Fitbit Versa 3 vs Versa 4 – A Big Downgrade

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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

 
 
Product Info
Fitbit Versa 3 Full Specifications

Fitbit Versa 3 Full Specifications, Features and Price

Fitbit Versa 4 Full Specifications

Fitbit Versa 4 Full Specifications, Features and Price

Price $134.99 $154.49
ABOUT DEVICE ABOUT DEVICE ABOUT DEVICE
Device name Fitbit Versa 3 Fitbit Versa 4
Device type Fitness/Sport smartwatch Fitness/Sport smartwatch
Gender Unisex Unisex
Release date September, 2020 September, 2022
Predecessor Fitbit Versa 2 Fitbit Versa 3
Successor Fitbit Versa 4
Versions
BODY BODY BODY
Dimension 40.4 x 40.4 x 12.4 mm 40.4 x 40.4 x 11.2 mm
Weight 37.64g
Shape Square Square
Case material Aluminum Aluminum
Strap material Polyester, Silicone Silicone
Bezel material Aluminum Aluminum
Strap size 140 – 180mm (small), 180 -220mm (big) 140 – 180mm (small), 180 -220mm (big)
Interchangeable strap Yes Yes
Screen protection Corning Gorilla Glass 3 Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Water resistance Yes, 5ATM Yes, 5ATM
Durability test
Swim-proof Yes, recommended Yes, recommended
Color Black/black, Midnight blue/gold, Pink/Gold Copper-rose/beet juice band, Copper-rose/pink-sand band, Graphite/black band, Platinum/waterfall blue band
DISPLAY DISPLAY DISPLAY
Display size 1.58 inches 1.58 inches
Display type AMOLED AMOLED
Display resolution 300 x 300 pixels 300 x 300 pixels
Pixel density 268.5 PPI 268.5 PPI
Always on Yes Yes
Custom watch face Yes Yes
Input type 1 Haptic button, Touchscreen 1 Physical button, Touchscreen
CONNECTIVITY CONNECTIVITY CONNECTIVITY
Bluetooth Bluetooth v5.0 Bluetooth v5.0
Bluetooth calling Yes Yes
GPS GLONASS, GPS GLONASS, GPS
NFC Yes Yes
Wi-Fi Yes Yes
MEMORY MEMORY MEMORY
RAM
ROM 4GB 4GB
Memory card slot No No
CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY
Technology None None
SIM type None None
Band
NOTIFICATIONS NOTIFICATIONS NOTIFICATIONS
SMS alert Yes Yes
Calls alert Yes Yes
Email alert Yes Yes
Event reminder Yes Yes
Third-party apps alert Yes Yes
Reply to Notifications - -
MEDIA MEDIA MEDIA
Audio mp3/mp4 mp3/mp4
Bluetooth music Yes
Loudspeaker Yes Yes
Microphone Yes Yes
Camera No No
Radio No No
SENSORS SENSORS SENSORS
Sensor(s) Vibration motor Vibration motor
ACTIVITY TRACKING ACTIVITY TRACKING ACTIVITY TRACKING
Blood oxygen Yes Yes
Blood Pressure No No
Calories Yes Yes
Distance Yes Yes
ECG tracking No No
Heart rate monitoring Yes Yes
Sleep tracking Yes Yes
Steps Yes Yes
Floors climbed - -
Stress Yes Yes
Fall detection No No
Menstrual cycle Yes Yes
VO2 Max Yes Yes
Swim-tracking Yes Yes
Underwater heart rate tracking No No
On-screen workout Yes Yes
Sport modes 20+ 40
BATTERY BATTERY BATTERY
Battery type non-removable Lithium-polymer non-removable Lithium-polymer
Battery capacity
Battery life Regular: 6 Days+ Regular: 6 Days+
Charging type USB charging USB charging
Charging time 30min-1hr 30min-1hr
Solar charging No No
PLATFORM PLATFORM PLATFORM
Chipset
CPU
GPU
Operating system Fitbit OS Fitbit OS
MISC MISC MISC
Companion app Fitbit App Fitbit App
Compatibility Android OS 8.0+, iOS 14.0+ Android OS 8.0+, iOS 14.0+
Payment system Fitbit Pay Fitbit Pay, Google Pay
Voice command Yes, Alexa, Yes, Google Assistant Yes, Alexa
Find my phone Yes Yes
Box content Charger, Fitbit Versa 3, Manual, Straps Charger, Fitbit Versa 4, Manual, Straps

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

Fitbit Versa 3 vs Versa 4

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

 
 
Product Info
Fitbit Sense 2 Full Specifications

Fitbit Sense 2 Full Specifications, Features and Price

Fitbit Versa 4 Full Specifications

Fitbit Versa 4 Full Specifications, Features and Price

Price $249.95 $154.49
ABOUT DEVICE ABOUT DEVICE ABOUT DEVICE
Device name Fitbit Sense 2 Fitbit Versa 4
Device type Fitness/Sport smartwatch Fitness/Sport smartwatch
Gender Unisex Unisex
Release date September, 2022 September, 2022
Predecessor Fitbit Sense Fitbit Versa 3
Successor
Versions
BODY BODY BODY
Dimension 40.4 x 40.4 x 11.2 mm 40.4 x 40.4 x 11.2 mm
Weight 37.64g 37.64g
Shape Square Square
Case material Aluminum Aluminum
Strap material Silicone Silicone
Bezel material Stainless steel Aluminum
Strap size 140 – 180mm (small), 180 -220mm (big) 140 – 180mm (small), 180 -220mm (big)
Interchangeable strap Yes Yes
Screen protection Corning Gorilla Glass 3 Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Water resistance Yes, 5ATM Yes, 5ATM
Durability test
Swim-proof Yes, recommended Yes, recommended
Color Graphite/grey band, Platinum/lunar-white band, Soft-gold/blue-mist band Copper-rose/beet juice band, Copper-rose/pink-sand band, Graphite/black band, Platinum/waterfall blue band
DISPLAY DISPLAY DISPLAY
Display size 1.58 inches 1.58 inches
Display type AMOLED AMOLED
Display resolution 300 x 300 pixels 300 x 300 pixels
Pixel density 268.5 PPI 268.5 PPI
Always on Yes Yes
Custom watch face Yes Yes
Input type 1 Physical button, Touchscreen 1 Physical button, Touchscreen
CONNECTIVITY CONNECTIVITY CONNECTIVITY
Bluetooth Bluetooth v5.0 Bluetooth v5.0
Bluetooth calling Yes Yes
GPS GLONASS, GPS GLONASS, GPS
NFC Yes Yes
Wi-Fi Yes Yes
MEMORY MEMORY MEMORY
RAM
ROM 4GB 4GB
Memory card slot No No
CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY
Technology None None
SIM type None None
Band
NOTIFICATIONS NOTIFICATIONS NOTIFICATIONS
SMS alert Yes Yes
Calls alert Yes Yes
Email alert Yes Yes
Event reminder Yes Yes
Third-party apps alert Yes Yes
Reply to Notifications Yes (preset replies) -
MEDIA MEDIA MEDIA
Audio mp3/mp4 mp3/mp4
Bluetooth music
Loudspeaker Yes Yes
Microphone Yes Yes
Camera No No
Radio No No
SENSORS SENSORS SENSORS
Sensor(s) EDA sensor, Vibration motor Vibration motor
ACTIVITY TRACKING ACTIVITY TRACKING ACTIVITY TRACKING
Blood oxygen Yes Yes
Blood Pressure No No
Calories Yes Yes
Distance Yes Yes
ECG tracking Yes No
Heart rate monitoring Yes Yes
Sleep tracking Yes Yes
Steps Yes Yes
Floors climbed No -
Stress Yes Yes
Fall detection No No
Menstrual cycle Yes Yes
VO2 Max Yes Yes
Swim-tracking Yes Yes
Underwater heart rate tracking No No
On-screen workout Yes Yes
Sport modes 40 40
BATTERY BATTERY BATTERY
Battery type non-removable Lithium-polymer non-removable Lithium-polymer
Battery capacity
Battery life Regular: 6 Days+ Regular: 6 Days+
Charging type USB charging USB charging
Charging time 30min-1hr 30min-1hr
Solar charging No No
PLATFORM PLATFORM PLATFORM
Chipset
CPU
GPU
Operating system Fitbit OS Fitbit OS
MISC MISC MISC
Companion app Fitbit App Fitbit App
Compatibility Android OS 8.0+, iOS 14.0+ Android OS 8.0+, iOS 14.0+
Payment system Fitbit Pay, Google Pay Fitbit Pay, Google Pay
Voice command Yes, Alexa Yes, Alexa
Find my phone Yes Yes
Box content Charger, Fitbit Sense 2, Manual, Straps Charger, Fitbit Versa 4, Manual, Straps

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.