One of the best smartwatches I’ve ever used is the 43mm Withings ScanWatch; it tracks my sleep, steps, heart rate, SpO2, ECG, and much more. I rely on it so much that it only leaves my wrist for recharging about once a month. All that to say, I didn’t think there was much room or need for improvement, but of course, Withings has found a way. They’ve just introduced their second generation of ScanWatch, including the flagship Withings ScanWatch 2 and the attractively priced ScanWatch Light. Let’s take a look at these new watches and the features that they’ll offer.
The Withings ScanWatch Light & ScanWatch 2
Withings’ ScanWatch hybrid smartwatches are a great choice for people like me who are interested in tracking their health and getting notifications but don’t want a bulky smartwatch or the hassle of charging it daily.
The watches in the ScanWatch series have a classic design with analog hands, so they look like regular watches at first. Depending on the watch’s face, you might not even spot the small OLED grayscale display on the top. This display provides information about various health metrics and tests you can perform.
All the health data collected can be easily accessed, understood, and shared through the Withings app connected to the watch.
Withings ScanWatch 2
The original ScanWatch was approved by the FDA to detect atrial fibrillation using ECG and to measure oxygen levels in your blood (SpO2) from your wrist. It also does other helpful things like tracking your sleep, physical activity, and heart-related measurements.
The new Withings ScanWatch 2 goes even further by adding more fine-tuned sensors and software to keep a constant watch on your health and measure new health aspects accurately.
These new features include tracking changes in your baseline body temperature, monitoring your menstrual cycle, assessing heart rate variability, and automatically recognizing a variety of activities.
The ScanWatch 2 is built to monitor your health continuously, day and night, for extended periods. It has an impressive battery life of 30 days and can track even more advanced health metrics than before.
This means it can offer even more insights to help you stay on top of your health. Plus, it looks great with its analog design and lightweight build, making it a stylish addition to any outfit.
With over 10 years of experience in hybrid smartwatch health tracking, Withings has designed the ScanWatch 2 as their top-of-the-line watch. It comes with significant upgrades in sensor technology and uses HealthSense, Withings’ special operating system, to power its features.
Withings’ ScanWatch has become their most accurate tracking device yet, thanks to advanced sensors and software enhancements. These include:
- TempTech24/7 module: This uses temperature sensors to make tracking body temperature from a wearable much more precise than other solutions.
- MultiWave PPG Sensor: This sensor adds new capabilities and improves measurement accuracy.
- High Dynamic Range Accelerometer: This adds extra directional sensors for more accurate identification and automatic tracking of activities and workouts. It also expands the range of sports that can be automatically recognized.
- Updates to the Withings HealthSense operating system (OS) make ScanWatch 2 more efficient. There’s a scheduled update for the end of 2023 called PowerSense Pro. This update optimizes when to take health measurements and send heart health notifications, maximizing battery life and ensuring accurate recording.
- ScanWatch 2’s battery life will be extended by its ability to sense when it’s not worn, preventing unnecessary tracking.
- The OS updates also enable more readings and actions directly on the watches and through the Withings App. This allows Withings to consistently launch new features, keeping the product and health experience top-notch for users.
Withings is introducing a new way of tracking body temperature with their TempTech24/7 module. This technology combines a small, innovative heat flux sensor that measures energy movement with a highly accurate temperature sensor that measures both the surroundings and skin temperature. It also considers heart rate and accelerometer data to provide precise readings. This all adds up to offer the best assessment of changes in body temperature.
With ScanWatch 2, you can now track variations in your body temperature throughout the day and night. Changes in temperature might signal the start of an illness or other health issue; it also helps you better understand and improve your exercise routines by showing you different temperature ranges that are beneficial for performance and recovery.
For individuals who have menstrual cycles, ScanWatch 2 brings a more convenient way to integrate this aspect into their holistic health tracking. You can directly input your menstrual cycle details into the watch.
This includes various cycle stages, like symptoms, flow, and period dates. You can also note your moods and emotions, and the watch will give you an overview of where you are in your cycle.
The upcoming ScanWatch collection will use this information to forecast future period dates. This helps users establish personalized routines that match their monthly requirements. Doing so can enhance their sleep, physical activity, and diet throughout the month.
If you have the latest ScanWatches, you can input data directly on the watch or use the Withings App. For those with an older model ScanWatch, inputting information will be done directly through the Withings App.
ScanWatch Light
The ScanWatch Light will be the most budget-friendly option in the ScanWatch lineup. Despite its lower price, it offers improved and more advanced health tracking for continuous daily wellness.
Like ScanWatch 2, ScanWatch Light will give you a detailed picture of your heart health, activity and cycle tracking, and sleep patterns. Using the same HealthSense technology, it’s designed for continuous monitoring 24/7, and its battery can last up to 30 days.
While most other smartwatches prioritize productivity, communication, and entertainment, Withings hybrid smartwatches and the Withings app are centered around promoting your health as the main focus.
The Withings App is a fantastic hub for all your health information. It gathers unique measurements, gives you a complete health assessment using a health improvement score (including scores for activity, heart health, body metrics, and sleep), offers practical advice, and provides educational content from medical and fitness experts, along with motivating messages.
It also lets you make personal health reports that you can share with doctors, and there’s a special report about menstrual cycles for women.
The Withings ScanWatch 2 and ScanWatch Light come with an OLED grayscale display. You can also choose to get colored wristbands if you like.
This chart breaks down the differences in what each model can do.
The Withings ScanWatch 2 is priced at $349.95. You can get it in various sizes and color combinations: 42mm with a silver case and black face, 38mm with a silver case and white face, 38mm with a silver case and black face, and 38mm with a rose gold case and a sand face.
Later on, there will be more options, including a 42mm with a silver case and white face and a 38mm with a rose gold case and blue face.
The 37mm Withings ScanWatch Light will cost $249.95. It will be available with a silver case and black face, silver case and white face, and rose gold case with a sand face. It will also come with light blue and light green faces in the future.