Hi there! As a wearables analyst and Fitbit user for over 7 years, I‘m going to comprehensively compare the brand new Fitbit Sense 2 versus the original 2020 Sense model.
If you‘re considering either of these feature-packed smartwatches that push the boundaries of fitness tracking, this guide has everything you need to know. I‘ll compare all the detailed specs, new sensors, and functionality upgrades (and downgrades) so you can determine if the Sense 2 warrants an upgrade.
Let‘s dive in!
Overview of the Flagship Fitbit Sense Line
First, what exactly is the Fitbit Sense line? Excellent question!
The Sense series represents Fitbit‘s most advanced health-tracking wearables in their 15+ year history of pioneering fitness tech. Situated above their popular Versa family, Sense watches pack superior sensors and materials into flagship-level packages.
While the Versa tracks basic activity metrics like steps and heart rate, Sense aims further providing actionable insights about overall wellness. We‘re talking stress measurement, sleep quality analysis, ECG readings, and continuous blood oxygen monitoring.
These high-end features demand a premium price tag hovering around $300 normally. That may seem lofty for a fitness band, but devoted health seekers find immense value in the depths of data.
For context, the Sense competes directly with Samsung‘s Galaxy Watch5 and the Apple Watch Series 8 at the top end of the mainstream wearables market. But unlike those smartwatches running Google or Apple‘s software, the Sense line uses FitbitOS. This proprietary platform provides excellent fitness-first optimization at the expense of some smart features and third-party apps.
Let‘s see exactly how the new Sense 2 compares and contrasts against the impressive original Sense.
Comparing the Spec sheets: What‘s New in the Sense 2
While they share an almost identical feature set, Fitbit refined certain elements in the Sense 2. But do these minor upgrades warrant paying extra if you already own the first-gen device?
Let‘s break things down category-by-category:
As the table illustrates, the upgrades seem somewhat minor on paper. But meaningful change hides beneath the surface:
A Sleeker, More Streamlined Design
You‘ll immediately notice the slimmer dimensions on the Sense 2 by about 1 mm on each axis. And an 8 gram drop in weight might not seem substantial but makes a world of comfort difference wearing the device 24/7.
Fitbit also elevated the Sense 2‘s style with a seamless one-piece aluminum alloy body. The aerospace-grade 6000 series metal looks great while allowing radio signals to pass through. Diamond vapor deposition provides enhanced scratch resistance compared to earlier aluminum models like the Versa 3.
Furthermore, the metal unibody enables easier recycling than the original Sense‘s stainless steel. Sustainability plays a growing role for consumers deciding which electronics to purchase.
For additional durability, the display employs battle-tested Corning Gorilla Glass 3 composite protective glass. New colors like Shadow Grey and Coastline Blue stand out while retaining a refined look.
My favorite revision is the addition of a tactile physical button replacing the wonky, inconsistent touch-sensitive "button" on the original. This long-requested tweak will surely please Sense owners frustrated from inadvertently activating the screen mid-workout.
The New cEDA Stress Sensor: Game-changing Upgrade?
One of the flagship upgrades sits inside – a new cEDA stress tracking sensor. So what does this actually mean?
EDA refers to "electrodermal activity", often imperceptibly manifesting when your body reacts to stress. Tiny variances occur across your skin that can be picked up by sensors.
The original Sense introduced the first EDA sensor on a wearable to provide guided stress measurement readings. But you needed to manually activate a 2-minute scanning session.
The Sense 2‘s implementation allows for continuous EDA data collection in the background without any effort. Combining this data with heart rate variability paints an exceptionally accurate, reactive portrait of your body‘s stress response.
As someone that deals with plenty of stress-induced anxiety, this excites me. Having a deeper awareness of when my levels spike throughout a hectic workday will prove invaluable. I can schedule mindfulness breaks accordingly rather than wondering after the fact.
Those with pressure-filled jobs, anxiety issues, or other stress triggers stand to gain actionable help from the upgraded EDA implementation. And the fact Fitbit preserved 6+ day battery life with constant sensor usage remains beyond impressive.
Refined Software With Some Temporary Tradeoffs
The Sense line utilizes Fitbit‘s proprietary wearable operating system rather than something like Wear OS. This provides a fitness focus, smoother performance, and drastically better battery optimization.
But we lose access to certain smartwatch functions and third-party apps available on Wear OS devices. It‘s a bit of a tradeoff that ideally reaches a middle ground eventually.
Disappointingly, the Sense 2 downgrades certain software capabilities from what the original Sense offered:
- No onboard music storage or playback: While the Sense could hold music synced from Deezer or Pandora with Bluetooth headphones playback, the Sense 2 loses this currently.
- Google Assistant access temporarily removed: Bafflingly, Google‘s voice assistant no longer works on the Sense 2. Only Amazon Alexa assistant functions remain until Fitbit adds this back later.
- Limited notification capabilities: You lose the ability to respond to Android notifications like on the Sense, only able to view them. Odd considering Google owns Fitbit now.
- No contactless Fitbit Pay: This gets replaced by Google Wallet which has less merchant support.
Now, Fitbit promises to enable call support, Google Assistant integration, and other missing features soon in firmware updates. And Google Wallet may eventually catch up to Fitbit Pay‘s capabilities.
But shelling out $300 for compromised functionality at launch poses a questionable value proposition. It should alarm prospective buyers how a 2-year newer device regresses features its predecessor handled fine.
The ideal scenario would blend Fitbit OS‘s fitness excellence with Wear OS 3‘s more open, advanced capabilities. Maybe the Sense 3 or Versa 5 strikes this balance in 2023. For now, expect the superb health insights and battery efficiency with oddly stumped smartwatch functionality.
Everything Else Remains Best-in-Class
Aside from the odd software exclusion, virtually every other element of the Sense 2 meets extremely high standards matching or improving the original in meaningful ways.
Let‘s briefly run through some remaining pros:
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Vibrant, responsive display: Both Sense editions pack beautiful AMOLED panels with 336 x 336 resolution totaling over 300 pixels per inch. That‘s sharper than even the latest Apple Watch. Expect vivid colors, deep blacks, and flawless touch response.
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Industry-leading health sensors: Alongside the upgraded EDA sensor, the Sense 2 retains FDA-cleared ECG for detecting heart rhythm abnormalities plus blood oxygen monitoring, heart rate tracking, ambient environment sensors, sleep tracking, skin temperature, and more packed inside the elegant frame.
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Multiday battery: Despite beefed up always-on sensors, quoted 6+ day runtimes in my testing reliably delivered using mid-level features. Much longer than Apple or Samsung‘s watches return. Quick 12-hour top ups help offset the rare occasions your battery dips below 15%.
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Feature-packed mobile app: Sense watches wouldn‘t provide nearly the value without Fitbit‘s excellent companion phone app for analyzing health metrics, activity trends, sleep patterns, workouts, weight, nutrition, and general wellness. The UI design and health insights make quantified fitness guidance feel accessible rather than overwhelming through reams of data alone.
It‘s an impressive package deal hampered only by the hopefully short-term software exclusions on Sense 2. Let‘s talk specifically about how pricing and value stack up.
Fitbit Sense 2 vs Original: How Do They Compare on Value?
The Sense 2 retails for a lofty $299 – generally $150 more than you‘ll commonly find the original Sense and Versa 3 discounted. That‘s a substantial gap for what amounts to iterative upgrades rather than revolutionary must-have features.
Especially considering the Sense 2 ships with basic functionality missing like Google Assistant access and music playback, it poses questionable value right now. I expect early adopters felt some remorse realizing the downgrades post-purchase.
Conversely, the deeply discounted original Sense provides virtually the same stellar health tracking in a slightly heftier but more stylish stainless steel design. And you gain certain smartwatch capabilities likely coming later to Sense 2.
As such, I generally recommend seeking out the still-capable Sense for most buyers unless the slimmer build and upgraded cEDA stress tracking proves absolutely essential to your needs. Value shoppers reap similar rewards saving $100+ while supply lasts. Give it another year or so for the second-gen to smooth out limitations.
Another alternative worth considering comes from Fitbit‘s sister device – the Versa 4. It earned our award for "Best Fitness Smartwatch for Most People" withstood offering strong discount bank for the buck.
While you sacrifice the Sense 2‘s cEDA sensor and slimmer profile, the Versa 4 provides practically identical health tracking otherwise in an elegantly simple design with 6-day battery for around $50-$100 cheaper. Plenty enough fitness power for the average user.
So in summary:
- Sense 2 – Top choice if the upgraded stress tracking and slightly sleeker redesigned chassis appeals for maximum $300 budget. Just temper expectations around missing smart features.
- Original Sense – Unbeatable value with near-identical capabilities as Sense 2, often found discounted under $200.
- Versa 4 – Balanced middle ground with excellent fitness tracking for $50-$150 less than Sense 2.
Let‘s recap the key questions for your decision making.
Fitbit Sense 2 vs Original Sense: Your FAQs Answered
Should I upgrade from my original Sense to the Sense 2?
For most original Sense owners, probably not yet at least. The upgrades seem relatively minor currently at the expense of odd software downgrades. Stick with your still-capable Sense unless the cEDA stress tracking and redesigned chassis appeals.
Which model would you recommend buying for new customers?
The $300 Sense 2 for those who want the very latest top-end experience. Otherwise the discounted original Sense saves $100+ with practically the same feature set if you find it under $200 new or used.
How does the Sense 2 compare to other high-end smartwatches like Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch5?
It holds up well as the premier fitness & health-first smartwatch. You sacrifice some app ecosystem and smart ecosystem found in WatchOS and Wear OS. But the proprietary OS, 6-day battery, and focus on actionable wellness data gives Fitbit the edge for fitness buffs.
What are the disadvantages or downsides to the Sense 2 vs the original?
Most notably today, the loss of Google Assistant access, no ability for music storage, fewer notification abilities, and Google Wallet replacing the superior Fitbit Pay engine. These should get remedied over time but still annoyance shortcomings.
When can we expect the missing features to get added to Sense 2?
Fitbit hasn‘t provided exact timelines but claims Google Assistant, call support, and additional functions are coming in future firmware updates "soon". However, we don‘t know if something like the onboard music support from Sense will ever return unfortunately.
Is the cEDA stress tracking sensor a major upgrade over the original EDA implementation?
Absolutely – allowing continuous rather than manually activated stress checks provides much greater lifestyle context the first-gen Sense couldn‘t match. Combining the cEDA findings with heart rate variability paints a detailed picture of your body‘s reactions to stressors.
Let me know any other questions! I‘m happy to provide additional guidance as someone whose tested both Sense models extensively across years of wearables reviewing.
Key Takeaways Comparing the Flagship Fitbits
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The Sense 2 refines its predecessor with a slimmer design, upgraded EDA stress sensor, additional workout profiles, tighter Google integration eventually – but all for a lofty $300 price.
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Losing functionality like Google Assistant, music storage, and advanced notifications at launch hampers value until fixes come via firmware updates of unknown ETA.
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Consider seeking out discounted original Sense deals under $200 offering practically identical health & fitness tracking to Sense 2 in a slightly heftier but more stylish stainless steel frame.
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Otherwise the new Versa 4 splits differences with advanced fitness metrics for $50-$150 less than the Sense 2 if stress tracking seems less critical to your needs.
In the end both Sense editions rate among the most capable health & wellness wearables ever released. It comes down to budget and if the incremental upgrades warrant paying extra right now before missing elements get re-enabled.
Let me know if any other questions come up about either of these Fitbit flagships!
