Fitbit Sense was a groundbreaking tracker/smartwatch when it was released in 2020. Until the debut of Fitbit Sense 2, it was the most advanced product Fitbit has ever released. The latest edition of Fitbit’s flagship product was released on September 23, 2022, to mixed reviews.
Despite the fact that both are undeniably among the best fitness trackers on the market, the distinctions between them are insignificant. Sure, some improvements were made, and Fitbit 2 is still expected to receive big updates, but we have to wonder if the upgrade is worthwhile.
In this article, we’ll compare Fitbit Sense 2 with Fitbit Sense, as well as their significant differences. For anyone considering purchasing either of these models, we’ll compare their features, build quality, and design. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

Fitbit Sense 2 vs Fitbit Sense: Side-by-Side Comparison
Fitbit Sense 2 | Fitbit Sense | |
---|---|---|
Display | 1.58-inch AMOLED | 1.58-inch AMOLED |
Dimensions | 38 x 38 x 11.4mm | 40.48 x 40.48 x 12.35mm |
Sensors | GPS + GLONASS, ECG, cEDA, skin temperature, optical heart rate sensor, gyroscope, 3-axis accelerometer, altimeter, ambient light sensor | GPS + GLONASS, ECG, cEDA, skin temperature, optical heart rate sensor, gyroscope, 3-axis accelerometer, altimeter, ambient light sensor |
Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
Water resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
Battery life | 6+ days | 6+ days |
ECG / EDA | ECG/cEDA | ECG/EDA |
NFC payments | Google Wallet, Fitbit Pay | Fitbit Pay |
Voice assistant(s) | Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
Integrations | Google Maps and Wallet support | Third-party apps |
Mic/Speaker | Yes | Yes |
Fitbit Sense 2 vs Fitbit Sense: What’s the Difference?
Simply put, there isn’t much of a distinction between the Fitbit Sense 2 and the original Fitbit Sense. Both devices can track at least 20 different activities and workouts, as well as measure your fitness indicators. This covers, among other things, heart rate, stress levels, and sleep.
The design segment has experienced one important change, which we’ll go over in more depth below. Aside from that, distinguishing between two Fitbit flagship items can be tough.
Both have the same size AMOLED screen and nearly identical metal frames and silicon bands. However, there are some small characteristics that set them apart. Let’s get started.
Fitbit Sense 2 vs Fitbit Sense: Display
Both tablets include a 1.58-inch AMOLED display with vibrant colors and excellent blacks — and limitless contrast. The screen resolution of 336 336 gives 300 pixels per inch (PPI), which is comparable to most mid-tier smartphones. It’s also comparable to the Apple Watch Series 7, which has a little crisper and a more detailed screen.
The displays on both smartphones reach 1,000 nits (brightness units), which is bright enough to overcome sun glare. Users would be able to navigate and utilize their gadgets in broad daylight as a result of this. Given that average use in daylight necessitates around 800 nits, both the Fitbit Sense 2 and Fitbit Sense provide sufficient visibility.
Price
Given the little variations between Fitbit Sense 2 and Fitbit Sense, price is most likely to be a deciding factor. Fitbit Sense 2 costs around $300 (now reduced on Amazon), while Fitbit Sense costs between $150 and $200. That is a significant pricing difference for what is essentially the same item.
Sensors
The original Sense’s stress-monitoring EDA sensor received the most attention in the tech press. By using the EDA (electrodermal activity) sensor to assess stress, Fitbit Sense was able to track more than just your physical well-being.
Although EDA regulates body temperature, it is also linked to emotional reactivity, particularly stress. When agitated, an EDA sensor monitors changes in skin conductance, which can rise with sweat gland activity.
The Fitbit Sense makes simple use of technology. To perform an EDA scan, users must launch the app and place their palms over the stainless-steel frame of the watch for two minutes. This is an interesting feature; the device’s Mindfulness app provides meditation guidance for better stress management.

Unfortunately, users must launch the scan manually, and many have inquired how to make the scan continuous. A passive stress indicator would alert a user to high levels of stress, allowing them to take prompt action. And, in response to user demand, Fitbit included a cEDA sensor in their new Fitbit Sense 2.
The Fitbit Sense 2’s cEDA (continuous electrodermal activity) sensor monitors skin activity throughout the day. It combines its reading with the heart-beat reading sensor and alerts people to high-stress levels.
Design
As previously said, the Fitbit Sense 2 and the original Fitbit Sense are nearly identical at first appearance. However, it is the subtleties that distinguish them. Begin with the original Fitbit Sense. The device is encased in a stainless steel housing that is 12.4mm thick and 40mm wide. Given that stainless steel is extensively used in wristwatch production, it’s not a poor design choice.
Furthermore, the material is well-known for its hypoallergenic characteristics. As a result, it is largely employed in surgical equipment and body jewelry. The 1.58-inch screen is flanked by thick black bezels. These aren’t as terrible, but they’re no match for Apple Watch bezels.
Furthermore, the capacitive side button or touch button is in charge of menu selection and actuation. Unfortunately, it has proven to be untrustworthy, as it has a tendency to disrupt a measurement session if mistakenly triggered. Fitbit attempted to address this vulnerability with continual updates, but it has not improved.
Fitbit Sense 2 modifies the already familiar design in various ways. The anodized aluminum body, which measures 11.4mm thick and 38mm broad, is the first. Although anodized aluminum is not as durable as stainless steel, it expands color options and reduces color fluctuation. Furthermore, it is less expensive and easier to recycle.
The device is smaller, yet the decrease in size has had no effect on display real estate. Instead, the bezels are slimmer, which, when combined with an anodized metal frame, creates a more premium appearance. Furthermore, it is 15% lighter than its predecessor.
Obviously, the most significant difference is the addition of a physical button rather than a capacitive one. The tactile button is a strong indication that Fitbit is responding to its customers’ needs. To be sure, the physical button simplifies interaction with the gadget and practically eliminates inadvertent actuation.
Health Apps
The distinctions between health and fitness monitoring apps are primarily aesthetic. The same FDA-approved electrocardiogram (ECG) app is available on both devices. It warns you of any anomalies in your heart rate and stores data. This enables you to communicate your heart rate patterns to your doctor.
SpO2, or oxygen saturation, is also included, as well as a GPS, Active Zone Minutes, sleep tracking, and exercise modes. Fitbit Sense has over 20 different exercise modes, many of which are recognized automatically by the device. Fitbit Sense 2, on the other hand, increased this figure to 40+.
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Software
When Google announced the acquisition of Fitbit in 2019, many consumers assumed that future Fitbit gadgets will use Google’s proprietary operating system. That, however, was not the case. Google did not complete the acquisition of Fitbit until January 2020, and the initial Fitbit Sense debuted with a proprietary user interface.
Furthermore, the Fitbit Sense 2’s latest iteration continues to employ a different version of the same proprietary UI. This may appear to be a pointless step, but it has various consequences for the new device. For example, with Google’s Wear OS 3 loaded, it’s difficult to imagine the Fitbit Sense 2’s battery lasting more than a day.
Google Integrations and Smartwatch
This is when things become interesting. In terms of third-party app support and integrations, the original Fitbit Sense was a colossus when it was released. It worked with Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as Deezer and Spotify. NFC payments, on the other hand, were confined to Fitbit Pay, which isn’t as popular as Google Pay.
Fitbit Sense 2 lacks third-party app support as well as several Google integrations. For starters, users will be unable to use Google Assistant. For the time being, voice commands work with Amazon’s Alexa, but Google has announced the launch of Google Assistant via an upgrade. The same is true for forthcoming Google Maps, which were not available at launch or on the original model.
In contrast, payments are made through Google Wallet or Fitbit Pay. The negative is the lack of Bluetooth call functionality, which is currently unavailable. However, it was revealed that it would appear in one of the future releases. Oh, and there’s no music control, and it’s unclear whether it will ever be included in the new model.
Battery
Neither Google nor Fitbit disclosed the battery capacity. The original Fitbit Sense, on the other hand, has a 266mAh battery on a 3.85V cell, according to the iFixit deconstruction guide.
Even so, it advertises a battery life of more than six days. Of course, this is a deliberate word choice that indicates standby mode, disabled Always On Display, and disabled connectivity options.

The battery capacity of the Fitbit Sense 2 is currently unknown. However, it’s safe to infer that the gadget uses a similar, if not the same, battery in terms of capacity. Fitbit and Google both advertise 6+ days of battery life on the Fitbit Sense 2.
Finally, battery life is determined by usage. Users should not expect the battery to last more than a day if all connectivity options are enabled. It’s worth noting that the general perception among wearable enthusiasts is that Fitbit’s custom UI puts less burden on the battery.
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Fitbit Sense 2 vs Fitbit Sense: Which One Is Better?
The Fitbit Sense 2 offers some enhancements over the Fitbit Sense, primarily enhanced aesthetics, cEDA monitoring, and workout detection. But that’s where its powers end, and it’s now more constrained in many ways than the original Fitbit Sense. So the true question isn’t which is superior, but if the $300 upgrade is worthwhile.
Unless you’re a techie who enjoys wearing the latest gizmo, the Fitbit Sense 2’s price-value ratio falls short of the original Fitbit Sense. We recommend waiting six to twelve months before purchasing Fitbit Sense 2. This will give Google plenty of time to enable a number of features that it advertised but aren’t yet available on the device.
FAQs
Is Fitbit Sense 2 better than Fitbit Sense?
Fitbit’s most costly wearable, the Sense 2, costs $300. In comparison to the first-generation Sense, which retailed for around $330 in 2020, the second-generation device has a thinner and lighter design, as well as an enhanced EDA measurement.
Is Fitbit Sense 2 a good watch?
It’s a beautiful smartwatch with a solid feature set and one of the most user-friendly companion apps available.
Is it worth getting the Fitbit Sense?
If you want to enhance your workout game or simply take your health and overall wellness more seriously, the Fitbit Sense might be for you.