Fitbit recognizes the best thing to do when it comes across one, and it’s no surprising to learn that the Fitbit Versa has been upgraded to the 3rd generation (or the fourth, if you add Versa Lite as well Versa Lite). The company was in a bind when it first launched the Fitbit Versa, but the product was so successful that it actually surpassed the brand’s flagship smartwatch at the time the Ionic.
The latest version has an important feature that cyclists and runners have been demanding an integrated GPS. This makes it four Fitbit ever to feature GPS onboard but is it enough to mean that it the Versa 3 the be-all and the end-all fitness tracker?
Fitbit Versa 3 review: What you should be aware of
It’s the Fitbit Versa 3 is the fourth iteration of the most-loved wearable device in recent the last few years. It’s also, as you’d think, Fitbit has broadly taken the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” method The design is similar to earlier models, and features the same user interface and features to the predecessor.
This includes the presence and presence of Alexa around your wrist. Press the Alexa app using an app shortcut and ask a question directly to Alexa, the voice assistant which will respond by writing a message in the display. In the light of the fact that Google is currently in the process of purchasing Fitbit in the present It’s no surprising it’s also a surprise that Google Assistant is available, however it’s not fully ready to go live The company has promised support in the coming year.
It also has improved heart-rate tracking, Active Zone minutes and obviously, GPS built-in. This means that there are improvements everywhere on paper, at the very minimum.
Fitbit Versa 3 review: Cost and the competition
Despite all the improvements, are still priced at the same price. Fitbit Versa 3 as well as its pre-existing model sell at exactly the same amount on the Fitbit website that is: PS200. However when you compare prices, you’ll discover that the Versa 2 significantly cheaper.
In a more reasonable way, this makes more reasonably, it puts Fitbit Versa 3 up against the Garmin Forerunner 245, which usually retails at just north of PS200 as well as it’s the Garmin Vivoactive 3 which routinely surpasses PS150. Both are fantastic watches that feature Garmin’s classic emphasis on running and cycling analytics.
If your an iPhone user The Apple Watch Series 3 now is available at a affordable PS200 price tag, as well. Android smartphone owners do not need to apply, however.
The Fitbit Versa3 vs Sense: What’s the distinction?
Before we get any further we should highlight the major differences between the Fitbit Versa 3 and the new wearable from the company one, the Fitbit Sense. Both wearables look the same in the hand, however the Sense is priced at PS299 in comparison to that of the Versa 3. PS199.
The top of the line Fitbit whether it’s its 2014’s Surge as well as 2017’s Ionic it has set itself apart by having integrated GPS however, we do know that there’s a Versa 3 that has it. Versa 3 also has it and what exactly is the value of your additional PS100? Three sensors include an EDA to measure stress, an ECG to determine heart rhythm and one to measure temperature of the skin.
They certainly offer other quality-of-life strategies, but if what you’re interested in is tracking your steps and a method of monitoring your fitness routine It’s safe to affirm that you’re not losing out on a lot. However, if you’re thinking the Sense could be a good fit the right choice for you, make sure to read Jon’s entire review.
Fitbit Versa 3 review: Design
I began this review by declaring that Fitbit maintained the Versa design identical and, at a glance this is true. However, the company is slowly reducing the number of physical buttons. There were three on the original device, but this was cut down to one for Versa Lite and the Versa Lite and Versa 2. The Versa 2 has none at all there is just an indent on the left side that is an inductive “inductive” button like the one in the Fitbit Charge 3.
At the very least, it ought to be able to. I’ve had a hard time finding it completely difficult to make it work and it appears I’m not the only one. It appears that the most reliable method to get the button working is to press the watch on both sides. This allows it to work 9 out of 10, which is a significant improvement. The reason why Fitbit saw the need to remove the button that’s been functional across the different generations of devices I’m not sure.
I’d like to point out that it’s exactly the exact model as that of the Fitbit Sense, and Head of Reviews Jonathan Bray had no issues with it in any way So your mileage could differ. For me it’s a hassle particularly when you dive into more sophisticated shortcuts (long-press double-tap, long-press, and others) which are meant to ease your life however in my experience they are actually a hindrance.
If you’re looking for a design alternative, it’s a total delight. It’s stylish with its light 1.58in 336×336 display that is neatly housed within a chamfered aluminum enclosure. The device still has very thick bezels around the display, but cleverly Fitbit ensures that every display has a black background which means that the borders won’t appear unless you are actively looking for them , by watching the animations that transition.
It’s just a bit bigger that it’s counterpart, the Fitbit Versa 2 (1.4in, 300 x 300) however, it’s extremely comfortable on your wrist, even though I’d prefer to not have the strap, which folds inside itself to secure. Fitbit lets you put the bands of your choice instead however the mechanism for latching is so that they’ll need be specifically designed to fit the device. There’s no doubt that attractive third-party options will be available in the near future However, for now, you can purchase them directly via the Fitbit shop that has prices that range in price from PS25 to PS50 in a given time.
Fitbit Versa 3 review: Performance
A few quirks with the button’s capacitive buttons aside the fact that it’s a joy to use. Fitbit Versa 3 is a pleasure to utilize. Although you won’t get the huge selection of apps offered by Apple’s Apple Watch, the selection that is available on the default will cover 90% of the apps that people would want such as the calendar, weather along with Spotify (or Deezer, if you’re determined to support the weaker side). There are a few great additional options available as well, such as an Starbucks credit card Uber along with the Couch to 5K training.
One thing that’s still not up to scratch in the UK at the very least there are Fitbit Pay. You can indeed pay for items using your wrist via an electronic payment system but, most likely, you won’t do that. Why? because the number of banks that are supported is extremely limited. Except if you have a bank account through Santander The other choices are pretty limited.
Of course, the majority of people use Fitbit because of fitness And here, you’re taken to. In addition, the smartphone app and website similar to the top of the line (chiefly due to the fact that you’ll have your family, friends, and colleagues who are using the app to compete) However, the in-app options for fitness and wellness are also very good.
It’s “Relax” for a start to guide your breathing in intervals up to ten minutes. You can observe the tiny purple circle fill up and then empty to help you keep your breathing in check or, if you’d like to sleep simply feel for the sound waves that will tell that it’s the right time to breath in or out.
There’s also Fitbit Coach. It provides you with personalised exercise routines that are guided on the wrist that include cute animation diagrams that will show you exactly what you need to do and when to do it. The majority of them are locked by the Fitbit’s PS7.99-per-month Fitbit Premium service, however, you can avail an opportunity to try a trial period of 90 days on the Fitbit site if you’re interested.
Then there’s the big event an exercise app and, in the case of Versa first place, you won’t need to rely on your smartphone’s GPS to track your location. The app includes numerous exercises that you can follow, ranging from spinning and bootcamp to tennis and golf. However, it’s recommended when your performance is directly linked to the speed at which you move and the places you’re going to go, such as cycling and running.
How do it do on the Versa 3 cope? It’s a bit off the pace in comparison against the Garmin 245 on my other device, that has always proven to be exactly in its GPS readings. For three runs that ranged that ranged between 3.5 and 5km it was found that the Fitbit Versa 3 was consistently in the back of the Garmin in the total distance traveled. It’s not an enormous gap however – it was somewhere between 0.07km and 0.15km just shy of.
However – and this is an important point it’s still a significant improvement over Versa 2. Versa 2. Your phone’s GPS may be more precise as opposed to the versa3’s GPS, however, my experience is that using a phone as a piggyback is often more difficult due to a number of battery-saving measures that are aggressive and shaky connections. Additionally, it means that you can run or go cycling without the need to find an appropriate pocket to hold your smartphone. It’s a major win even if you be a bit unsure about the precision.
The heart rate of the Fitbit or Garmin was pretty comparable even the Garmin didn’t have a wrist strap it’s not possible to tell if they were accurate to a tiniest degree or a bit off. What I know is, despite Jonathan Bray’s reservations regarding the heart rate monitor on the Fitbit Sense – the same technology used in this case – it works at the very least in a way that it can be worn in the opposite wrist.
As with all Fitbits battery life, it’s an experience that Apple could only dream about. The company claims that it will last for 6 days for its Versa 3, and in my experience, this seems to be about right even with a couple of GPS-tracked runs included. Be aware, however, that if you opt to turn on the display that is always on it will reduce by two-thirds and will be about 48 hours. The default setting is off because of this, however, it’s nice having the option.
Fitbit Versa 3 review: Verdict
In the end overall, it’s a great product. Fitbit Versa 3 is a significant leap towards the right direction for the company’s most well-known wearable. GPS was on the list of everyone’s desires even though it’s not as precise as my Garmin Forerunner 245 it’s still a far cry from using your phone. To allow Fitbit to include the feature without adding any additional costs to the price is simply fantastic news.
It would be an unqualified approval even if it weren’t the case that the company has decided to ditch an actual button in favor of this pressure-sensitive substitute. It’s true that it’s (slightly) better however, I’d prefer something that performs consistently and with no fuss each time.
That’s why it is why the Fitbit Versa 3 retains the four-star rating it had in the previous model. For a company that is famous for its tracker of steps it’s a matter with two steps in the direction of and just one back. We’re hoping that Fitbit can make the simple necessary fix, allowing it to be the Fitbit Versa 4 to be the wearable product it’s meant to be.