Fitbit announced the Fitbit’s Sense 2 & Versa 4, and Inspire 3 just in time for the holidays. The Versa and Sense retain Fitbit’s smartwatch focus, while the Inspire is ideal for those who desire a sleeker style and lower price. They’re among the greatest Fitbit wearables this year.
None of these wearables are major Fitbit additions. They’re all comparable to their predecessors, although with small improvements. No new smartwatches use Wear OS. Fitbit has made interesting hardware and software enhancements, but this launch is more evolutionary than revolutionary.
Wear OS?
This leak provides little about the gadgets other than that they definitely exist, but it does show that Google’s ownership hasn’t changed Fitbit much yet.
Generational changes between Fitbits are normally modest, not sweeping, and the same resolution suggests that will be the case here — though new sensors could be added and battery improvements are always good.
Fitbit may not adopt Wear OS this time. Fitbit CEO James Park said last year at Google I/O that the business would produce premium smartwatches based on Wear that blend Fitbit’s health knowledge with Google’s ambient computing capabilities.
According to rumours, the next Pixel Watch will also have limited Fitbit connectivity. Waiting for a Fitbit-Google hybrid continues.
Fitbit Versa 4
Fitbit Versa 4 is first. The Versa 4 appears similar to the Versa 3, but Fitbit made several key design adjustments. Thinner and lighter than its predecessor, the Versa 3 is even more comfortable. Fitbit replaced the Versa 3’s false side button with a real, mechanical one. But Fitbit believes the new button should be simpler to press, even after a lengthy, sweaty workout.
Fitbit Versa 4’s new design improves workout tracking. The Versa 4 can track more than 40 activities compared to the Versa 3. HIIT, CrossFit, dancing, and weight lifting are among the new workout options. It’s not as good as the Galaxy Watch 5’s 90+ fitness modes, but it’s better than the Versa 3.
The Versa 4’s health tracking features are identical to the Versa 3’s. Built-in GPS, Fitbit’s Active Zone Minutes, 24/7 heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, sleep tracking, etc. All of it comes with the same six-day battery life as the Apple Watch Series 7. 12 minutes of charging provides you a day’s battery life.
Fitbit Sense 2
Fitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4 are similar to the original Sense and Versa 3. The Sense 2 has a side-mounted physical button. Sense 2 is slimmer and lighter than the prior model. Same six-day battery life and rapid charging rates.
The Sense 2 tracks health like the Versa 4. It adds a skin temperature sensor and a cEDA sensor to monitor your body for stress.
The Fitbit Sense launched stress tracking in 2020, but the Sense 2’s EDA sensor monitors electrodermal activity continuously. You can still take manual scans, but the Sense 2 can also track data continually. Both the Versa 4 and Sense 2 enable unusual heart rhythm notifications while asleep or still, but only the Sense 2 has Fitbit’s ECG app for on-demand AFib check-ins.
Price/availability
All three Fitbit wearables are available for pre-order today; August 24, and include a six-month Fitbit Premium trial. The Fitbit’s Sense 2 & Versa 4,Inspire 3, will be available in September. Inspire 3 costs $99, Versa 4 $229, and Sense 2 $299.
We need to experience Fitbit’s new gadgets before forming any conclusions; but based on what we know; the company may be in a tricky position with this assortment. The $280 Galaxy Watch 5 includes 24/7 heart rate tracking, a SpO2 sensor; ECG tracking, built-in GPS, and a body composition sensor that measures body fat, BMR, bone mass; and more. It has Wear OS 3.5 with Samsung’s One UI Watch 4.5 interface, which FitbitOS on the Versa 4 and Sense 2 can’t match. Google’s Pixel Watch will launch this fall, which is also puzzling. The Pixel Watch will have a built-in Fitbit app and track your activity using Fitbit’s software. It will also run the latest version of Wear OS.
To say the Fitbit’s Sense 2 & Versa 4 have their work cut out for them is an understatement. We’re looking forward to testing them out soon.
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