Stuff - UK (2019-12)

FIRST TEST APPLE WATCH SERIES 5

Do the latest offerings from Withings and Fitbit stand up to the Watch S5?

Withings

Move ECG

£130 / withings.com

What’s the story?
This neat hybrid
smartwatch will do
basic exercise and sleep
tracking, but what makes
it a worthy Apple Watch
rival is its ability to take
an electrocardiogram
(ECG) and alert the user
to an irregular heartbeat.
Withings had some
business dalliances
with Nokia Health, but
is independent once again
and continues to offer solid
wearable tech with a focus
on affordability and style.

Is it any good?
There’s no denying the
absence of a heart-rate
monitor lets this one
down in the exercise
department. But for those
looking for simple health
tracking it’s a no-brainer,
and the accompanying
Health Mate App is
an insightful addition.
Withings has done
a fine job of making
a comfortable, subtle
wearable that doesn’t
need charging because
the battery lasts an
entire year.

KEY SPECS
Screen 1.4in analogue
Storage Free online
Battery life 12 months
Sensors ECG, altimeter,
accelerometer
Dimensions
38x38x12.5mm, 31g

Fitbit Versa 2

from £200 / fitbit.com

What’s the story?

Not too big, not too small,

not too clever and not

too dumb, the first Versa

offered a sprinkling of

smartwatch tricks and

fitness functionality while

keeping things simple. Its

successor looks similar,

with the same pebble-like

face that blends pleasingly

into the background.

Is it any good?

The Versa 2 has a single

physical button for waking

it up, summoning Alexa

or making payments. So

comfy you’ll forget you’re

wearing it, it’s worth

keeping on at night to

track your sleep. The 1.4in

OLED display betters the

previous model’s LCD and

includes an always-on

option, although this

reduces the six-day

battery life down to five.

The lack of GPS will be a

deal-breaker for some;

but if you don’t mind

taking your phone out for

a run, the Versa 2 provides

enough smartwatch and

exercise modes to keep

most people happy.

KEY SPECS

Screen 1.4in 300x300

AMOLED touchscreen

Storage 5GB

Battery life Up to 6 days

Sensors Accelerometer,

HRM, altimeter, ambient

light, relative SpO2

Dimensions (40mm face)

40x39.8x12mm, 40g

The alternatives:

Two subtle smartwatches

Stuff says

++++,

A top watch for heart

health if Apple’s

is out of budget

Stuff says

++++,

A solid all-rounder

with handy smarts

and an epic battery