It’s been a long time coming, for those that have been waiting, but Samsung has now officially unveiled Gear Fit2, the follow up to the Gear Fit, and while the leaks have generally proved to be spot on, there were a few features that may surprise you.

The Gear Fit2 is Samsung’s latest wearable and features a number of updates but will they be enough to compete with Microsoft Band 2?

Gear Fit2 design

The Gear Fit2 certainly looks better than its predecessor to me. The Fit2 is more watch-like and features a new, sportier, textured strap.

Samsung have brought together a bunch of modern materials that sound more at home on a race track that a wrist. The Fit2 is constructed from aluminium polycarbonate and fiberglass while the screen is made from Gorilla Glass 3 and the strap from elastomer.

The new Gear Fit is waterproof, with an IP68 certification, which means you can take it down to the watery depths of up to 1.5 metres for a maximum of 30 minutes.

The Fit2 is also about the same size as the previous iteration but now you have a choice of two sizes for different wrists: small (size of wrist: 125-170mm) and large (size of wrist: 155-210mm).

The size difference doesn’t mean one loses out or gains anything extra. There’s no difference in features, display size, resolution or battery except that the large version is slightly heavier at 30 grams while the smaller is 28 grams.

There’s also more colour options than before – you can choose from black, blue and pink in both sizes. Granted, the choices aren’t going to set the world alight, but it’s better than’ol Henry Ford’s options of black.

Gear Fit2 specifications

The original Gear Fit was loaded with a 1.84-inch curved super AMOLED display with a 432 x 128 pixel resolution, this second-gen device comes with a smaller 1.5-inch screen. You still get a curved super AMOLED display with a resolution of 432 x 216 though.

The colour touchscreen squeezes in 322 pixels per inch, rather than the original’s 245ppi, and so should look bright and clear on your wrist.

Under the hood is an in-house 1 GHz, dual core processor mated to 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage which is all powered by Tizen.

The Fit2’s sensors include GPS, heart rate monitor, gyroscope, barometer and accelerometer

The GPS is completely built-in so you don’t have to carry your phone around during outdoor workouts. You’ll also be able to see a map of your running or biking route (along with running pace) all displayed on the screen.

Fit2 also keeps track of your heart rate more closely during exercises – and checks on your heart rate every 10 minutes.

Gear Fit2 features

The Gear Fit2 is able to auto-detect and track steps, calories and sleep, along with being able to recognise when you’re doing squats, riding a bike, using a rowing machine, or doing yoga which it will then log accordingly.

You can transfer fitness data between S Health and other “select” fitness apps while Gear Fit2 also provides a ‘Step Goal Challenge’ that can be instantly shared with friends and family on Facebook.

On-wrist notifications include text, calls, email, apps and calendar. You also have the availability to send pre-written quick replies and emoticons to anyone who calls or messages you – which also brings the Fit2 up to spec with most other smartwatches, including the Microsoft Band 2.

Gear Fit2 music

If you were wondering what that 4GB of storage was for then this new feature could well be the reason for it.

The Gear Fit2 comes with a standalone music player. Now, Samsung says you can leave your phone behind for workouts – just remember your Bluetooth headphones. It might not entirely be a coincidence that Samsung is also releasing their Gear IconX wireless earbuds.

The audio formats its able to play are MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC, M4A, AMR, AWB, OGG, OGA and 3GA.

Samsung is also teaming up with Spotify for a dedicated app, although you’ll still need your phone to play the music as there’s no mobile connectivity on board.
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Gear Fit2 battery and compatibility

At 200 mAh the battery life lasts three to four days. This is 10 mAh smaller than the first Gear Fit however it also lasted the same amount of time so optimisation has improved.

While the Fit2 isn’t tied down to Samsung devices, it’s still only compatible with Android 4.4 handsets. So, Apple stays with Apple on this count.

Gear Fit2 price and availability

The Fit2 is chalked up with a $180 price tag, which sets it a bit under the $250 Microsoft Band 2 and well under the Apple Watch. I would imagine a UK price of £180-£200.

I think that’s not too bad an asking price for standalone GPS, music, colour touchscreen and a decent battery life.

You can preorder Samsung’s Gear Fit2 online from Samsung, or wait to buy it at retail on June 10 in the States. I am still waiting to hear if we’re going to get a UK release.