Following its Vantage M3, Vantage V3 and Grit X2 Pro models, Polar continues to expand its range of sports watches to suit various forms and uses. For this summer, the Finnish company has introduced a new model, the Polar Grit X2.
This model is positioned between the bulkier outdoor Grit X2 Pro and the compact Vantage M3 running watch, combining the durability of the former with the compactness of the latter.
But is that enough to attract buyers away from competing brands? That’s what we’ll find out in this comprehensive review of the Polar Grit X2.
Polar Grit X2Technical Specifications
| Model | Polar Grit X2 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 44.7 mm x 44.7 mm x 12.5 mm |
| Technology | Li-Po |
| Screen Resolution | 416 x 416 pixels |
| Panel | AMOLED |
| Internal Memory | 32 GB |
| Weight | 62 g |
| Heart Rate Sensor | Yes |
| Sleep Analysis | Yes |
| Accelerometer | Yes |
| Ambient Light Sensor | Yes |
| Protection Rating | MIL-STD-810H, WR50 |
| Product Sheet |
The watch used for this review was provided by the manufacturer.
Polar Grit X2A Compact Yet Durable Watch
Until now, Polar’s range has been well-segmented, offering three flagship models for running, multisport, and outdoor activities:
- Polar Vantage M3: 44.7 mm diameter, plastic case, Gorilla Glass screen;
- Polar Vantage V3: 47.3 mm diameter, aluminum case, Gorilla Glass screen;
- Polar Grit X2 Pro: 48.6 mm diameter, steel case, sapphire glass screen.
Essentially, the choice was between a compact and lightweight Polar Vantage M3, an intermediate Vantage V3, and a sturdier, but much bulkier, Polar Grit X2 Pro.
To offer an alternative model, Polar launched the Grit X2. This sports watch retains the 44.7 x 44.7 x 12.5 mm format of the Vantage M3, thus small in size, but with a sapphire glass screen for enhanced durability. To keep the watch from being too heavy, Polar opted for a stainless steel bezel around the screen and a plastic case for the body of the watch. This keeps the weight of the Polar Grit X2 down to 62 grams with the strap and 39 grams without.
Regarding the strap, the Polar Grit X2 uses a standard system with quick-release spring bars, making it compatible with all standard 22 mm wide straps. The Grit X2 comes standard with a slightly textured silicone strap.
As for ergonomics, the Grit X2 features the same interface as other Polar watches with three buttons on the right of the case and two on the left. The bezel is quite well-designed and, while it doesn’t look as high-end as the Grit X2 Pro, the new model manages to be quite convincing as long as you don’t focus too much on the plastic case.
However, it’s worth noting the large black borders positioned between the screen and the bezel all around the display. That’s a pity.
Lastly, the watch is designed to operate in temperatures ranging from -20 to 50°C and up to 50 meters underwater thanks to the WR50 and MIL-STD-810H standards.
Overall, here we have a watch that manages to combine a relatively compact size, outdoor durability, and a rather neat design. It’s a good approach especially since, as we will see later, design is one of the few differences we’ll find with higher-end Polar models, such as the Vantage V3 or the Grit X2 Pro.
Polar Grit X2A High-Quality Display
For its Grit X2 display, Polar actually reused the same AMOLED panel as on the previous Vantage M3.
This results in a circular screen with a 1.28-inch diameter and a resolution of 416 x 416 pixels. This provides a pixel density of 325 pixels per inch (ppi), very close to the 326 ppi of the “retina” displays on Apple Watches, allowing you to view the watch without being able to individually discern each pixel at a glance.
The watch also includes an ambient light sensor to automatically adjust the screen brightness according to the lighting conditions of the environment. It may not reach the brightness levels of a Galaxy Watch Ultra or an Apple Watch Ultra, but the Polar Grit X2 provides a display that is strong enough to read training data in full sunlight.
In addition, the Polar watch also features an always-on display mode, which is handy if you want to keep the time display visible on your wrist at all times, even when you’re not looking at the watch.
Fortunately, both the always-on display and the wrist-lifting screen activation feature can be automatically turned off at a set time—e.g., from 10 PM to 8 AM—thanks to the programmable “sleep mode.”
Finally, in terms of watch faces, Polar offers several customizable configurations with a number of complications, the choice between analog and digital time, and accent colors. However, it lacks the large number of original watch faces offered by some connected watch brands, and here simplicity prevails.
Polar Grit X2An Interface That Remains Austere
The Polar Grit X2 retains the same features as the manufacturer’s previous watches, namely a 275 MHz processor, 37 MB of RAM, and 32 GB of storage for mapping. To connect the watch to a smartphone, you’ll need to use the Polar Flow app available on both Android and iPhone.
Polar Flow
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Similarly, the interface and various controls, whether touchscreen or via the five buttons on either side of the watch, remain the same:
- Top left button: turn the screen on/off
- Bottom left button: apps / back
- Top right button: scroll right / up
- Middle right button: confirm
- Bottom right button: scroll left / down
- Swipe up: access notifications
- Swipe down: quick settings
- Swipe left/right: access widgets
As noted in the tests of other Polar watches, the user interface is functional but not modern or attractive.
Unfortunately, the various screens are still very poorly adapted to the capabilities of the AMOLED screen of the watch, and the menus lack color, gradients, or animation. The austerity of the watch’s interface is also felt in the mobile app, which could use a good polish.
However, it’s a good point that the data is synchronized online and can be accessed on a larger screen, thanks to the web version of Polar Flow.
As for the apps, it’s worth noting that Polar watches are primarily aimed at fitness tracking. While there is a compass, mapping, and sunrise and sunset times, the main focus of the apps is on health, training, or recovery. Moreover, it’s not possible to install third-party apps, make calls, or make contactless payments. You can, however, view notifications that have been transferred from the smartphone to the watch.
Polar Grit X2A Watch with Effective Sports Tracking
The Polar Grit X2 carries the same array of sports and health sensors as the other models in the range.
It includes an optical heart rate sensor, a pulse oximeter, an electrocardiogram, motion sensors, a GPS chip, and a barometric altimeter.
The GPS Accuracy of the Polar Grit X2
For geolocation tracking, the Polar Grit X2 features a dual-frequency multi-GNSS chip (L1+L5) that works with GPS and Galileo as well as Glonass, BeiDou, and QZSS.
To assess the GPS accuracy of the watch, I wore it multiple times during running outings in different environments (city, track, and open park). I then compared the distances and routes measured with those of a high-end outdoor watch, the Garmin Fenix 8.
| Runs | Reference | Polar Grit X2 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Run 1 (track) | 9.015 km | 8.918 km | -1.08% |
| Run 2 (park) | 15.180 km | 15.138 km | -0.28% |
| Run 3 (park) | 10.208 km | 10.246 km | +0.37% |
| Run 4 (city) | 11.081 km | 10.832 km | -2.25% |
| Total | 45.484 km | 45.134 km | -0.77% |
Overall, the measurements are quite close on average, with a mean difference of less than 1%. In the city, however, the Polar watch shows a larger difference of about 2.77% compared to the Garmin. However, when examining the two tracks, it’s noticeable that both watches have their flaws. While the Polar tends to better respect the overall positioning (on one sidewalk or another), it sometimes tends to drift with small zigzags that were not present in the session.
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