The much anticipated Fitbit Versa 4 has been released alongside the Sense 2. While Versa 4 succeeds Versa 3, the Sense 2 succeeds Fitbit Sense. The new watches come in a slimmer design and feature Google Pay, Google maps, and more workout modes. Moreover, unlike their respective predecessors, the Sense 2 and Versa 4 can now make a call. Meanwhile, the new watches lack some very important features that were present in the older models. WiFi is deactivated, no music option, and no Google Assistant that actually allowed me to start a call on my Versa 3. In this article, we’ll compare the Versa 4 against the Versa 3, and hopefully should help you decide if you should upgrade on not.
Fitbit Versa 3 vs Versa 4 – Full Specifications Comparison
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Fitbit Versa 3 vs Versa 4 Review
Design – Versa 4 is slimmer
Starting with the design, the Versa 4 comes in a square shape just like its predecessor the Versa 3. Both watches look very similar in appearance.
The build materials are also the same. The Versa 4 like the Versa 3 has an aluminum case paired with silicone bands.
One fine thing is that you will be able to use Versa 3 straps on the Versa 4. Moreover, the Versa 3 charger will also be able to charge the Versa 4. Clearly, both watches have a very similar design.
Although both watches look very similar in appearance and design, the Versa 4 at 11.4mm thick is slightly slimmer and obviously weighs a little less than the Versa 3 which is 12.4mm thick. This actually means that while the Versa 3 is a very lightweight smartwatch, the Versa 4 is lighter and offers a higher level of comfort.
Talking about comfort, Fitbit has also restored the physical button on Versa 4. I was one of those who really disliked the haptic button on the Versa 3 and Sense. It was often frustrating. Fitbit obviously listened to various complaints and decided to bring back the physical button. In other words, while the Versa 3 has a haptic button, the Versa 4 has a physical button.
Overall, in terms of design, I’ll say kudos to Fitbit for making the Versa 4 slimmer. Although, the Galaxy Watch 4 and the Galaxy Watch 5 are both slimmer at 10.9mm.
Display & Interface
Like the Versa 3, the Versa 4 has a 1.58 inches display powered by AMOLED with a moderate resolution of 300 by 300 pixels.
Both watches also have touch-sensitive screens. Meanwhile, you get a physical button on the Versa 4 instead of the haptic button of Versa 3. The physical button alongside a touch-sensitive screen makes navigation a lot easier.
Fitbit has also updated its OS, as a result, the Versa 4 and Sense 2 have better user interfaces than the Versa 3 and Sense.
Health Tracking – Versa 4 has more workouts
Nothing much has changed in terms of health tracking. The Versa 4 just like the Versa 3 has an inbuilt GPS, heart rate sensor, accelerometer, infrared sensor for Spo2 measurement, and an altimeter that enables floor counting.
In other words, the Versa 4 like Versa 3 will track your steps, calories, sleep in all four stages, help you manage stress and allow you to track outdoor activities without your phone. Features like active Zone Minutes, temperature logging and more are also present on the Versa 4.
However, Fitbit has finally decided to increase the number of workouts. The Versa 4 and Sense 2 welcome 40 workout modes. This is twice the number of workout modes on Versa 3 and Sense.
Media and Storage – Versa 4 seems to lack music support
Fitbit didn’t mention anything about music storage on the Versa 4 and Sense 2. It has now been confirmed that the Sense 2 and Versa 4 lack music storage options nor are these able to control music playing on your smartphone. This might mean that the company has decided to make the new watches more focused. This publication seems to also think in this direction.
However, I’m utterly disappointed that a basic feature has been omitted from the Versa 4 and Sense 2. Music in the ears during a workout might be the only motivation you need to reach that fitness goal. So it makes absolutely no sense to remove such important features for a smartwatch that’s fitness-focused.
Some have opined that the omission of music options on the Versa 4 and Sense 2 is making way for the recently released Google Pixel Watch. Well, I will only buy the Pixel Watch if I think it’s really cool and worth it not because it has more features than the Versa 4 and Sense 2.
Fitbit has been drifting in this direction with the removal of the ability to add personal music to Versa 3 and Sense. Meanwhile, you can add personal music to the Versa 2.
Notifications and Apps
Just like the Versa 3, you will be able to reply to messages with your voice and preset replies. Meanwhile, Google maps and Google Pay are now present on the Versa 4 and Sense 2. With Google maps, you will be able to follow your route directly from your wrist (phone must be nearby). And with Google Pay, you get more ways to make payments on the watch. This is an addition to Fitbit Pay.
Meanwhile, Fitbit has also omitted Google Assistant from the Versa 4 and Sense 2. This leaves us with only Alexa Voice assistant.
While Alexa was very helpful, I preferred Google Assistant, it was the only way I could use the Versa 3 to start a call.
Making and Receiving Calls
With the Versa 3 and Sense, you can take on-wrist calls, but there’s was no way to start a call on the device like you would on Galaxy Watch 4 and Apple Watch Series 7.
However, Fitbit has rectified this issue as the Versa 4 and Sense 2 can make and receive calls when your phone is nearby.
Battery Life
The Versa 4 retains the same battery life as its predecessor. Fitbit states the Versa 4 and Sense 2 have up to 6 days of battery life which is very commendable, especially with a slimmer design.
Both Versa 4 and Sense 2 also support fast charging just like the Versa 3 and Sense. It takes me less than an hour to fully charge my Versa 3.
Versa 3 vs Versa 4 – Should You Upgrade?
While the Versa 4 is slimmer and welcomes Google maps, Google pay, more workouts, a physical button and a revamped user interface, it excludes basic features like music options and Google Assistant thus leaving very little to be desired.
I’m only buying the Versa 4 because I would like to see what it really has to offer, but my Versa 3 which has been with me for the last two years will remain.
Fitbit Sense 2 vs Fitbit Versa 4
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The difference between Sense and Versa 3 is also the difference between the Sense 2 and Versa 4. The Versa 4 and Sense 2 have the same design, display, interface, battery life and health-tracking features. However, the Sense 2 has more health-tracking features. It’s a more advanced fitness tracker.
Like the Fitbit Sense, the Sense 2 is equipped with an EDA stress sensor that can monitor your stress levels. It also features an ECG sensor that can help you detect irregular heart rhythms as well as a temperature sensor that will enable the watch to track your skin temperature.
The Versa 4 like the Versa 3 has a hidden temperature sensor that allows the watch to monitor and log your skin temperature variation. Although you can measure your temperature outrightly on the Sense and Sense 2, you can’t do that on Versa 3 or Versa 4. You must wear the Versa 3 or Versa 4 to sleep for a couple of days (about 4 days) in other for the watch to register your skin temperature.
So, basically, the Fitbit Sense 2 is very similar to the Versa 4, but it features ECG tracking, a temperature sensor and an EDA stress monitor. You only get a stress app that can help you manage stress via a guided breathing session on the Versa 4.