The Fitbit Versa 3 has many features. It has everything you need from a Fitbit, including SpO2 monitoring, a swim-proof design, and decent battery life. So, is it really necessary to replace your current tracker with the new Fitbit Versa 4? What has changed? Which features have been updated? Are the differences significant enough to justify spending a few hundred dollars on a new device?
Whether you are new to Fitbit and want to buy the latest model, or you already have the Versa 3 and want to know if the Versa 4 is a worthwhile upgrade, we’ve got you covered. We’ve broken down the key differences between the Fitbit Versa 4 and Versa 3 to see how much has changed and whether it’s worthwhile to upgrade.
Design and display
At first glance, the Versa 3 and Versa 4 appear to be very similar. With an AMOLED display, you see the same broad, square, rounded-edged screen. The main distinction is the side button. The Versa 3 had a side-mounted button-like touch panel, whereas the Versa 4 reintroduced the physical button. It’s also slightly higher to make it easier to access, but the rest of the look is nearly identical. It’s also said to be slimmer and fit better.
Because the hardware hasn’t changed much, it’s difficult to recommend purchasing a new smartwatch for a mechanical button or a slimmer build. We don’t think it’s a worthwhile upgrade based solely on hardware. The Versa 4 wins because of the mechanical button and slimmer body, but it’s a narrow victory.
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Fitness and health-tracking features
The most significant changes can be found here. Fitbit has made some cool software improvements, giving you more bang for your buck. The Versa 3 had 20 exercise modes, but the Versa 4 has doubled that number, with 40. Everything from CrossFit to HIIT can be tracked, making it ideal for users who like to mix up their workout routines. Fitbit has also promised improved Google integration, including improved Maps and Google Pay features, so you can get directions right on your wrist and go shopping while wearing nothing but a small watch.
Aside from that, Versa 4 shares the majority of its predecessor’s features. The Versa 3 and Versa 4 both include Active Zone Minutes, 24/7 heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, a vibrating alarm, a Sleep Profile (a Fitbit Premium feature), a readiness score, and a waterproof design. The Versa 4 is the clear winner here, with twice as many exercise modes and Google integrations.
Battery life
Fitbit claims the Versa 4 has a six-day battery life, which is comparable to what the Fitbit Versa 3 offered in real-world use. Both require two hours to charge, but Fitbit claims that the Versa 4 requires only 12 minutes to charge to get a full day’s battery life. This is better than many other smartwatches, which only have battery lives of 24 hours to three days, but it’s on the low side for a standalone fitness tracker like the Fitbit Versa line. We’ll have to wait for our review to find out for sure, but we expect the Versa 4 to match the Versa 3’s week-long battery life. This one is a tie.
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Price and color options
The Fitbit Versa 3 costs $154 on Amazon and is available in Midnight/Soft Gold Aluminum, Black/Black Aluminum, Pink Clay/Soft Gold, and Thistle/Soft Gold colors.
The Fitbit Versa 4 is now available for pre-order on Fitbit for $230 and will be available in black/Graphite Aluminum, Waterfall Blue/Platinum Aluminum, Pink Sand/Copper Rose Aluminum, and Beet Juice/Copper Rose Aluminum.
Both come with six months of Fitbit Premium for free, but if you want detailed insights, you’ll have to pay around $10 per month after that. Fitbit is offering one year of Premium with a two-year protection plan for $42 (originally $125) when purchased as an add-on with the Versa 4.
Fitbit Versa 4
The Fitbit Versa 4 doesn’t differ significantly from the Versa 3, so it’s difficult to justify spending another $200 or so on a new fitness tracker unless your old one is seriously broken. On the other hand, if you’re looking for your first fitness tracker, the Versa 4 might be a good place to start.
If you enjoy exercise tracking, the Versa 4 is a great upgrade with twice the exercise modes, but everything else remains the same. It has an improved operating system and a slimmer body with a mechanical button, so if those features are important to you, the Versa 4 may be a worthwhile upgrade.
Overall, we believe that if you truly want to upgrade, you should choose a device with more features rather than purchasing the same device with only a few upgrades. If your old tracker is still in good working order, it might be a good idea to stick with it until something better hits the market.
Would you like to read more about Fitbit Versa 4-related articles? If so, we invite you to take a look at our other tech topics before you leave!
