Update: The Sense 2 is out now! Buy it right here and read more about it in guides such as the best Fitbits over on RealSport101.
The highly-anticipated Fitbit Sense 2 has finally been launched in an attempt to reclaim its throne as the most advanced smartwatch Fitbit has ever produced.
The original Sense brought a raft of new features when it was released back in 2020, and it seems that the Sense 2 has followed suit.
Many of the original Sense's premium features have trickled down to less premium, cheaper models such as the Fitbit Charge 5, meaning the Sense 2 has had to bring even more to justify its position as Fitbit's premium product.
There were many rumours swirling around the Sense 2, and here's everything we now know to be true after its release.
Fitbit Sense 2: Release Date
The Fitbit Sense 2 was officially released this September for the UK and the US.
This was in line with our original predictions, as was the case for the Versa 4, which also arrived at around the same time.
Price & Pre-orders
When the original Sense launched in 2020, it was priced at $329/£299. This time the Sense 2 has been released for £269.99/ $299.
You can order the Sense 2 on the Fitbit website, as well as from other well-known retailers.
How does this stack up against the competition? Well, it appears that Samsung has decided to offer a Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro at $279.99 and $499.99 respectively.
The Sense 2 does appear to be the cheaper option, but what does it offer in terms of specs and features?
Specs and Features
There are a whole host of features on offer with the new Sense 2, many of which featured with the previous iteration, but there's still some welcome surprises this time around.
One downside, though, is that according to a report by 9to5Google, Wi-Fi appears to have been disabled on the watch, as when you look under the 'Sensors and Components' section of the specs page, it comes up saying "deactivated, cannot be turned on." This is the same for Fitbit's Versa 4, too.
On a better note, there are also some new accessories for each of the new Fitbits, like special straps which come in a variety of different options, including vegan leather, so that no one has to get left out.
Specs
Take a look below for some of the standout specs for the Sense 2. Specs that stand out to us are the skin temperature sensor and multi-path optical rate sensor, both of which we think will be incredibly useful for those looking to keep in tune with their body.
- Multi-path optical heart rate sensor
- Electrical sensor to measure skin conductance (cEDA) for body response tracking
- Multipurpose electrical sensors compatible with ECG app & EDA app. ECG not available in all countries.
- Red and infrared sensors for oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring
Altimeter - 3-axis accelerometer
- Skin temperature sensor
- Ambient light sensor
- WiFi (deactivated, cannot be turned on)
- NFC
- Built-in GPS + GLONASS
- Vibration motor
- Speaker (75dB SPL @10cm)
- Microphone
Features
As for features, there are too many to list here! But we've highlighted some of the most interesting for you below.
- All-day body-response tracking
- Stress notifications
- Sleep tracking & sleep stages
- Smart Wake alarm
- SpO2 (Blood Oxygen) Tracking
- Irregular heart rhythm notifications
- Built-in GPS
- Exercise mode
- On-wrist Bluetooth® calls
- Alexa Built-in
- Google Maps
- Google Wallet
- Fitbit Pay
- Screen cover gesture
- Always-on display mode
- 6+ Day Battery
- Fast charging
Opinion: Is the Sense 2 worth it?
With the new model, we were expecting Fitbit to offer more than any of their current range and it looks we've got just that.
This time around we're getting Google Wallet, which will allow for much easier payments on the go.
We're also getting Google Maps and GPS, both of which are convenient, and potentially life-saving too for those who find themselves off the beaten track.
But, according to 9to5Google, you'll still have to rely on your smartphone to access Google Maps on the watch, as your phone will communicate with it via Bluetooth to relay instruction from Maps.
It seems that it's not just Google that was interested in Fitbit, because Amazon's Alexa is now built into the Sense 2, so you can have assistance right on your wrist.
And if you were hoping for a Fitbit with Wear OS 3, it does now seems that (according to a report from 9to5Google) the new UI for the the watch is actually almost identical to Wear OS 3, which means you could still have the benefits of the operating system anyway.
All in all, the Sense 2 looks to be a good step up, especially if you're starting to take an interest in how your body is doing from a health perspective.
In terms of price, it's not too bad when you consider some of the other offerings from Samsung or Apple. We even think it looks pretty slick too...
If you're interested in pre-ordering hit the link below! We may well join you.
PRE-ORDERS LIVE: Fitbit Sense 2 at Fitbit.com
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