FitBit Sense vs. the Apple Watch: What are your thoughts?

[iHealthWatch]

Hi,

I want to share with you my personal interaction with both the Apple Watch and the FitBit Sense. 😃

My mom sent me a FitBit Sense as a gift.  The more I researched it, I now consider it as a "health watch". 

She told me that I can return it back to Costco and buy an Apple Watch if I wanted to.

I decided to keep it and try it out since I heard a lot of great things about the FitBit watches.  I still have time to return my FitBit Sense and choose a different Smart or Health Watch.  😃

Since then, I have been looking at various Smart Watches such as Samsung and the Apple Watch.

Apple Watch Series 7 just came out and when I priced them at the Apple Store, the basic model was priced at $506.00.

I kept thinking, that's about what you would be paying for a nice iPad Air tablet! 

Add another $500 to $700 to that price and you can get a nice Macbook Air or Macbook Pro laptop!

Well, then the Black Friday deals came along! 

I found the Apple Watch Series 7 on Walmart.com for $371.00 including taxes.   That's a huge savings compared to paying full price of $506.00 including taxes.

I decided to buy it and to try it out and to compare it with my FitBit Sense. 

Here are my personal evaluation:

This was my first night to sleep with both the Apple Watch and the FitBit Sense.

Wow!

I like both watches but they have lots of Pros and Cons!   

Heart Rate

Apple Watch monitors your heart rate but there is a 6 to 8 minute delay.   The FitBit Sense displays your current (real time) heart rate.  That's super nice!  I can watch it increase or decrease in real time. 😃

*** Correction: The Apple Watch also displays your current (real time) heart rate, too, as well as what your heart rate was within the hour. 

Watch Display

Both watches have lots of displays but the Apple Watch has a lot of great features such as displaying photos, weather forecast, shortcuts to access Siri, etc.  It's nice.  Just by a swipe of the finger, I can change the watch display and each display gives me short cuts and various information.  With the FitBit, I have to go through the settings and change the display but there are only two displays that I like on the FitBit. 

Texting

It's nice to receive text messages on both watches!  But with the Apple Watch, I can actually respond to text messages.  I can use my microphone and my voice to send a text message and it will transcribe it into text so it won't be audible. 

I heard that the Apple company blocked this feature to respond to text messages on the FitBit Sense probably because they are trying to promote their products!  My friend who has the same watch also uses an Android phone.  She is able to respond to text messages on her FitBit Sense.  =(

E-mails

On the Apple Watch, I can read all of my e-mails and respond.  On the FitBit Sense, I have no access to my e-mails. =(

Note: My friend who uses her Android phone with her FitBit Sense says she can read her e-mails. I think she said she can also respond to them but I need to verify that. 

Calendar

On both watches, I have access to my calendar of events.  They both have their limitations such as:  Apple Watch and FitBit Sense will not go back in time.  It will not allow me to see what I did or had scheduled on Dec. 2nd.   It only gives me the current agenda.

To Do Lists

Even though FitBit Sense has a To Do List app, I can't seem to get it connected.  It's not user friendly.  On the Apple Watch, I have full access to ALL of my To Do List and Folders.  It's super nice!  I even have access to the app: ToDoist

Google Assist and Siri

On the FitBit Sense, as long as I have Google Assist open in the background in my phone, I have access to use it on my watch.  It's super nice because Google Assist has access to Google website and all kinds of information. 

On the Apple Watch, they only allow me to use Siri.   It's true, I can use Google Assist on my phone.  😃  Google Assistant and Siri are both great virtual assistants!  😃

Sleep Tracking

Let's see the results from last night. 😃

FitBit Sense Results:

Sleep Score: 71 (Fair)

Bedtime: 8:44pm - Wake up: 2:33am

Sleep:   5 Hours

REM: 1 hour and 23 minutes

Light Sleep:  2 Hours and 50 minutes

Deep Sleep: 47 minutes

Awake: 49 minutes

Apple Watch Results:

Time in Bed:  6 hours and 8 minutes

Bedtime: 8:47pm - Wake up: 2:55am

Note:  I downloaded a Sleep Tracker App from the Apple App store titled: Sleep ++.

Here is the information this sleep tracker captured:

Wow, it provided inaccurate results!  It shows that I went to bed at 6:30pm and woke up at 2am.

Restful:  6 hours and 13 minutes.

Restless: 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Awake: 2 minutes

This sleep tracking app allowed me to update last night's sleep schedule and using the Apple Watch results, I corrected the Sleep ++ mistakes!

Here is what the Sleep++ app shows after making the necessary corrections:

Restful: 5 hours and 53 minutes

Restless: 13 minutes

Awake: 3 minutes.

Note:  Apple Watch doesn't provide much information about sleep, however it provides how many hours I was in bed. 

The FitBit Sense provides more sleep data, including how many hours I slept.  It seems to be more accurate and reliable. 

Using the Apple Watch with the Sleep++ app is more work because you have to update the corrections and they both conflict in the sleep results!  

FitBit Sense is the winner, in my opinion.

Steps

Both the Apple Watch and FitBit Sense track your steps throughout the day.  Based on my research, it seems that FitBit Sense provides more accurate information on counting steps, even though it's all based on your wrist movements with both watches.

Note:  On December 22, FitBit Sense shows that I walked 30,047 steps (13.47 miles).  I burned 4,639 calories.  Since I just got my Apple Watch, I have no data yet.

Timer and Alarms

Apple Watch and FitBit Sense have a Timer and Alarms.  However, the FitBit Sense does not have audible alarms.  It only vibrates on your wrist. 

The Apple Watch vibrates and it has audible alarms on it so you can hear it!   This is a huge issue for me.  I like audible alarms!  😃  

Apple Watch Cons

1.  Cost:  An Apple Watch Series 7 can cost between $400 to $506.   I bought my Apple Watch on sale for $371.46 including taxes.

2.  Compared to FitBit Sense, the Apple Watch does not provide accurate information when counting steps and sleep tracker results.  However, I'm not sure how accurate FitBit Sense is on a consistent basis. 

3.  Unless you want to spend an extra hundred dollars, plus additional costs for data charges for the GPS, your Apple Watch will automatically come with an Aluminum backing.  This could be a health issue compared to wearing a stainless steel backing. 

The FitBit Sense automatically comes with a stainless steel backing.  All of my other "non-smart" watches came with a stainless steel backing.

Note:  Please let me know what you think about this issue.

4.  Battery Life is not as good as the FitBit Sense.

5.  If you wear your Apple Watch all day, then you will need to charge it for a certain time limit.  If you want to use it as a sleep tracker and you want to wear it all night, then you will need to charge it before going to bed.  Then you will need to charge it when you wake up before going to work. 

With the FitBit Sense, the battery life lasts a long time and it only takes 15 to 30 minutes to bring it back to a full charge if you are at 60%. 

Apple Watch Pros

1.  Productivity:  It's nice to be able to text, e-mail and make phone calls and to receive texts, e-mails, and phone calls.  It's a great communication device all from your watch.  As long as my phone is nearby, I can use my watch to make phone calls, too!   Therefore, I consider the Apple Watch a "Productivity and Communication Watch" especially since I can access my To Do Lists and set Reminders. 

2.  Timer and Alarms:  It's nice that the Apple Watch has audible alarms.  The FitBit Sense does not have audible alarms.  It only vibrates.  There are lot of FitBit Sense owners that are making sure the FitBit company know that they are upset about the lack of this feature.   I also let them know my feedback, too.

3.  Calculator and Tips:  The Apple Watch has a great Calculator app and tip calculator.  It's better than the old calculator watches!  😃   

4.  Watch Display:  Easy access to various watch displays that provide lots of helpful information (ie: weather, health, world clock, access to Siri, etc.) 

FitBit Sense Pros:

1.  I love the sleep tracking results and the accurate details.  I also like the daily sleep score it provides!   All these extra features cost an additional $10 a month for the Premium service, but right now I'm on a 6 month free trial period.  I have talked with a lot of FitBit Sense owners and they love their FitBit Sense and they say that the Premium Service for $10 is well worth it.  However, some FitBit Sense owners do not like the additional $10 fee and choose not to get the Premium service.  Also consider that the Apple Watch costs more than the FitBit Sense.

2.  Battery Life:  It boasts that your FitBit Sense can last 6 days, however, it all depends on how much you use it and what apps are running, etc.  I charge my FitBit Sense every other day or every 2 days.   The FitBit Sense battery life is better than the Apple Watch.

3.  Time, Heart Rate, Steps, Calories Burned:  All this information can be displayed on the FitBit Sense and you can access the information easily on the app or on the watch. 

4.  Time and Alarms:  Even though it does not have audible alarms, at least it includes a timer and alarms.  I use them a lot during the day! 

5.  Google Assistant:  Unlike the Apple Watch, the FitBit Sense allows you to access Google Assistant with a touch of a button.  It's a nice feature because based on research, Google Assistant provides more accurate answers than Alexa and Siri.  It also has more access to the Internet and other resources.

6.  Calendar Notifications:  Even though the Apple Watch has lots of "bells and whistles," yet it's nice that FitBit Sense allows you to access Calendar Notifications so you can see what's on your agenda for today and for the next few days ahead.

7.  World Time:  I like the world time feature so I can see what time it is in other parts of the world.  Apple Watch has this same feature.

8.  KJV Bible:   I found an app on the FitBit Sense that can display the KJV Bible, one verse at a time.  You can also look up verses!

9.  Calm.com: With Premium service on FitBit Sense, it provides access so some of the great sounds and stories from Calm.com

10.  Exercise Programs:  Like the Apple Watch Premium service, the FitBit Premium services come with Exercise programs and videos.  It's a nice feature.

11.  The FitBit Sense is a "health watch" and that is the strongest selling point about this watch.

12.  The FitBit Sense automatically comes with a stainless steel backing which could be better for your health compared to an aluminum backing.

13.  The FitBit Sense costs a lot less than buying an Apple Watch.  (Note: Always look for sales!) 

FitBit Sense Cons

1.  No audible alarms.

2.  No "bells and whistles" compared to the Apple Watch.

3.  Does not provide as much easy accessible information as the Apple Watch (ie: weather updates, communication)

4.  Not considered as a "Productivity Watch" compared to the Apple Watch.  With the Apple Watch, I can access all of my to do list folders and calendar features!

5.  I wish the FitBit company would create more "official" FitBit apps and watch displays that actually work and functions properly.  Some of the third party watch displays and apps are great but some of them need to be taken off the app store. 

Conclusion:

In my opinion....

If you are looking for a great "health watch" and accurate details, then FitBit Sense is the winner! 

If you are looking for a great "productivity watch" with the ability to communicate with others (ie: text, e-mail, phone calls), has some health features, provides basic sleep tracking results, and includes "bells and whistles," then the Apple Watch would be the winner!

*** Correction:  The Apple Watch would be the winner if you have an iPhone.  If you have an Android such as a Samsung Galaxy, then you might want to check out the Samsung Watch.

If you are trying to keep track of your sleep, then it would be nice to wear the FitBit Sense to bed and wear the Apple Watch during the day.  This would be considered as a win/win!  lol

You can also keep track of your sleep results by using a pen and paper!  lol   At least that would give you the same information that the Apple Watch provides.  LOL! 

What are your thoughts?  What are your evaluations?   Which do you prefer and why? 

- iHealthWatch

PS:  The audible alarms for the timer and alarm is a huge issue with me.  It would be one of the main reasons why I would switch over to the Apple Watch because I use my timer and alarms all throughout the day. 

Even though I love to track my sleep results, compare my sleep score and all the other amazing "health" information from the FitBit Sense, yet, I'm also a person that loves to be productive and I love productivity tools! 

Having an audible alarm on my watch is an important feature and I have done my part to let the FitBit company know by contacting customer service as well as posting my comments in this forum.  😃

I'm literally torn between the FitBit Sense and the Apple Watch.   They are both great products but they both have their strengths and weaknesses.

Since FitBit Sense is primarily considered as a "Health Watch" and if you keep your "smart phone" with you, you have the best of both worlds!  It's important to be aware of your sleep tracking results and to improve your overall health in all areas of your life.  Even though the Apple Watch has lots of "bells and whistles" and the FitBit Sense focuses on the "good vibrations" especially when referring to the audible alarms.... they are both great products. 

Which would you choose?  And why?  

[Clove6060]

That is quite a write up. Thank you for taking the time to test, and write up an extensive report. I found it very helpful and I’m sure others will too. Thanks again!!

[SunsetRunner]

I'm with @Clove6060 , excellent write up. I take the opportunity to wish everybody a Merry Fitbit Christmas

[t.parker]

There is one dealbreaker for Apple Watch (I'm surprised it's not listed in Cons) - the watch is great if you are iPhone user. For Android users it's rather a poor option.

[Guy_]

Hi @iHealthWatch - thanks for the terrific review/comparison - as @Clove6060 says it will help many.

The phone might have been an issue as some features might need special configuration on an iPhone.

Despite the Fitbit cons of inaccurate heart rate, floors, no sound for alerts, and occasional firmware bugs, it wins on battery life, cost, configurable clock faces, good looks and many features without hesitation, especially for non iPhone users.

My Sense requires a charge for about an hour once every 6 days which means it can do almost permanent monitoring. Having to charge an Apple watch daily or twice daily could be quite tiresome and even problematic if there is no access to electricity, for whatever reason.

A Withings Steel HR can go for about 2 months worn for sleep only and the Casio World watch about 5 years, once or twice a day charging doesn't seem very smart, especially at that price. Who wants a watch that can't even tell you the time because it has a flat battery.

[Keahi]

That was a fantastic comparison write up and I appreciate the time you took to do it! Wow! The thought comparisons were similar to what I was researching before buying my Sense, though I was interested in the health side of things, especially the increased sleep info. Sadly, I’m on Sense #2 after it being replaced, and less works now lol. However, I love love loved my Versa!

[Soyerski123]

Great summary but I stopped reading after this: 

"I have talked with a lot of FitBit Sense owners and they love their FitBit Sense and they say that the Premium Service for $10 is well worth it.". 

I cannot imagine that anyone said that. 

[sixabi]

If I would have an iPhone, I definetly would choose Apple Watch over the Fitbit Sense.

But as an Android user Fitbit Sense has more functions than iphone, so Sense has more positive sides, and gives you more.
Apple can go to hell they are limiting the functionalities, its just not fair. If they are making good products, they should not be afraid of the rivalries...

With the Fitbit clock faces, I am not too satisfied neither, there are a lot of faces, but all have some miising points, not to talk about the aod...

But the sleep tracking and other health measurements, they are out of this world, the best in the market.

(I would be so much happier if I should not pay for the premium....)

[SunsetRunner]

You make a good point, @t.parker about the Apple Watch being great if you are an Apple person. I am. I own an iPad mini, iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch. I like the fact that whatever I set up on my iPhone is reflected on the other devices. But … like @iHealthWatch, even as aniPhone owner, I much prefer the Sense since I need the aspects of a “health watch” so that is what is on my wrist most of the time. My reasons are:

• The Sense will stay changed for a much longer period of time.
• The Sense provides better sleep reports - my doctors and I have used the data to determine which chronic pain treatments allow me to sleep longer or more soundly.
• I also prefer the average SpO2 readings on the sense. Yes, the Apple Watch will do an on-th-spot O2 report, but in my experience, it only provides data if my O2 is in normal range. I have to use a finger pulse oximeter with either watch. 

Thanks for the write up, @iHealthWatch !  Happy Holidays, everyone! Time to start stepping!  You may all want to take a look at this discussion and share your Fitness goals for 2022. 

[t.parker]

@SunsetRunner For me, both watches have a lot more other cons but this is because one is a generic smartwatch and the other is a health-tracking watch. I need sports tracking watch so neither really fits the bill regardless of platform. With Apple Watch there's a lot possible just with use of third-party apps (the devel API is lot more advanced and allows doing more things than Fitbit's API) but I prefer to have things ready out of the box and using the same analytic ecosystem. Fitbit has some kind of sports tracking and something like an analytics system but with too many limitations and is simply too poor for my needs. Neither watch could really work for me as I don't need a smartwatch and I don't need health features either. I need a sports watch and neither is such. Most of the pros and cons probably depend on people needs.

[Rich_Laue]

Apple has blocked all third party apps from responding to texts. Probably because they want their users to stick with their overpriced products. 

[SunsetRunner]

---

@t.parker wrote:

Most of the pros and cons probably depend on people needs.

---

Absolutely! All any of us can do is determine what we need/want then do the homework to pick out the best device for those needs/wants. 

[Rich_Laue]

The key is in the homework. Most people will not buy an oven, refridge, or car without doing some research. So why blindly buy a fitbit? 

[iHealthWatch]

Dear FitBit Blog Readers:

I want to thank everyone for their responses and feedback concerning my post.

I wish I could have edited my post or have the ability to edit my post because there are many things I would have changed and updated concerning what I shared.

Why isn't there a way to edit our posts? 

1.  It is true, the Apple watch works best with the Apple iPhone.  If I were using an Android phone such as a Samsung Galaxy, I would not recommend the Apple Watch.  The Samsung Watch would be a better recommendation.  However, I titled my post: "FitBit Sense vs. the Apple Watch: What are your thoughts?"  I agree with T Parker.  😃  I would have edited my post to elaborate about this issue since some people do not know this information. 😃

2.  In my original post, I commented: "Apple Watch monitors your heart rate but there is a 6 to 8 minute delay. The FitBit Sense displays your current (real time) heart rate."   This is not true. The Apple watch actually does give you "real time" data for your heart rate.  I was very happy to find this feature!  It also tells you your last heart rate within the past hour, sometimes displaying that the last reading was 6 to 8 minutes ago. 

3.  In my experience with testing out both watches, I consider the FitBit Sense a "Health Watch" and the Apple Watch as a "Productivity" and "Communication" Watch.  Both watches are awesome!  They both have their pros and cons. 

With the Apple Watch, I like the feature that I can tell Siri, "Set the timer for 10 minutes" or "Remind me at 5pm to [insert your task]."  I also like how the Apple Watch displays the current weather by the hour, showing me when to expect rain and snow by the hour.  I also get notifications, including when Canary Security Camera captures a security issue.  I like being able to see all of my To Do Lists and add to them using the Apple Watch. I also like the audible alarms!  It's nice to be able to hear my alarms and timer when they go off. =D   The Apple Watch is great for wearing during the day.  As for a sleep tracker, it's not so good.   I wish Apple would improve their sleep tracking abilities and to provide more data on the Apple Watch.  I also wish Apple would include the "Google Assistant" app on the Apple watch, too.  The Google Assistant app works great on the iPhone.  😃

With the FitBit Sense, I like the "health data" it generates (ie: sleep tracking, fitness tracking, etc.).  It's so detailed and very helpful in monitoring your overall health.  Right now, I signed up for the 6 month trial period for the Premium service.  But I wonder how the FitBit Sense functions if I were to remove the Premium features.  How much data will I get from the sleep tracker without the Premium service?  How will my FitBit Sense function and what will it do for me after the Trial period is over?  Some of you say it's the Premium service is not worth it such as "Soyerski123" comments.    Others say it is.  Of course, it all depends on what you need and want from your "Health Watch."  I would like your feedback as to what I will be missing when my trial period ends and how the watch will function afterwards. 

3.  Replacing the FitBit Sense.  I have read many reviews concerning the FitBit Sense, including Keahi's comments on this forum.  I'm surprised that many FitBit Sense owners have had to replace their watches.  I want my investment in a "health watch" to last a long time.  I hope FitBit will improve the quality of their products. 😃

4.  I agree with Sixabi's comments.  They are true!  

5.  Carol-B made a lot of great remarks.  Thank you! 😃

I truly appreciate everyone who responded to my post.  Thank you!

Have a Happy New Year!

- iHealthWatch

[Rich_Laue]

To Edit your post tap the three dots at the top right of your post - tap edit

[iHealthWatch]

Hi Rich_Laue,

When I tap the three dots, it only shows the following:

Mark as New

Bookmark

Suscribe

Permalink

E-mail to a Friend

Report this post

Who Voted for this post?

That's it. 

It does not give me the option to edit.

Is it because I am new?  lol

-- iHealthWatch

[Guy_]

@iHealthWatch - you need to be logged in.

[iHealthWatch]

Hi Guy_

I have verified it. 

I am currently signed in and I do not have the option to edit my posts.

When I tap the three dots, it only shows the following:

Mark as New

Bookmark

Suscribe

Permalink

E-mail to a Friend

Report this post

Who Voted for this post?

That's it.

It does not give me the option to edit.

Does anyone else have any suggestions or thoughts as to why I don't have the option to edit my own post? 

Thanks.

- iHealthWatch

[iHealthWatch]

Hi Guy_

18 minutes ago, I posted a response.

I created another post about a different subject and noticed that I now can "edit" my "original posts".

I'm not sure what happened.

During the 17 minutes, I received an e-mail stating: "As the result of your contributions to the community, you have earned a new rank. Your new rank is Recovery Runner." 

I don't know if that had anything to do with giving me the option to "edit" but whatever happened, I now have the option to edit my original posts.

Thank you for your help.

- iHealthWatch

[Rich_Laue]

I know a user has to have "x" number of posts before a picture can be added, maybe it is the same for the edit