Samsung and Xiaomi recently released their latest activity-tracking wristbands, and they both provide users with helpful features, diverse sensors and powerful specs.
We pitted Xiaomi's Mi Band 2 against Samsung's Gear Fit 2 so you make an informed decision when you decide to upgrade your current digital sports band.
Specs
Xiaomi stuck to the basic design from its earlier trackers. The Mi Band 2 comes with an oval-shaped module mounted on a thin silicone band, a 0.42-inch OLED display, an "upgraded pedometer algorithm" and a battery the manufacturer touts will last as much as 20 days.
In comparison, the Mi Band Pulse offers 55 percent less battery time for one recharge.
Xiaomi's Mi Band 2 is a premiere for the company as the tracker is the first device from the manufacturer to sport an OLED display. This allows users to quickly see step count, number of burned calories, time spent during the activity and heart rate. A second generation Bluetooth 4.0 ensures that the Mi Band 2 connects to your smartphone.
Xiaomi offers multiple colors for its silicone bands, such as blue, orange, green and black. The device is also IP67 certified, making it water-resistant.
Samsung gifted the Gear Fit 2 with revamped design that accommodates a 1.5-inch Super AMOLED display, which was tailored for top visibility. The stats get displayed vertically for your comfort.
The embedded GPS and large display of Samsung's tracker take their toll on the battery life, however. According to the manufacturer, the band should stay on three to four days of typical usage. Standby mode should extend the duration to five days. Insiders underlined that the Gear Fit 2 will be IP68 certified, making the device a go-to choice for swimmers.
Features
The Gear Fit 2 does more than measure workout distances via GPS sensors. The latest tracker from Samsung packs an activity-recognition ability, a feature that is more and more common in fitness bands and watches.
The device can track personal health metrics in great detail, so anything from number of steps, sleep patterns and heart rate gets recorded. Thanks to its wide display, it also shows a myriad of notifications from your smartphone in readable form.
Samsung also inked a partnership with Spotify, meant to create a special Spotify app for its wearable. This means that you can listen to your favorite music on the Gear Fit 2. There are three ways to tap into the feature: store 4 GB of music on the wristband, use it as a Bluetooth remote control for the various music apps on your handset or simply play Spotify from your wrist.
It should be mentioned that the Gear Fit 2 has one minus: it only works with Android smartphones (4.4 or higher OS).
The Mi Band 2 can also monitor your sleep schedule and you can program it to vibrate in case you get slouchy and remain sedentary for longer periods. Xiaomi's tracker also allows you to quickly unlock your smartphone with its unique ID feature. Like you would expect from a smart wearable, the Mi Band 2 vibrates when you receive app notifications, SMS or calls on your connected smartphone. Users are able to customize which data content gets displayed on the Mi Band 2 display.
Price
Mi Band 2 customers get a capable fitness tracker packing a display and an optical heart rate monitor for only $23, which is an offer few can say no to.
In comparison, Samsung's Gear Fit 2 asks clients to shell out $179 for its many features, with shipments scheduled at the end of 2016. To put it in perspective, the Gear Fit 2 is $20 cheaper than the first model, and is comparable with the Microsoft Band 2. The tracker from Microsoft also features built-in GPS.
Availability
No word of overseas availability exists for the Mi Band 2, but what we know is that the tracker will start selling in China on June 7. Keep in mind that Xiaomi recently signed an important patent deal with Microsoft, which could be read as a promise that the tracker will reach Western markets.
Which of the two wearable devices do you prefer? Let us know in the comments section below.
