Fitbit Ionic vs. Apple Watch: Which Will You Love?

It’s more and more common to find people nowadays wearing a smart wearable of one type or another. Some people use them to track their exercise, some like having them for convenience, and some enjoy the technology capabilities.

Two such devices are the Fitbit Ionic and the Apple Watch. These top of the line smart watches are packed with features and functionality that you’re sure to enjoy. But which one works best for you? We’ll dive deeper into what you can expect when using either of these options on a regular basis.

Main Differences Between the Fitbit Ionic and the Apple Watch

• Screen Size – The Apple Watch is available in 1.17 or 1.15-inch options. The Ionic, however, checks in at a much larger and more visible 1.42-inches.
• Battery Life – You’ll only get 18 hours of battery life from the Apple Watch, even when it’s paired with an iOS device. The Fitbit Ionic, on the other hand, offers nearly five days worth of battery, and a little less if the GPS is continuously running.
• Apps – The Ionic is Fitbit’s first experience in the world of applications, which will improve as its store expands. However, Apple is well-known for its App Store, so you’ll get plenty of options in this area.
• Design – If Apple is known for anything, it’s design. While the Ionic offers a solid smartwatch design, the Apple Watch just looks cleaner, simpler, and better overall.

Fitbit Ionic vs. Apple Watch

So what do these two excellent smart devices have in common and where do they differ? Let’s take a closer look at how the Fitbit Ionic and the Apple Watch compare.

Display and Design

Fitbit Ionic

Compared to the Apple Watch, the Fitbit Ionic is a bit larger, which means it offers more visibility when it’s on your wrist. You’ll get a roomy 1.42-inch LED display with a nice touchscreen that is immersive and vivid.

You can get the Ionic in blue-gray, smoke gray, silver, and charcoal. There are also options available in burnt orange and slate blue. However, when it comes to design, none of these options compare with Apple.

The Fitbit Ionic does give you more customization options, through. You can personalize it through various Fitbit accessories, plus you’ll get 17 clock faces from which you can choose to make your wearable all your own.

Apple Watch

The Apple Watch comes in two options: a 40mm model with a 1.17- inch screen or a 44 mm selection with a 1.15-inch screen. No matter what, you’re sure to appreciate the clarity of the display as it sits on your wrist. Thanks to Apple’s LTPO technology, you’ll get a power-efficient and readable experience throughout the day.

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With its System in Package capabilities, the Apple Watch has the ability to manage one of the most complicated pieces of producing a smart device: increase the display area while not compromising battery life.

The Digital Crown feature is a pleasant addition to the device since it allows you to navigate through the watch menu by turning the knob. However, there isn’t much in the way of customization as Apple only lets you use the clock faces available on the watch. There is also no option to change out straps.

Health and Fitness Features

Fitbit Ionic

Like the Apple Watch, the Fitbit Ionic has multi-sport tracking capabilities, which track all your exercises throughout the day. The watch also has a SmartTrack feature which allows you to pick and choose specific activities which the Ionic will automatically recognize and begin recording.

The Fitbit Ionic tracks the number of calories you burn, the number of steps you take, plus the number of stairs you climb during the day, thanks to its built-in altimeter. Out of the box, the Ionic has a default step goal of 250 steps every hour. If you’re not hitting that target, your smartwatch will send you notifications to encourage you to get up and get moving.

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One of the Ionic’s best features is its heart-rate monitoring. This detailed tracking keeps an accurate record of your heartbeat throughout the day. It also works in tandem with the fitness tracking to ensure you have the best feedback possible on how well your heart is performing.

You’ll also get coaching right from your device that suggests ways to properly perform your workouts. It feels almost as though you have your own personal trainer no matter where you are. Fitbit offers an Adidas version of the Ionic, which gives you access to exclusive exercises.

Built-in GPS functionality lets you know where you are, where you’re going, and where you’ve been as you exercise. You’ll get real-time distance and pace information, which you can view on the display as you go about your workout.

Apple Watch

No matter what activity it is that you’re doing, the Apple Watch will detect it automatically and begin tracking it. Whether it’s walking, hiking, or biking, Apple has you covered. It will track your progress while showing you five different metrics which include distance and calories burned.

One nice feature available on the Apple Watch is the three-ring functionality. It is Apple’s way of encouraging and motivating you to get up and get moving. You’re challenged to complete this task every day, which is an excellent way of keeping you active.

For those more interested in taking things up a notch, you can participate in the head-to-head competitions, personalized coaching, activity sharing, achievement rewards, and monthly challenges available. This functionality will push you to be much more active.

• Heart Rate Sensor and Sleep Tracking

You’ll discover that both the optical and electrical heart rate sensor keeps track of your heartbeats accurately throughout the day. The watch will suggest you add a limit to your heart rate and will then notify you if it falls below or rises above that limit for an extended period of time.

Apple also focuses on sleep tracking as well. You’ll get detailed feedback based on your sleep duration, telling you how long you were in light, deep, and REM stages of sleep. This gives you an idea of how you’re sleeping, so you can make any necessary changes to get a better night of rest.

Lastly, the Apple Watch has a built-in fall sensor. So if you fall down and hurt yourself and are unable to get up, your watch will notify the appropriate person to your situation.

• Sleep Tracking and Guided Breathing

Fitbit’s Ionic also offers sleep-tracking and guided breathing features. With the sleep tracking feature, your device will detect how much time you spend in deep, light, and REM sleep stages. When it comes to understanding your sleep quality, sleep tracking is a key element.

The Guided Breathing feature offers sessions which assist you in regulating your breathing. This helps to reduce anxiety and stress that build-up throughout the day.

One additional feature specifically for women is its female health-tracking capabilities. This feature keeps information associated with menstrual cycles like ovulation days, along with a journal to track your symptoms.

Smart Features

Fitbit Ionic

If you pair your Ionic to your iOS or Android device, you’ll receive alerts for all your texts, emails, and calls. The Ionic even provides a shortlist of quick replies you can use if you’re not able to respond immediately.

You’ll receive calendar notifications as well, which will remind you of the important appointments, plans, and events coming up on your schedule.

Additionally, the device allows you to store music locally as well as control your songs. You can increase or decrease the volume, play songs, pause them, or skip them.

Lastly, the Ionic has a built-in NFC chip which you can use for making payments. As a result, you don’t have to carry your wallet with you everywhere you go.

Apple Watch

Every part of your Apple Watch screen is dedicated to providing information related to your health and activity. You’ll also find data regarding Ultra Violet rays, breathing, music, air quality, activity, weather, and heart rate.

Apple’s microphone resides on the watch in a spot meant to help reduce echoing while you’re on a phone call. Plus, its loud speakers help to ensure you get a crisp and clear sound anytime you’re using your smartwatch.

Having this type of functionality helps to enhance Apple’s walkie-talkie feature, which allows you to interact with other Apple Watch users.

The Apple Watch OS is fast and offers a smooth user experience. With a 4th generation S4 chip, you’re getting a smartwatch that is quick and responsive. Plus, it includes the ability for you to make payments via your Apple Watch.

Its raise-to-speak feature allows you to interact with your smartwatch without using your hands. So if you’ve been out running or biking, instead of getting sweat all over the watch face, you can simply tell your Apple Watch what you want it to do.

With its SiP functionality, your Apple Watch has a lot of features packed into a single device. You won’t experience any slow responses or lag time when you’re using your smartwatch, which is impressive when you consider just how compact it is.

Durability

Fitbit Ionic

The Fitbit Ionic is durable and resilient. It can handle daily wear and tear, plus it is water-resistant up to 50 meters. That means you can wear your Ionic no matter what the weather. Rain, snow, or sun, you’re smartwatch will still track your activities.

Apple Watch

You can get your Apple Watch is two durable materials: stainless steel or aluminum. Similar to the Fitbit Ionic, the Apple Watch is water-resistant up to 50 meters, so you don’t have to worry about taking it off when you go for a swim, go for a run in the rain, or take a shower.

Battery Life

Fitbit Ionic

You’ll get five days out of your Fitbit Ionic battery unless you’re constantly running your GPS. However, when comparing it up against the Apple Watch, you’re getting a lot more battery even when the GPS is running.

Apple Watch

You can probably find a smartwatch on the market that will give you a lot more battery life than the Apple Watch for a lot less money. That’s because, with the Apple Watch, the best you’re going to do is around 18 hours before it needs to charge.

The tradeoff, of course, is that you’re not going to find the quality of components in other smartwatches. When it comes to battery life, its best to connect the Apple Watch to an iPhone.

Comparison Chart

Fitbit Ionic vs. Apple Watch: What Do You Want in a Wearable?

Choosing between the Fitbit Ionic and the Apple Watch really comes down to what you prefer to have in your wearable. Would you rather have a fitness tracker or a smartwatch? Which is more important to you?

If you prefer to have something that offers more in the way of smart features, high-end technology, amazing processing power, and high-quality design, then the Apple Watch is what you want. The Apple Watch is the best of the two when it comes to smartwatch capabilities.

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On the other hand, if you want to focus more on health and fitness tracking, then you should consider the Fitbit Ionic. While you might not get some of the cutting edge technology available on the Apple Watch, you’ll get a longer battery life and all the fitness features you could want. For the fitness buffs out there, this is the wearable for you.

No matter which you choose, you’re sure to get a high-quality device that provides plenty of features and functionality users have come to expect in today’s wearables. There are enough differences between these two wearables that you should have no trouble finding one that fits your needs.