Review: If Fitness Is a Priority, Give Samsung Gear Fit 2 a Shot

Samsung’s second version of the Fit wearable comes with a slew of features and doesn’t cost a bomb.

The Samsung Gear Fit 2 fitness wearable. (Photo: The Quint)

Samsung has given its all to come up with a wearable fitness product that fits our lifestyle. The company's Gear Fit series and Gear S are some devices it has tried to create in the mould of the FitBit or the JawBone, but those were met with mixed reviews.

This year we’re getting the Gear Fit 2, which Samsung promises will find its feet in a market that still excites the industry's best (case in point: Apple). Priced upwards of Rs 13,000, does the Gear Fit 2 offer anything beyond what we have been taught to expect?

Music player available on the Gear Fit 2. (Photo: The Quint)

Pros:

• Compact design
• Comfortable to wear
• Heart rate sensor
• Works with Android & iOS
  

Cons:

• Battery life could have been better
• App-to-Fit 2 sync not consistent
• Many features limited to Samsung devices
  
• Priced on the higher side

Gear Fit 2 comes with 4GB built-in storage. (Photo: The Quint)

What’s Good?

Xiaomi's Mi Band is a hit because people are willing to spend up to 2K on a fitness device. So, for the Gear Fit 2 to be in the reckoning, there needs to be a good reason for the consumer to shell out.

And fortunately, the device leaves us impressed with its overall value as a fitness companion. The addition of heart rate sensor is a definite bonus here. In addition to this, you can monitor day-to-day water intake and track the amount of sleep you’re getting.

There’s a heart-rate sensor on the Gear Fit 2. (Photo: The Quint)

This, along with the call/message/mail notification always comes in handy for people who tend to leave their phone on the desk and walk around (guilty as charged). The Gear Fit 2’s features, as well as its overall design makes it ergonomically suited to Indian hands. You can even wear it while asleep, without feeling uncomfortable.

The brightness of the OLED display is Samsung's forte; you'll never have issues taking a peek at your Gear Fit 2, regardless of whether you are inside or outdoors.

The design and make of Gear Fit 2 makes it easy to wear for long duration. (Photo: The Quint)

What we also like about the Gear Fit 2 is the bundled charger. Modelled around the Moto 360 unit, all you need to do is place the Gear Fit 2 on the module sideways and it’ll be juiced up in a jiffy. You can fully charge the Gear Fit 2 in less than 45 minutes.

The device works with both Android and iOS devices.

What’s Bad?

The quick charging with the Gear Fit 2 is a must, especially with its not-so-great battery life. While it's not as bad as other devices in the segment, for fitness gear, we would like a week’s battery life at the very least.

Also, many features of Gear Fit 2 are limited to users with a Galaxy phone. Samsung could have easily extended those to other Android devices at least, which could have made the Gear Fit 2 a popular choice.

Gear Fit 2 can be charged with this bundled port. (Photo: The Quint)

And finally, the Samsung Gear app should have been the one-stop hub for all the features supported by the Gear Fit 2. Instead, you are asked to download multiple apps on your phone to get the best out of the device. The last thing one needs on their phone is more apps.

The app is inconsistent; the device lost its sync with the app numerous times during our time with the device.

Why Buy It?

Samsung Gear Fit 2 is a capable fitness band that works with Android as well as iOS. For 13,499, you are getting a device that can be your fitness companion, as well as a handy phone extension. The price might not be suited to everyone’s budget, so make sure you want it before you splurge on this device.

Gear Fit 2 works in tandem with the Samsung Gear Manager and S Health app. (Photo: The Quint)

Having said that, the hardware's prowess is let down by an app that needs fine tuning. It won't last you a week or 20 days, but with quick charging, the Gear Fit 2 will always be at your service. Worth the try, but only for users who’ve got fitness at the top of their priority list.