The Samsung Galaxy Fit2 fits a unique space in the world of smartwatches and fitness trackers. While smart features and deep metrics are somewhat limited, this $60 device offers the ability to automatically start and track a variety of workouts and stay connected with message notifications (and replies with Android phones) and calendar reminders. This featherweight wearable does that while offering what few competing and costlier wearables from big brands like Fitbit and Garmin can: easy around-the-clock wearability and usability without paying an arm and a leg. If you’re looking for a simple tracker that won’t break the bank or overwhelm you with too many options, the Fit2 is a great choice.
Design: Slim and streamlined
Like the prior model, the band of this bracelet-style wearable is ultra-slim to match the 1.1-inch 126x294 full-color AMOLED display that received a welcome upgrade: the display is longer by 6 inches and features a higher resolution. These improvements make the screen brighter and more intuitive overall. There’s a faint button outline on the bottom front of the screen that makes navigating home or turning on the display very easy and straightforward. You don’t have to worry about fumbling around, mishaps, touch delays, or confusion between swipes and taps, which was an issue I experienced with the first-generation Galaxy Fit. Despite the extra screen space, the Fit2 manages to weigh in at 2 grams lighter than the prior model, which makes it even more appealing to fans of the lightweight design of the original. While it comes in just two colors—Scarlet and Black—this is the kind of device that you could get away with wearing all day outside of workouts. Because it’s streamlined enough, it won’t look out of place in most settings—with the exception of very formal occasions.
Comfort: Almost like a second skin
The Samsung Galaxy Fit2 is remarkably softer and more flexible than the original Fit, which makes for easier long-lasting wear. I attribute that comfort to the revamped silicone band that has a softer texture and features a hinging buckle that flexes at the top. This subtle upgrade makes fitting the watch faster and easier because there’s more leeway when securing the pin into the notch and tucking the strap into the loop on the other side of the band. I used the very last and second-to-last notches, and it fit really well on my wrist without any sort of constricted feeling or sliding around if I made an adjustment, which is a problem I face with most fitness and smartwatch bands. While the Fit2 is more comfortable and easier to wear, it has lost some of the durability of the prior model, which was military-rated, though it still has a 5ATM waterproof rating (swimmable up to 50 meters for half an hour). I didn’t do any laps with the Fit2 but handwashing dishes and showering while wearing the watch was a non-issue. Unsurprisingly, the Fit2 was also a breeze to wear and virtually undetectable while sleeping.
Performance: Responsive but off the mark
Without onboard or even connected GPS or any other advanced workout sensors, the Galaxy Fit2 is at a disadvantage compared to more sophisticated wearables. And the results showed in the workout data. While the automatic workout detection support is great to have, I found it inconsistent at times. At one point, the watch detected a strength workout when I wasn’t lifting weights but simply tidying and doing some minor shifting around of objects, though nothing repetitive enough to mirror weight lifting. Walk workouts were detected easily but when compared to the Garmin Venu, the Fit2 under-reported steps by about 200 steps. The discrepancy was larger with running, although launching workouts and automatic pausing and restarting worked like a dream every time and far better than other Garmin watches I’ve used in that respect. Over the course of six 3-mile runs, pace ranged from as little as 30 seconds fast to as much as 2 minutes ahead. Mileage was consistently ahead by anywhere from 0.25 miles to as much as 0.75 miles. Active heart rate was within range by 5BPM, but resting heart rate, which the Fit2 only offers with a manual check, was as high as 40 beats faster. The other tools for tracking sleep (including cycles and hours asleep) and stress levels are helpful but come with shortcomings. The Samsung Health app breaks down sleep data and sums everything up with an efficiency score, but there’s no information about how Samsung calculates this score and what’s a good baseline. The Fit2 also monitors stress levels periodically, but there’s little to do with that information other than to use the onboard breathing exercise widget if you notice your stress levels are elevated. Considering the lack of a dedicated optical heart rate sensor (the Fit2 uses photoplethysmography to track pulse) and just a gyro and accelerometer to work with, it’s no surprise that activity tracking results are off—which is a departure from the Galaxy Fit. This distinction separates the Fit2 as less focused on the details and more useful as a tool for encouragement. Even the reminders to move are considerably gentler than other fitness-oriented wearables and quickly clear after you start moving again rather than putting you through the hurdle of walking a certain number of steps first.
Battery: Long-lasting, though not quite as long as claimed
The Samsung Galaxy Fit2 charged to 100 percent in a little under an hour, but the stellar 15-day battery life I had hoped to experience fell short at just over 7 days of around-the-clock wear/use. A full week is not shabby, but the 15-day potential capacity seems like a bit of a stretch. The only adjustment I made was brightening the screen a few ticks and changing the watch faces (there are over 70), though I didn’t notice any considerable drain after any of these changes. And beyond daily walks and runs, I didn’t really use many of the smart features beyond the first day (message notifications, calendar integration, weather updates, or even controlling media on my smartphone). Getting through a week is still impressive, but I’d caution against counting on a 2-week battery life with around-the-clock use. Maybe very little interaction and no workouts could make the stretch, but that seems to defeat the purpose. All things considered, that’s still slightly more advanced than the prior model (but not by much). And the speedy charging time of just under an hour is hugely convenient regardless of how long the battery stretches.
Software: Two apps but not double the fun
Like the Galaxy Fit, the Galaxy Fit2 works on FreeRTOS. This lightweight open-source platform doesn’t introduce a bunch of apps like you’ll find in more robust smartwatches. The reliance on FreeRTOS means you won’t have the same features other Samsung smartwatches offer such as Samsung Pay or music storage. If you have your smartphone with you, you can control the volume of your music and play/pause and advance through playlists. Otherwise, everything is widget-based and there’s a very limited selection that you can either choose to see or not to see. There’s a clean simplicity to the OS as a result and a limited amount of options, which means that this isn’t an overwhelming device for a smartwatch newbie. One notable widget add-on for this model is the handwashing counter, though the logistics of actually starting the counter when lathering up is slightly awkward. The one issue that muddies the simple experience of using this wearable is the companion app situation. Both the Galaxy Wearable mobile app for Android phones (or the Samsung Galaxy Fit app on iOS) and the Samsung Health apps are required. The former controls aspects like setting up the location for weather alerts, notifications, and changing watch faces, which are plentiful and fun to browse. The latter is the only way to view health and fitness trends. This isn’t a huge issue, but it’s slightly clunky. For iOS users, this also means figuring out which app is the right one for your device—since Samsung has a separate app for pairing other wearables such as the Galaxy Watch Active2.
Price: The ultimate bargain
The Samsung Galaxy Fit2 is a welcome option in the fitness trackers market. At an affordable $60, this price point definitely distinguishes it from competitors from Fitbit, Polar, and Garmin that cost anywhere from $30 to nearly $60 more. The comfort and savings come at the cost of more sophisticated sensors, GPS, and additional smart features. But if basic fitness tracking is what you’re after, the Fit2 is a steal.
Samsung Galaxy Fit2 vs. Fitbit Inspire 2
Just by looking at the Fitbit Inspire 2, it’s easy to draw comparisons to the Galaxy Fit2. The Fitbit tracker, which is about $40 pricier, is also streamlined to deliver all-day wearing comfort. Unlike the Fit2, however, the Fitbit inspire 2 is available in both large and small sizes (rather than one standard size), which could appeal to a larger selection of shoppers. Both devices are Android- and iOS-friendly, but the Inspire 2 works with iPhones 5S and later while the Fit2 requires an iPhone 7 or newer. On potential battery life, the Inspire 2 lags slightly at 10 days, but it delivers above and beyond the Fit2 when it comes to sensor technology. The Inspire 2 has an accelerometer and an optical heart rate monitor along with a vibration sensor. You’ll also have access to the signature Fitbit suite of 24/7 fitness-tracking tools and stats in the companion app that the Fit2 cannot compete with. Highlights include workout intensity, 24/7 heart rate, heart rate zones, and more advanced wellness and fitness insights, exercise programs, and encouragement via Fitbit Premium.
Similar Products We’ve Reviewed:
Samsung Galaxy FitSamsung Galaxy Watch Active2 Samsung Gear S3 Frontier
The Samsung Galaxy Fit2 is a pared-down fitness tracker that requires little fuss. The comfortable design, solid battery life, and the lack of bells and whistles will appeal to those who want to focus more on being and staying active than having a smartphone on their wrists.
