In August 2022, Samsung released the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, and in September, Fitbit released the Fitbit Versa 4, Sense 2 and Inspire 3. While the Galaxy Watch 5 succeeds Galaxy Watch 4, Fitbit Sense 2 succeeds the Fitbit Sense. Both watches come with newer features, although, Google has ditched music options for the Sense 2 and Versa 4. In this article, we’ll take a look at the differences between the Galaxy Watch 5 and Sense 2 to help you decide on which is the right watch for you.
In a nutshell, the Galaxy Watch 5 is clearly a better smartwatch than the Sense 2. It has a higher storage capacity with support for multiple music options. It also has more health-tracking features, a better interface, and better ways to manage notifications. The Sense 2 only beats the Galaxy Watch 5 on battery life. Just like other Fitbit fans, I’m disappointed Google removed music options on the Sense 2 and Versa 4 but kept those on the Pixel Watch. It’s clearly misfiring, people will still buy Pixel Watch even if the Sense 2 and Versa 4 have rich music options.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 vs Fitbit Sense 2 – Full Specifications Comparison
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Galaxy Watch 5 vs Sense 2 – Features Discussed
Design
Starting with the design, one would appreciate the improved compactness and portability of both the Sense 2 and Galaxy Watch 5. These are some of the most compact and comfortable to wear smartwatches. You wouldn’t feel any need to remove any of these two even if you decide to wear it all day long. I wear my Versa 3 for days without removing it. The Galaxy Watch 5 is however slimmer than the Sense 2. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch 5 comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes.
Both Sense 2 and Galaxy Watch 5 have an aluminum build paired with silicone bands that are interchangeable, and you get to choose from a variety of colors.
The screen differs, the Galaxy Watch 5 has a premium sapphire glass screen while the Sense 2 has a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 screen. Both screen types are very durable, although the Sapphire glass is highly resistant to scratch.
The Sense 2 is easy to operate with a single physical button and a touch-sensitive screen while the Galaxy Watch 5 is also easy to navigate with 2 physical buttons and a touchscreen display. Fitbit replaced the haptic button with a physical button and on the other hand, the Galaxy Watch 5 has a digital rotating bezel that can be turned off and turned on.
Both watches are rated 5ATM which signifies a 50-meter waterproof rating. In other words, it’s very safe to wear any of these two while swimming.
So in terms of design, both Sense 2 and Galaxy Watch 5 have remarkable designs. Although, the Galaxy Watch 5 has a better design.
Display
Both the Galaxy Watch 5 and Sense 2 spot an AMOLED display with 1.4 inches and 1.58 inches display size respectively. The 40mm unit of the Galaxy Watch 5 has a 1.2 inches display.
Both watches have customizable watch faces with options to choose from loads of available watch faces in the respective app stores.
Fitbit has improved the operating system which results in a redefined interface that’s easier to use. Similarly, Samsung’s One UI 4.1 graces the screen of Galaxy Watch 5. It brings significant improvements in accessibility. In terms of display, the Galaxy Watch 5 has a more colorful display and richer interface than the Sense 2.
Health Tracking
The Sense 2 is the most advanced health tracker from Fitbit. It features all the basics as well as advanced health tracking features like ECG, stress, and skin temperature measurements. The Galaxy Watch 5 also features ECG, stress, and skin temperature measurement which was newly added. However, the Galaxy Watch 5 features blood pressure measurement, and incidental fall detection and has more preloaded sports modes. The Galaxy Watch 5 also features body composition measurement that allows the watch to measure your skeletal muscle.
You get 40 sports modes on Sense 2, it’s up to 90 with Galaxy Watch 5.
Beyond the slight differences, both watches will track your sleep, heart rate, calories, floors climbed, and steps. There is also an inbuilt GPS in both watches that enable tracking for outdoor workout activities like your routes, locations, and pace.
Making and Receiving Calls
The Galaxy Watch 5 and Sense 2 are equipped with both a microphone and a speaker. This enables you to make and receive calls directly from any of these two.
Before now, the Sense and Versa 3 despite having a speaker and microphone weren’t able to make calls, they can only receive calls. Fitbit has fixed that with Sense 2 and Versa 4.
Note that the Galaxy Watch 5 LTE model is equipped with an eSIM that enables it to make and receive calls without connecting to a phone. The Bluetooth model of Galaxy Watch 5 and Sense 2 need your phone nearby to make and receive calls.
Media and Productivity
The Galaxy Watch 5 comes with a 16GB storage capacity while the Sense 2 probably has significant storage. However, there is no support for any music option on Sense 2 and Versa 4. Fitbit had removed the ability to add personal music on Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 leaving only Deezer and Pandora. Now the company has completely removed music options. You can’t even control Spotify on your phone.
Meanwhile, Galaxy Watch 5 will allow you to effortlessly add your personal music to the watch. It will also allow you to add music using Spotify or YouTube Music.
Managing Notifications
With the Sense 2 or Galaxy Watch 5, you can manage messages and calls you receive on your phone. Each of these two will allow you to also reply to messages with your voice, emojis, or preset replies.
Though, the Galaxy Watch 5 features a QWERTY keyboard that allows you to simply type that reply. It offers better support for replying to messages.
Battery Life
Battery life is one factor that has plagued not just Wear OS watches but also Apple watches. Samsung has however improved battery life with Galaxy Watch 5, you can get up to 50hrs. This is a far cry from the Sense 2 which boasts up to 6 days of battery life.
Price
The prices are quite very similar and competitive. The 40mm Bluetooth Galaxy Watch 5 retails for $280, it’s $300 for the 44mm unit. Meanwhile, the Sense 2 retails for $300.
Galaxy Watch 5 or Sense 2 – Which is Better?
Considering that both Sense 2 and Galaxy Watch 5 cost the same amount, yet the latter has far more features, it’s clearly a landslide victory for the Galaxy Watch 5.
The Galaxy Watch 5 for me is a far better smartwatch than the Sense 2. It has higher storage with support for multiple music options. It also has more health-tracking features.
However, if you want a smartwatch that can go multiple days from a single charge, the Sense 2 is a decent choice.