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When someone finally nails the smartwatch, it won't be a far cry from what Samsung has done with the Gear Fit.
Not only does it look great on the wrist, it's also got a decent selection of features that make it work as a good companion to your Samsung phone. Where it falls down is in the substance of some of its fitness capabilities.
For the serious runner, the Gear Fit just doesn't offer enough yet, nor does it feel accurate enough to rely on as your sole exercise device. But the trade off is the included set of smartwatch features that do give the Fit more of a day-to-day-gadget appeal. So it really depends on what you're looking for here.
Having a pedometer that doesn't need starting manually, the ability to use GPS for running, the option to pause during exercise and upload data to third part platforms are all on our wish list - and hopefully all things that Samsung can resolve via software updates.
Because with these fixed, Samsung would have a killer wearable that would be as appealing for the serious runner as the person who wants to more casually gamify their day-to-day activities.
As it is right now, it's not a device I'd recommend to the more hardcore fitness fiends out there. But give it time - Samsung is on the case - and once the kinks have been worked out it won't feel like we're paying a premium for a gorgeous display that lacks real substance.
At that point, Samsung may actually have come closer than anyone to nailing the wearable.
We liked
The Fit is a gorgeous piece of tech, possibly the best-looking out there right now. It's also packed with a good balance of fitness and smartwatch features, and given more attention, Samsung could have a winning wearable on its hands.
It's definitely a strong indication of where wearables should be headed right now, and let's just reiterate: the screen is a thing of beauty. Notifications are a really nice touch, it's just a shame that Samsung won't open it up beyond its own devices.
We disliked
Most of the problems arise from limitations in the software: the inability to upload data to third party platforms, the lack of a pause feature, the lack of GPS tracking for running.
The accuracy needs improving too, and hopefully that can be done via updates. The heart rate monitor is also a little bit too jumpy which can make for some innacurate readings when you're out on a jog.
Verdict
The Samsung Gear Fit is perhaps the best example of one of wearable tech's biggest challenges right now: reconciling the fitness band and the smartwatch. It feels like Samsung is very close here but the software still has some way to go, especially as cheaper competitors are better at some of these aspects.
Nonetheless, the Gear Fit still has a lot to offer and is certainly the most beautiful wearable I've used to date. Samsung's RTOS interface is wonderful and impressively clean - shame the Fit is limited to Samsung phones, really.
But if you do have a compatible Samsung phone and don't quite want to shell out for the Gear 2 or Gear 2 Neo and their full parade of features, the Gear Fit is a decent-enough fitness wearable that could be a lot stronger once Samsung's given it a few more tweaks.
