Fitbit Sense 2 Smartwatch review – Automatic activity recording

The Sense 2’s packaging deserves special praise. When the outermost cover is slid off, the inner box can be opened and clearly presents all components.

The Fitbit app, which is available for Android and iOS, has to be installed before the Sense 2 can be used. The smartwatch is set up via the app, all collected information is also displayed in the program, and settings can be changed there.

The setup is done quickly. Especially nice are short tutorials and videos that visualize the functions of the watch and the structure of the software. Missing permissions are highlighted in color, and the settings can be changed directly from the app.

The Fitbit app is divided into five categories: Today, Discover, Community, Premium and Account. The first four sections are easy to find at the bottom of the display. Behind “Discover,” not only are workouts and mindfulness exercises listed, but also stats and – somewhat hidden – apps and watch faces. Buyers of the Sense 2 get the premium version for free for six months, after which a subscription is due. The additional features include a daily shape index, an extended sleep analysis, a health report, mindfulness exercises, video workouts and special watch faces.

The watch settings are quite hidden in the software. There, the user can adjust settings for calls, notifications of messages or irregular heart rates and step goals. In addition, the arrangement of apps and tiles can be adjusted there. Individual app settings are also found here, for example for the voice assistant, Google Wallet for mobile payments or Google Maps for navigation.

Further settings, for example, for the always-on display, display brightness or setting an alarm, are only possible on the watch itself, but not on the smartphone. Overall, the smartwatch offers basic settings, but they are limited compared to other manufacturers. For example, there is an always-on display, but it can only be activated or deactivated; there is no time control or smart option. The sleep mode automatically influences the AoD, but this is not adjustable. The display’s brightness can also be adjusted in three steps, but the user cannot turn the brightness sensor on or off.