watch: Key Differences
Fitbit and the Samsung Watch are obviously from different brands, but there’s more than just a name that sets them apart. In fact, both smartwatches have plenty that sets them apart. Only a full Fitbit and Samsung Watch comparison can put things in perspective. Let’s look at their key differences before highlighting some must-know facts and finishing off with their pros and cons. Let’s dive in.
Compatible Devices
Beyond the differing brand names, compatibility is perhaps the most significant difference between the Fitbit and the Samsung Watch. The Fitbit is compatible with Apple iOS, Android OS, Windows OS, and any other tablet, computer, or laptop with Bluetooth capabilities.
The Samsung Watch, on the other hand, is an Android exclusive. That means that Apple and Windows users will not be able to pair their phones to the Samsung Watch. It’s a major distinction (and one that undoubtedly hobbles the Samsung Watch).
Brand Offerings
Secondly, there’s the total number of smartwatch products to consider from each brand. Since 2009, Fitbit has released anywhere from one to five unique wearable tech products a year. This amounts to over 30 different offerings stretching all across various product types introduced since the brand’s inception.
Samsung, on the other hand, has just 10 Galaxy Watches to its name since first emerging in 2018. (These releases span across the Samsung Watch base model, of which there are eight, and the Samsung Watch Active, of which there are two.) Yet again, another advantage for Fitbit — it offers the Charge, the Pixel Watch, the Versa, the Sense, the Inspire, and the Ace.
Battery Life
When comparing Fitbit and Samsung watches, another one of the major differences between the two is battery life. Some Fitbit models — such as the Fitbit Sense 2 or the Fitbit Versa 4 — can last as long as six days on one charge.
Samsung smartwatches, by comparison, offer just a day or two of use between charges. The difference is enormous. Most Fitbits can last up to three times as long as your typical Samsung Watch. Only the Pixel Watch 2 has a battery life on par with Samsung’s offerings.
Features
Fitbit smartwatches offer heart rate tracking, active minutes, GPS tracking, built-in workout guides, and tracking for total steps taken. They also track distance traveled, total calories burned per day, and various other sleep and health monitoring metrics. Most models also deliver notifications, calling, texting, and touchless payments. Needless to say, they’re both feature-heavy and functional.
Samsung Watch features aren’t too far off from Fitbit’s. From activity tracking to sleep metrics, and fitness goals to virtual workouts, the Samsung Watch and its Active counterpart are both heavy on the features. They also allow for calling, texting, and other notification alerts like the Fitbit. Neither one has a clear advantage over the other here.
The History of Fitbit
Before Fitbit was Fitbit, the company went by a much less snappy name: Healthy Metrics Research, Inc. It was founded in San Francisco in March 2007 by James Park and Eric Friedman — CEO and CTO, respectively. The company later rebranded in October of that year, officially becoming the company we know them as today: Fitbit, Inc.
Just a couple of years later, the newly minted wearable technology brand Fitbit had a product ready to debut. Dubbed the Fitbit Tracker, the device was not a watch (despite what we’ve come to expect from Fitbit today). It was a clip, made to attach right to your clothes. The Fitbit Ultra, Fitbit One, and Fitbit Zip also utilized this clip design.
After five years of perfecting wearable tech in the form of these clips, Fitbit decided to shake things up. Hence, the Fitbit Flex was born. Released in 2013, the Flex was a first-of-its-kind for the brand: an activity tracker also worn on the wrist like a watch. It proved so successful that Fitbit completely abandoned clips and focused on these wearable smartwatches instead.
The watch was meant to be paired with Fitbit’s website or mobile app. This online integration allows Fitbit trackers to sync up with devices via Bluetooth. Through the website or app, Fitbit wearers can also log their meals, workouts, and progress. Additionally, the Fitbit app has a community page where wearers can compare and compete with friends.
The Rise of the Samsung Watch
Looking at the Fitbit vs Samsung Watch, the former has almost a decade of time on the market over the latter. Though the Samsung Watch — also known as the Galaxy Watch — may have been late to the party, it didn’t take long for it to make its presence known after its launch in 2018.
Like the immensely popular Apple Watch, the first-generation Samsung Watch came in two distinct sizes: 42mm and 46mm. Equipped with a touchscreen, the product brought many of Fitbit’s features to the Samsung product line.
Despite being an Android exclusive, the Samsung Watch still leaned hard into being a Fitbit competitor. This competitive push arrived alongside the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active, an activity tracker-focused smartwatch that hit shelves in March 2019.
While smaller than the first-gen base model Samsung Watch — coming in at just 40mm — the Samsung Watch Active was nevertheless packed to the gills with important activity and health monitoring features. A quickly upgraded model, the Active2, was available later that same year.
Today, the Samsung Watch lineup includes the Galaxy Watch 6, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, and the Galaxy Watch 4. The Watch 6 and 6 Classic were released in July 2023, less than a year after the 5 and the 5 Pro in August 2022.
Fitbit vs Samsung Watch: Pros and Cons
With a better understanding of the key differences and respective histories of Fitbit vs Samsung Watch, let’s weigh their pros and cons below. After this, we should be able to tell which fitness-focused smartwatch has the upper hand.
Fitbit
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Fits comfortably on the wrist | Recently bought out by Google, which raises privacy concerns |
Delivers essential fitness tracking and health monitoring features | Fitbit has been known to sell user data to third parties in the past |
Many different models for all different price ranges | Not all Fitbits offer calling or texting capabilities |
Compatible with any smartphone brand | Some models have very small screens |
Samsung
Cons | Pros |
---|---|
Offers similar features to the Fitbit in a convenient Samsung device | Exclusive to Android devices, shutting out Apple and Windows users |
High-tech design and features | Not nearly as sleek or as functional as the Apple Watch or the Fitbit |
Very good battery life | Limited product offerings |
Rotating bezel in addition to touch screen | Much pricier than most Fitbit models |
Fitbit vs Samsung Watch: Which Smartwatch Is Best?
So: In the battle between Fitbit vs Samsung Watch, who’s the big winner? It feels safe to say Fitbit comes out on top over the Samsung Watch in nearly every way. Fitbit sells more watches, is compatible with more devices, and has more products currently on shelves. While the Samsung Watch does offer calling and texting (which not every Fitbit can do), the Fitbit offers more intelligent fitness and activity features overall. Also, the Samsung Watch is restricted to Android phones while Fitbit is open to every smartphone OS. There’s really no question why Fitbit comes out ahead.
- All-day stress detection
- Shows workout intensity map
- Designed for all-day wear
- Includes a 6-month Premium membership
Fitbit’s Sense 2 comes with next-level heart rate monitoring and sleep tracking features to provide one of the most comprehensive health overviews in the smartwatch industry. It also comes with built-in GPS tracking so you can stay informed of your daily steps as well as your workout route. it’s perfect for both indoor and outdoor activities alike, complete with a user-friendly interface and a super-long battery life.
- Bluetooth model
- Syncs with your other Galaxy devices
- Workout tracker can track over 90 exercises
- Always on heart monitor
- Track your sleep stages with Advanced Sleep Coaching
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6 is the latest and greatest smartwatch offering from the brand. With its personalized watch face and vibrant display, it comes across as both fashionable and functional. It offers the advanced health monitoring features you’re looking for — including blood oxygen and stress level tracking — alongside seamless integration with Android smartphones. Plus, its rotating bezel allows you to navigate the interface with a unique hands-on approach.