Fitbit has established itself as a leading brand in the world of fitness trackers and smartwatches, thanks to its impeccable designs and user-friendly features. Two of its most sought-after smartwatch models are the Fitbit Versa 2 and the recently launched Fitbit Versa 4. If you’re currently in the market for a new smartwatch, you might be contemplating which of these two options is the superior one. To aid you in making an informed decision, let’s dive into their specifications, features, and overall performance in detail.
Design and Display
When it comes to design, both the Versa 2 and Versa 4 have a very similar look with a square face and rounded corners. They both come with color AMOLED touchscreen displays.
The Versa 2 has a 1.4-inch screen with a resolution of 300 x 300 pixels. The Versa 4 steps it up a bit with a slightly larger 1.58-inch screen and a resolution of 336 x 336 pixels. So you get a bit more screen real estate on the newer Versa 4.
In terms of physical dimensions, the Versa 2 comes in at 40mm wide x 40mm long x 12mm thick. It weighs around 5 ounces. The Versa 4 has almost identical dimensions at 41mm wide x 41mm long x 12.6mm thick and a weight of about 5.4 ounces.
So in summary, both watches have a very comparable squarish shape and AMOLED display. The Versa 4 gains the advantage with its slightly larger screen size and increased resolution.
Durability
When evaluating durability, you want to consider factors like water resistance, scratch resistance, and overall sturdiness.
Both the Versa 2 and Versa 4 have a 50 meter water resistance rating. This means they can be safely worn while swimming in shallow waters. However, neither watch is suitable for high velocity water sports like water skiing.
As far as scratch resistance goes, Fitbit uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on both models to help protect against bumps and scratches. The aluminum cases also provide durability while maintaining a lightweight feel.
Based on their identical water resistance ratings and materials used, the Versa 2 and Versa 4 are pretty evenly matched in durability. Both watches should be able to hold up well for daily use. The Versa 4 may have a slight edge with its metal frame compared to the plastic frame on the Versa 2.
Battery Life
Battery life is an important consideration for any wearable device. You don’t want to have to charge it every night.
On a single charge, Fitbit claims the Versa 2 can last up to 5 days in smartwatch mode or up to 6 days in basic watch mode. For the Versa 4, the estimated battery life goes up to 6 days in smartwatch mode or 7 days in simplified watch mode.
So both models can provide roughly a week’s worth of runtime before needing to be recharged. The newer Versa 4 just slightly outlasts the Versa 2 by approximately 1 day of extra usage.
One area where the Versa 2 has an advantage is that it comes with on-board Amazon Alexa support. You can use your voice to get news updates, set timers and alarms, check the weather, control smart home devices, and more. The Versa 4 lacks this feature. However, using Alexa does drain the Versa 2 battery a bit faster.
Activity Tracking and Health Features
Since these are Fitbit devices first and foremost, you expect a robust set of activity tracking and health monitoring capabilities. Let’s see how they compare.
Both the Versa 2 and Versa 4 can track basic stats like steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, heart rate, and sleep stages. The watches also have 20+ goal-based exercise modes like running, biking, swimming and more for more accurate workout tracking.
When it comes to sensors, each watch has:
- 3-axis accelerometer
- Altimeter for tracking floors climbed
- Optical heart rate monitor
- Ambient light sensor
- Vibration motor
In addition, the Versa 4 adds a couple more advanced sensors:
- Multi-path optical heart rate sensor (provides better accuracy during exercises)
- cEDA sensor for stress measurement
The Versa 4 also introduces a Daily Readiness Score feature that analyzes sleep, activity, and heart rate variability to determine if you should workout or prioritize recovery.
So while both watches are well equipped to track daily activity and sleep, the Versa 4 pulls ahead with its additional health metrics and workout analysis features.
Smart Features
In addition to health and fitness tracking, Fitbit’s Versa line also provides useful smartwatch functionality when connected to your smartphone. This includes alerts, notifications, apps, music control, payments, and more.
On the notification front, both watches can receive call, text, and app alerts when paired with an iPhone or Android device. You can also respond to some notifications directly from the watch.
When it comes to apps, you get access to Fitbit’s App Gallery, featuring apps for news, weather, timers, and more. Fitbit Pay is also included on both models for contactless payments.
For music, you can control songs playing on your phone from the Versa 2 and Versa 4. Plus, the Versa 4 adds support for downloading playlists from Deezer or Pandora for offline listening via Bluetooth headphones. This gives it an advantage for music playback.
Overall, the Versa 4 edges out the Versa 2 slightly when it comes to smart features, thanks to its offline music support. But both provide robust notification and app functionality when connected to a smartphone.
Fitness and Health Subscription Support
With both watches, you can access some basic health metrics through the Fitbit app. However, to unlock more detailed insights and coaching, you need to upgrade to Fitbit’s Premium subscription service.
Fitbit Premium provides features like:
- Detailed sleep analysis with sleep quality scores
- Health metrics like breathing rate, heart rate variability, and SpO2
- Wellness reports analyzing your activity, heart health, and sleep
- Video and audio workouts
- Mindfulness content
- Nutrition tracking and insights
- Health coaching plans
The good news is that both the Versa 2 and Versa 4 come with a 6-month trial of Fitbit Premium for new users. This lets you take full advantage of the watch and explore the premium features. After the trial ends, Premium costs $9.99/month or $79.99/year.
So in terms of fitness subscription support, it’s a tie between the two watches. You get the same Premium trial period and access to features.
Price and Value
The Versa 2 debuted in 2019 for $199.95, although it can now be found for under $150 in some cases. The newer Versa 4 was released in 2022 for $229.95.
When you look at the added features like a larger screen, additional health sensors, Daily Readiness Score, and offline music, the Versa 4 delivers better overall value for just $30 more. You get a more advanced health and fitness experience in a comparably stylish package.
However, if budget is a concern, the Versa 2 still provides robust activity tracking and smartwatch functionality for less money. It’s a great option for getting started with Fitbit’s lineup at a more affordable price point.
Fitbit Versa 2 vs Fitbit Versa 4 Specs: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Fitbit Versa 2 | Fitbit Versa 4 |
| Display | 1.4″ AMOLED, 300 x 300 px | 1.58” AMOLED, 336 x 336 px |
| Battery Life | 5+ days (smartwatch mode) | 6+ days (smartwatch mode) |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters | 50 meters |
| Onboard GPS | No | Yes |
| Heart Rate Sensor | Yes | Advanced multi-path version |
| SpO2 Sensor | No | Yes |
| Stress Sensor | No | Yes (cEDA) |
| Built-in Mic/Speaker | Yes | Yes |
| Offline Music | No | Yes (Deezer/Pandora) |
| Payments | Fitbit Pay | Fitbit Pay |
| Price | $149 | $229 |
Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
When choosing between the Fitbit Versa 2 and Versa 4, you have two great options. The Versa 2 is an affordable entry point into Fitbit’s smartwatches with robust health tracking and slick styling. But you may want to spend a little more for the Versa 4 to get extra sensors, onboard GPS, offline music and other upgrades.
Here are some final recommendations on which model may be a better fit:
- Buy the Versa 2 if you want a budget-friendly Fitbit smartwatch and can live without the latest features.
- Buy the Versa 4 if you want more advanced health metrics, GPS, offline playlists, and Daily Readiness Scores.
- Choose the Versa 2 if you like using Amazon Alexa on your watch for voice control.
- Pick the Versa 4 if you want a slightly bigger screen with higher resolution.
Whichever you choose, both watches deliver an excellent wearable experience and seamless connectivity with the Fitbit ecosystem. You really can’t go wrong with either the Versa 2 or Versa 4 as your daily fitness companion.
FAQs
Does the Versa 4 have an always-on display?
No, neither the Versa 2 or Versa 4 have an always-on display. The screens turn off when not in active use to preserve battery life. You can set screen wake options to have the display turn on when you lift your wrist.
Can you reply to messages from the Versa 2 or Versa 4?
Yes, both watches allow you to reply to phone notifications with quick replies or voice dictation for many messaging apps. The Versa 4 adds a small on-screen keyboard for typing out responses.
Do the watches support third-party apps?
The Versa line uses Fitbit’s own App Gallery. It has popular apps for news, weather, timers, and more. But you won’t find the vast app support like an Apple Watch or Wear OS watch.
Which has more sports tracking modes?
The Versa 2 and Versa 4 contain the same 20+ exercise modes. These include running, biking, swimming, weights, interval workouts, and more.
Can you customize the watch face?
Absolutely. The Fitbit app has tons of customizable watch faces you can choose from to personalize the look of your Versa 2 or Versa 4. There are also third-party watch faces available.
The Bottom Line
When you compare the Fitbit Versa 2 vs the newer Versa 4, you’ll notice improvements across the board in terms of design, display quality, sensors, battery life, and smart features. The Versa 4 delivers a more advanced health tracking experience. However, if budget is a concern, the Versa 2 still gets you solid performance for less.
Exploring the realm of fitness wearables: Are they the right choice for your lifestyle? Hopefully, this detailed breakdown of two popular Fitbit smartwatches gives you a better idea. Whichever model you go with, you’ll enjoy an attractive, fitness-focused wearable packed with activity tracking features to keep you motivated and on the move.