Fitbit Charge 4 vs Versa 2 a hard comparison to make, the Charge 4 is the latest addition to Fitbit’s best fitness and fitness tracker. The Versa 2 is the company’s third mid-range smartwatch, after Versa and the Lite version of Versa Lite.
Looking at the basic specifications, both offer a very similar set of features, but there is a difference that makes choosing between these two products more or less confusing for users.
The price of both products is almost the same, but Fitbit Charge 4 is a bit better when it comes to providing fitness features with built-in GPS.
So which product would suit you better? Take a look at the table below before going into more detail.
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Design
Although the features of Charge 4 and Versa 2 are quite similar, they are completely opposite in terms of design.
Charge 4 was born with the shape of a bracelet like the previous Fitbit Charge 3 elder.
This is not the thinnest product but has a 1-inch screen, much larger than other fitness tracker designs from other brands.
The screen has a relatively low resolution, only displays monochrome, and does not have the screen feature always on. So you need to flip your wrist to wake up the screen, and sometimes Charge 4 may react a bit slow.
The Charge 4’s visibility is also a bit poor when used directly under strong sunlight. In return, the touch screen works quite smoothly, you can switch between menu options and press to select. There is also a virtual button on the left of Charge 4.
Meanwhile, the Versa 2 is a genuine smartwatch with a colorful 1.4 inch AMOLED screen. The design of Versa is so familiar and this time is no exception when the Versa 2 still inherits the advantages of its predecessor. Honestly, this design actually looks a bit more attractive than Charge 4.
The Versa 2 has a physical button on the left-hand side and a touchscreen to control it. The screen is very sharp and clear, so you will see the data displayed much easier to read even when used in the sun.
However, the strength of both products is the ability to personalize (change the strap as you like). Both Versa 2 and Charge 4 have quickly replaceable bands without the use of tools. And the good news is that both are compatible with a wide range of third-party accessories.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Just like the design, Fitbit Charge 4 and Versa 2 largely have the same fitness and health tracking features.
Both will track Fitbit’s key health features including daily steps, calories, movement, activity time, and heart rate. Much of this is done using the same algorithm.
Although Fitbit Charge 4 has launched the Active Zone Minutes feature, with a focused activity time when exercising at a higher heart rate area, instead of only being active for long periods.
If you’re looking to get in shape, Active Zone Minutes will definitely make a bigger difference and the good news is that this feature will soon appear on the Versa 2.
Both are great sleep tracking features and will provide you with a full range of Fitbit sleep metrics. That feature is called Fitbit Sleep Score with the ability to analyze the time spent for each sleep phase and display it fully in the companion app. This is a strong point of Fitbit so that users do not need to buy a specialized sleeping device to understand their own sleep.
Both devices also have SpO2 sensors , so you can also have Estimated oxygen change data in your sleep data. The SpO2 sensor is part of the Fitbit PurePulse optical heart rate sensor and both devices monitor the heart rate 24/7, including resting heart rate.
And both will track a variety of sports, although most of the list of about 30 sports is simply time, heart rate, heart rate zone and calories burned. But the main difference here is outdoor sports.
Fitbit Charge 4 has a built-in GPS, while the Versa 2 can track outdoor workouts but only uses GPS from your smartphone. That means you must always carry your smartphone with you if you want to use GPS.
For many, it’s not a problem, but the phone’s GPS usage can cause data inaccuracies. A smartphone in a belt or pocket will not receive the same GPS signal as a wrist device, so it may be less reliable.
Fitbit Versa 2 also provides instructional exercises on the watch, using the screen to show you the exercise and what you need to do next. Charge 4 can only monitor your heart rate, and you have to follow instructions from your smartphone.
However, to be able to follow the instructions more and more in detail, you need to have Fitbit Coach – the app that comes with your Fitbit Premium purchase.
Smart Features
Fitbit Charge 4 has a number of smart features, you’ll get notifications for calls, schedules, and messages to your wrist. However, due to the small screen, you will have difficulty reading text on Charge 4.
Fitbit also does not fully support third-party applications, so receiving notifications is a bit limited. Charge 4 also lacks memory so it cannot store music, but in return, the Spotify feature will help you control, select tracks, skip, pause music on your phone.
The Versa 2 has a memory that can hold up to about 300 tracks, but you’ll need to upload MP3 files from your computer and it’s a little tricky to do that. The Versa 2 has Alexa built-in, and you can use many features with voice control, but due to the lack of built-in speakers, Versa 2 responds to text-based feedback.
There is an app store for the Versa 2, though the number is still limited. The company is also focusing on developing this section to make applications richer and more useful as on Apple Watch.
Battery life
Comparing the battery life from the Fitbit Charge 4 vs Versa 2 its not a big challenge. The battery life on Fitbit devices is a strength compared to most of the same segment products and both actually bring quite a good usage time between charges.
Charge 4 will last about 7 days with a few exercises recorded during the week. But if you use GPS on Charge 4, this number will only be about 5 hours of use. The Versa 2 is less and you’ll have about 5 days with Always on Display mode always on for every charge.
These numbers, compared to devices like the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch, which only last for about a day, Fitbit products, of course. However, now some devices like the Huawei Watch GT2 have shown longer battery life without sacrificing smartwatch features.
Fitbit Charge 4 vs Versa 2 Which one to buy?
Choose the Fitbit Charge 4 If you:
The Charge 4 is a great option for those who want the latest and greatest Fitbit device, but not a smartwatch. You get the core features of fitness and sports tracking but in a slimmer shape.
This can also be a better option for basic runners – those who aren’t too important for owning in-depth parameters but want to accurately track distance as well as location. Not to mention the reasonable price for the most advanced Fitbit features you get.
Choose the Fitbit Versa 2 If you:
If you have a square, rounded design like the Apple Watch but want the Fitbit in-depth sleep and activity tracking features, then the Versa 2 is a perfectly appropriate option. Bigger, brighter screen to display information or statistics like your heart rate during exercise.
The product also has internal memory and battery life is quite good compared to other competitors, although the notification applications are limited. Not to mention a small downside of the Versa 2 is the lack of integrated GPS, so if you are not too important because this is still a good product that is worth owning.
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