Fitbit Versa 2 vs Fitbit Versa 3
- Last Update On January 1, 2021
The Versa line has become the icon of smart self-care. Unlike other models from Fitbit, they boast the right balance between smart and health features in units that provide the best value for your money.
Earlier this year, Fitbit launched its latest Versa edition as a successor for Versa 2, which was a game-changer for fitness buffs.
Like its predecessor, Versa 3 continues to be an affordable smartwatch that’s on par with Apple’s and Samsung’s recent smartwatches. However, the company has made sure to correct the previous version’s flaws and add extra value to the package.
In this article, we’re breaking down the difference between the two models so that you can decide whether it’s better to upgrade or stick to the older edition. Ready for the Fitbit Versa 2 vs Fitbit Versa 3 challenge? Let’s go!
Fitbit Versa 2 vs Versa 3 - Specs Compared
Fitbit Versa 3 vs Fitbit Versa 2 - Full Comparison
Design
At first glance, you won’t notice any difference between the two models, but upon deeper inspection, Versa 3’s curvier edges and more prominent outline will come into view.
Both editions sport rectangular 40-millimeter cases that are waterproof for up to 50 meters. The sportive design is uniform across the whole Versa line, though Versa 2 offers more creative color combinations than Versa 3. The former’s case is available in mist grey, carbon, and copper, while the latter only offers black and gold.
As for the straps, Versa 2 comes in a variety of beautiful colors like black, stone, emerald, petal, and Bordeaux, while Versa 3 is available in three conventional colors: black, midnight blue, and pink.
Nevertheless, both models offer unique woven bands for those who don’t like the mono-color silicone bands, though they have to be purchased separately.
The design is plain and practical in both versions, though the company claims that the newer version’s design is more comfortable and flexible. This is evident in the Versa 3’s new buckle-free infinity bands that are very convenient to put on and take off.
However, unlike the older version, which uses classic bands with secure buckles, they feel a bit loose and can fall off your hands easily while you’re wearing them. Yet, the quick-release system makes swapping them with other bands a breeze.
Just be aware that, due to the change in design, it won’t be possible to install the previous Fitbit Versa bands to the Versa 3, but they’ll work just fine with Versa 2.
Display
Both displays sport the always-on feature, which spares you the hassle of double-tapping the screen for it to do a simple task like showing the time, yet the difference lies in their size.
The latest Versa comes with a display that measures 1.58 inches and works with 336 x 336 pixels. It’s a bit larger than its predecessor’s, which was 1.4 inches, and manages a resolution of 300 x 300 pixels.
Although at first, it may seem that the resolution of Versa 3 is higher, by a couple of simple calculations, you’ll find that they boast nearly the same pixels per inch. That means you’ll be getting a slightly larger screen but no change in clarity.
GPS
Undoubtedly, GPS is important for sports enthusiasts to record their routes and distances while working out. But, it’s just as crucial for casual users as a means of navigation from their wrists.
Unfortunately, Versa 2 doesn’t have its own GPS and relies on your smartphone’s navigation system instead. The drawbacks of this feature are a lot.
First of all, you’ll always have to have your phone on you all the time while running or exercising outdoors. Since the primary reason most users are getting smartwatches is replacing their phones with a handier wearable, this isn’t practical.
Moreover, pairing your watch with your phone’s GPS will only cause both devices’ batteries to drain out quickly. And finally, it’s a hassle to use compared to the intuitive interface of onboard GPS.
Thankfully, Fitbit corrects the previous models’ major sin by introducing their onboard GPS in Versa 3 that tracks your real-time pace and distance during runs and bike rides without the need for your phone.
Fitness Tracking
Apart from the built-in GPS, Versa 3 shares the same 24/7 activity tracking features as Versa 2. Both devices track your steps, distance, hourly activity, active minutes, and floors climbed. As usual from Fitbit, all features are super precise, and the insights provided are laid out clearly on display.
However, Versa 3 takes tracking features a step further by replacing the standard active minutes’ tracker with the Active Zone Minutes.
It’s a more accurate tracker that, instead of the steps counter, uses your heart rate measurements along with your workout intensity map to monitor your physical activity. In other words, it collects data by tracking what gets your heart rate up in a certain period of time, so you’re guaranteed more accurate insights about your physical activity.
Health Tracking
The health-tracking features are the best in the menu in both versions of Versa. The features are already rich in Versa 2 with the accurate heart rate monitor and the built-in female health tracking app.
However, the best of them all is the quality sleep tracker that helps you improve your sleep and avoid fidgeting back and forth all night. In addition to showing your sleep quality at each sleeping stage, it uses the SPO2 sensor to analyze your blood oxygen level during sleep.
This can help reveal if you’re having respiratory disturbances at night or sleep-related breathing disorders, giving you more insights about your heart and respiratory health.
The latest Versa boasts the same health features but with the addition of the legendary PurePulse 2.0, which is known as the world’s most advanced heart rate tracking technology.
Unlike the previous monitor, this one uses more advanced multi-path heart rate sensors to measure your heart rate in more than one place then combines the data, giving you more accurate information about your heart status.
Smart Features
As we mentioned before, Fitbit pays attention to the smart functions as much as fitness features in the Versa line, so you can expect a high-functioning smartwatch from both models. However, the Versa 3 has better offerings for businessmen and those who work on the go.
The star of the show with Versa 3 is the onboard speaker. Together with the built-in mic, it allows you to make calls from your wrist and interact directly with the voice assistant without having to check the screen for your answer. With Versa 2, you have to pair your watch with wireless headphones to compensate for the absence of the speaker.
Another tidbit that’s worth noting is that unlike Versa 2, which supports Alexa only, Versa 3 works with both Alexa and Google Assistant.
We wouldn’t strictly consider this a point for Versa 3 overs its predecessor, considering the fact that both virtual assistants are equally smart and responsive. However, it’s a nice addition since most users are more familiar with Google Assistant, so it makes using it easier.
Apart from these two points, both models are quite similar. They allow you to set reminders, make calls, read texts, and view your favorite social media platforms when paired with your phone via Bluetooth, though only Android users can respond to texts from their wrists.
Last but not least, they support Fitbit Pay so that you can pay for your coffee without reaching for your wallet or make online purchases with a single tap.
Music and Storage
Music lovers aren’t left out of Fitbit’s list of priorities. Whichever model you use, you’re guaranteed online and offline access for Deezer and Pandora in addition to 4GB of internal storage to stack your watch with your favorite songs and download third-party apps.
Unfortunately, neither Versa 2 nor 3 support offline playback on Spotify, which is something we hoped would have been resolved in the latest version. Still, you can control your Spotify premium playlist with internet access.
Battery Life
It happens more times than we care to admit that we forget to charge our watch before setting out for a trip or heading out to the gym. Fitbit seems to have listened to the silent prayers of millions of users and equipped the new edition with a fast-charging battery that can give you one day’s worth of battery life after plugging it in for only 12 minutes.
Apart from that, whether you choose Versa 2 or Versa 3, you get a battery that charges fully in two hours and offers more than six days of battery life on a single charge. Sure that time shrinks a bit if you turn on most of the smart features at the same time. However, it’s still long for multi-functional smartwatches with colorful screens.
Final Verdict
To sum everything up, Versa 3 is a worthy upgrade for those looking for an advanced workout buddy. The key features that are likely to be most enticing to fitness buffs are the new Active Zone Minutes, the onboard GPS as well as the improved heart rate monitor.
The built-in speaker is also an excellent addition for those who care about communicating with their smartwatch. Moreover, even without all these additions, the fast-charging battery makes Versa 3 a must-have.
If any of these features are likely to change your life, then perhaps you should consider upgrading this year.
On the other hand, Versa 2 is still a good option for those who are new to smartwatches. Of course, you’ll have to borrow a GPS signal from your phone and sacrifice some of the advanced fitness tracking features. Nevertheless, you’ll get everything you need at a price that’s become even more affordable since the release of the new edition.
