Apple Watch SE Vs. Fitbit Sense: Which Smartwatch Is Right For You?

The Apple Watch SE and Fitbit Sense represent two of the most compelling smartwatch options for iPhone and Android users respectively.

But with different strengths and weaknesses, how do you choose between these popular smartwatches? In this in-depth guide, we’ll compare the Apple Watch SE and Fitbit Sense across key categories to help you decide which is the better pick for your needs.

A Brief Comparison Table

Feature	Apple Watch SE	Fitbit Sense
Health Tracking	Good overall. Lacks advanced sleep data and EDA stress.	Excellent. Additional sensors provide deeper data.
Smart Features	Excellent for iPhone users. Lacks microphone.	Very good. Has Alexa/Google Assistant support.
Display	Bright AMOLED. More size and color options.	Bright AMOLED. Limited to one 40.5mm size.
Battery Life	Around 18 hours typical.	6+ days in smartwatch mode.
Durability	5ATM water resistance. Swimproof.	5ATM water resistance. Swimproof.
Price	Starts at $279. Bands increase cost.	Around $200. Better value.
Compatibility	Pairs only with iPhone.	Works with both iPhone and Android.

Overview of the Apple Watch SE

First, let’s recap the Apple Watch SE’s main features:

Retina OLED display with 1000 nit brightness
Apple’s S5 system-in-package chipset
Supports always-on altimeter, compass, fall detection

Swimproof design up to 50 meters
watchOS 8 compatibility
18-hour typical battery life

Pairs with iPhone 6s or later
Available in 40mm and 44mm case sizes

Released in 2020, the Apple Watch SE delivers core Apple Watch features like notifications, activity tracking and Apple Pay in a more affordable sport-focused package.

Overview of the Fitbit Sense

Next up, here are the key capabilities of the Fitbit Sense:

1.58” AMOLED touchscreen with up to 1000 nit brightness
Built-in GPS, heart rate monitor, SpO2 sensor

Stress tracking via EDA sensor
Sleep tracking with sleep stages and score
5+ day battery life in smartwatch mode

Swimproof design up to 50 meters
Support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Available in one 40.5mm size

The Sense stands as Fitbit’s most advanced health-centric smartwatch with sensors and software focused on stress, heart health, and general wellness.

Also Read: Choose Between Kore 2.0 And Fitbit.

Key Differences Between Apple Watch SE And Fitbit Sense

Now let’s do a detailed comparison between these two excellent smartwatch options.

1. Health & Fitness Tracking

As wearables, health and activity tracking are core focuses of both the Apple Watch SE and Fitbit Sense. Here’s an overview of what each provides:

Heart Rate Monitoring

Both track continuous heart rate 24/7 and heart rate variability for health insights. The Sense also monitors irregular heart rhythm notifications.

Sleep Tracking

The Sense provides much more advanced sleep data including sleep stages (light, REM, deep), resting heart rate and a sleep score. The SE is limited to basic sleep duration.

Workout Types

With 20+ goal-based workout modes the Sense narrowly edges out the SE’s 19 exercise tracking options. Both automatically detect common activities too.

GPS

Built-in GPS on the Sense allows phone-free outdoor activity tracking. The SE relies on connected iPhone GPS.

Active Calories

For workouts, each watch estimates active calorie burn based on movement and heart rate. The Sense also factors in logged weight for greater accuracy.

Overall for health and fitness, the more specialized Fitbit Sense pulls ahead with its advanced sleep metrics, additional sensors like EDA for stress and built-in GPS. But the Apple Watch SE still provides excellent all-around activity tracking.

2. Smart Features

In addition to health tracking, smartwatches serve us by delivering notifications, information and convenience right on our wrists. Here’s how the SE and Sense compare:

Notifications

You can receive call, text, app notifications from iPhone on the SE and from Android/iOS on the Sense. Both allow quick replies (SE for iPhone only).

Built-in Apps

From news to weather, timers, calendar, music control and more, each watch comes preloaded with handy apps to customize your experience. The SE has more third-party apps.

Voice Assistants

With Fitbit’s microphones you can access Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant voices commands on the Sense. The SE lacks a mic so no voice control.

Mobile Payments

Thanks to NFC chips, both devices support contactless payments. Apple Pay on the SE and Fitbit Pay on the Sense.

Smart Home Control

The Sense lets you control smart home devices like lights, TVs. and more via Alexa. More limited home automation capabilities on the SE.

The Sense pulls ahead for smarts thanks to its microphone for voice assistant access. But both deliver the essential notifications and conveniences you expect from a modern smartwatch.

Also Read: Comparison Between Amazfit GTS 2 And Fitbit Sense.

3. Display and Design

With these wearables sitting on your wrist throughout the day, display and design significantly impact the user experience:

Display Quality

The Apple Watch SE and Fitbit Sense both provide beautiful high resolution AMOLED touchscreens visible even in direct sunlight up to 1000 nits.

Display Size

With case sizes of 40mm and 44mm, the SE accommodates more wrist sizes than the lone 40.5mm Sense.

Watch Case Material

The Sense offers a premium stainless steel case versus aluminum for the SE. But both use durable, lightweight materials.

Band Options

You can customize each watch’s look with many stylish accessory bands. The Sense has fewer design options.

Durability Rating

With 5ATM water resistance, both can be submerged up to 50 meters making them extremely swim-friendly.

Colors

The SE is sold in three case finishes: silver, space gray and rose gold. The Sense comes in just carbon/graphite stainless steel.

For design, the SE claims the edge with its wider size and color options for personalization, although the Sense certainly provides a classy look.

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4. Battery Life

For smartwatches, battery life frequently emerges as a pain point. Here’s how the Apple Watch SE and Fitbit Sense compare:

The Sense is officially rated to last 6+ days in smartwatch mode or 12 hours in continuous GPS mode. Standout battery life.
The SE manages a typical 18 hours on a charge. You’ll need to charge it daily.

Battery life is a major advantage for the Fitbit Sense – it simply trounces the SE lasting 3-4 days longer on average. Requires much less frequent charging.

5. Price Considerations

With these Apple and Fitbit devices, pricing shakes out as follows:

The Apple Watch SE starts at $279 for the 40mm aluminum model, or $309 for 44mm. High-end bands can drive up cost.

The Fitbit Sense debuted at $329 but now sells around $200. Much less costly for similar core features.

The Fitbit Sense clearly provides better value – you get advanced health tracking and 4+ day battery in a premium design at a more wallet-friendly price point.

Also Read: Is Letsfit Better Than Apple Watch?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are answers to some common questions when comparing the Apple Watch SE and Fitbit Sense:

What is the difference between the Fitbit Sense and Apple Watch SE?

The key differences are the Sense’s more advanced health tracking metrics, built-in GPS, multi-day battery life, microphone for voice control, and lower price point. The SE excels more for Apple integration and third-party apps.

Which one is better – Apple Watch or Fitbit Sense?

Overall the Fitbit Sense is the better smartwatch for both iPhone and Android users. It lasts longer on a charge, costs less, and provides more advanced health tracking capabilities most consumers are looking for. The Apple Watch is better optimized for iOS.

Which is better – Fitbit Sense 2 or Apple Watch SE?

The Sense 2 improves battery life up to 6 days and adds new sensors like cEDA for stress tracking. But the SE is likely to remain competitive for Apple users wanting deep iPhone integration. For cross-platform use, the Sense 2 looks to be the superior smartwatch.

Which Fitbit is comparable to the Apple Watch SE?

Within Fitbit’s lineup, the Fitbit Sense and new Sense 2 are most comparable to the Apple Watch SE in terms of premium build, health tracking sensors, and smartwatch capabilities. Lower-end Fitbits like the Versa lack the advanced features that match the SE.

Also Read: Comparison Between Fossil Smartwatch And Apple Watch

Final Verdict

So which comes out on top in this Apple Watch SE versus Fitbit Sense head-to-head comparison? Here’s a quick summary of the key findings:

For fitness tracking, the Sense wins with more advanced metrics, built-in GPS, additional sensors like EDA and blood oxygen monitoring.
For smart features, the watches are more evenly matched but the Sense edges out for its microphone and voice assistant capabilities.

The SE claims marginal advantages for its display like slightly more size options and greater personalization via case colors.
For battery life, the Sense crushes the SE lasting days longer between charges.
And the Sense beats the SE for value costing around $130 less on average.

So in summary, while both provide excellent core smartwatch functionality, the Fitbit Sense is the superior choice for most iPhone and Android users based on its deeper health tracking, smarter features like voice control, and vastly longer battery life at a better price. Unless you must have deep Apple Watch integration, the Sense simply provides a better all-around experience.