Fitbit Versa 2 vs Fitbit Versa
The Fitbit Versa range fits neatly into the category of fitness smartwatches. By taking some of the features of smartwatches such as notifications and combining them with their fitness tracking guile Fitbit hoped to provide an affordable alternative to devices like the Apple Watch.
The original Fitbit Versa did this with great commercial success. So much so, Fitbit have launched a successor the Fitbit Versa 2.
So between the Versa and Versa 2 which one is best?
Should you upgrade if you own the Fitbit Versa?
Take a look below as we pit them head to head in a showdown to help you decide
Fitbit Versa
- Battery life: 4 days
- Display: LCD
- Dimensions:
1.6″x1.6″x0.47″ - Alexa integration: No
Fitbit Versa 2
- Battery life: 5 days
- Display: OLED
- Dimensions:
1.55″x1.55″x0.45″ - Alexa integration: Yes
And the showdown winner is
The Fitbit Versa is a very capable fitness tracker and if you are constrained by budget still a great choice.
The Versa 2 takes all that was good in the Versa and adds a little extra – an incremental improvement not a revolution.
Taking into account value for money, faster processor, longer battery life, AMOLED screen, integrated NFC chip for Fitbit Pay the Fitbit Versa 2 is our winning pick.
Key Differences
- Alexa integration: The Versa 2 allows you to its Alexa integration to perform functions on your watch such as setting the alarm
- Display: The Versa 2 comes with an AMOLED display which is much brighter than the LCD version on the Vera.
- Always on display: The Versa 2 has the ability to set the screen so that it is always on – does affect battery life
- Battery life: The Versa 2 in normal use which is around 1 day more than the Versa
- Price: Fitbit are pricing the Versa 2 so that in most cases it is the same price as the original Versa
Design
From a distance you would be hard pressed to spot differences between the Fitbit Versa and Fitbit Versa 2. The Fitbit Versa 2 has a slightly larger screen and aesthetically its styling makes more use of curves. Overall, the design of both is still very similar to the Apple Watch.
For physical controls the Fitbit Versa 2 has dispensed with the 2 buttons on the right of the Versa leaving one button on the left hand side which can be linked to a shortcut.
The Fitbit Versa 2 also has the same mechanism for changing straps as the Versa. Definitely no improvements here. It’s still very frustrating to change a strap.
Sizing
| Height | Width | Depth | |
| Fitbit Versa 2 | 1.56″ / 3.98 cm | 1.56″ / 3.98 cm | 0.47″ / 1.19 cm |
| Fitbit Versa | 1.55″ / 3.93cm | 1.55″ / 3.93 cm | 0.45″ / 1.14 cm |
The Versa 2 did away with the Fitbit logo from the Versa resulting in a little bit more screen estate, the device is also ever so slightly deeper. On the wrist it does feel slightly bigger but not to point where you will notice a massive difference.
Fitbit Versa 2 vs Fitbit Versa Showdown
When comparing Versas we use a range of common fitness tracking features. In each category 1 point is assigned to the outright winner and 0 to the loser. In the case of a tie we give 1 point to both devices. The Versa with the most points is the winner of the showdown. The features we use include:-
- Battery Life
- Display
- Fitness Tracking Features
- GPS Capability
- Heart Rate Monitoring
- Music Capability
- Sleep Tracking
- Water Resistance
Battery life
The Versa 2 manages to extend the Versa’s already impressive battery life from around 4 days to just over 5 days for normal usage.
For upgraders, it is a bit frustrating that the previous charging dock can’t be used
| Score | Total Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Fitbit Versa | 0 | 0 |
| Fitbit Versa 2 | 1 | 1 |
Display
The Fitbit Versa has a 1.34 inch color LCD touch screen with 300 x 300 pixel resolution which towards other devices on the marker can look a bit dated
The Fitbit Versa 2 keeps the 300 x 300 resolution but is now an AMOLED touch screen
When comparing side by side the Versa 2’s screen is much brighter and the colors have a lot more depth with a much better contrast.
Another feature added to the Versa 2 is an Always on Display a great boon and with the latest Fitbit OS there are a number of clock faces that are Always On.
| Score | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Fitbit Versa | 0 | 0 |
| Fitbit Versa 2 | 1 | 2 |
GPS Capability
Fitbit have decided to stick with the same connected GPS capability.
Does that mean I have to take my phone to track my run?
Yes, as neither Versa has an onboard GPS chip the only way to track a GPS run is by connecting your Versa to your phone and taking your phone along with you.
| Score | Total Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Fitbit Versa | 1 | 1 |
| Fitbit Versa 2 | 1 | 3 |
Heart Rate Monitoring
This is a tie as both devices come with the same heart rate sensor which operates 24/7 and continuously collects data points to enable Fitbit to calculate a cardio score.
| Score | Total Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Fitbit Versa | 1 | 2 |
| Fitbit Versa 2 | 1 | 4 |
Music Capability
Both devices have the ability to store music on-board which can be listened to using bluetooth headphones. The Versa 2 comes with a Spotify app pre-installed which is not currently available on the Versa.
It is important to note that it is not possible to do sync your Spotify songs to your Versa 2. The Spotify app is available for Spotify Premium subscribers and acts like a remote control where you can use your watch to control your Spotify connected device.
| Score | Total Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Fitbit Versa | 0 | 2 |
| Fitbit Versa 2 | 1 | 5 |
Sleep Tracking
Sleep tracking is always been well regarded on Fitbit devices. The Fitbit Versa 2 takes this a bit further by providing a metric known as your Sleep Score to give you an insight to your overall sleep quality
| Score | Total Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Fitbit Versa | 0 | 2 |
| Fitbit Versa 2 | 1 | 6 |
Water Resistance
Both devices have water resistance to 50 metres and can be used in the pool. Although neither device has any swim tracking functionality and simply record your active time.
| Score | Total Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Fitbit Versa | 1 | 3 |
| Fitbit Versa 2 | 1 | 7 |
Specifications
| Fitbit Versa | Fitbit Versa 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Always on display | No | Yes |
| Battery life | 5 days | 6 days |
| Built in microphone | No | Yes |
| GPS | Connected GPS | Connected GPS |
| HR monitoring | 24 hours | 24 hours |
| NFC Chip | No | Yes |
| Screen | LCD | AMOLED |
| Sleep score | No | Yes |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres | 50 metres |
| Reviews | Review | Review |
| Total Score | 3/7 | 7/7 |
| Price | Check price at Amazon | Check price at Amazon |
Should I upgrade from the Fitbit Versa?
Overall, we think there is no compelling reason to upgrade if you are happy with your current Vera. A lot of the functionality is Fitbit OS specific and will probably filter down to the Versa in time. You need to make the decision based on whether some of the new functionality such as Always on Display, Alexa integration and quick replies on Android are important enough for you to spend the cash and take the leap.
Should I buy the Fitbit Versa or the Fitbit Versa 2?
If it comes down to a decision between the Versa and Versa 2 you need to decide whether the newer features on the Versa 2 are important to you.
If you can live without them both watches share a lot of similar functionality – why not save yourself some cash and go with the Versa.
On the other hand, if you want to benefit from the brighter AMOLED screen, alway on display functionality and Alexa integration Fitbit are pricing the Versa 2 very competitively against the older model.