Fitbit Ionic review: High on fitness tracking, low on smarts
Fitbit began as a company, and quite early at that, making fitness bands. It created slick bracelets that had tiny sensors in them. The band would track every step you took and every move you made. Fitbit still makes these fitness bands. But last year the company acquired Pebble and entered the smartwatch market with Ionic. This is the market that is seeing the action. Apple sells its Watch here. And so does Samsung that has the Galaxy Gear in the lineup. Then there is Motorola making Moto 360. The Ionic is Fitbit's answer to these smartwatches.
But in answering the usual smartwatches with Ionic, Fitbit is primarily capitalising on its core strength that is fitness tracking. While the likes of the Apple Watch are smartwatch first and fitness trackers second, the Ionic is a fitness tracker first and smartwatch later. That is the biggest strength of the Fitbit Ionic. It is also its biggest weakness, especially at its price of Rs 22,990.
Although the Ionic was launched in several other countries like the US earlier, in India it is going on sale only from today. I am using the Ionic for over two weeks now, and I feel that at its current prices it is the kind of gadget that is going to appeal a lot to the fitness enthusiasts. But unlike a smartwatch, which to start with is a specialised gadget, the Ionic has an even more limited appeal. It is a lifestyle product, something that you will either want. Or you won't. It is not a product you will buy as an impulse purchase, or because it is a must-have gadget like a smartphone or a headphone.
It is also very light. Fitbit says that this is because of the metal alloy used to build the Ionic. It's an aluminium alloy but very light, and when paired with the classic strap made of rubber, you won't even feel that the watch is there on the wrist. I don't usually wear any watch, but I could wear the Ionic comfortably, even while sleeping.
The watch has three buttons, which help a user navigate through the software -- it is powered by FitbitOS. on the left you have the power button, which also doubles up as the back button when you are using the watch. On the right you have two navigation buttons, although most of the time you are going to use the touchscreen of the watch to move around through apps and settings.
ALSO READ: Fitbit Ionic launched in India at Rs 22,990, boasts of 5-day battery life and 5ATM rating
The build quality of the Ionic, expectedly, is fantastic. It is waterproof so you can wear it while swimming or while taking shower in a gym locker room. Fitbit says that accessories are available for Ionic -- the leather or sports band for example -- but I tested the watch with the classic rubber straps bundled with it. Talking of straps, there are two that come with the watch. You can use either a small one or the large one, depending on your wrist size. Very thoughtful!
The screen too is phenomenal. The screen, which measures a little less than 1.5-inch, shows very rich colours and is extremely bright. Even in the direct sunlight, you can easily read the information shown the Ionic.
In terms of tracking, I found that the Iconic is spot on. It is very accurate when it comes to counting the number of steps, although I feel that once you convert these steps to kilometres, the Ionic tends to overestimate the jogging sessions. However, this is something that will differ from user to user. The science of activity tracking is still not all that precise and companies are still figuring out the right algorithms. While the number of steps can be counted on the basis of body movement, the total distance is probably calculated using average gait distance.
In my use, I found that the Google Fit running on a smartphone was closer to the actual distance than the Ionic, probably because even though Ionic uses GPS information to measure steps, it doesn't use that to calculate distance. Strangely the number of steps taken in a day were almost same with both the Google Fit and Ionic.
Apart from calculating the steps you take, the Ionic, just like other fitness watches and bands, tells a user how many calories have been burnt in a day. It's useful to see the number, but honestly there are so many factors involved in how many calories body is burning that I wouldn't rely on this data too much.
The heart rate monitor in the Ionic is mostly accurate, especially when you are involved in a physical activity like jogging. Although at rest, or when you are walking, it tends to overestimate the heart rate, especially if you are moving your hands a lot.
But more than the physical activity tracking or calorie counter, what I found truly useful in the Ionic is the sleep tracking. It is not easy to get the sleep tracking right but Fitbit has seemingly found a way to do it proper and easy. Each morning, you can see how well you slept in the Fitbit app running on your phone, with your sleep data shown as a graph and divided in four categories: Deep Sleep, Light Sleep, REM (rapid eye movement aka when you dream) and Awake. I found this to be fairly accurate.
Finally, there is a sensor to measure the oxygen-level in your blood. If you remember this is something Samsung is including in its phones and fitness bands for a while. However, for now this specific sensor in the Ionic is not active in India. In future with a software update, the company is expected to add this feature.
Talking of the software, the Ionic comes with FitbitOS. This is a new operating system from Fitbit, developed with a lot of insight that the company acquired after buying Pebble. The idea is to keep things simple, unlike Apple's WatchOS and Google's Android Wear. The simplicity of the FitbitOS means that even if you aren't particularly tech savvy, you will figure out Ionic within hours and start using it.
To use the Ionic, you do need to download the Fitbit app on your phone and then pair the watch with it. It is through this app that you can change the watchface or install a new app or two. There aren't many apps right now available for Ionic, but basic apps like weather app or a news app like NYT are available.
However, despite apps, the utility of the FitbitOS is limited compared towhat you can get on Android Wear watches or the Apple Watch. You can see notifications on the FitbitOS but that is all. You can't take action on it. You can't talk to Ionic. The apps aren't as rich as what you may get on some other smartwatches.
The important bit is to see the limitations of the Ionic in context. What Fitbit has tried to create here is a fitness tracker with large screen. The company has also tried to ensure that this tracker works without needing a smartphone. While it lacks some of the "smart" features that other smartwatches in the market have, the Ionic comes with inbuilt GPS and 2.5GB of storage to save music on the watch. Basically, if you have the Ionic you can leave the phone behind because it will also store your music and pair with any Bluetooth headset you may have.
The other BIG advantage of focusing on doing fewer things is the battery life. Fitbit says that with normal use, the Ionic battery should last around 5 days. I found it to be accurate. In over two weeks since I am using the Ionic, I have charged it only thrice.
A few other things:
-- The Ionic comes with a feature called Coach. This has AI-driven exercise modules than you can use. For example, there is a 7-minute workout or a 10-minutes abs workout. Beginners may find it useful but if you already go to gym, you may need it.
-- Fitbit has implemented a gesture feature in the Ionic. To see the time, just pull your arm upwards and look at the watch. The screen will turn on to show the time. Quite neat and useful.
-- The Ionic has a Wallet feature, which is supposed to help you make payments at point of sale in retail stores. But in India, the feature doesn't work yet.
-- You can set up alarms and timers. If you find it difficult to wake up with the phone alarm, the Ionic vibrating on your wrist in morning will definitely force you to get up.
-- With the Relaxed app, you can do breathing sessions.
-- The app, just like a few other smartwatches in the market, reminds users to get up and take some steps every hour if you have not been active while working.
But at the same time, do keep in mind that the Ionic won't let you reply to an email or a SMS, something that other smart watches can do. It won't help you use Google Maps or walk around in a new city, the way Apple Watch can do. The Ionic is a well-made smartwatch that excels at fitness and sleep tracking. If that appeals to you, go for it. But don't expect the moon.
Although the Ionic was launched in several other countries like the US earlier, in India it is going on sale only from today. I am using the Ionic for over two weeks now, and I feel that at its current prices it is the kind of gadget that is going to appeal a lot to the fitness enthusiasts. But unlike a smartwatch, which to start with is a specialised gadget, the Ionic has an even more limited appeal. It is a lifestyle product, something that you will either want. Or you won't. It is not a product you will buy as an impulse purchase, or because it is a must-have gadget like a smartphone or a headphone.
Design that stands out
The Fitbit Ionic is the first smartwatch I like so much that I will keep it on my wrist only for its design. That may seem a rather strong statement, but then design is something subjective. And to me the Ionic design is subtle and slick at the same time. It makes my wrist look good. The Apple Watch has a jewel-like finishing and very premium looks. The Samsung Galaxy Gear is fantastically ergonomic with its rotating jog-wheel. And the Moto 360 will surely appeal to those who like their watches traditional. But the Ionic is unique. It has a square watch face but the material used to build it, and its clean straight lines make it look futuristic, the way a smartwatch is supposed to look. It is sleek, and slick.The watch has three buttons, which help a user navigate through the software -- it is powered by FitbitOS. on the left you have the power button, which also doubles up as the back button when you are using the watch. On the right you have two navigation buttons, although most of the time you are going to use the touchscreen of the watch to move around through apps and settings.
ALSO READ: Fitbit Ionic launched in India at Rs 22,990, boasts of 5-day battery life and 5ATM rating
The build quality of the Ionic, expectedly, is fantastic. It is waterproof so you can wear it while swimming or while taking shower in a gym locker room. Fitbit says that accessories are available for Ionic -- the leather or sports band for example -- but I tested the watch with the classic rubber straps bundled with it. Talking of straps, there are two that come with the watch. You can use either a small one or the large one, depending on your wrist size. Very thoughtful!
The screen too is phenomenal. The screen, which measures a little less than 1.5-inch, shows very rich colours and is extremely bright. Even in the direct sunlight, you can easily read the information shown the Ionic.
Great tracker
As noted earlier, the main appeal of the Ionic lies in its fitness tracking abilities. There are a number of sensors in the watch, including GPS and heart rate sensor. The presence of GPS means the Ionic doesn't need a phone to track how much you are walking in a day. The heart rate sensor, meanwhile, measures your heart rate in real-time, all the time when the watch is on your wrist.In my use, I found that the Google Fit running on a smartphone was closer to the actual distance than the Ionic, probably because even though Ionic uses GPS information to measure steps, it doesn't use that to calculate distance. Strangely the number of steps taken in a day were almost same with both the Google Fit and Ionic.
Apart from calculating the steps you take, the Ionic, just like other fitness watches and bands, tells a user how many calories have been burnt in a day. It's useful to see the number, but honestly there are so many factors involved in how many calories body is burning that I wouldn't rely on this data too much.
The heart rate monitor in the Ionic is mostly accurate, especially when you are involved in a physical activity like jogging. Although at rest, or when you are walking, it tends to overestimate the heart rate, especially if you are moving your hands a lot.
But more than the physical activity tracking or calorie counter, what I found truly useful in the Ionic is the sleep tracking. It is not easy to get the sleep tracking right but Fitbit has seemingly found a way to do it proper and easy. Each morning, you can see how well you slept in the Fitbit app running on your phone, with your sleep data shown as a graph and divided in four categories: Deep Sleep, Light Sleep, REM (rapid eye movement aka when you dream) and Awake. I found this to be fairly accurate.
Finally, there is a sensor to measure the oxygen-level in your blood. If you remember this is something Samsung is including in its phones and fitness bands for a while. However, for now this specific sensor in the Ionic is not active in India. In future with a software update, the company is expected to add this feature.
Talking of the software, the Ionic comes with FitbitOS. This is a new operating system from Fitbit, developed with a lot of insight that the company acquired after buying Pebble. The idea is to keep things simple, unlike Apple's WatchOS and Google's Android Wear. The simplicity of the FitbitOS means that even if you aren't particularly tech savvy, you will figure out Ionic within hours and start using it.
To use the Ionic, you do need to download the Fitbit app on your phone and then pair the watch with it. It is through this app that you can change the watchface or install a new app or two. There aren't many apps right now available for Ionic, but basic apps like weather app or a news app like NYT are available.
However, despite apps, the utility of the FitbitOS is limited compared towhat you can get on Android Wear watches or the Apple Watch. You can see notifications on the FitbitOS but that is all. You can't take action on it. You can't talk to Ionic. The apps aren't as rich as what you may get on some other smartwatches.
The important bit is to see the limitations of the Ionic in context. What Fitbit has tried to create here is a fitness tracker with large screen. The company has also tried to ensure that this tracker works without needing a smartphone. While it lacks some of the "smart" features that other smartwatches in the market have, the Ionic comes with inbuilt GPS and 2.5GB of storage to save music on the watch. Basically, if you have the Ionic you can leave the phone behind because it will also store your music and pair with any Bluetooth headset you may have.
A few other things:
-- The Ionic comes with a feature called Coach. This has AI-driven exercise modules than you can use. For example, there is a 7-minute workout or a 10-minutes abs workout. Beginners may find it useful but if you already go to gym, you may need it.
-- Fitbit has implemented a gesture feature in the Ionic. To see the time, just pull your arm upwards and look at the watch. The screen will turn on to show the time. Quite neat and useful.
-- The Ionic has a Wallet feature, which is supposed to help you make payments at point of sale in retail stores. But in India, the feature doesn't work yet.
-- You can set up alarms and timers. If you find it difficult to wake up with the phone alarm, the Ionic vibrating on your wrist in morning will definitely force you to get up.
-- With the Relaxed app, you can do breathing sessions.
-- The app, just like a few other smartwatches in the market, reminds users to get up and take some steps every hour if you have not been active while working.
Should you buy Fitbit Ionic
The Ionic is definitely a pricey gadget with price of Rs 22,990. So, I don't recommend it unequivocally. But if you need top notch fitness tracking, do go for it. I particularly like its design, and how well it tracks steps and sleep. And I absolutely love the fact that I don't have to charge it daily like an Apple Watch or the Galaxy Gear. The 5-day battery life is phenomenally good. It makes the whole experience so much better.But at the same time, do keep in mind that the Ionic won't let you reply to an email or a SMS, something that other smart watches can do. It won't help you use Google Maps or walk around in a new city, the way Apple Watch can do. The Ionic is a well-made smartwatch that excels at fitness and sleep tracking. If that appeals to you, go for it. But don't expect the moon.
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