Huawei Watch GT 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 vs Fitbit Versa 2: Which smartwatch to get?

Aside from smartphones, there are plenty of smartwatches to choose from nowadays. They serve the same function, but the different designs, features, and prices make it tricky to decide. In this case, I have three of the most popular wearables in the market, the Huawei Watch GT 2, Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2, and the Fitbit Versa 2. Which one can provide you with the most features given the price? Find out below.

Design

Smartwatches don’t come cheap, so good looks are a must. You’re wearing them, after all. The good news is, all three smartwatches are attractive. They also look and feel premium thanks to their aluminum bodies. All of them have 5ATM water resistance (water-resistant up to 50 meters in depth for 10 minutes.). For the straps, the unit I have for comparison all sport silicone straps.

In terms of size, the Huawei Watch GT 2 is the largest at 46mm, followed by the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 at 44m, then the Fitbit Versa 2 at 41mm. For the weight, the Galaxy Watch Active 2 is the lightest at 30g, followed by the Versa 2 at 37g, then the Watch GT 2 at 41g.

As for the design, the three are entirely different. The Watch GT 2 looks more like a chronograph with a tachymeter and two buttons sticking out. The Galaxy Watch Active 2 is sleeker and looks like a blend between a classic watch and fitness tracker as the buttons are less pronounced. As for the Versa 2, it has the same appeal as the Samsung smartwatch but in square form factor.

Personal preference plays a significant factor when choosing based on design. In my case, I like a smartwatch that looks like a regular watch, so my first pick is the Watch GT 2. I’ll take the Galaxy Active 2 next for its sleek design and light weight. Placing last is the Versa 2.

Display

The display is one of the essential parts of a smartwatch. Since you’re going to glance at it plenty of times during the day, it should have the highest resolution possible, vibrant enough for outdoor use, and rich colors.

I’m glad to report that all three smartwatches have AMOLED screens for deep blacks and punchy colors. They’re also legible under intense sunlight. The difference, though, is in size, resolution, and glass protection.

The Watch GT 2 has a 1.39-inch screen with a 454 x 454 resolution with 3D Glass. For the Galaxy Watch Active 2, it has a 1.4-inch screen with 360 x 360 resolution and Corning Gorilla Glass DX+. And for the Versa 2, it has 1.34-inch with 300 x 300 resolution and Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

Although the GT 2 doesn’t have any special glass protection, I choose the Watch GT 2 for its display quality.

Connectivity and Sensors

Starting with the Huawei Watch GT 2, it uses Bluetooth 5.1, BLE / BR / EDR to connect to your phone. For location purposes, it uses GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, and BDS. For sensors, it has geomagnetic, gyroscope, optical heart rate, accelerometer, barometric pressure, ambient light sensor, and capacitance sensor to detect wear state.

For the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2, it has Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi b/g/n, NFC, A-GPS, GLONASS, and BDS. Looking at the sensors, it has an accelerometer, barometer, optical heart rate sensor, ambient light sensor, and gyroscope.

Lastly, the Fitbit Versa 2 has Bluetooth 4.2 and WiFi b/g/n. It has no GPS but gets location data from your phone. For sensors, it has an accelerometer, geomagnetic, optical heart rate sensor, and gyroscope.

The more connectivity features and sensors a smartwatch has, the more fitness information it can provide the user. In this case, I choose the Watch GT 2.

Features

These three smartwatches offer tons of features, but they also have plenty in common. All three support heart rate monitoring (TruSeen 3.5 on the Watch GT 2), sleep monitoring (TruSleep 2.0 on the Watch GT 2), stress tracking (for the Watch GT 2, and Galaxy Watch Active 2), and activity and workout tracking. They also support notifications and music controls via Bluetooth and offer plenty of watch faces.

Each smartwatch has a particular function. For the Watch GT 2, it has a microphone and loudspeaker, so you can take calls without having to take your phone from your pocket. The Galaxy Watch Active 2 can let you remotely control your phone’s camera, as well as translate languages on the go. For the Versa 2, it has female health tracking and downloadable apps like Spotify and Strava.

Chipset

Powering the three wearables are different chipsets and memory. For the Watch GT 2, it has the Kirin A1 (Huawei’s first in-house chipset with low power consumption). The Galaxy Watch Active 2 has an Exynos 9110 (a dual-core SoC introduced in 2018). As for the Versa 2, the chipset was not disclosed.

Memory

The Huawei Watch GT 2 has 32MB of RAM and 4GB of storage, which can store up to 500 songs.  The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 has 768MB of RAM and 4GB of storage. For the Versa 2, the RAM is not disclosed, but it has around 2.5GB of storage. Although all of them perform well, the Galaxy Watch Active 2 looks better on paper.

Battery Life

Looking at their battery, the Watch GT 2 (46mm) has a 455mAh capacity that can last up to 14 days of typical use. The Galaxy Watch Active 2 (44mm), on the other hand, has a 340mAh can reach up to 2 days. For the Versa 2, capacity is not disclosed, but it can last up to 6 days. So, in terms of battery life, you’ll get more mileage with the Huawei Watch GT 2.

When it comes to charging, the Watch GT 2 and Galaxy Watch Active 2 supports wireless charging. While the Versa 2 uses a clamp-based charger with pins.

Price

Now, the price. The Galaxy Watch Active 2 is the most expensive at PHP 16,990USD 290INR 24,544EUR 276CNY 2,108 (44mm aluminum). Followed by the Versa 2 at PHP 12,890USD 220INR 18,621EUR 209CNY 1,600. The Watch GT 2 is the most affordable at PHP 10,990USD 187INR 15,876EUR 178CNY 1,364 (Black Fluoroelastomer Strap), making it the most attractive option.

Conclusion

Considering the aspects mentioned above, I highly recommend the Huawei Watch GT 2. It offers a beautiful design, excellent display, plenty of features, and long battery life for the lowest price. So, if you’re looking for a new smartwatch that can provide the most bang-for-your-buck, this is the one to get.