Fitbit Versa 2 released last year and costs $180 with Fitbit Versa 3 as its successor is available in 5 colors; black/carbon, stone/mist grey, petal/copper-rose, bordeaux/copper-rose, and mist grey. Versa 2 looks more like an Apple Watch and it has outsmarted its predecessor, the original Versa. There are some poor features in the original Versa which Fitbit has done well to correct in Versa 2. Though it might look like a smartwatch, it’s an excellent fitness and sleep-tracker, not a complete smartwatch. If you seek a complete smartwatch go for an Apple Watch or Samsung smartwatches. For outdoor activities, the Versa 2 fails because it will need to be connected to your phone GPS as it lacks an inbuilt GPS. This is disappointing for its price of which a low-profile Huawei Band 4 Pro device has. This Fitbit Versa 2 comprehensive review takes a deep dive into what you can expect from this smartwatch and if it’s worth buying in 2020 with Versa 3 already available.
Fitbit Versa 2 Review
DESIGN
- Very Lightweight and Sturdy Design
- Display
- Lots of Watch Faces
- Waterproof Rating
Fitbit Versa 2 looks a lot similar to the original Versa, though Fitbit has added some more features. It has a square face with smooth rounded corners and one physical button, unlike its predecessor that has three buttons – two on the left and one on the right. There’s just one button on the left side of the Versa 2 which serves as both the ‘select’ and the ‘back’. A shortcut can also be assigned to the side button. It’s an excellent fitness tracker with its decent look, lightweight design, and is comfortable enough to wear all day and night.
The bands are interchangeable, you can change the bands with classic leather, metal, or any other strap of your choice. The versa 2 has a quick-release pin, easy to pull out but getting the pin to click into place can be quite frustrating.
Fitbit Versa 2 has a touchscreen AMOLED display of about 1.4 inches and a dimension of 300 × 300px, making the black colors a lot darker. It is bright and easy to read no matter the light conditions. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 which offers protection and durability. It also has an always-on display, but this might be a little disappointing because it affects battery life.
Fitbit Versa 2 has an always-on display that can show exercise stats at a glance. But note that this can also affect the battery performance.
The Fitbit app allows you to access a variety of clock faces, so you can customize the look of the Versa 2. Though some are premium watch faces which you’re allowed to use for about 2 hours in most cases. To install a watch face, log in to the Fitbit app, tap on clock faces and then on all clocks to manage and as well select your desired watch faces. You can only store upto 5 watch faces at a time on the Versa 2.
Versa 2 comes with a waterproof case that is water-resistant up to 50 meters, with this you can wear the versa 2 to shower, pool, and beyond without having to worry about it getting damaged by water.
HEALTH AND FITNESS TRACKING
Fitbit Versa 2 is a fullfledged fitness tracker that can track your exercises, heart rate, and sleep. It tracks all-day activities like your exercises, steps, distance, calories burned, floor climbed, heart rate, sleep, active minutes, hourly activities, and stationary time.
It automatically records any selected exercises like running, skipping, swimming, walking, and more, you can see stats in the Fitbit app and also get post-workout summaries. You can also see your real-time pace and distance by connecting to your phone GPS, then get a map of your routes in the Fitbit app.
- Sleep Tracking
- Heart Rate Monitor
- Swim Tracking
- Menstrual Health
- Exercises
Another feature of the Versa 2 is in-depth sleep tracking. When I wore my versa 2 to bed, I liked how it tracked my time spent in light, deep, awake, and REM sleep stages. This feature is quite amazing as it helps you understand your sleep quality each night. And because Versa 2 is lightweight, I find it very comfortable to wear to bed with no stress at all. The Fitbit app also shows my sleep score which gives me a quick report of how well I slept at a glance.
At the back of the Versa 2, is the heart rate monitor. It tracks your heart rate 24/7 and it shows my heart rate zones. It also shows a trend of my heart rate over time which I think can be a good idea to share with your doctor if the need arises.
With its swim-proof case that is water-resistant up to 50 meters, Fitbit versa 2 is swim-proof and it can also track your pool workout.
For women, you can use your Versa 2 with Fitbit app to log your period cycle, record symptoms, and fertile window.
The Fitbit app has 20 exercises and you can only store 7 exercises in the shortcut list on your smartwatch. Tap on any exercises from the shortcut list on your smartwatch to start, while the Versa 2 can auto-track up to 6 exercises.
MEDIA
- Music Experience
- Microphone
You can use the music desktop app to transfer music to the Versa 2, but this requires an available WiFi network to transfer music. You can also control your Spotify app and add a Deezer playlist with your subscription and play songs on your Versa 2. You can also download Pandora stations to the Versa 2. To listen to music, you’ll have to connect a Bluetooth headphone which can be done from the settings app>>audio devices.
Another feature of the Versa 2 is the microphone which you can now use for voice replies with Android phones and to give Alexa commands.
NOTIFICATIONS
Another fine feature of Versa 2 is that you can see calls, messages, text, calendar notifications from your smartphone on Versa 2, that’s if the connected smartphone is nearby. But only Android users can reply to notifications using preset replies and emojis, you can also respond to messages with your voice. All thanks to its microphone which you can use for voice replies. Although you can’t answers calls with the versa 2.
MISC
- Sleep Mode
- Do Not Disturb Mode
- Find Phone
- Alexa
- Fitbit Pay
The Versa 2 has a sleep mode that disables notifications from buzzing or display from lightening up and keeps the screen off while you are asleep.
There’s also the do not disturb mode which is a lot similar to sleep mode. When activated, it switches of notifications. Do not disturb can be activated simply by swiping down and accessing the quick panel settings.
You can use the built-in find my phone app to locate a misplaced phone. Just tap on the find phone app and your phone will continuously ring and vibrate until you discover its location.
Fitbit Versa 2 has an Amazon Alexa app, you can use the Alexa built in-app to get quick news and information, check the weather, and more using the sound of your voice. By default, Alexa is assigned to the side button which can be accessed by long-pressing the side button, Alexa will pop up and will start listening to your voice queries. Alexa does a little thinking and connects to available wifi and provides the answers you seek.
The versa 2 has an inbuilt wallet app that allows you to pay from your wrist without your wallet or your card. Though you’ll have to set it up. And Fitbit pay is not available in every country.
BATTERY LIFE
Fitbit Versa 2 can last up to 5 days+ though it varies, and depends on your settings. When you set it to always-on display it affects the battery performance and you will have to charge your Versa 2 more often.
Pros
- Long lasting battery Life.
- Comfortable to wear, it is lightweight.
- Swim-proof.
- A decent health and fitness tracker..
Cons
- Lacks GPS meaning you have to take your phone for outdoor workout which is quite unfortunate.
- Changing of strap; despite the quick- release pin it is painful to insert a new strap .
Fitbit Versa 2 Full Specifications
| Product Info |
 Fitbit Versa 2 Specifications, Features and Price |
|---|---|
| Price | $149.95 |
| ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE |
| Device name | Fitbit Versa 2 |
| Device type | Fitness/Sport smartwatch |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Release date | September, 2019 |
| Predecessor | Fitbit Versa |
| Successor | Fitbit Versa 3 |
| Versions | Fitbit Versa 2 Special Edition, Fitbit Versa 2 Standard Edition |
| BODY | BODY |
| Dimension | 40 x 40 x 12 mm |
| Weight | 40 grams |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Case material | Aluminum |
| Strap material | Silicone |
| Bezel material | Aluminum |
| Strap size | 140 – 180mm (small), 180 -220mm (big) |
| Interchangeable strap | Yes |
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Water resistance | Yes, 5ATM |
| Durability test | — |
| Swim-proof | Yes, recommended |
| Color | Black, Bordeaux, Grey, Petal/copper rose, Stone/mist grey |
| DISPLAY | DISPLAY |
| Display size | 1.4 inches |
| Display type | AMOLED |
| Display resolution | — |
| Pixel density | — |
| Always on | Yes |
| Custom watch face | Yes |
| Input type | 1 Physical button, Touchscreen |
| CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth v4.0 |
| Bluetooth calling | No |
| GPS | No |
| NFC | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| MEMORY | MEMORY |
| RAM | — |
| ROM | 4GB |
| Memory card slot | No |
| CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY |
| Technology | None |
| SIM type | None |
| Band | — |
| NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS |
| SMS alert | Yes |
| Calls alert | Yes |
| Email alert | Yes |
| Event reminder | Yes |
| Third-party apps alert | Yes |
| Reply to Notifications | - |
| MEDIA | MEDIA |
| Audio | mp3/mp4 |
| Bluetooth music | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | No |
| Microphone | Yes |
| Camera | No |
| Radio | No |
| SENSORS | SENSORS |
| Sensor(s) | Vibration motor |
| ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING |
| Blood oxygen | Yes |
| Blood Pressure | No |
| Calories | Yes |
| Distance | Yes |
| ECG tracking | No |
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Yes |
| Steps | Yes |
| Floors climbed | Yes |
| Stress | Yes |
| Fall detection | No |
| Menstrual cycle | Yes |
| VO2 Max | Yes |
| Swim-tracking | Yes |
| Underwater heart rate tracking | No |
| On-screen workout | Yes |
| Sport modes | 15 |
| BATTERY | BATTERY |
| Battery type | non-removable Lithium-polymer |
| Battery capacity | — |
| Battery life | Regular: 5 days+, Standby: 8 days+ |
| Charging type | Charging dock |
| Charging time | 2hrs |
| Solar charging | No |
| PLATFORM | PLATFORM |
| Chipset | — |
| CPU | — |
| GPU | — |
| Operating system | Fitbit OS |
| MISC | MISC |
| Companion app | Fitbit App |
| Compatibility | Android, iOS |
| Payment system | Fitbit Pay |
| Voice command | Yes, Alexa |
| Find my phone | Yes |
| Box content | Charger, Fitbit Versa 2, Manual, Straps |
Conclusion
Fitbit Versa 2 is no doubt a decent fitness tracker, I like that it’s very lightweight and comfortable to wear and its long battery life is something to cheer about. But the lack of inbuilt GPS comes with lots of inconveniences which is very disappointing for a fitness-focused smartwatch.
