The Samsung Galaxy Fit2 is a fitness bracelet that impressed with extensive app functions. Like its predecessor, the Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 5 is a good and very affordable fitness tracker.
Pros and Cons
| Galaxy Fit 2 | Smart Band 5 |
| Large range of functions | Large display with lots of details |
| High precision | Well thought-out operation |
| Long-lasting battery | Attractively priced |
| No built-in GPS module | Brightness does not regulate automatically |
| Display is difficult to read | Mediocre runtime |
General
| Galaxy Fit 2 | Smart Band 5 | |
| $ | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
| Brand | Samsung | Xiaomi |
| Model | Galaxy Fit 2 | Smart Band 5 |
| Release date | October, 2020 | June, 2020 |
| Shape | Rectangular, Flat | Rectangular |
| Display | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Compatibility | Android + IOS | Android + IOS |
| Colors | Black, Red | Black, Mint green, Navy blue, Orange, Teal, Yellow |
Galaxy Fit 2
The look of the Samsung Galaxy Fit2 is similar to many other fitness trackers: There is an elongated, 1.1-inch OLED display in a black housing in the middle. In the dark, the ambient sensors regulate the brightness pleasantly down. On the other hand, the screen is difficult to read in direct sunlight, as the surface is highly reflective. If you do not like the look of the displayed display elements, you can change the watch face in the app – the bracelet takes over the adjustment immediately.
With the silicone bracelet, which you can also change, you choose between the colors red or black. It has a generous perforation, so it should fit both small and large wrists. The end of the loop is led under the eyelet of the counterpart, which conceals it – the principle is already known from the Apple Watch and other fitness watches.
The display is a kind of home button. You can use it to activate the clock on standby or return to the start menu from an app. The rest of the operation works via touch, which you can use to scroll in all directions. However, the UI sometimes has tiny icons that are too close to the back button. Now and then, you tap next to it.
The runtime in our test was 17.7 days – an acceptable value but a bit below the manufacturer’s specification of three weeks. As with almost all fitness trackers, the Galaxy Fit2 also uses a proprietary charging cable.
Smart Band 5
The colored OLED display, which is always easy to read, is slightly longer than Volume 4 and is therefore growing in size. Although more displays fit on the manually brightly adjustable display, the runtime suffers as a result (also due to the smaller battery). According to the manufacturer, this shrinks from 20 to 14 days. But our test candidates did not achieve either value. In our measurements, band 4 comes to 17.5 and the new Smart Band 5 to 10.2 days. However, both values exceed those of most of the fitness trackers in our list of the best. There is a battery indicator directly on display and in the app.
The tracker is waterproof up to 50 meters and comes with an interchangeable wristband that can be adjusted for a length of 145 to 210 millimeters. This makes it suitable for smaller wrists than the previous model. Incidentally, the bracelets from Band 4 also fit, although the accuracy of fit is not 100 percent – there are minor gaps. In general, the equipment, including the measurement, GPS sensor via smartphone, and recording of various activities, leaves little to be desired. But an integrated audio player and mobile payment are not available.
Technical Specifications
| Galaxy Fit 2 | Smart Band 5 | |
| Display Resolution | 126 x 294 pixels | 126 x 294 Pixels |
| Dimension | 46.6 x 18.6 x 11.3 mm | 46.95 x 18.15 x 12.45mm |
| Water Resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance Depth | 5ATM | 5ATM |
| Weight | 21g | 11g |
Activity Monitoring
| Galaxy Fit 2 | Smart Band 5 | |
| Pedometer | Yes | Yes |
| Calories Count | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitor | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | No | No |
| Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Alarm Clock | Yes | Yes |
| Chronograph | Yes | Yes |
| Date & Time Display | Yes | Yes |
| Language | English | English |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes | Yes |
Connectivity Features
| Galaxy Fit 2 | Smart Band 5 | |
| Bluetooth calling | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth v5.1 | Bluetooth v5.0 |
| GPS | No | No |
| Voice Assistant | No | (China), XiaoAI, Yes |
| Mobile Payment | No | Alipay, Union Pay |
| Battery Type | Non-removable Li-ion battery | Non-removable Li-ion battery |
| Battery Capacity | 159mAh | 125mAh |
| Charging | WPC based wireless charging | Magnetic charger |
Galaxy Fit 2
Samsung specifies the water resistance as 5 ATMs according to ISO standard 22810. That’s fine for simple swimming and water sports; You should avoid diving, water skiing, scuba diving, or similar activities at high speed or in deep water with the Galaxy Fit2 on your arm.
In addition to the sports functions, the Samsung tracker has also inherited some smartwatch characteristics. You can react to incoming messages, for example, with ready-made (and freely configurable) answers – the bracelet does not display emojis for this. You can also only see the last message from the same sender. Plus point: If the tracker is stored, it does not vibrate, and you do not receive any notifications.
The operation of the alarm clock is a bit cumbersome: It can only be set and activated/deactivated via the app. The manufacturer could completely outsource this functionality to the bracelet.
Smart Band 5
The operation of the fitness tracker is pleasing and well thought out. You can also customize them via the app and set the selection and the order of the widgets. The watch faces can also be customized. If you want, you can even share your heart rate value with other devices via Bluetooth. It’s a shame that the alarm clock can only be set via the app. Umlauts are displayed for notifications, but emoticons cannot be displayed. The 23-gram tracker is charged using a proprietary charging cable and magnetic charging clip but does not have to be removed from the bracelet.
Conclusion!
Galaxy Fit 2
It works quite accurately, but the tracker lacks its own GPS chip. The display is easy to read as long as you don’t hold it up to a bright light source. The price of 47 USD is still pretty good for performance, but there are better and cheaper competing models. You can see in the video what you should look for when buying fitness trackers.
Smart Band 5
Mi Band convinces with a great display, well-thought-out operation, and of course, a great price-performance ratio. Outwardly hardly changed, the tracker now scores over its predecessor with higher accuracy, GPS sensor via smartphone, and many customization options. The downside is that the larger, brighter display and the smaller battery hurt runtime.
