The Ultimate Showdown: Garmin Vivofit 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Fit2 for Fitness Enthusiasts

Choosing the right fitness tracker can be a daunting task, especially with so many options available. Two popular contenders in the market are the Garmin Vivofit 3 and the Samsung Galaxy Fit2. Both devices offer a range of features to help you track your activity, sleep, and overall health. But which one is right for you? This comprehensive comparison will delve into the pros and cons of each tracker, helping you make an informed decision.

Design and Comfort

The Garmin Vivofit 3 and Samsung Galaxy Fit2 boast distinct designs that cater to different preferences. The Vivofit 3 features a classic, minimalist design with a rectangular display and a comfortable, customizable band. Its display is always-on, offering a clear view of your stats at a glance. The Galaxy Fit2, on the other hand, sports a sleek, modern design with a curved AMOLED touchscreen display. It’s more compact and lightweight, making it ideal for smaller wrists.
Garmin Vivofit 3:

• Pros: Classic, minimalist design; always-on display; comfortable and customizable band.
• Cons: Basic display with limited customization; bulky compared to the Galaxy Fit2.

Samsung Galaxy Fit2:

• Pros: Sleek, modern design; vibrant AMOLED touchscreen display; compact and lightweight.
• Cons: Display is not always-on; limited customization options for the band.

Activity Tracking and Features

Both trackers excel in activity tracking, providing comprehensive data on your steps, distance, calories burned, and active minutes. However, they differ in their feature sets and functionalities.
Garmin Vivofit 3:

• Pros: Accurate step counting; sleep tracking; Move IQ feature automatically detects activities; water resistance up to 5 ATM; customizable goals; long battery life (up to 1 year).
• Cons: Limited fitness features compared to the Galaxy Fit2; no GPS or heart rate monitoring.

Samsung Galaxy Fit2:

• Pros: Accurate step counting; sleep tracking; heart rate monitoring; GPS for outdoor workouts; automatic workout detection; stress monitoring; water resistance up to 5 ATM; customizable watch faces; longer battery life (up to 21 days).
• Cons: Less accurate step counting than the Vivofit 3; no Move IQ feature; limited customization options for the band.

Sleep Tracking

Both trackers offer sleep tracking features, but they differ in their capabilities and insights.
Garmin Vivofit 3:

• Pros: Tracks sleep duration and quality; provides insights into light, deep, and REM sleep stages; consistent sleep tracking.
• Cons: Limited sleep tracking features compared to the Galaxy Fit2; no sleep score or personalized recommendations.

Samsung Galaxy Fit2:

• Pros: Tracks sleep duration and quality; provides insights into light, deep, and REM sleep stages; sleep score; personalized sleep recommendations; detailed sleep analysis.
• Cons: Can be less accurate in detecting sleep stages compared to the Vivofit 3.

Smart Features

While both devices are primarily fitness trackers, they offer some smart features to enhance your daily life.
Garmin Vivofit 3:

• Pros: Smart notifications for calls, texts, and app alerts; time and date display.
• Cons: Limited smart features compared to the Galaxy Fit2; no music control or voice assistant support.

Samsung Galaxy Fit2:

• Pros: Smart notifications for calls, texts, and app alerts; music control; voice assistant support; weather updates; find my phone feature.
• Cons: Limited customization options for notifications; no built-in GPS for location tracking.

Battery Life

One of the key advantages of the Garmin Vivofit 3 is its exceptional battery life. Its coin-cell battery can last for up to a year without needing a recharge. The Samsung Galaxy Fit2, while boasting a respectable battery life of up to 21 days, falls short of the Vivofit 3 in this regard.
Garmin Vivofit 3:

• Pros: Exceptional battery life (up to 1 year); no need for frequent charging.
• Cons: Non-replaceable battery; limited features due to the battery constraint.

Samsung Galaxy Fit2:

• Pros: Good battery life (up to 21 days); convenient charging via magnetic cradle.
• Cons: Shorter battery life compared to the Vivofit 3; needs to be charged more frequently.

The Verdict: Which Fitness Tracker is Right for You?

Ultimately, the best fitness tracker for you depends on your individual needs and priorities.
Choose the Garmin Vivofit 3 if:

• You prioritize long battery life and don’t need advanced features.
• You prefer a classic, minimalist design with an always-on display.
• You’re looking for a budget-friendly option.

Choose the Samsung Galaxy Fit2 if:

• You need advanced fitness features like GPS and heart rate monitoring.
• You prefer a sleek, modern design with a vibrant touchscreen display.
• You value smart features like music control and voice assistant support.

Information You Need to Know

Q: Can I use either tracker to track my workouts?
A: Both trackers can track your workouts, but the Galaxy Fit2 offers more advanced features like GPS and heart rate monitoring, making it better suited for outdoor workouts. The Vivofit 3 is more basic and focuses on tracking your overall activity levels.
Q: Which tracker is better for sleep tracking?
A: Both trackers offer sleep tracking, but the Galaxy Fit2 provides more detailed insights and personalized recommendations. However, some users find the Vivofit 3 to be more accurate in detecting sleep stages.
Q: Which tracker is more comfortable to wear?
A: Comfort is subjective and depends on individual preferences. The Vivofit 3’s customizable band offers a more secure fit, while the Galaxy Fit2’s lightweight design may be more comfortable for smaller wrists.
Q: Can I customize the watch faces on either tracker?
A: The Galaxy Fit2 offers customizable watch faces, while the Vivofit 3 has a limited number of pre-installed options.
Q: Which tracker is more affordable?
A: The Garmin Vivofit 3 is typically more affordable than the Samsung Galaxy Fit2.