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Yesterday, Fitbit announced a big product refresh with three new products, the Sense 2, Versa 4 and Inspire 3.
Fitbit used to be one of the dominant brands in the world of wearables, with a 38% market share back in 2014, according to Statista. However, that dominance has been decimated in recent years.
You’d think that Google being the new owners, might have the resources to revive the brand, but the launch of these three new watches looks largely underwhelming.
If you thought the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 was an incremental upgrade from the Watch4, I am not sure how you would describe the Fitbit Versa 4.
Fitbit Versa 4 vs Versa 3 Specifications
| Fitbit Versa 4 | Fitbit Versa 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Physical size | 40.5 x 40.5 x 11.2mm | 40.48 x 40.48 x 12.35 mm |
| Material | Aluminium housing paired with silicone band | Aluminium housing paired with silicone band |
| Display type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Display size | 1.58 inch | 1.58 inch |
| Display resolution | 336 x 336 pixels | 336 x 336 pixels |
| Weight | 40 grams | 38 grams |
| Button | Physical | Haptic |
| Sensors | 3-axis accelerometer 3-axis gyroscope Optical heart rate monitor Altimeter Ambient light sensor Vibration motor Relative SpO2 sensor temperature sensor NFC Built-in microphone | 3-axis accelerometer 3-axis gyroscope Optical heart rate monitor Altimeter Ambient light sensor Vibration motor Relative SpO2 sensor temperature sensor NFC Built-in microphone |
| Satellite connectivity | Built-in GPS/GLONASS | Built-in GPS/GLONASS |
| Exercise modes | 40 | 20 |
| Water-resistance | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Battery life | 6+ days. Charge time (0-100%): Two hours. 12 minutes to get one day of battery life. | 6+ days. Charge time (0-100%): Two hours. |
| Colour choice | Black/Graphite, Waterfall Blue / Platinum, Pink Sand / Copper Rose, Beet Juice / Copper Rose | Pink Clay/Soft Gold, Black/Black, Midnight/Soft Gold |
| Launch price | £200 / $230 | £200 / $230 |
| Current Price | £200 | £130 |
Fitbit Versa 4 vs Versa 3 Differences
As far as I can tell, the physical hardware has barely changed. The main difference is a switch to a physical button vs haptic. It is also a touch thinner.
All the sensors remain the same, but the Versa 3 did have a lot of sensors in the first place, so you could argue that there is not much to improve.
The battery remains the same, but unlike fully fledged smartwatches, it already has a good battery life of 6+ days.
Basically, the main differences come down to tweaks with the software. You now have 40-exercise modes, a lazy update that consists of them creating separate sports profiles. Most brands do this, and I don’t see why they can’t just allow you to program your own exercise modes.
Then the underlying OS has been tweaked, which includes better integration with parent company Google.
You have customisable tiles, weather and a variety of other features.
Probably the most important updates are the Google integration which includes maps and Google Wallet. However, neither of these are available at launch and should be available soon.
Google Pay is considerably better than Fitbit Pay because it has much better bank compatibility. Currently, the main ones you would likely use are Santander, Starling Bank, Revolut and Curve.
Fitbit Versa 4 vs Versa 3 Price
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fitbit Versa 3 Health & Fitness Smartwatch with 6-months... | £74.96 | Buy on Amazon |
The Fitbit Versa 4 has been announced at the same launch price as the predecessor, which is £199.99 / $229.95. It is currently pre-order with shipping from 23rd of September.
However, the Versa 3 has been available for £169.99 for a while now, and Fitbit has discounted it further to £149.99. You can pick it up on Amazon for around £130.
Overall
I have a soft spot for Fitbit because the company was the first piece of fitness tech I used, and it played a big role in my weight loss. So, it is a bit sad to see the decline.
The Fitbit Versa 4 is a mostly unremarkable launch. Google Maps and Google Wallet are a big improvement, but they are not available yet, and you can get the Versa 3 for 35% cheaper at £130.
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
