Off To The Races: Comparing Fitbit's New Ionic With Its Smart Watch Competitors

Good thing it's water-resistant, because the new Ionic smart watch just released by Fitbit Inc FIT is entering some dangerous depths.

Though it has a full complement of feature-rich competitors, perhaps the most formidable is Apple Inc. AAPL, which is rumored to be offering an update of its current, second-generation watch in the weeks ahead.

“The device, with an attractive price point, could generate solid sales, though it will also be launching at the same time as Apple's rumored next watch, which will likely also add new capabilities,” said Baird analyst William V. Power.

Related Link: Analyst: Fitbit Stepping In The Right Direction

What The Ionic Is Up Against

He maintains a Neutral rating on the stock and set a price target of $6, 1 cent below where the stock was trading at last check.

Here’s a breakdown of the Fitbit’s flagship new phone’s features, compared with its main competitors:

Fitbit Ionic:

• GPS
• Heart rate sensor
• Battery life: four, plus, days.
• Storage for music, plus Pandora Media Inc P support and Bluetooth headphone support
• Water resistance
• New proprietary OS
• Coaching software for personalized workouts
• Fitness tracker apps with swim-tracking apps
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC connectivity
• Android GOOG GOOGL), Apple iOS and Windows MSFT) compatible
• Storage: 2G
• PRICE: $299

Apple 2 Watch Series 2

• GPS
• Heart rate sensor
• Battery life: two days
• Dual-Core Processor
• Fitness tracker apps with swim-lap technology.
• Compatible with IOS devices
• Wireless charging
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC connectivity
• Compatible with iTunes
• Requires phone
• Onboard storage 2G
• PRICE: $369

• GPS
• OS: Tizen
• Dual-Core processor
• 4G Storage
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC connectivity
• Battery life: three days
• Wireless charging
• Intuitive interface
• Fitness tracking sensors
• PRICE: $299

• GPS
• Advanced running metrics
• Stride length, lactate threshold ratings
• Heart monitor
• Music player
• Water resistant
• Fitness tracker and heart monitor that adjusts to a variety of athletics
• Battery life: 16 hours
• No onboard music storage
• PRICE: $399