‘Samsung Gear Fit 2’ Unappealingly Bulky Despite Cheap $179 Price

Samsung just released their latest attempt at a fitness tracker in the “Gear Fit 2,” and the reviews trickling in are making note of its one undesirable feature; its bulky size. The device was made bigger in order to accommodate the increased number of features as well as the wider display. However, while the ability to read the information on the fitness tracker might be appealing to some, others are concerned about how large it.

The “Samsung Gear Fit 2” is equipped with built-in GPS, automated activity tracking, and a 1.5-inch screen. It can also alert users to texts, calls, and notifications if their mobile device is near and allow them to listen to music even when it’s not.

Time writer Lisa Eadicicco covered the “Samsung Gear Fit 2” and while she talked about some of the positive features of the device, she still noted how unappealing the size might be to some people.

“Even when wearing the small size, it looked too large for my taste,” she said.

Of course, one could argue that this objection is all about the aesthetics of the device, but fitness trackers are typically used to record information while the wearer is doing some sort of physical activity. As such, it isn’t too hard to imagine that a bulky piece of equipment might become distracting when running, lifting weights, or doing yoga.

Another problem regarding the “Samsung Gear Fit 2,” as noted by The Verge, is the Android-exclusive connectivity. It cannot connect to any mobile device other than those running on Android 4.4 or higher. Other fitness trackers like “Fitbit” and “Microsoft Band” are compatible with a variety of mobile platforms and even personal computers. These two issues combined could severely limit the number of people who might be interested in the fitness tracker.