After the buyback from Nokia, Withings released Withings Steel HR Sport which looked almost similar to the Steel HR. If you are a first-timer to Withings smartwatches you probably won’t be able to differentiate between these two.
In this post we compare Withings Steel HR vs Withings Steel HR Sport, two fantastic hybrid smartwatches already loved by whole lot of people and the reviews and ratings on these two is something to cheer about. We compare the specs and features of these two head-to-head to help you make just the right choice.
Withings Steel HR vs Steel HR Sport Specifications Compared
| Withings Steel HR (36mm) | Withings Steel HR Sport | |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
ABOUT DEVICE | ||
| Device name | Withings Steel HR (36mm) | Withings Steel HR Sport |
| Device type | Hybrid/Classic/Fitness | Hybrid/Classic/Fitness |
| Predessesor | Withings Steel | Withings Steel HR |
| Successor | Withings Steel HR Sport | _ |
| Released date | September, 2016 | September, 2018 |
| Ideal for | Unisex | Unisex |
DISPLAY | ||
| Display type | Analog/OLED (monochrome) | Analog/OLED (monochrome) |
| Display size | 1.4 inch | 1.6 inch |
| Display resolution | _ | _ |
| Pixel density | _ | _ |
| Input type | Single button (Not touchscreen) | Single button (Not touchscreen) |
| Always-on | Yes | Yes |
| Customizable watch face | No | No |
BODY | ||
| Shape | Circular | Circular |
| Dimension | 36 x 36 x 13 mm | 40 x 40 x 13 mm |
| Weight | 39 grams | 49 grams |
| Casing material | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Strap/band material | Leather | Milanese mesh Leather Silicone |
| Bezel Material | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Strap size | 18mm | 20mm |
| Interchangeable band | Yes, 18mm | Yes, 20mm |
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Water resistant/Protection | Yes, 5ATM | Yes, 5ATM |
| Swim-proof | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended |
| Color(s) | Black White Blue Silver | Black White Silver |
MEMORY | ||
| RAM | _ | _ |
| Internal storage | _ | _ |
| Memory card slot | No | No |
CONNECTIVITY | ||
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth v4.0 LE | Bluetooth v4.0 LE |
| Bluetooth calling | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | No | No |
| NFC | No | No |
| Payment system | None | None |
| GPS | No (connected GPS) | No (connected GPS) |
CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY | ||
| Technology | No | No |
| SIM | No | No |
| Band | No | No |
NOTIFICATIONS | ||
| Email alert | Yes | Yes |
| SMS alert | Yes | Yes |
| Calls alert | Yes | Yes |
| Event reminder | Yes | Yes |
| Weather | Yes | Yes |
| Third-party apps | Yes | Yes |
| Text response | No | No |
FITNESS TRACKING | ||
| Sleep apnea | No | No |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Steps | Yes | Yes |
| Floors climbed | No | No |
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Calories | Yes | Yes |
| Distance | Yes | Yes |
| Stress | No | No |
| VO2 Max. | No | Yes |
| Blood oxygen | No | No |
| Blood pressure | No | No |
| Menstrual cycle tracking | No | No |
| Swim tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Under-water heart rate tracking | No | No |
| Preloaded maps | No | No |
| On-screen workout modes | No | No |
| Triathlon mode | No | No |
| ECG Tracking | No | No |
| Preloaded sport modes | Yes, 30 | Yes, 30 |
| Safety tracking | No | No |
MEDIA | ||
| Audio | No | No |
| Music streaming | No | No |
| Bluetooth music | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | No | No |
| Microphone | No | No |
| Camera | No | No |
SENSORS | ||
PLATFORM | ||
| Operating system (OS) | _ | _ |
| Chipset | _ | _ |
| CPU | Unknown | Unknown |
| GPU | -- | -- |
BATTERY | ||
| Type of battery | _ | _ |
| Battery capacity | _ | _ |
| Battery life | Standby: 20 days+ Mixed usage: 5 days+ | Standby: 20 days+ Mixed usage: 5 days+ |
| Charging type | Magnetic charging cable | Magnetic charging cable |
| Charging time | About 1-2 hrs | About 1-2 hrs |
| Battery saver mode | No | Yes |
| Solar power | No | No |
| Rapid charging | _ | _ |
CLOCK FEATURES | ||
| Time/Date | Yes | Yes |
| Stopwatch | No | No |
| Alarm | Yes | Yes |
OTHER FUNCTIONS | ||
| Control camera | No | No |
| Music control | No | No |
| Find phone | No | No |
MISC | ||
| Compatibility | Android 6.0+, iOS 10.0+ | Android 6.0+, iOS 10.0+ |
| Companion app | Health Mate App | Health Mate App |
| Voice command | No | No |
BOX CONTENTS | ||
| Withings Steel HR (26mm) | Withings Steel HR Sport | |
| Straps | Straps | |
| Magnetic charging cable | Magnetic charging cable | |
| Quick start guide | Quick start guide | |
| NOTE: We can't guarantee that all the information on this table are 100% correct. Read full disclaimer. Please, report an error. | ||
| Official Site | ||
Withings Steel HR vs Steel HR Sport Features Compared
- Design
- Battery Life
- Fitness Tracking
Withings Steel HR Sport has almost the same design as the Steel HR, while the Steel HR comes in two versions a smaller 36mm and bigger 40mm, the Steel HR Sport comes in only one version of 40mm case size. Its same body materials except that the strap on the Steel HR Sport looks more premium. It is the same style of the strap used on the Apple Nike+ series, a breathable strap that looks more stylish and attractive than the silicone strap that comes with the Steel HR. This is not a major differentiating factor as you can change these straps to a different one and it’s easy to do that too.
So based on design, there isn’t much difference. Although out of the box, the Steel HR Sport looks more stylish and sporty making it a better choice you can wear for sporting events or casual outings leaving the Steel HR as a nicer choice for official outings.
These two have impressive battery life, you have an analog and a very small OLED display that consumes less power, so in terms of battery life, these two are great choices. You should get over 20 days of battery life with any of these on regular usage. That’s awesome and so there is no major difference in battery life, although, the Steel HR Sport has slightly longer battery life.
Withings Steel HR Sport is a better choice for fitness tracking, it can track more activities than the Steel HR. No doubt these two are great choices for fitness tracking, but with the Steel HR Sport you can track your cardiovascular and overall fitness level via VO2 Max and this is where the major difference between these two comes in.
The Steel HR Sport is the first Withings smartwatch to feature VO2 Max, it’s a very important function especially for professional athletes. It gives you a clearer picture of your overall fitness level.
Which is Better?
Like I pointed out earlier there isn’t any much difference between these two watches except that the Steel HR Sport comes with a breathable strap and can track cardiovascular fitness level via VO2 Max. Is it worth the plus $20 difference in price? I would say yes and the professionals know just how important this feature is for your fitness goal.
However, if you already own a Withings Steel HR smartwatch, I honestly don’t think there is any need for you to buy the HR Sport. Unless you just want to feel the new design and of course, track your cardiovascular fitness level.
Here is a summary;
| WITHINGS STEEL HR SPORT | The best choice, fantastic design and premium strap. It gives the best value for money. |
| WITHINGS STEEL HR | Also a great choice, a hybrid fitness smartwatch that gets the job done. A fantastic choice for anyone who likes the appearance of traditional watches. |
Hi! I’m Jude, the chief editor at Smartwatchseries.com
I’m a graduate of biochemistry, a 3D artist and a passionate fitness enthusiast. On here, I and other smartwatch fans work hard to help you find the right smartwatch for you with our guides, reviews, and comparisons.
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