Smartwatches have evolved from fancy pedometers into powerful mini computers for your wrist – able to monitor your health stats, deliver notifications, track workouts via GPS, make payments, and even function as standalone phones.
With advanced features packed into sleek designs, choosing the right model can difficult. Two of the most popular devices comes from market leaders Fitbit and Samsung.
This expert evaluation will scrutinize 10 key metrics between the flagship Fitbit Sense and new Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 series to determine the best option based on your needs.
Dimension and Design Analysis
At first glance, aesthetics clearly differentiate the Sense and Galaxy Watch models. The latest Galaxy sports the signature circular stainless steel watch case with rotating bezel reminiscent of traditional wristwatches.
By comparison, the Fitbit Sense exhibits more of a fitness tracker appearance from its sleek squircle watchface to colored infinity band options made of flexible silicone similar to the Nike Sport Bands for Apple Watch.
| Model | Fitbit Sense | Galaxy Watch 4 (40mm) | Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (42mm) |
| Display Size | 1.58 inches | 1.19 inches | 1.19 inches |
| Bezel Material | Aluminum | Aluminum | Stainless Steel |
| Case Size | 40.5 x 40.5 x 12.35 mm | 40.4×39.3×9.8 mm | 42.3×41.5×11.2 mm |
| Weight with Band | 33 grams | 25.9 grams | 46.5 grams |
| Water Rating | 5ATM (up to 50 meters) | 5ATM | 5ATM |
| Style Options | 3 colors + accessories | Up to 5 colors | Silver/Black |
Evaluating dimensions and durability, both watches measure almost identically across though at 33 grams the Sense tips the scales as 27% heavier on your wrist. For swim tracking, each watch meets the 5 ATM standard allowing up to 50 meters depth before risking water damage.
In terms of style flexibility, the Galaxy 4 takes the lead with over 5 colors options plus customizable bands. By comparison, the Sense launches in just 3 muted colorways and requires purchasing 1st party or 3rd party bands.
So while appealing aesthetics remain subjective to your personal taste, the Galaxy does claim the customization advantage. However heavier users or those with slimmer wrists may find the lighter Galaxy 4 more comfortable for 24/7 wearability.
Display Technology Breakdown
A smartwatch lives and dies by its display. Without a highly responsive and easy-to-read touchscreen experience your interactions get frustrating quickly.
Both the Galaxy Watch 4 and Fitbit Sense utilize state-of-the-art OLED display panels. This allows each pixel to operate independently without any backlight resulting in exceptional contrast with true blacks and lower power consumption. However Samsung ups the ante further with its Super AMOLED displays touting higher maximum brightness levels for better outdoor visibility:
| Fitbit Sense | Galaxy Watch 4 | |
| Display Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Size | 1.58 inches | 1.19 inches |
| Resolution | 336 x 336 pixels | 260 x 260 pixels |
| Pixel Density | 300 ppi | 330 ppi |
| Max Brightness | 1,000 nits | 450 nits |
Based on display specs alone, the Fitbit Sense clearly wins on overall real estate with a 30% larger screen packed densely with more pixels for sharper imagery, text and visualizations. However its brightness still falls just over half as bright as a flagship Galaxy smartphone.
So in terms of raw specifications, the Sense takes the crown. But remember even with a "mere" 450 nits, most users find the Galaxy 4 perfectly readable even under bright daylight. So its advantage truly boils down to personal preferences around screen size vs peak luminosity.
Processor Performance Benchmarks
For any computing device, the processor constitutes its brain responsible for executing app logic quickly and efficiently. Let‘s compare the silicon inside these wearables.
Fitbit Sense
Leveraging proprietary silicon, the Sense runs Fitbit OS via an Amlogic FBT18S SOC model with the following reported specs:
- 4 x ARM Cortex A-53 cores
- 680 MHz max clock speed
- Mali-G68 GPU
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
By comparison, the Galaxy Watch 4 harnessed Samsung’s Exynos W920 bleeding edge SOC based on a tri-cluster architecture:
- 2 x Cortex A55 cores for efficiency
- 2 x Cortex A75 for high performance
- 1 x Cortex M55 real-time core
- 10nm silicon fabrication
While independent benchmarks remain unavailable, Samsung promises a 20% efficiency gain and 10x better performance than previous Galaxy active watches.
Anecdotally the Series 4 also shows no hint of lag across theTensor-enhanced Wear OS 3 interface or apps proving quite snappy thanks to 1.5 GB system memory.
Local Storage Capacity
While smartwatches depend greatly on connectivity with our phones, having local onboard storage for apps, music and data does improve overall functionality when away from WiFi and mobile signals.
Fitbit Sense
The Sense offers only 4 GB total allocated mostly to storing apps and firmware with limited space for locally synced playlists or offline map data.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
By comparison, the Galaxy Watch 4 boosts capacity 4x up to 16 GB total. This allows freedom to keep multiple Spotify playlists, offline map data, fitness profiles and more accessible without the tether to your handset.
For serious runners, swimmers and bikers who push deep into backcountry minus connectivity, the Galaxy clearly delivers more standalone versatility.
Biometric Security
Any wearable packing apps, credit cards, health data and notifications earns its place on our wrist. That also makes security paramount.
Fitbit Sense
Like all fitness trackers, the Sense offers personal passcode protection and authorization via the paired mobile device before accessing sensitive actions like contactless payments.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
The Galaxy takes protection further via an integrated BioActive Sensor packing both optical heart rate monitoring and electrical heart signal detection. But it also measures bioelectrical impedance for body composition and functions as a fingerprint reader – all wrapped into one powerful chipset.
This fingerprint authentication enables the convenience of authorizing Samsung Pay tap-and-go payments or decrypting encrypted health data logs without constantly entering passcodes.
Connectivity: LTE and Location Based Services
While the basics like Bluetooth 5.0 LE, 2.5GHz/5GHz WiFi and NFC cover pairing these watches with other devices, phones and payment terminals, more advanced connectivity unlocks next level location-based features.
Fitbit Sense
Supporting GPS, GLNOS plus connected GNSS high accuracy systems, the Sense tracks pace, distance and routes without a smartphone assist.
Regrettably LTE options don‘t exist for using a cellular plan to deliver notifications or stream apps sans phone.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
Matching the GPS/GLONAS capability for offline run tracking, the Galaxy Watch 4 LTE versions sold directly through wireless carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile allow activating a standalone phone number.
This delivers the convenience of untethered connectivity to place calls, reply to messages and stream apps anywhere a cellular signal reaches without the burden of carrying a smartphone on dog walks, trail runs or quick errands.
Clearly this exclusive LTE option gives Samsung the connectivity advantage for users craving max phone freedom.
Platform & Ecosystem Analysis
Just like desktop OS platforms, limitations or strengths lie in the underlying software environment and app catalog.
Fitbit OS Software
As a pioneer of health trackers and smartwatches, Fitbit OS powers 25+ million active users leveraging phones and tablets for extended features. Responsive menu navigation and workout modes perform admirably though mostly information resides in the mobile app.
The proprietary software environment hampers growth lacking iOS/Android app bridges leaving mostly custom health/fitness tracking apps and Faces watch UI customizations rather than popular streaming or social apps.
Wear OS Powered by Samsung
Conversely, Samsung and Google co-engineered Wear OS 3 exclusively for the Galaxy Watch series allowing tighter integration for notifications, health data and even wallet features like Samsung Pay or Google Wallet plus downloads from the expansive Google Play store.
Everything from Uber to Spotify run smoothly directly on the watch minus the middleman phone while still permitting custom health tracking interfaces via S Health Monitor apps.
Ecosystem Extras
Both connect to companion mobile apps allowing deeper analysis, health insights, workout aggregation plus sharing accomplishments with friends. However Samsung goes further empowering Galaxy phone owners to mirrorFitness progress or nutrition stats in Samsung Health reducing app overload.
For iOS users this marks a distinction as Samsung favors Android integration while Fitbit straddles both platforms cleanly.
Pricing Showdown
Premium smartwatch capabilities come at a cost – especially at launch. However holiday sales can make these devices more accessible to value oriented buyers.
Fitbit Sense
Debuting at $299 in 2020, current Sense pricing floats around $200 for the base model. However certified renewed/refurbished units dip closer to $150.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
As a newer 2022 product line, the Galaxy Watch series runs from $229 to $329 at launch with LTE connectivity commanding the top-end pricing. Still Samsung offers frequent bundle promos like adding a free wireless charger doubling the value.
For the features analyzed above, both series deliver solid bang-for-buck though the LTE freedom does come at a recurring monthly premium.
The Expert Verdict
Both watches deliver slick styling with smooth software and crisp displays plus deep health insights and activity tracking. However key advantages emerge for each model based on your needs and mobile ecosystem.
Go With the Fitbit Sense If You Want:
- The most advanced health metrics
- Long battery runtime spanning days not hours
- Strong Apple iPhone integration
- Lightweight and comfortable for 24/7 wear
Pick the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 For:
- The biggest app catalog with Google integration
- Multi-day battery life still feasible if not as extreme
- LTE freedom from your phone
- More contemporary styling
Both shine as legitimate Apple Watch competitors in the cross-platform smartwatch race by sticking to their strengths. And whichever model you pick, your wrist will reap serious tech power in a lightweight and comfortable form factor!
For more background, check out my in-depth comparison between the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 vs. Galaxy Watch 3.
What other questions pop up for you when evaluating these advanced smartwatches? Which features hold the most weight influencing your personal buying decision? Let me know in the comments below!
