With the Gear Fit, Samsung has combined two of the most popular categories of "portable" objects.A "connected watch" part and the other dedicated to fitness.For 149 euros, the Gear Fit not only promises to notify you of the alert arrivals, it also accompanies you in your training sessions - and even includes a heart rate instructor.With all these functions, is Gear Fit the ultimate bracelet?We tested it for a week, and here is our opinion.
The first generation of connected gadgets had a little too techno positioning, with products that attracted first technophile followers.The elegant Pebble Steel was the first connected watch to reverse this, however its software part does not facilitate its accessibility.
Samsung chose an all-in-one approach in 2014, with "well-being" products.With a Galaxy S5 equipped with a heart rate sensor, you should not be surprised to see this sensor disembark on the whole range: Gear 2, Gear 2 Lite and Gear Fit.The latter was surely the surprise of the 2014 MWC, we did not really expect it: a bracelet equipped with a curved screen.
An impressive screen!
What strikes in the first place is the Super Amoled screen of 1.85 inches.Indeed, this bracelet differs from all connected bracelets thanks to a touch screen.The blacks are really black, the colors are bright.The screen impresses, it is bright, reactive, colorful and curved.The definition is very correct for this screen size: 432 x 128 pixels.
The Gear Fit wraps around the wrist comfortably.A single button is used to turn on the screen, or you can also turn it automatically when it detects that you have moved your wrist to check the time.I regret that Samsung has not integrated "double tap" features on this watch to avoid having to go through a button to turn on the screen.Once on standby, you will not be able to check the time.Too bad, especially with this type of screen technology supposed to consume very little energy.
The Gear Fit is incredibly light with only 27 grams, which allows me to sleep with.I took my shower with it, the device seems water resistant.According to Samsung, it would be possible to leave it 1 meter deep for 30 minutes.
Finally, last reproach to do him: I find him a little too thick (11.95 mm thick).Without wanting to do in gender theory, this bracelet is very masculine, it seems to have been planned for imposing wrists.
Your heart rate on the wrist!
Like the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Lite, the Gear Fit can measure your heart rate, thanks to a sensor placed under the bracelet.It automatically starts monitoring when you launch an activity such as running or bicycle, and synchronizes with the S Health 3 application.0 of Samsung.
My heart rate was measured in a few seconds, at least a hundred times in a week.The results seem rather consistent, nevertheless must be interpreted with a few tweezers: one cannot expect to obtain detailed data without having to wear a breast strap.
RTOS and Gear Fit Manager!
Contrary to what has been said, Gear Fit does not work on Android or Tizen.It works under a RTOS owner OS suitable for small connected devices.To operate this bone, we find a CPU Arm Cortex M4 clocked at 180 MHz.Obviously, this architecture makes it possible to properly run the small apps integrated into the bracelet, and we do not feel lag or bug.
Besides, the watch receives an update from the first pairing.This update allows the watch to be able to display its content in a horizontal and vertical view.For once, the vertical view seems more suitable, even if the reading of a little longer text is less obvious.
Gear Fit Manager is necessary on your smartphone to work with the Gear Fit.Even if Samsung ensures that a Galaxy smartphone on Android 4.3 is compulsory, it turns out that this is wrong: I invite you to read my full tutorial to use the Gear Fit with any Android smartphone.
List of compatible Samsung devices (without having to tweak): Samsung Galaxy S5 / Galaxy Grand 2 / Galaxy Note 3 / Galaxy Note 3 Neo / Galaxy Note 2 / Galaxy S4 / Galaxy S3 / Galaxy S4 Zoom / Galaxy S4 Active / Galaxy S4 Mini Mini/Galaxy Mega 6.3 / Galaxy Mega 5.8 / Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 Edition) / Galaxy NotPro (12.2) / Galaxy TabPro (12.2/10.1/8.4).
What is it used for ?
The question is legitimate, especially since you are ready to spend 150 euros in this object.The Gear Fit allows you to give the time, the date as well as access to many autonomous features: podometer (basically, it counts the number of steps), chronometer, timer ... these are the "offline" features.As you can see, the features are quite limited compared to the Gear 2 watch.Vocal memo, no "remote control" function (no infrared port), etc..
Really cool to control your music!
As soon as you synchronize your Gear Fit with your Samsung Galaxy.The features evolve: you can receive some notifications (calls, SMS, etc..), control the music of your device, sound remotely your smartphone (practical if you have your head in the air like me), recover all the data collected from the S HEALTH 3 Application.0.
As you can see, data can also be analyzed by Runkeeper.I am sure that this application speaks a little more at the Sunday runners.
The notifications are displayed directly on the screen, you can consult part of the advanced content.For example, on Gmail will be possible to read the email, delete it or display it on the smartphone to answer them.No pre-recorded answers planned, damage.
What about autonomy?Announced between 3 and 5 days, it is rather 3 days with "classic" use on weekends.Correct autonomy, plan a complete charging cycle every three days.
In conclusion