The smartwatch market, particularly those running on Android Wear, has not exactly taken off quickly. While the Samsung Gear Fit 2 helped it gain some momentum, there has hardly been anything in between. Until now, that is, as Polar has decided to enter the market with its M600 smartwatch.
According to Wearable, the Samsung Gear Fit 2 is a culmination of the Gear Fit line of devices, as it comfortably sits on the line between fitness trackers and smartwatches. It sports a textured strap, giving a sporty feel to the entire device. The strap is made of elastomer and is water resistant for up to 1.5 meters and 30 minutes.
The Gear Fit2 has a 1.5 inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 432 x 216 pixels. The screen itself is made from Gorilla Glass 3, which makes it one of the sturdiest options on the market.
As for the software, the Samsung Gear Fit2 accurately keeps track of the wearer's steps, calories and sleep. It can even get specific enough to note the type of exercise - whether the user is doing squats, riding a bike, doing yoga or using a rowing machine. It also notes when the device is not being worn by the owner, thereby giving a very accurate track of everyday activities.
Heart rate is also monitored every ten minutes, and there is a built-in GPS system. This means that runners no longer need to take their smartphones everywhere. In addition, users will get app notifications with the Samsung Gear Fit 2 and even allow its wearers to use Spotify.
The Samsung Gear Fit2 is priced at around $180.
On the other hand, the Polar M600 is almost strictly a fitness tracker. As reported by Phones Review, health and fitness are the focus of Polar as a company. Therefore, the real target customers of the M600 are athletes or those serious about keeping a healthy lifestyle.
The Polar M600 sports a heart rate sensor via Polar's optical tech. It also has a training control feature and a built-in GPS tracker. It has 4GB of internal storage under a 1.3 inch display, which has a 240 x 240 pixel resolution. Reportedly, it can run two days on a single full charge.
Expected to set buyers back $329, the Polar M600 is expected to hit the market by 2017.
However, when it comes to a connection to the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, the Samsung Gear Fit2 is without a doubt the better option. This is because the Fit2 allows action to the Samsung messenger app, as well as Facebook Messenger.
