Business Insider/Lisa Eadicicco
The Apple Watch Series 5 (left) and the Fitbit Versa 2 (right).
- Both the Apple Watch Series 5 and Fitbit Versa 2 offer advantages and disadvantages.
- Although I'm typically an Apple Watch user, I recently switched to Fitbit's Versa 2, which the company launched in August.
- I generally preferred the Versa 2's longer battery life, sleep-tracking, and wider variety of supported workouts.
- But the Apple Watch reigned supreme when it came to the overall smartwatch experience.
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If you're in the market for a new smartwatch, there's a good chance you're probably deciding between an Apple Watch or a Fitbit smartwatch: Apple launched its latest smartwatch in September, the $400 Series 5, while Fitbit debuted its $200 Versa 2 watch in August.
Both companies are industry leaders when it comes to wearable technology. Apple claimed 46.4% of the global smartwatch market as of the second quarter of 2019, while the now Google-owned Fitbit accounted for 9.8% according to Strategy Analytics. (Samsung also ranks highly in second place just below Apple with 15.9% of the market.)
I'm usually an Apple Watch user, but recently switching to the Fitbit Versa 2 reminded me of the advantages and disadvantages each device has over the other.
Compared to the Apple Watch, I preferred the Fitbit Versa 2's longer battery life, native sleep tracking, and broader selection of supported workouts, for example. But the Apple Watch comes with additional sensors and features not found on the Versa 2 - like the ability to take an electrocardiogram and a built-in GPS sensor. Plus, the Apple Watch's more polished software and bigger app store make it feel like a much more capable smartwatch.
Here's a closer look at how the Apple Watch Series 5 and less expensive Fitbit Versa 2 compare.
