Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro Where to Find Sleep Tracker UPDATED

Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro Where to Find Sleep Tracker

Our Verdict

Most fitness-tracking smartwatches price around £300 (run into Fitbit Ionic, Garmin Vivoactive 3, Apple Watch, Huawei Sentry two and Samsung's own Gear Sport), merely the Gear Fit2 Pro offers a comparable set of features while undercutting them all. It's got standalone GPS, a heart rate monitor, it's an fantabulous swim tracker, and information technology can store and stream music to Bluetooth headphones. Apps-wise, it'south not as skillful as any lookout built on iOS or Android Habiliment, merely it beats Fitbit and Garmin's app offerings hands down by offering Spotify and Under Armour'southward suite of services, including the calorie counting favourite My Fitness Pal. Plus, if you own a Samsung phone you can download the SpeedoOn app, making the aquatic offering even more than compelling.

For

• It's great value. The feature fix is a big footstep up from mid-range trackers that cost between £150 and £200, and a big step down in price from smartwatches without sacrificing much.
• The swim tracking is great. It nailed stroke recognition in the pool and even the heart-rate reading was believable. If y'all're a pool swimmer this should be meridian of your shopping list.
• Loading music on to the Gear Fit2 Pro is exceptionally well done, with easy pairing of Bluetooth earphones and reliable streaming.
• In that location'due south a frankly dizzy number of scout faces to choose from.
• Where the native run and cycle tracking apps fall downwards, Nether Armour's Endomondo, MapMyRun and Record step in to improve the experience.
• Samsung is 1 of the few smartwatches to offer a Spotify app – and that'southward what y'all use now, right?
• Y'all tin track individual bodyweight exercises like the squat, lunge or printing-up. Sets and reps can be changed, and reps were counted unfailingly accurately.

Confronting

• The battery life is poor – it won't last 24 hours even without using GPS.
• Using the Gear Fit2 Pro with an iPhone half dozen was a faff, and also meant I couldn't download the SpeedoOn app. This is a sentinel for Android users, but Samsung owners specially.
• You tin can't locate a GPS signal and so beginning a run or ride. You take to start the activity and hope the bespeak locks in, which information technology failed to do a number of times in our tests.
• The alive pace reading on Samsung's running app was too sensitive, jumping all over the place to the bespeak where it became useless.
• The plasticky strap feels a bit cheap and in that location's no manner to modify it.

£209, buy on samsung.com

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Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro In-Depth

Using The Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro To Track Activity

The Gear Fit2 Pro covers all the bases for activity tracking and covers them well: steps, floors climbed, calories burned, active minutes, and, for the latter, automatically tracking and adding anything above a moderately fast walk to your number. I had no complaints about the accuracy, information technology passed all the basic sense tests and the details are all available on the scout itself – if anything, the app is a fleck lacking in detail.

The default daily targets are 6,000 steps and ascending the equivalent of x flights of stairs but each is easily changed on the watch, and the stats screens on the sentry gives an average for the previous four weeks also every bit the count for each day. That may sound similar a lot of information to brandish on a pretty small screen, only the layout is easy to read. The app adds monthly trends and the "average steps at a healthy pace" number, a nice extra that might reveal that you're juicing your step count with frequent trips to the vending machine.

As with almost all activity bands, the Gear Fit2 Pro will buzz at y'all after a period of inactivity, in this case 50 minutes of stillness (although the feature is suppressed when yous're sleeping or if you plough Do Not Disturb on). It'll propose a few torso twists, demonstrate the move on the screen and count the reps, merely if you get upwardly and brand a cup of tea it'll be satisfied.

You'll too receive a weekly activity summary on the watch every Mon at noon detailing your calorie fire, steps taken, flights of stairs climbed, fourth dimension spent moving at a "salubrious step" and sleep, plus a per centum change compared with the week earlier. It's a comprehensive offer and packaged upward smartly.

Using The Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro For Working Out

If you're a fan of fitness classes the Gear Fit2 Pro volition rails sessions and bear witness the duration, calories burned and your eye rate during exercise. The latter is as well colour-coded so you can see which heart charge per unit zone you're in – peculiarly useful during HIIT classes.

However, if you lot like to follow interval workouts on your own, y'all'll find the Gear Fit2 Pro is lacking a customisable interval timer to guide you through piece of work and rest periods. I also couldn't discover an app on the Samsung Milky way store (at to the lowest degree that works with iOS) that will satisfy this need. Fifty-fifty the Endomondo app, which normally offers interval workouts, can't on the Gear Fit2 Pro.

At that place are specific modes for sessions on cardio machines, like an exercise bike, treadmill, rowing auto, elliptical and step motorcar, merely each option tracks the same thing: heart rate – it just labels it accurately in the app. You tin can fix a calorie fire target or the duration of the session and the device volition buzz when you attain your goal.

There'south the option to track reps of some bodyweight exercises. Customise the number of sets and reps to perform, and the watch will demonstrate the move on screen. It asks you to adopt the outset position and buzzes when information technology's happy with your grade, then y'all complete the reps. I tried unweighted squats and lunges and the rep counter was spot on. The watch then counts down a infinitesimal of rest (although you can skip this) until the next set.

It's a neat characteristic but it would be far better if it had been developed further into a guided workout. Sure, you could string together a bunch of exercises, but at that place's more to creating a workout than picking a few gym moves. It's besides a stride behind the rep counting feature on some Garmin models, which takes an impressive stab at automatically recognising exercises in a multi-movement workout.

Using The Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro For Running

With the addition of built-in GPS, the Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro should appeal to semi-serious runners eager to get authentic pace stats on the hoof and pour over their splits afterwards. Frustratingly, the native tracking app has some serious flaws that means runners should think twice.

The biggest beef I have is that y'all can't fire upward the GPS, expect for it to lock on to a bespeak, and and so starting time the session. Instead, you lot hit kickoff, get a 3-second countdown before the timer starts and the Gear Fit2 Pro starts looking for a satellite. You tin either stand up there every bit the timer ticks abroad, throwing off your footstep stats for the showtime kilometre and your average speed for the whole run, or y'all can fix off and hope the GPS clicks in quickly. Unfortunately, it's harder for any device to go a betoken on the move and then while I tended to cull the latter, I managed to become through a 40-minute run in cardinal London without GPS.

When the GPS did get a lock, I found that the live step stat quickly jumped around all over the identify – sometimes from four minutes a kilometre to eight to half-dozen and and then on. I'll admit my pace probably isn't smooth, just I'd expect the software to smoothen the readings out (I assume that'south what Fitbit does on its built-in GPS devices, the Surge and Ionic, where I've relied on the pace reading without issue).

This error also torpedoes the step-setter sessions available on the device. There are seven runs to follow, with the device setting the pace at which you run to achieve different goals (from calorie-free jogging to speed endurance), buzzing at yous if you're going besides fast or too slow. I tried it once, it continually buzzed at me and I gave upwards, which is a shame because information technology's a great idea that's more commonly institute on running watches than fitness smartwatches.

The outcome is less pronounced if you apply a third-political party app to track your run. I ran using Endomondo too and plant it to be more usable, although still jumpier than I'd similar. There is as well MapMyRun and Under Armour Tape to attempt, simply sadly not Strava, although you lot can fix the Samsung Health smartphone app to automatically export GPS sessions to the social network.

One huge benefit for runners is that there's built-in memory for music that y'all can stream straight to Bluetooth earphones, so yous can head out without your phone – simply only for a limited amount of time. I got one hour fifteen minutes of GPS and music off of a total accuse. Not plenty because I was running a half marathon and I am not that quick. It's ane surface area where the Gear Fit2 Pro can't compete with more expensive smartwatches.

For runners who aren't that bothered about more than advanced features, which is probably the majority, the Gear Fit2 Pro will do the task. However, it does lag backside other devices, both smartwatches and cheaper GPS running watches. The Garmin Vivoactive 3 can handle music and GPS for five hours, the Apple tree Watch iii even more than.

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Using The Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro For Cycling

The Gear Fit2 Pro is suitable for casual cyclists, merely even then information technology's far from the best in grade. The GPS suffers from the same problem of not being able to lock on to a GPS point earlier starting a ride. This screenshot likewise shows the accuracy of the GPS once information technology'southward locked on.

(Epitome credit: Unknown)

For the avoidance of doubt I started at Alfred Place and cycled along Windmill Street. This lack of accuracy isn't confined to the Gear Fit2 Pro (especially in fundamental London), but reinforces the sense that you shouldn't ask too much of the Gear Fit2 Pro'southward GPS.

The Gear Fit2 Pro does automatically log cycling, so in theory you shouldn't need to worry about manually starting and stopping a session and still accept the action contribute to your calorie burn and active minutes stats, but it seemed to take besides long to recognise when I was moving. My cycle commute is always somewhere between twoscore and 45 minutes. On i mean solar day the Gear Fit2 Pro logged 12 minutes there and 17 minutes back. This is something Fitbit and Garmin can do with a much higher degree of accuracy.

Using The Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro For Swimming

The Gear Fit2 Pro has taken its lumps upward till this point, but swimming may well be the killer app that persuades you to buy 1.

For starters the heart rate monitor remains on in the water, something many brands shy away from. It worked well, matching my expectations of how hard I was working.

I was also very impressed with the device's automated stroke recognition, nailing breastroke and backstroke, although it did call my actually, really poor forepart crawl attempted without goggles equally "mixed" (the stroke was, to be fair, all over the place). It also counted lengths correctly, which is no modest feat.

The but issue with the native app on the device is that you can simply prepare the puddle length as 25 metres, 50 metres or 25 yards. No good if you swim in a small pool at your gym.

In the Samsung Health app at that place'southward a breakdown of lengths, along with your best and average length duration. It'll also tell you your pace and SWOLF score, the latter a mensurate of your efficiency in the water.

This is the beginning swim tracker I've tried that brings tracking up to the level I'd expect for running and cycling. Information technology's useful, intuitive and more importantly it works reliably.

If you take a Samsung phone, you can also download and use the SpeedoOn app on the device. SpeedoOn is a sprawling resource of workouts, training plans, technique drills and more than. While I was unable to attempt it, I'm betting it adds a new dimension to swim trackers.

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Using The Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro Every bit A Heart Rate Monitor

The centre rate monitor on the Gear Fit2 Pro works as well equally you'd expect any wrist-worn tracker to – a few readings seemed way off mid-practice but that's par for the class.

For monitoring your centre during the day you can turn the HRM off (which didn't save battery like I hoped it would), or have it taking readings often or e'er. Keeping it always on allows the Gear Fit2 Pro to start recording whatsoever small flake of activity during your day, like a fast walk.

At that place's enough of data available on the smartphone app – the fourth dimension yous spent in various zones, your maximum, minimum and average heart rate – simply strangely resting heart rate isn't prominently displayed equally a single number, only rather as a range on a graph.

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Using The Gear Fit2 Pro For Calorie Counting

The calories you lot've burned are but viewable on the Gear Fit2 Pro, not the app strangely, but it's the best layout of the information I've seen. The color coded timeline breaks up your day – from sleeping to light activity, to walking, cycling, running, working out or moving at a healthy step – to prove when y'all were burning the near calories. Click on each segment for your centre rate and calorie burn during that period.

(Image credit: Unknown)

Using The Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro As A Smartwatch

Apple Watch users and owners of smartwatches that use Android Wear equally the operating system are spoilt for pick. Everyone else, not so much, only Samsung gear leads the rest of the pack thanks to the Under Armour and SpeedoOn apps already covered in a higher place.

Samsung is also 1 of the few smartwatch manufacturers to offer a Spotify app (information technology's likewise bachelor on Android Wearable). Once yous've logged in (which I failed to do, only I'thousand putting this 1 down to user error/anger) and connected the device to WiFi, it acts as a standalone music actor streaming through any connected Bluetooth device. Since playlists aren't available offline, it's good to utilize in your home, at piece of work or the gym (if you lot accept decent WiFi in each place), but less so outside unless you tether information technology to your phone.

In that location'due south besides space for music on the Gear Fit2 Pro. The Music Manager on the lookout gives a web accost to hitting on the browser on your reckoner and, as long as your device is connected to WiFi, you merely drag and drop music to download to the device. No software to download, no cables. I also constitute setting upwards Bluetooth headphones and streaming music from the device to them easy and reliable – basically everything you desire in this section. Kudos, Samsung.

Finally, the device relayed notifications from my phone without whatsoever boosted gear up-upwards and included enough characters from emails, WhatsApp and text messages that I could make a decision every bit to whether information technology was worth getting my telephone out or not. Information technology's what yous'd expect, simply it'due south rarely executed as cleanly as this.

Autonomously from existence able to answer calls by swiping the Gear Fit2 Pro's screen, communication between telephone and scout was one-way, however, so the Gear Fit2 Pro was the impaired partner in this human relationship, but that'southward standard unless the wear and phone are from the same manufacturer.

Using The Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro For Slumber Tracking

Samsung is upward there with the best in slumber tracking considering it's included guidance as to whether the sleep tracked is good-quality or non. Like many trackers, the Gear Fit2 Pro volition track the time asleep (and get it correct, cough Garmin cough) and carve up it upward into low-cal, motionless (presumably deep) and restless periods. Simply on top of that information technology gives you a (somewhat mysterious) efficiency score and a much plainer rating of good, fair or poor.

There's also a sleep goal in the app that allows you to fix target times to get to bed and wake upwardly, considering consistency in this surface area is widely accepted as a factor in how well y'all sleep. The feature can also take your caffeine intake into account if you manually add it in the app.

The device is comfortable enough to wearable through the night and Samsung's wisely included a Do Not Disturb feature and then the brilliantly bright screen doesn't switch on when you turn over in bed and stir you (it really can get quite bright). The simply downside is that the poor bombardment life means you'll demand be on top of charging to avoid having the device dice during the night.

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The Samsung Wellness App

Because I was using an iPhone I had to install ii apps, Samsung Gear Fit which connects your device to your phone and provides access to the Galaxy app shop, and Samsung Health, the companion app proper.

I had a few syncing problems from fourth dimension to time which were resolved with a few attempts or turning things on and off again – nothing also bad but it's not as slick equally platform-agnostic brands like Fitbit and Garmin. I'll wager you won't become these problems if you lot're on an Android or Samsung telephone, though.

While the Samsung Health app doesn't look every bit nice as its competitors' apps, there'southward plenty of depth if you spend the time clicking around. For example, if yous manually record your weight the app volition likewise calculate your BMI (a measure that's not without its issues but something worth knowing).

In detail I liked the goals for activeness, sleep and nutrition, which can assist to turn dumb data into something more useful. For the latter goal, you tin set your target calorie intake and so log what you eat throughout the twenty-four hour period equally well equally getting a nutrient score (low, boilerplate/recommended and high) for protein, carbs, total fat and saturated fats, fibre, potassium, vitamins A and C, calcium, iron and sodium. If yous're buying a tracker to better your health rather than, say, helping you lot train for a marathon, this feature is a fantastic improver.

How Often Am I Going To Have To Charge Information technology?

A lot. On a full charge the app estimates around 20 hours of use, and turning the heart rate monitor off but buys you an extra 30 minutes. Non stretching to a full day is a allow-downward in light of the solid slumber-tracking features, just perchance you can find a regular time each day to charge it. Almost an hour and a half is enough to go from zero to full.

Using GPS is a serious battery hog as well. I wore the Gear Fit2 Pro and the Fitbit Ionic for a run of i 60 minutes and ten minutes. The Ionic used about 20% of its accuse, but for the Samsung device it was more than than half.

There is a ability saving mode which the Gear Fit2 Pro volition prompt you lot to plow on when it hits twenty% bombardment, but that means a greyscale screen, and step and stair counting only. Annoyingly, it doesn't automatically plow information technology off if you recharge it and so I've turned the feature on, recharged it when convenient and strapped it dorsum on but forgotten to turn off power saving mode, missing telephone notifications I really could have done with seeing.

Where Can I Clothing It Without People Laughing At Me?

Plump for the all-black model and you'll go by pretty much anywhere. Information technology's more than of a band than a watch so it may not wing in conservative workplaces, but it's reasonably sleek and inconspicuous. There are also a metallic blue and pinky-scarlet models bachelor, but consider your choice advisedly because you're stuck with information technology – you can't change bands like you lot can with other trackers.

Should I Consider Buying Something Else?

Until very recently I would take said no, unless you're happy to pony upwardly another £100-plus to move upwards a toll bracket, or ditch the smartwatch and swimming chops and go for the ultra-cheap Huawei Band Pro two or Amazfit Bip, both of which'll bag yous GPS and a heart rate monitor for something in the region of £50 if you shop effectually.

Notwithstanding, it seems manufactures have cottoned on to the £200 price point for a smartwatch. Fitbit is releasing the Versa smartwatch in Apr, which beats the Gear Fit Pro 2 for running, cycling (even though it needs to piggyback off a smartphone to offer GPS tracking), bombardment life, general slickness of the app and experience, and style, but isn't as expert at swim tracking or existence a particularly smart smartwatch.

In that location's also a new entrant, the Mobvoi Ticwatch, which while not waterproof does accept GPS and a heart rate monitor, but its biggest nugget is beingness congenital on the Android platform and so it should offer far, far better apps. Some other choice is the Suunto 3 Fitness, although initial reports from a colleague are iffy. Reviews of all three are incoming.

The Gear Fit2 Pro remains an impressive selection, though. If you own a Samsung phone, are a regular swimmer or already use whatsoever of Nether Armour's fettle apps, it's certainly worth serious consideration.

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Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro Where to Find Sleep Tracker UPDATED

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