ScanWatch 2 and Nova have just picked up firmware update 2871, and this one’s worth your attention. It brings overnight HRV tracking to the watch, something Withings originally promised back at launch but took its time delivering. Select users have had access to the feature in Beta for a few months, but now it is available to all.
HRV finally lands on the watch
If you’ve owned the ScanWatch 2 for a while, this will feel like an important update. Version 2871 finally enables the heart rate variability (HRV) sensor for nightly readings. The hardware has supported it from the start. And Withings promised it was coming. But the data just wasn’t there.
That’s now changed. HRV readings show up automatically in the Sleep section of the Withings app. They’re based on overnight data, which is the most useful window for tracking baseline values without noise from activity. This makes the ScanWatch 2 much more useful for recovery insights, especially if you’ve been relying on resting heart rate as a kind of stand-in.
What’s actually being measured is the variability in timing between heartbeats. A high HRV suggests your body is in a relaxed and recovered state. A low HRV can point to stress, illness or overtraining. It’s worth noting all of this should be compared to your individual baseline – as it is a highly personal metric.
Power tweaks extend battery life
Alongside the HRV rollout, firmware 2871 brings some other changes. Battery life is getting a boost. According to Withings, users should now get around five extra days on a full charge. Of course all of this depends on your settings and usage, but any improvement here is always appreciated.
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ScanWatch 2 already had solid battery performance, especially compared to full-screen smartwatches. But between the bright OLED display and the health tracking, there’s always a balance to manage.
Other fixes smooth out the experience
A couple of small bugs have been ironed out too. One of them affected how notifications were displayed on the watch.General stability has also been improved.
If you’ve been holding off on updating, now’s the time. HRV is a feature that should’ve been there from the beginning. It’s not just a stat for elite athletes. It’s useful for anyone trying to stay ahead of stress or get a better handle on recovery.
I reviewed the ScanWatch 2 a couple years back and really liked it – it’s a solid hybrid that looks like a regular watch but packs in great health tracking like ECG and temperature monitoring. The build quality is nice, it’s lighter than the original, and the battery lasts forever. It’s perfect if you want health smarts without all the distractions, though it’s not really built for serious workouts.
The full change-log of firmware update 2871 can be seen on this link.
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