The popular Gear Fit 2 might be getting a professional upgrade, and we’re set to see it soon
It’s nearly time for IFA 2017, and one of the things we’re expecting from the show is a new wearable from Samsung in the shape of the Gear Fit 2 Pro. IFA 2017
This is likely to be an upgraded version of the current (and popular) Gear Fit 2, with improved capabilities to help you do your fitness thing in more places. Gear Fit 2
We first got word this was happening in January earlier this year, and now it looks like the device is close to appearing. first got word this was happening in January earlier this year
The idea was reinforced when a survey was sent around a few months later, including to SamMobile, asking users for feedback on a possibly swim-proof fitness tracker. SamMobile
It’s not going to be the cheapest fitness tracker on the market, but it’s a device that fuses the capabilities of a fitness band with the power of a smartwatch, so commanding a slightly higher price makes a good degree of sense.
What is it? It’s the upgraded version of the Samsung Gear Fit 2 When is it out? Likely shown off at IFA 2017 with a late September / early October release date How much will it cost? Early rumored pricing puts it at $200 (around £160 / AU$250)
GPS on board Offline Spotify playback Swim tracking
We’re not expecting a huge change in terms of the functionality of the Gear Fit 2 Pro, but there are some interesting rumors slipping out that seem rather likely.
We didn’t know a huge amount about the wearable until recently, when Samsung accidentally put up the product support page a little early.
The most exciting thing to note is offline Spotify support – already available on the Samsung Gear S3 smartwatch, this was reinforced as a feature on the Fit 2 Pro after a deck was leaked to Venturebeat detailing the new device. Venturebeat
This is a key feature, as it’s still relatively rare on the market and is likely to attract the fitness fans who don’t want to stick a phone on their arm but can’t fill their smartwatch with MP3s as all they do is stream these days.
The swimming capability will also be a key design upgrade – while the Samsung Gear Fit 2 was IP68-rated, it wasn’t technically recommended for swimming (the smashing into the water can actually force liquid under the surface) so the new model will be submersible and therefore able to log your watery training.
There’s a Speedo-created app on the device as well, allowing you to track your swims through a dedicated brand, rather than hoping Samsung has worked out a decent way to monitor you in the pool (and it’s not always great at fitness tracking…)
Otherwise, it’s going to be rather similar to the Gear Fit 2 in terms of internals – although we do expect a slightly longer-lasting battery – set to be 200mAh in the forthcoming wearable – through improvements to Samsung’s Tizen operating system making it more efficient.
One of the key strengths of Samsung’s OS is the ability to help its portable smart products last longer – the Gear S3, for instance, easily outlasts the Apple Watch 2 despite having a relatively similar feature set. Gear S3 Apple Watch 2
You’ll be able to track all manner of fitness capabilities with the new Gear Fit wearable, with automatic exercise recognition coming thanks to the inbuilt gyroscope and accelerometer. Upgraded band Smaller bezels around the screen
The key design differences to the Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro will be to the strap, which will have a buckled clasp to hold the heart rate monitor tight to your skin.
The screen will be the same as previously seen on the Gear Fit 2, with 216 x 432 pixels across the 1.5-inch Super AMOLED screen. The design seems to hint at fewer bezels around the edge, but we’ll need to get the device in our hands to test that.
It’ll be a little heavier than the previous Gear Fit 2, up from 24g to 30g, but that shouldn’t be too much of an issue on the wrist.
It’ll come in both black and red colors, according to the leak, with the screen slightly curved again to fit better on the wrist. Expected to launch: August 30 Release date estimate: September or October
The first wave of rumors had the new Samsung fitness tracker pegged for launch alongside the Galaxy Note 8, but that never came to pass as the focus was all on the smartphone. Note 8
We’ve often seen new wearables at the European consumer electronics show IFA, and that’s where we’re expecting to meet the new Fit 2 Pro at the end of August.
The new wearable should be announced at Samsung’s press conference on 30 August, with a likely on-sale date at the end of September or beginning of October. Rumors state it will cost $199 (around £160 / AU$250)
Considering the amount of technology actually chucked into the thing, the leaked price of $199 (around £160 / AU$250) doesn’t seem too bad, as you’ll be getting some good smartwatch capabilities and a longer-lasting battery than most, complete with an attractive display. leaked price of $199
It also means we may see a Samsung Gear Fit 2 price drop come Black Friday and Cyber Monday in November, so if you’re not bothered about the waterproofing capabilities then perhaps the launch of the Fit 2 Pro will lead you to a cheaper deal down the line. Black Friday Cyber Monday Let’s be honest – this is probably going to make our list of the best fitness trackers with ease best fitness trackers
