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New Balance is looking to win the fitness smartwatch marathon with its recently introduced Android Wear-based RunIQ. But how does it compare to Apple Watch Series 2, which is also fitness focused and shares some core features such as built-in GPS and heart-rate monitoring? I wore both for more than a week to find out.
Cost: RunIQ beats Apple Watch
RunIQ is $300, while the least expensive Apple Watch Series 2 is $369.
Comfort: Apple Watch
RunIQ has a similar perforated band comparable to Apple Watch Nike+ (also $369 and up), the Nike-branded version of Apple’s Series 2 smartwatch. Both bands are comfortable to wear. But RunIQ feels heavier and bulkier on the wrist.
Screen: Apple Watch
No wearable I’ve tested - and I’ve tested quite a few - has a better screen than Apple Watch Series 2. It’s bright and easy-to-read in any circumstance, including outside on a day with bright sunshine.
With RunIQ, I needed to crank the brightness level up to 4 or 5 (the latter is...