Samsung Gear Fit 2 vs Xiaomi Mi Band 2: The Race of Fitness Bands?

Samsung and Xiaomi recently released their latest activity-tracking wristbands, and they both provide users with helpful features, diverse sensors and powerful specs.We pitted Xiaomi's Mi Band 2 against Samsung's Gear Fit 2 so you make an informed decision when you decide to upgrade your current digital sports band.

 Xiaomi stuck to the basic design from its earlier trackers. The Mi Band 2 comes with an oval-shaped module mounted on a thin silicone band, a 0.42-inch OLED display, an "upgraded pedometer algorithm" and a battery the manufacturer touts will last as much as 20 days.In comparison, the Mi Band Pulse offers 55 percent less battery time for one recharge.

Xiaomi's Mi Band 2 is a premiere for the company as the tracker is the first device from the manufacturer to sport an OLED display. This allows users to quickly see step count, number of burned calories, time spent during the activity and heart rate. A second generation Bluetooth 4.0 ensures that the Mi Band 2 connects to your smartphone.Xiaomi offers multiple colors for its silicone bands, such as blue, orange, green and black. The device is also IP67 certified, making it water-resistant.

Samsung gifted the Gear Fit 2 with revamped design that accommodates a 1.5-inch Super AMOLED display, which was tailored for top visibility. The stats get displayed vertically for your comfort.The embedded GPS and large display of Samsung's tracker take their toll on the battery life, however. According to the manufacturer, the band should stay on three to four days of typical usage. Standby mode should extend the duration to five days. Insiders underlined that the Gear Fit 2 will be IP68 certified, making the device a go-to choice for swimmers.

The Gear Fit 2 does more than measure workout distances via GPS sensors. The latest tracker from Samsung packs an activity-recognition ability, a feature that is more and more common in fitness bands and watches.The device can track personal health metrics in great detail, so anything from number of steps, sleep patterns and heart rate gets recorded. Thanks to its wide display, it also shows a myriad of notifications from your smartphone in readable form.