Image via WSJ
No, I won’t wear a camera or call people from a mini-smartphone strapped to my arm, which is what Samsung’s larger Galaxy Gear smartwatch offers. But the company’s Gear Fit has a much more sensible purpose, combining advanced fitness tracking with essential smartphone functions in a design I’d actually like to wear.
While the Gear Fit offers plenty of fitness features, I can’t help thinking Samsung has spread itself too thin. Over my 1½ weeks of testing, I found that the watch measured some of my body movements as steps, counting more of them than the Fitbit Force and Jawbone Up24. Samsung says that all trackers are at least a little bit off but it is working to improve that functionality. (I couldn’t test the sleep tracker because a software update was delayed.)
The Gear Fit marks significant progress in the wearable market and for Samsung. But for fitness, you’ll have an easier time with the Jawbone Up24, which costs $50 less. There is smartwatch competition on the way from Motorola, LG, HTC and, if you believe the rumors, Apple. The Gear Fit may not be a fit, but I’m confident the perfect blend of smarts is a step closer to hitting my wrist.