3 Things Fitbit’s New Smartwatch Can Do But The Apple Watch Can't

Harin - Aug 31, 2019

In some aspects, the Cupertino-giant may be ahead of its competitor, but then, the $200 Fitbit Versa 2, is ahead of Apple for three important criteria.

By market share, Apple and Fitbit are currently two of the biggest smartwatch manufacturers. And they have been competing for years to come first in terms of bringing to their smartwatches new features.

In some aspects, the Cupertino-giant may be ahead of its competitor, for example, a larger App Store and more unique health-oriented features such as electrocardiogram monitoring. But then, the $200 Fitbit Versa 2, is ahead of Apple for three important criteria.

Always-on display

The new AMOLED screen of the Versa 2 offers an always-on display which is optional. This means the screen will always be on even when it is not activated to display information such as date, time, and battery life. This feature actually helps the Versa 2 become a much more useful wristwatch because you just need to glance down whenever you want to see the time. And you don’t even have to move your wrist or press any button.

On the other hand, with the Apple Watch, you need to raise your wrist, rotate the crown up, or tap the screen when you want to wake the screen. Whenever tapping the screen, you can choose for the display to be on for 15 to 70 seconds.

Multi-day battery life

Fitbit claims that it could take five days for its new smartwatch to run out of battery after a single charge. This means you don’t have to take your charger with you if you are away for the weekend. And compared to the Apple Watch, it is way longer. The Apple Watch usually needs charging after 1.5 to two days.

It remains unclear whether the claims of Fitbit could live up to reality. However, the amount of time was actually quite the same as the first-generation Versa.

But if you opt for the new optional always-on screen feature, it will probably take your watch roughly two days before it needs charging.

Sleep tracking

Basic sleep tracking has long been offered by Fitbit. And with the Versa 2, nothing changes much except for a new feature known up Sleep Score. What this does is that it rates your sleep quality based on different criteria like your heart rate, the time that you’ve been sleeping, and the amount of time you are in light, deep and REM sleep.

Meanwhile, with the Apple Watch, a third-party app is needed if you sleep tracking is what you want. And keep in mind that some of the apps cost money.