Microsoft Band Vs. Apple Watch Vs. Fitbit: Side-By-Side Comparison
Microsoft unveiled its updated version of the Microsoft Band, which is giving some Apple users major déjà vu.
Microsoft launched its first wearable fitness tracker in 2014. The original Microsoft Band came equipped with sensors that track your activity, heart rate, and sleep. It also notified you about incoming text messages and social media messages.
The Microsoft Band is a fitness tracker you wear on your wrist. The newly updated Band has gone through some major improvements over the previous Band when it comes to style and specs. But how does it compare to the Apple Watch or the Fitbit?
Fitbit has quickly become one of the best-selling fitness trackers on the market. It seems like there are more people wearing Fitbit bands rather than Microsoft Bands. If you’re on the market for a new fitness band and if price is a major factor, then you will find that the Microsoft Band 2 is slightly expensive than the Fitbit line since it retails at $249.95. It is in line with the more expensive Fitbit Surge HR, which retails for $249. The Microsoft Band 2 and Fitbit Surge HR are also $100 cheaper than the Apple Watch Sport. Both the Microsoft Band 2 and the Fitbit Surge are not only close in price, but they’re also close in design and features.
Fitbit’s current line includes four fitness band trackers: The Flex ($99.95), the Charge ($129.95), the Charge HR ($149.95) and the aforementioned Fitbit Surge ($249.95). This is the higher end of the Fitbit line and includes key features like GPS and heart rate monitoring.
The Microsoft Band 2 has an alarm clock, world clock, expert coaching, goal setting, GPS, notifications, online portal, smartphone compatibility, and a stopwatch. Meanwhile, the Fitbit Charge HR comes with an alarm clock, barcode scanner, world clock, goal setting, online portal, social media integration, and a stopwatch.
Just so you know, the Apple Watch is nothing like the Microsoft Band 2 since it doesn’t have a built-in fitness tracking feature, but it can be installed through the third-party apps on the App Store. However, they are similar in design. The new Microsoft Band is made from a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 with an OLED touchscreen that curves around your wrist. The Apple Watch has a 312×390 pixel resolution AMOLED display with curved edges that also wrap around your wrist.
The Microsoft Band 2 does not have an option for quick and easy mobile payments. The Apple Watch beats out Microsoft with its new Apple Pay feature, which accepts any major credit card in the U.S. But you can place orders easily at Subway and Starbucks on your Band 2 with their third-party supported apps. If you want a personal assistant, the Microsoft Band 2 comes with the Cortana voice assistant, while the Apple Watch has the tried and true Siri. The great thing about the Band 2 is that Cortana will let you know when you miss a workout.
If you want to compare all three when it comes to battery life, the Microsoft Band 2 has the lowest running battery since it only has 48 hours of battery life. But the Apple Watch has the poorest battery life, which requires nightly charging. Meanwhile, the Fitbit Charge HR’s battery lasts up to five days once charged.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBmKfkReBC4
Microsoft unveiled more than just their new fitness tracking bands today. The tech giant also unveiled the Surface Pro 4, the Surface Book, a virtual reality headset called the HoloLens, and the Lumia 950 and 950 XL.
Microsoft has already begun the preorders for its Microsoft Band 2 on Tuesday, which will be followed by shipments on October 30. What are your thoughts on this new fitness tracker? Do you prefer the Microsoft Band, the Fitbit, or the Apple Watch? Share your thoughts below in the comments section.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfWBSRibuVY
[Image: Andrew Burton/Getty Images]
