Does Fitbit try to mimic Apple Watch with their new Versa?
Fitbit’s second smartwatch production: The Fitbit Versa is a far cry from the Fitbit Ionic. This huge contrast between the two products of the same company could be due to the Versa’s slightly disappointing predecessor. Its perfect battery life and slick design make it a fitting competitor to the more expensive smartwatches like the Samsung brands. Then again the lack of inbuilt GPS is somehow a bummer that has affected its popularity.
With the Versa, you can keep tabs on a wide variety of activities, including running, swimming and cycling, and its menstrual cycle tracking is another hugely intriguing feature about the Fitbit Versa. Unlike many other smartwatches, it’s also well compact making it look good on users with slim wrists.
Fitbit Versa for casual wear.
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Build Specifications
Packaging
The Fitbit Versa just like all the other smartwatches is packaged with the Fitbit Versa, a USB charger/data cable, and a user’s manual.
Design
For the Versa, Fitbit hasn’t only updated the design of one of its prior or existing wearables; but it has a whole new look and maybe one that seems more Apple Watch-like than none of the company’s previous devices.
It boasts of the `Squircle’ watch face design, that is, a square face with rounded edges – in case you need to know what this means.
Despite its awkward design name, the Versa is a much more attractive and friendly-looking watch than most of the Fitbit`s previous devices, especially the Ionic, which you are going to admit that it has very few fans.
Fitbit Versa color and material variants.
In comparison, to other watches the Versa is harmless-looking, making sure that you are left to only concentrate more on what’s happening on display.
The Versa isn’t only eye-catching but could be one of the most comfortable smartwatches Fitbit has made credit to its featherweight.
On the left-hand side of the Versa sports, there is one main wake-up/back button, while on the right you will notice two smaller pause and `done` workout buttons. These are very simple to press and have proved to work very well while using the Versa for both focused exercise and day-to-day wear.
As for the Versa’s display, it’s a vibrant, colorful touchscreen with a brightness up to 1,000 nits. The display feature ensures that even in direct sunlight or underwater it’s easily visible, even when not turned up to the maximum brightness capacity.
Touch commands also seem to be much improved over the Ionic, which seemed to suffer a little from latency. Now commands seem to be fluid and uninterrupted.
Battery life
The Versa’s ability to stay for long minus charge puts other smartwatches in the shade. With this watch you can expect to last for at least four days off a single charge, this according to real-life results show it to be a conservative estimate.
When I tested it, the Versa comfortably kept on for up to four days. Connecting it to my phone via Bluetooth, it lasted for almost five days; when it was untethered, it managed six days.
Over and above this, if you want to extend that even further, you have to set the screen’s brightness to dim rather than automatic.
These are super-impressive figures, which pretty much put the Versa at the same level as the Fitbit Ionic. However, the other smartwatches don’t come any closer. The Apple Watch, for example, needs to be charged every night.
The Versa also comes with a clip-in charger, into which you place the watch by squeezing it open. From flat, you’ll be back up to 100% in around two hours.
Other features and specifications
Specs and sensors
Unlike the Ionic, you will realize that the Versa doesn’t have GPS built-in. What this means is that, if you want to track your running route, you’ll need to take your phone out with you too. That’s a big deal, and it’s one of the main reasons the Versa costs so much less than the Ionic.
However, what the Versa does have is enough onboard storage for around 300 of your favorite tracks of music, which you can play through a pair of Bluetooth headphones. This ability will allow you to go phone-free in the gym, which is great. For running, however, it makes more sense to play music through your handset, as you’ll probably have it with you anyway because of its GPS capabilities.
The Versa is water-resistant to 50 meters so that you can wear it even in the pool, and it does most of its tracking with the use of a 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope, optical heart rate monitor and altimeter.
Exercise and activity tracking
Those sensors enable the Versa to track a wide range of activities including running, swimming and cycling. It also tracks your walks and general workouts, such as weight-lifting and interval training, and monitors your steps, distance covered, floors climbed, calories burned, heart rate and sleep.
For someone who may be new to smartwatches, this may seem like an annoying lot – but what’s important here is how easy the Versa is to use. It runs Fitbit OS 2.0, which is intuitive, simple to navigate and lets you access the watch’s key features with just a few swipes and taps.
To track a run, for instance, swipe left on the main screen, tap the exercise icon and select Run. For other types of exercise, you swipe through the tabs until you land on the right option. To begin tracking, hit the Play button, which you can tap again to pause GPS tracking. You can bring an end to your workout by hitting the chequered flag icon.
To quickly view your stats for the day, including details of any workouts you’ve completed and your progress, just swipe up on the main screen.
For training and exercise.
Top three main competitors to the Fitbit Versa.
Its also important to consider that you can have a lot of other options to go for if the Fitbit Versa is not for you, a close analysis of the other main competitors to the Fitbit Versa is therefore important. Some of the main competitors are:
Apple Watch 3: The Apple Watch 3 is a true smartwatch that even offers LTE so that you can use most of its features without a phone.
It’s more stylish than the Fitbit Versa too, and while it’s a real smartwatch its fitness features aren’t lacking – it has GPS, which the Versa doesn’t. But of course, the Apple Watch 3 is also a lot more expensive.
Fitbit Ionic: If you’re a little bit more into your fitness, especially running, the more expensive Fitbit Ionic might be a good alternative to consider as it offers more dedicated fitness features such as in-built GPS tracking – meaning you don’t need to take your phone out with you when you go for a jog.
However, it’s not quite as pretty as the Versa, so its design might not be one for you if you plan to use it even when not working out.
Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro: Samsung has a lot of experience making smartwatches now, and the Gear Fit 2 Pro is arguably a decent alternative wearable device for dedicated fitness tracking, especially if you’re not looking to break the bank.
Because it’s a fitness band and not a smartwatch, it now retails at a much lower price than the Versa. We love its intuitive interface, great AMOLED display and good activity tracking features as the key highlights.
There are some issues such as a lack of apps – something the Versa suffers from too – but that’s something that’s improving all of the time. Plus it’s waterproof so you can take it into the pool too.
What’s in the box?
When unboxing the product you will find the following:
- Fitbit Versa smartwatch
- Manual
- An extra band size large
- A USB cable with charger cradle
Product Video
Check out this official product video before my final verdict.
Verdict
While its feature set isn’t quite on par with that of the Fitbit Ionic, the Versa feels the same watch in a different, lighter and friendlier design.
It also brings a clear, bright and beautiful screen, a new and improved heart rate sensor that will be updated with even smarter functionality via a firmware update later in the year, smart notifications, contactless payment capabilities and all the features Fitbit users will have come to know and love.
Ready for contactless payment.
Pros
- Excellent battery life
- Slick, comfortable design
- Lots of tracking options
- Swim-proof
- Bright, clear screen
- One size fits all
Cons
- No built-in GPS
- Shortage of apps
- Passive notifications
Why buy the Fitbit Versa?
If you loved the Ionic, you would love the Versa. In many ways, the Fitbit Versa is an improvement on the Ionic. It’s far better-looking, more lifestyle-friendly and has a similar feature-set – and all of this comes wrapped up in a device that costs significantly less money.
You can use it to monitor a huge range of activities too, including swimming, and it’s easy to use. Battery life is another feather in its cap; most other smartwatches on the market don’t come close.
However, as an actual smartwatch, it’s limited right now. This will hopefully change shortly when Fitbit rolls out planned updates, but it might be worth waiting until those are released before buying the Versa. Currently, it feels like a work in progress. Some users will find the lack of apps frustrating, and it’s disappointing that we still have to wait for features that we expect from a smartwatch, such as quick replies to messages.
The lack of built-in GPS is also a big miss and means you’ll be tethered to your phone when you’re out running. Although not the worst thing in the world, we’d prefer it not to be necessary.
The Versa is undoubtedly a step up from the Blaze, but right now it feels like a smartwatch for casual users who are looking to make small improvements to their lifestyle and try a smartwatch for the first time. With that in mind, serious runners would be better to consider the Ionic, or the slightly more expensive – but more attractive – Apple Watch Series 3 GPS.
Price and updated info
Perfect as your first smart- and training watch.
More info & Questions
Write down your questions and comments in the commenting section below. The tracker doesn’t get a top score from all buyers, but here are some examples of what other happy Amazon buyers have to say about this activity tracker:
“Kudos to Fitbit on the new Versa! This is the fitness focused watch to get at a fair price!” by Kevster5
“Glad I purchased this over an Apple watch” by JC
“Love the large screen” by Jmin22
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Hope you found my smartwatch review useful. See you next time.
I have been wanting a Fitbit for a few years now. I like that this one is water proof. I do not need the GPS or a bunch of apps, so I think this one is perfect for me! The price is really not too bad either. I have added the watch to my cart, which is the shopping list for my son 🙂 I am looking forward to the Fitbit.
The price is really good on this one. Hope you will be satisfied with the Versa. 🙂
I have owned a lessor brand activity monitor, but I didn’t really like it all that much. My only real concern with the FitBit in particular is that with their older models, some people were actually experiencing some pain or discomfort wearing it. Not really sure if that is something that they have addressed or not, but that would be my real main concern with it. Overall the way the device tracks and records your activity seems to be good. I am a bit anti-technology when it comes to things like that. I imagine that could change, but as of right now, I am hesitant to say the least.
Thanks for the commen! I totally understand your concerns with these activity trackers. Some people dont need them at all, but they can be a great help and motivating tool for those who struggle to be active. Andreas
iHi. You raise some nteresting points here. I think if your going for a run it’s not ideal to take your mobile phone with you so that’s a bummer. But, the water resistance is a good feature. I quite like the look of the versa watch too, it’s definately one I would be happy to wear. Thanks for this thorough review it’s been very helpful!
Thanks Dianne for the thoughts and comments. 🙂 Happy that you liked the review.
It is really great to know how this smartwatches are evolving each day. I like those ones because I enjoy in outdoor workouts and could fit me great. I did not know that they can be used for calculating heart rate, that is awesome. Definitely will get one for me and my girl.
Hi. Hope you and your girl find the Versa to be a useful training gadget.
This post gave me lots of great info on the Fitbit – great review. I’m on the lookout for a Fitbit or similar as a christmas present, so this post was very timely. I can see that there are lots of great sport gadgets on your page, so will have a proper look around
Enjoy the holidays!
cheers
Karina
Thanks for the comment Karina. 🙂 Glad you liked browsing around my site.
Interesting that Fitbit would come out with a smartwatch. I guess they are trying to keep up with Apple. I do not have any smartwatch at all and have been considering one. Your review makes it easier for me to make a decision.
I wish I knew more about any of the features you have mentioned. I do have an opinion on the lack of GPS. If I was to get one, for walking or running. I would want to be able to track my route and distance. I would have to tether to my iPhone and try not to use my phone while exercising. Minimizing things to take with me would not be beneficial for me.
I wish you the best!
Thanks for the comment Bob. Appreciate it. Take care.