Last Updated on July 26, 2022 by Senior Editor
The popular Fitbit Versa is available in three editions, the Standard, Lite, and Special edition. Although all three look similar in appearance, there still exist differences in features which results in differences in the prices. So, in this post, we’re comparing the Fitbit Versa Lite vs Versa vs Versa Special Edition to find all the differences and to help make a more informed decision.
Note that the Versa is now succeeded by the Versa 2 which comes with a microphone, a longer battery life, and a more colorful AMOLED display.
Furthermore, the Versa 2 is now succeeded by the Versa 3, which comes with both a microphone and speaker that enables on-wrist calls as well as features Google Assistant and inbuilt GPS.
Fitbit Versa Lite vs Versa vs Versa Special Edition Specifications Compared
| Product Info |
 Fitbit Versa Specifications, Features and Price |
 Fitbit Versa Lite Specifications, Features and Price |
 Fitbit Versa Special Edition Specifications, Features and Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.00 | $119.95 | $129.95 |
| ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE | ABOUT DEVICE |
| Device name | Fitbit Versa | Fitbit Versa Lite | (Special edition), Fitbit Versa |
| Device type | Fitness/Sport smartwatch | Fitness/Sport smartwatch | Fitness/Sport smartwatch |
| Gender | Unisex | Unisex | Unisex |
| Release date | April, 2018 | April, 2018 | April, 2018 |
| Predecessor | — | — | — |
| Successor | Fitbit Versa 2 | Fitbit Versa 2 | Fitbit Versa 2 |
| Versions | Fitbit Versa Lite, Fitbit Versa Special Edition | Fitbit Versa, Fitbit Versa Lite, Fitbit Versa Special Edition | Fitbit Versa, Fitbit Versa Lite, Fitbit Versa Special Edition |
| BODY | BODY | BODY | BODY |
| Dimension | 35 x 24.07 x 11.2 mm | 35 x 24.07 x 11.2 mm | 35 x 24.07 x 11.2 mm |
| Weight | 38 grams | 38 grams | 38 grams |
| Shape | Rectangular | Rectangular | Square |
| Case material | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Strap material | Polyester, Silicone | Polyester, Silicone | Polyester, Silicone |
| Bezel material | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Strap size | 140 – 180mm (small), 180 -220mm (big) | 140 – 180mm (small), 180 -220mm (big) | 140 – 180mm (small), 180 -220mm (big) |
| Interchangeable strap | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Water resistance | Yes, 5ATM | Yes, 5ATM | Yes, 5ATM |
| Durability test | — | — | — |
| Swim-proof | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended | Yes, recommended |
| Color | Black, Gray, Rose-gold | Black, Gray, Rose-gold | Graphite, Rose-gold |
| DISPLAY | DISPLAY | DISPLAY | DISPLAY |
| Display size | 1.34 inches | 1.34 inches | 1.34 inches |
| Display type | LCD, transflective | LCD, transflective | LCD, transflective |
| Display resolution | 348 x 250 pixel | 348 x 250 pixel | 348 x 250 pixel |
| Pixel density | — | — | — |
| Always on | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Custom watch face | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Input type | 3 Physical buttons, Touchscreen | 1 Physical button, Touchscreen | 3 Physical buttons, Touchscreen |
| CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY | CONNECTIVITY |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth v4.0 | Bluetooth v4.0 | Bluetooth v4.0 |
| Bluetooth calling | No | No | No |
| GPS | No | No | No |
| NFC | Yes | No | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | No | Yes |
| MEMORY | MEMORY | MEMORY | MEMORY |
| RAM | — | — | — |
| ROM | 4GB | — | 4GB |
| Memory card slot | No | No | No |
| CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY | CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY |
| Technology | None | None | None |
| SIM type | None | None | None |
| Band | — | — | — |
| NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS | NOTIFICATIONS |
| SMS alert | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Calls alert | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Email alert | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Event reminder | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Third-party apps alert | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Reply to Notifications | - | - | - |
| MEDIA | MEDIA | MEDIA | MEDIA |
| Audio | mp3/mp4 | No | mp3/mp4 |
| Bluetooth music | Yes | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | No | No | No |
| Microphone | No | No | No |
| Camera | No | No | No |
| Radio | No | No | No |
| SENSORS | SENSORS | SENSORS | SENSORS |
| Sensor(s) | Vibration motor | Vibration motor | Vibration motor |
| ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING | ACTIVITY TRACKING |
| Blood oxygen | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Blood Pressure | No | No | No |
| Calories | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Distance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ECG tracking | No | No | No |
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Steps | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Floors climbed | Yes | No | Yes |
| Stress | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fall detection | No | No | No |
| Menstrual cycle | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| VO2 Max | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Swim-tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Underwater heart rate tracking | No | No | No |
| On-screen workout | Yes | No | Yes |
| Sport modes | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| BATTERY | BATTERY | BATTERY | BATTERY |
| Battery type | non-removable Lithium-polymer | non-removable Lithium-polymer | non-removable Lithium-polymer |
| Battery capacity | 145mAh | 145mAh | 145mAh |
| Battery life | Regular usage: 3 days+, Standby :5 days+ | Regular usage: 3 days+, Standby :5 days+ | Regular usage: 3 days+, Standby :5 days+ |
| Charging type | Charging dock | Charging dock | Charging dock |
| Charging time | 2hrs | 2hrs | 2hrs |
| Solar charging | No | No | No |
| PLATFORM | PLATFORM | PLATFORM | PLATFORM |
| Chipset | — | — | — |
| CPU | — | — | — |
| GPU | — | — | — |
| Operating system | Fitbit OS | Fitbit OS | Fitbit OS |
| MISC | MISC | MISC | MISC |
| Companion app | Fitbit App | Fitbit App | Fitbit App |
| Compatibility | Android, iOS | Android, iOS | Android, iOS |
| Payment system | Fitbit Pay | None | Fitbit Pay |
| Voice command | No | No | No |
| Find my phone | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Box content | Charger, Fitbit Versa, Manual, Straps | Charger, Fitbit Versa Lite, Manual, Straps | Charger, Fitbit Versa, Manual, Straps, Woven straps |
Which is Better?
- Special edition has additional strap
- CONNECTIVITY:
- MEMORY:
- FITNESS TRACKING:
- BATTERY LIFE:
Each of these three comes with a long and short silicone straps. However, the Special edition comes with an additional premium woven straps which you won’t get with the other two. This is one of the two differences between the special and standard edition.
The Versa lite lacks Wi-Fi which is present on the Standard and Special edition, this allows for faster transfer of onboard music storage as well as offers you a faster way to update these devices. The Lite edition also lacks NFC which is also present on the other two, this enables Fitbit Pay – a non-contactless payment system that allows you make payment directly from the Special and Standard edition.
Although, while the NFC in the Special edition supports payment within the US, the Standard edition supports payment outside the US (this is the second difference between the Standard and Special edition).
Both the Standard and Special edition ship with 4GB onboard storage capacity which allows you to take your music with you on the go, this isn’t possible with the Versa lite. Music in your ears can be a source of inspiration to complete that goal.
Although each of these is fitness-focused, the Standard and Special edition are more equipped and are more comprehensive activity trackers compared to the Lite edition.
The Lite edition lacks onscreen workout mode that coaches you through your favorite sport mode. It also lacks altimeter and as such is unable to count floors climbed. All of these features are present on the Standard and Special edition.
However, each of these three features 15+ preloaded sport modes, menstrual cycle logging for women, heart rate sensor, sleep tracking, blood oxygen tracking and a lot more.
Battery life remains almost same across all three, you get about 3-4 days long battery life on mixed usage with any of these three.
VERDICT: Although the Versa Lite is slightly cheaper, the Special and Standard editions are more comprehensive, more equipped and are no doubt the better choices. However, if you’re low on budget, the Lite edition is still a great choice.
And if the additional Woven straps means alot to you, you can go for the Fitbit Versa Special edition.