Total calorie burn. Fitbit vs Samsung

[MBJ006]

This is more for interest. Just switched to a pixel watch from samsung galaxy watch. I used to like the galaxy watch, it had a weight management section with total food in - total calories (BMR + activity). My BMR was just under 2000 calories (matches online calculators) and then would burn between 500 to 750 most days on top with 10000 steps or so (it would also give me 300 -  400 calories for a 5km run if I did one). So I ate about 2000 calories a day and deficit would be 500 give or take as total was about 2500 -2750. This worked really well until I ate my way through lockdown.

Anyway, got a google phone and loved the look of the pixel watch (and samsung ditched the weight management feature). Fitbit has the cals in / out feature i loved.

So, both watches on same arm today. About 11,000 steps A few steps out (about 300) for the day which isnt a lot. Calories very different. Samsung by end of play will be about 2700 ish. Fitbit will be about 3500. 

That seems a lot for a bit of walking and people seem to have said fitbit over reads. Anyway, read on here that if reduce height (not bothered about BMI calculation and stride length not affected) can reduce total calories. So i have tried that and it brings them in-line.

Just wondered if anyone else had switched or has similar issues (i tried all the re-set and checking height/weight already).

Cheers

[madmox]

*bump*

I'd like to know what's going on with Samsung health, too. I can say, with complete confidence, that my Fitbit sense Is definitely accurate enough. I've been tracking my calorie intake for 3 years with myfitnesspal and using Fitbit versa and sense models, (their calorie tracking is identical). I've been just trying to maintain my weight during that period. Whatever my Fitbit says I burned, dictates how many calories I consume. I've been within +/- 4lbs during those 3 years. On average, I burn around 3250 calories a day. Samsung will report, at least, 500 calories less per day. I'm using a watch 7 40mm and I like the smart features a lot. Fitness side sucks compared to fitbit. 

[alexthecat]

@madmox have you looked at the Google Pixel Watch? I have a Pixel Watch 2 and I really like it. It has the same health and fitness tracking as a Fitbit, but it is a full-featured smartwatch. The battery life isn't the greatest but, other than that, it seems like the best of both worlds. 

[madmox]

I have been keeping an eye on the pixel watches, since day one. Not a big fan of the style and my versa / sense always had better battery. I really like the fitbit ecosystem, figured it wasn't going anywhere, long-term, after google acquired it. Then they crippled the sense 2, which I had briefly and returned in favour of the sense 1. Unfortunately, the sense is starting to show its age and I just bought a galaxy s24 plus, so, I figured I would try it out. If I can only figure out how to tweak it to work more like the fitbit, while extending the battery life, I'd be happy. We'll see what the pixel 3 looks like, although, I'm not getting my hopes up.

Thanks for the reply! 

[RiekoC]

Hi @madmox 

I also have the Pixel Watch 2 and really like the Fitbit integration. There are a few minor annoyances, but overall it works well for me.

That said, I'm looking forward to the Pixel Watch 3 and its integration with Fitbit. So far, the article leaks I've read on the new version are quite interesting. We'll get more info when they do the MBG event on 13 Aug 2024.

[mukulshokeen]

Hey Mate,

Just got a Galaxy watch 7, tried both watches on both hands, had the same thing happen, it about 900 calories difference. Is there no fix for these Samsung watches?

[JimC_99]

Height reduction will change the BMR calculation to lower the calories.   I tell the Fitbit app that I wear the device on my dominant hand (I don't), that also reduces the calories when walking.

[Gb24]

I find the Samsung very very accurate. I have had Fitbit for years. I got a Samsung Ultra watch.

I weight all of my food. Been doing it two months. Wore both watches at the same time for 2 months.

With my calculation: Calories eaten + ( LB lost x 3500) / 7 (weekly count), my TDEE is roughly 2900sh-3000 including some cardio most days.

 Samsung is close to this #, but always under. 

Fitbit is wayyyyy over. Fitbit is sometimes almost 1000 calories over my TDEE. Not even close.

Fitbit also gives me 3-4K extra steps a day, and I know my Samsung is very accurate for steps after testing it.