Fitbit added various watches after being acquired by Google, but on their advanced series, the Versa has some pretty good features compared to the price these watches come in. So we decided to do a deep dive into the comparison of these watches and find out if they were worth the penny or not.
If you are wondering whether to buy either of these watches and can’t decide which one is right for you, then you are in the right place. We’ll be comparing the Fitbit Versa 4 and Versa 2 specs, features, pricing, design, and battery life to help you find the one that perfectly fits your budget and needs.
Fitbit Versa 2 vs Versa 4: Quick Glance
At a glance, you can’t spot a difference between these Versa series; whether it’s a Versa 2, Versa 3, or Versa 4, they all look almost identical to each other. They even have the same button positioned on the right side and a microphone on the left, but the Versa 4 added a barometer on the side for measuring stairs. But the Fitbit has changed this series in terms of how well it sits on your wrist to provide more accurate readings without compromising on comfort. There are a few other differences too, which we will see in the coming sections. Let’s dive in.
How do they differ in looks?
When it comes to design, the Versa series doesn’t have a whole lot to offer apart from the same square design and button on one side, along with a microphone and barometer on the other side.
Both smartwatches have the same aluminium build, along with a physical touch button on the side. A long press on the button activates Alexa, and a short press is used to open the apps menu. On the side, there’s a microphone for Bluetooth calling and a barometer on the other for measuring stairs. On the back, you get a charging port, a GPS antenna window, red and infrared sensors for blood oxygen monitoring, an optical heart rate sensor, an altimeter for elevation tracking, a three-axis accelerometer, and a device temperature sensor.
In terms of straps, both devices come with a flexible and durable silicone band that provides comfort and feel for your wrist. These are the interchangeable bands that you can switch between Versa 2, Sense, Charge 4, and Charge 5, and if you are upgrading your watch, you can change the band with your favourite watch strap.
The Fitbit Versa 2, measuring 40 x 40 x 11 mm and weighing 38 grams, compares to the Fitbit Versa 4, which comes in at 40.4 x 40.4 x 11.2 mm and weighs 37.6 grams. You can wear these lightweight watches for an extended period of time without feeling discomfort on your wrist.
When it comes to display, the Fitbit Versa 2 has a slightly smaller 1.4-inch AMOLED display with a screen resolution of 300 x 300 pixels and a pixel density of 304 PPI. While the Fitbit Versa 4 has a 1.58-inch AMOLED display with a screen resolution of 336 x 336 pixels and a pixel density of 268 PPI. They also have always-on display functionality, thanks to their AMOLED screen. Their displays are bright, colourful, and vibrant, providing more readability at a glance.
To customise the watch, both devices offer thousands of clock faces, which you can download via the Fitbit gallery, with the only downside being that most of the clock faces require a premium subscription to access them.
In terms of battery life, the Fitbit Versa 4 lasts for around 7 days under typical usage but cuts down to 2-3 days when the always-on display is used. In GPS mode, it lasts for around 2 days, which is still pretty decent. In contrast, the Fitbit Versa 2 can last for about 5–6 days on a single charge, and with an always-on display, it lasted for around 2 days and a few hours in GPS mode. They didn’t support fast charging, so it will take approximately 2 hours to fully charge these devices.
Both devices can withstand 50 metres of depth, which means you can use these watches for swimming but avoid hot saunas and high-pressure jets.
Let’s break down the specs
| Specifications | Fitbit Versa 2 | Fitbit Versa 4 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand | Fitbit | Fitbit |
| Model Name | Versa 2 | Versa 4 |
| Design and Body | ||
| Weight | 38 grams | 37.6 grams |
| Material | Aluminium | Aluminium |
| Lens Material | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Shape | Square | Square |
| Display | ||
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Touch | Yes | Yes |
| Size | 1.4 inch | 1.58 inch |
| Resolution | 300 x 300 pixels | 336 x 336 pixels |
| Features | Always-on Display | Always-on Display |
| Connectivity | ||
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| GPS | Built-in GPS | Built-in GPS |
| Extra | ||
| Sensors | Pedometer, Heart Rate Monitor, SpO2 (Blood Oxygen) Monitor, Calorie Count, Step Count, Sleep Monitor | Pedometer, Heart Rate Monitor, SpO2 (Blood Oxygen) Monitor, Calorie Count, Step Count, Sleep Monitor |
| NFC | Fitbit Pay | Fitbit Pay |
| Camera | ||
| Camera | No | No |
| Technical | ||
| Compatibility | Android, iOS | Android, iOS |
| Multimedia | ||
| Music | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Backup | Up to 7 days | Up to 6 days |
| Fast Charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Water Resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Water Rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Water Depth | 50m | 50m |
| Extra Features | Alarm Clock, Stopwatch, Timer, Reminder | Alarm Clock, Stopwatch, Timer, Reminder |
| Price | $158 | $199 |
Fitness, health, and activities
When it comes to fitness, health, and activity tracking, both smartwatches are identical. They have heart rate tracking, SpO2 (blood oxygen) tracking, active zone minutes, which are for user motivation; you earn points when you work harder to raise your heart rate; and cardio earns double points. Some usual activities like distance, steps, and calorie tracking are also available on both devices.
Additionally, both devices have a resting heart rate, an important metric that can tell you how fit you are. Heart rate variability to help you find out if you are overtrained, lack sleep, or stressed. Plus, both will also send a notification if a low or high heart rate is detected. They didn’t have ECG tracking capability, but the Fitbit Versa 2 detects irregular heart rate rhythms and provides early signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib).
On top of that, they also have a skin temperature sensor, a breathing rate sensor, blood glucose tracking, and menstrual cycle tracking, in which you can log periods, record symptoms, find patterns in your cycle, and estimate your ovulation window. They also offer a wellness report in pdf format, which you can show to your health professionals.
Both also include advanced sleep tracking that tracks sleep in light, deep, and REM stages. Sleep score to get insights into your sleep and smart wake alarm, which will wake you up with vibrations on your wrist. They also include stress management and breathing exercises to relieve stress through meditation, yoga, relaxation, sleep, and more.
In terms of activity tracking, both smartwatches have multiple sports modes, including running, cycling, swimming, and many more. They also feature automatic sports detection, which tracks activities you are doing for 10 minutes and logs them into the Fitbit app. Plus, use VO2 max to estimate your fitness level by checking how well your body is utilising oxygen.
What else can they do?
What about beyond sports and fitness? Both devices pick up and reject calls coming from your smartphone, but only the Fitbit Versa 4 can answer calls directly on the wrist through a speaker and a microphone. But they can show call, app, and text notifications with the built-in Alexa. The Fitbit Versa 2 can connect to and control Spotify directly on your wrist, which is not available in the Versa 4.
Both include built-in GPS, but the Fitbit Versa 4 has Google Map support, providing an interactive view of your route and turn-by-turn navigation. It also includes Google Wallet to store your credit and debit cards. Both smartwatches feature Fitbit Pay for contactless payment. They also include always-on display (AOD), find my phone, do not disturb (DND), and sleep mode to mute notifications and screen while sleeping.
In terms of compatibility, both can connect to a wide range of Android and iOS devices.
Which should you choose?
Given how similar these smartwatches are in terms of features and activity, they also have many differences. The choice depends on the features you want in your smartwatch. The Fitbit Versa 2 has a slightly smaller screen, shorter battery life, no Bluetooth calling, and costs $10 more.
Whereas, the Fitbit Versa 4 improved in various aspects compared to the previous version. It has a bigger battery and screen size, sits better on the wrist, supports Bluetooth calling, Google Wallet, and Maps, and above all, you can save a few extra bucks with this watch.
I would definitely recommend you go for the Versa 4, but you can consider other options too. You can check out our comprehensive comparison of the Fitbit Versa 4 and Charge 5 if you want a tracker for your health and fitness journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Versa 4 have ECG?
No, the Fitbit Versa 4 doesn’t have the ECG (electrocardiogram).
Can you answer calls on Fitbit Versa 4?
Yes, you can directly answer calls on the Fitbit Versa 4 from your wrist.
Is the Fitbit Versa 2 Waterproof?
Yes, you can use it for swimming too.
Does Versa 2 have GPS?
Yes, it uses GPS from the connected smartphone.