In this blog-post we will have a look at Polar M400 vs Polar M600 Technical specifications & Functional differences to decide if you wish to spend $150 more to buy M600 or save on M400 ?
Polar is pretty old brand in Athletics running watchs … Remember that Polar offered first wireless heart rate monitoring in 1977 !! Ever since it has grown in numbers and technology.
With introduction of Polar M600, Polar claims its first Android Wear device ! as an Activity tracking device as well as a Smartwatch.
Introduction of “Android Wear” in all new M600 obviously gives you powerful features like Google voice activated text messaging ! It also has fine tuning like Silent Alarm over the M400. Needless to say that Polar M600 comes with its own dedicated fitness app, GPS and GLONASS, it’s also waterproof with IPX8 certification (Safe for Swimming) and demonstrates its rugged design with Silicon band.
One more important thing I like for these models is they look great for men & women as well as girls too 🙂 which is very important to share across family and friends 🙂 You can simply exchange his / her sports watch as a change or suit your fashion that day 😛
Polar M400 vs Polar M600 Comparison & Review
| Sports Watch | Polar M400 | Polar M600 |
| Prices are updated using Amazon services dynamically |  Price shown for Black color |  Price shown for Black color |
| Display | B&W screen, but clear to read | Color touch display |
| Gorilla Glass 3 protection | ||
| Display Resolution | 128 x 128 pixel | 240 x 240 pixel |
| Color Options | Blue, Black, White, Pink, Red | Black, White |
| Changeable bands | Yes | Yes (White, Black, Red) |
| Button lock (Prevent accidental use) | Yes | No |
| Memory | 4 MB Flash memory | 4GB internal storage + 512MB RAM |
| Bluetooth 4.2 | No | Yes |
| Water resistant | WR30 ### Check meaning at end of post ### | Suitable for swimming, 10 meters, IPX8 |
| Heart rate sensor | Yes | |
| Text notifications | Yes (Call, Text, Calendar, Social push notifications) | |
| Battery Specs | 190 mAh lithium polymer | 500mAh lithium polymer |
| Battery life | up to 8 hours of training time with GPS and Bluetooth Smart heart rate sensor | 2 days / 8 hours of training (with Android phone), 1 day / 8 hours of training (with iPhone) |
| OS Compatibility | Syncs to Android, iOS devices, + Windows and Mac computers | |
| Call Answer | Yes, on watch | |
| Voice activation Text messages | Yes, just say Ok Google | |
| GPS | Integrated GPS with AssistNow™ satellite | Integrated GPS with AssistNow™ satellite |
| WiFi | No | Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n |
| Charging | USB | |
| Silent alarm | No (Audio alerts) | Yes |
| Stopwatch | Yes | |
| Compass | No | |
| NFC | No | |
| Voice commands | No | Yes |
| Control external Camera | No | |
| Sleep Data | Yes, tracks how well you sleep | Yes, tracks how well you sleep |
| Android Phone Support | Yes | |
| iPhone Support | Yes | |
| External heart rate monitor | Yes | |
| Polar Fitness Test | Yes | No |
| Running Index | Yes | No |
| Running cadence from the wrist | Yes | No |
| Speed/Pace zones | Yes | No |
| End Time Estimator | Yes | No |
| Interval Timers | Yes | No |
| Laps, manual | Yes | No |
| Autostop/start | Yes | No |
| Personal Best | Yes | No |
| Stride sensor Bluetooth® Smart features | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Smart | Yes | |
| Android Wear™ | No | Yes |
| Play Music | No | Yes |
| User Friendliness | Easy | Easy |
| What’s different | Buit-in GPS, predict activity finish, Heart rate training, running cadence | Android Wear |
| Weight | 56 grams | 63 grams |
| Sports Watch | Polar M400 | Polar M600 |
| User Manual download | M400 User Manual Download | M600 User Manual Download |
| Price | Best Buy | Best Buy |
Shall I spend $150 more to buy M600 against M400 ?
[price difference of $150 was as on 2/1/2017, we have added dynamic price update on this post so that you can compare the actual price difference dynamically]
- M600 features “Android Wear”
Android Wear provides you Google’s smartwatch goodies, but obviously Android Wear can’t be the reason to buy M600 ! Of course, you will enjoy the voice interaction with Google Voice, as well as messages, calls, alerts and contextual notifications popping up onscreen and activity tracking via Google Fit. Also connect with thousands of Android Wear apps too ! - Display
Color touch display with Gorilla Glass 3 protection, also has higher resolution (240 x 240 pixels) as compared to M400 - Memory
Features 4 GB of internal storage with 512 MBs RAM - Bluetooth
Features Bluetooth 4.2 which is more Energy Conservative, providing you longer Battery life - Water resistant
with IPX8 protection level this Smart Watch is Suitable for swimming (10 meters) - Strong Battery
with its 500 mAh lithium polymer battery this watch will provide you more backup compared to M400 - WiFi Enabled
For quick exchange of data as well as connectivity to internet, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n capabilities are provided - Alarm
Over Audio Alarm in M400 which can disturb your partner early morning hours, M600 features Silent Alarm - Compatibility with a heart rate sensor
M600 is compatible with Bluetooth® Smart heart rate sensors, like Polar H6 and H7.
Reason you wish to use heart rate sensor could be the type of exercise you do may result into movement in muscles or tendons near the sensor, so better to use separate sensor for accurate measurements of heart rates - Check Android-Wear-compatibility before buying Polar M600
Android Wear is compatible with Android 4.3+ & iOS 8.2+ (iPhone)
I suggest you to visit g.co/wearcheck & check Android-Wear-compatibility of your mobile
Note : Some functions will not be available when your M600 is paired with an iOS, Check list of available functions with yout iPhone here - If you are looking for triathlon watch, then M600 is not suitable, go for Triathlon compatible Polar V800
Although you need to decide if you are really in dire need of Technology over Basic Function where you wish to spend $150 more ? if you ask me, I am not that keen on spending my $$$ !
What’s best in M400 compared to M600 ?
- Less Price with all major Tracker Functions
Yes, with $150 less, you get world class Sports watch with Tracking features
[price difference of $150 was as on 2/1/2017, we have added dynamic price update on this post so that you can compare the actual price difference dynamically] - Button lock
This useful feature assists you by Preventing any accidental use - Display
Although this watch has basic B&W display, it is pretty clear in terms of reading in Daylight too. - Notifications
Supports Call, Text, Calendar, Social push notifications from your mobile. - Call Answer
Both M400 & M600 provides facility to answer your call from Watch - Some important features available only in M400 against M600
Features like Personal Test, End Time Estimator, Auto Start/Stop, Persons Best, Stride Sensor are available only in M400
To me M400 with all features to be a GOOD Sports Watch cum Activity Tracker, with Buit-in GPS, predict activity finish, Heart rate training, running cadence is a GOOD BARGAIN as against M600.
I hope this simple technical review helps you to decide right tracker among M400 or M600 !
Cheers !!
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