Only one-fifth of Australian adults meet the suggested recommendations for physical activity. According to national guidelines, adults should try to achieve 2.5-5 hours of moderate exercise each week.
To monitor all that activity, you need a quality fitness tracker that can keep you motivated. The Fitbit Sense may be that fitness tracker. But to be sure, keep reading for an extensive list of Fitbit Sense specifications.
Fitbit Sense Overview
The Fitbit Sense was released in Australia in late September 2020. It followed releases of the Fitbit Charge 4 (March 2020) and the Fitbit Versa 3 (August 2020).
The first in a new line of trackers, Fitbit promoted the Sense as its most advanced health tracker to date.
Fitbit Sense Specifications
The Fitbit Sense mirrors the shape and specs of the Fitbit Versa 3, with a couple of key differences. Here are the specs at a glance:
- Device size: 4.05cm w x 4.05cm l x 1.24cm h
- Band size: 13.9cm-22.1cm circumference, available in two sizes
- Weight: 45.9g with the band
- Screen: 4.01cm AMOLED (336 x 336 pixels)
- Battery: lithium-polymer, up to 6+ days
- Storage: 4GB (2.5GB for music storage)
- Operating system: Fitbit OS
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE
- Compatibility: Android 7.0+, iOS 12.2+
- Touchscreen enabled
- Waterproof up to 50m
Now let's dive into the specifics of the Fitbit Sense.
Design and Finish
The Fitbit Sense comes in an aluminium case with an elastomer band. This model also incorporates a stainless steel ring for its ECG function.
You can purchase the Sense in two colour combinations. One with a carbon-coloured band and a graphite watch. The other, a lunar white band with a soft gold watch.
Each device comes with both a smaller band (at 13.9-18cm around) and a larger one (at 18-22.1cm).
The Sense has built-in sensors for heart rate as well as red and infrared monitoring. Other sensors track electrical signals, skin temperature, and ambient light. Like the Versa 3, its GPS, vibration motor, speaker, and microphone come standard as well.
Finally, the Sense includes an accelerometer, altimeter, and gyroscope. These analyze each of your movements with precision.
Screen Size
When comparing the Fitbit Sense vs. Versa 3, the screen size and type are exactly the same. You'll have a full-colour AMOLED display on the Fitbit Sense that offers a sharp picture.
Load apps onto your Fitbit and swipe across the screen to access them. You can even customize your display with hundreds of fun clock faces.
Find different clock faces through the Fitbit App on your phone. Or, flick through the Clock Faces application on your watch.
Connectivity Features
Every Fitbit uses the Fitbit OS operating system. But the devices can be paired with both Android and iOS phones.
To run the Fitbit App, make sure you've installed Android 7.0 or higher or iOS 12.2 or higher. You'll need a strong Wi-Fi connection as well, to sync your Sense to the app.
Once you've got things set up, you can control apps on your phone through your Fitbit. For example, you can open Spotify on your device to change songs as they're playing on your phone.
The Fitbit Sense uses Bluetooth LE technology, which means it conserves energy. Bluetooth connections and all-day syncing can drain the Fitbit's battery. But Bluetooth LE is a low-energy alternative to the standard.
Battery Life
Speaking of battery, the Sense's beats out that of the Versa 2. But it's on-par with Fitbit's more recent Versa 3.
You should get nearly a full week out of this lithium-polymer battery. Just remember that using GPS or syncing your data often will cause the battery to deplete faster.
To charge, attach your Sense to the magnetic charger from the box. For enough charge to last a day, wait about 12 minutes. For a full charge, wait for about 40 minutes.
To get the most out of your Fitbit Sense, Fitbit recommends plugging it in for a full charge every 3-4 days.
Features and Functions
The list of Fitbit Sense features is extensive. Let's start by checking out its most compelling capabilities.
1. Exercise Tracking
No Fitbit Sense review would be complete without looking at how it tracks exercise. The watch completes standard tracking like steps and stairs climbed. It also incorporates Fitbit's multiple exercise modes and SmartTrack auto-recognition technology.
Here are some of the workouts you can track and set goals for on your Fitbit Sense:
- walking
- running
- biking
- treadmill
- elliptical
- spinning
- stair climbing
- swimming
- bootcamp workouts
- interval workouts
- circuit training
- standard workouts
- weights
- tennis
- golf
- kickboxing
- martial arts
- yoga
- pilates
When you're ready to start a workout, select the type and set your goal. Maybe you're shooting for a 30-minute workout or want to burn 300 calories. Whatever your goal, your Fitbit Sense can let you know when you've achieved it.
And the SmartTrack technology is there to back you up when you forget to prompt an exercise. After a set time (usually 10 minutes), your Fitbit will automatically recognize the activity you're doing and track it for you.
Unlike many Fitbits, the Sense does include built-in GPS. This is a handy tool for when you want to know how far you ran but don't want to lug around your phone. And after that, you can find a map of your run in your Fitbit App.
Another perk of the Fitbit Sense is how it tracks your heart rate zones. Your target heart rate depends on your height, weight, and age. The Fitbit Sense monitors how long you spend in zones for fat burning, cardio, and peak performance.
2. Heart Rate and Oxygen Saturation
The Sense also offers a brand new multipath sensor to assist its PurePulse 2.0 technology. This gives you 24/7 heart rate tracking no matter what activity you're doing.
Unique to the Sense is low and high heart rate notifications. Your heartbeat may stray too far below or above your typical threshold. If so, your Sense will notify you.
The level of oxygen in your blood (oxygen saturation) is a key part of your overall health. The Fitbit Sense echoes the Versa 3's SpO2 monitoring with a built-in sensor. This provides a more accurate reading of your SpO2 levels.
3. Skin Temperature and Heart Variability
Like the Versa 3, the Fitbit Sense measures skin temperature and heart rate variability. But with an updated temperature sensor, the Sense gives a more accurate reading than the Versa 3.
Variations in the time between each of your heartbeats can signal stress. Your Fitbit Sense can let you view your nightly averages. It will also notify you of any deviations.
4. Stress Management Score
This is the Fitbit Sense's premiere feature, the one that sets it apart from all the others. Fitbit has connected two apps to the Sense.
First, there's an EDA Scan App that tracks your electrodermal activity. Second, there's the Fitbit ECG App that monitors your heart for abnormal activity.
Both may help you understand how your body reacts to stress. However, as of October 2020, the Fitbit Sense ECG function is not yet available in Australia. But the EDA Scan can still contribute helpful data to your stress management score.
5. Guided Breathing and Reflection
Not only can the Sense let you know if you're under stress, but it can help you find relief from it, too. The Fitbit Sense offers guided breathing exercises through its Relax app. Spend 2-5 minutes focusing on your breathing and see the effect it can have on your heart rate.
After an EDA scan, you can also log things like your mood (on a scale of stressed to calm). You can reflect on what makes you feel good and keep a log of that information in your Fitbit App.
6. Sleep Monitoring
The Fitbit Sense continues Fitbit's legacy of sleep monitoring. It can break down your sleep into REM, deep and light stages. It will even give you a nightly Sleep Score so you can see whether you're getting quality rest.
You can set your Fitbit to sleep mode, too, quieting all notifications until morning. If you need to set an alarm, use the Sense's Smart Wake option.
Smart Wake waits for you to enter into a light sleep. Then, at a time up to 30 minutes prior to your alarm, it wakes you with a gentle buzz against your wrist.
7. Menstrual Health Tracking
For women, menstrual cycles can affect mood, energy levels, and motivation. Use your Fitbit Sense to track and predict when your next period will start.
Begin by logging the start and end dates of your most recent period. Note any PMS symptoms or other changes in your mood or energy. Over time, your Fitbit will predict when you're likely to be ovulating or PMSing.
It can also notify you of when you're about to start your next period. Let your Fitbit Sense take the guesswork out of your monthly cycle.
8. Reminders, Calls, and Notifications
As we've come to expect from Fitbit, the Sense will remind you to get in at least 250 steps each hour. These are customizable, and you can turn them off if you prefer.
You can also keep track of your calls and messages on your device. Respond with a simple, pre-made text or use voice-to-text to craft your own. You can take Bluetooth calls from your wrist or send them to voicemail.
Your Fitbit Sense can also send you notifications from apps like Gmail or Facebook. Customise these to suit your preferences from within the Fitbit App.
9. Compatible Apps
The Fitbit Sense is compatible with a number of apps. Most predominantly, you can use Alexa with your Sense to activate voice assistant. Go touchless when you checkout by using Fitbit Pay and access apps like Uber and Spotify from your wrist.
10. Six-Month Trial of Fitbit Premium
An added bonus, the Fitbit Sense comes with a six-month free trial of Fitbit Premium. As a new user, you can access unlimited workouts and added insights into your health through the app.
Price Range
The Fitbit Sense is at the higher end of Fitbit's price-range. It sells for around $499 in Australia. Its added stress management capabilities are a big reason for the uptick in cost.
Fitbit Sense Accessories
No Fitbit is complete without a set of beautiful bands. For a day at the office, swap the elastomer band for a leather one. Or keep it sassy in spin class with a bright, eye-catching band.
Don't forget to protect your Fitbit Sense screen, too. Keep it from getting scratched by using an on-screen or over-screen protector.
Should You Get the Fitbit Sense?
Now you've seen the comprehensive list of Fitbit Sense specifications. Is it the right tracker for you?
This Fitbit is truly a powerhouse, offering capabilities well beyond standard fitness tracking. If you want to monitor your health in greater detail and manage your stress, the Fitbit Sense is for you.
Looking for tips on staying active year-round? Read about seven ways to keep motivated and healthy through the winter by clicking here.