Fitbit Sense 2 vs Fitbit Sense: Key Differences and Full Comparison

Fitbit Sense was a revolutionary tracker/smartwatch at the time of its release in 2020. It was the most advanced product Fitbit ever launched, at least until the release of Fitbit Sense 2. The newest iteration of Fitbit’s flagship product launched on September 23, 2022, and the reactions are underwhelming.

Despite the fact that both are unquestionably among the top fitness trackers available, the differences between them are negligible. Sure, some improvements were made, and Fitbit 2 is still expecting some significant updates, but we have to wonder whether it’s worth the upgrade.

In this article, we’ll discuss Fitbit Sense 2 vs Fitbit Sense and their key differences. We’ll compare their features, build quality, and design, for anyone looking to purchase either one of these models. So, without further ado, let’s dive in.

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Fitbit Sense 2 vs Fitbit Sense: Side-by-Side Comparison

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Fitbit Sense 2 vs Fitbit Sense: What’s the Difference?

Simply put, there actually isn’t much difference between the Fitbit Sense 2 and the original Fitbit Sense. Both devices have the ability to track at least 20 different activities and workouts, whole measuring your fitness metrics. This includes heart rate, stress levels, and sleep, among other things.

The design segment has undergone one significant alteration, which we’ll discuss in greater detail below. Apart from that, it can be rather difficult to distinguish between two Fitbit flagship products.

Both feature an AMOLED screen of the same size and nearly identical metal frames and silicon bands. Yet, there are some subtle differences that make them worlds apart. Let’s dive in.

Design

As we previously alluded, Fitbit Sense 2 and the original Fitbit Sense are almost indistinguishable at first glance. But it’s the details that set them apart. Let’s start with the original Fitbit Sense. The device is housed within a 12.4mm thick and 40mm wide housing made of stainless steel. It’s not a bad design choice, considering that stainless steel is widely used in wristwatch production.

Additionally, the material is known for its hypoallergenic properties. That’s why it’s mostly used for surgical equipment and body jewelry. The 1.58-inch display is surrounded by relatively thick black bezels. These aren’t as bad, but they can’t compare to Apple Watch bezels.

Additionally, the capacitive side button or touch button is responsible for menu selection and actuation. Unfortunately, it proved itself rather unreliable, as it tends to disrupt a measurement session if accidentally triggered. Fitbit tried to rectify this flaw through continuous updates, but it hasn’t improved.

Fitbit Sense 2 brings several changes to the already recognizable design. The first of which is the anodized aluminum body, which measures 11.4mm thick and 38mm wide. The anodized aluminum isn’t as durable as stainless steel, but it increases color alternatives and minimizes color variation. Additionally, it’s more cost-effective and easier to recycle.

The device is relatively smaller, but the reduction in size hasn’t affected display real estate. Instead, the bezels are thinner, which, paired with an anodized aluminum frame, provides more premium-like aesthetics. In addition, the device is 15% lighter than its predecessor.

Obviously, the biggest difference is the introduction of the physical button instead of the capacitive one. The implementation of the physical button is a clear indicator that Fitbit is listening to its customer’s desires. Admittedly, the physical button makes interacting with the device easier and nearly eliminates accidental actuation.

Display

Both devices use a 1.58-inch AMOLED display, with great-looking colors and perfect-black colors — with infinite contrast. The 336×336 screen resolution provides 300 pixels per inch (PPI), which is in rank with most middle-tier smartphones. It’s also somewhat comparable to Apple Watch Series 7, which provides a negligibly sharper and more detailed image.

Displays on both devices top off at 1,000 nits (brightness unit), which is bright enough to overcome glare from the sun. This would allow users to navigate and use their hardware in broad daylight. Considering that normal use in daylight requires some 800 nits, both Fitbit Sense 2 and Fitbit Sense offer plenty, at least in terms of visibility.

Sensors

The original Sense’s stress-monitoring EDA sensor garnered the greatest tech media attention. It allowed Fitbit Sense to monitor more than your physical health by introducing the EDA (electrodermal activity) sensor to measure stress.

EDA regulates body temperature, but it’s also associated with emotional arousal, particularly stress. An EDA sensor detects variations in skin conductance, which can rise with sweat gland activity when agitated.

Fitbit Sense’s use of technology is straightforward. To do an EDA scan, users have to run the app and place their palms over the watch’s stainless-steel frame for two minutes. This is a pretty neat function; the device’s Mindfulness app offers some meditation guidance for better stress management.

Unfortunately, users have to manually initiate the scan, and many have wondered about making the scan continuous. A passive stress indicator would notify a user about their elevated stress levels, allowing them to take immediate action. And Fitbit listened to the customer feedback and implemented a cEDA sensor in their new Fitbit Sense 2.

The cEDA—continuous electrodermal activity—sensor in Fitbit Sense 2 performs regular skin activity checks throughout the day. It pairs its reading with the heart-beat reading sensor and notifies users about their elevated stress levels.

Health Apps

When it comes to health and fitness monitoring apps, the differences are mostly cosmetic. Both devices feature the same FDA-cleared electrocardiogram (ECG) app. It notifies you about any heart rate irregularities and stores data. This allows you to share your heart rate patterns with your doctor.

There’s also SpO2, or oxygen saturation, as well as a built-in GPS, Active Zone Minutes, sleep tracking, and exercise modes. Fitbit Sense features 20 different exercise modes, many of which the device recognizes automatically. Fitbit Sense 2, on the other hand, upped this number to 40 .

Software