The wearable tech market has been buzzing with new releases every year, but Fitbit remains one of the most recognizable names in the fitness tracking world. The Fitbit Versa 4, launched as an upgrade to the Versa 3, promises to bring better performance, improved health tracking, and a sleeker design. But how well does it actually perform in daily life, and is it worth choosing over its competitors? Let’s dive into a detailed review to help you decide.
Design and Build Quality
At first glance, the Fitbit Versa 4 maintains the familiar square-shaped design that Fitbit fans have come to love. It sports a 1.58-inch AMOLED display with sharp colors, deep blacks, and excellent outdoor visibility. The screen also supports an Always-On Display (AOD) option, though enabling this feature will reduce the battery life.
Fitbit has gone for a minimalist and lightweight build. The watch weighs just over 38 grams, making it comfortable to wear all day and night. Its sleek aluminum case paired with interchangeable silicone straps ensures it feels stylish enough for the office yet durable for workouts.
The Versa 4 is also water-resistant up to 50 meters, so swimming, showering, or running in the rain won’t be an issue.
Key Features
The Fitbit Versa 4 is not just a stylish timepiece; it’s loaded with health and fitness features that appeal to both casual users and fitness enthusiasts.
- Health Tracking: Continuous heart rate monitoring, SpO₂ blood oxygen tracking, breathing rate, skin temperature variation, and menstrual health tracking are all available. While it doesn’t have advanced ECG or skin-temperature sensors like some premium rivals, it covers the basics effectively.
- Fitness Tracking: With 40+ exercise modes and built-in GPS, the Versa 4 can track everything from running and cycling to yoga and HIIT workouts. The built-in GPS allows for phone-free outdoor tracking, which is a big upgrade over earlier Fitbit models.
- Sleep Tracking: Fitbit is known for excellent sleep analysis, and the Versa 4 continues this tradition. It provides insights into sleep stages (light, deep, and REM), sleep scores, and even snore detection for Premium subscribers.
- Smartwatch Functions: You can receive notifications for calls, texts, and apps, use Amazon Alexa voice assistant, and make contactless payments with Fitbit Pay. However, it no longer supports Google Assistant or music storage/playback, which some users may find disappointing.
- Stress Management: Fitbit includes mindfulness reminders and stress notifications, nudging users to take breathing exercises when stress levels are detected.
- Fast Charging: A 12-minute quick charge provides up to 24 hours of battery life, making it practical for busy users.
Performance and Accuracy
The Versa 4 delivers reliable tracking for casual fitness activities. Its heart rate sensor performs well during steady-state workouts like jogging, walking, or cycling at a moderate pace. However, several users have noted that it struggles during high-intensity interval training, where heart rate spikes can be delayed by a few seconds.
GPS accuracy has improved compared to the Versa 3, providing more reliable tracking during runs or bike rides. Still, it doesn’t quite match the pinpoint precision of sports watches from Garmin or Polar.
Sleep tracking remains a standout feature. Many users praise Fitbit’s ability to capture detailed sleep stages and provide practical insights. If sleep health is a priority, the Versa 4 is one of the better options on the market.
Battery Life
Battery performance is one of the biggest selling points of the Fitbit Versa 4. With normal use, it lasts 5–6 days on a single charge, which is impressive compared to most smartwatches in its price range. Turning on Always-On Display or using GPS extensively will reduce that figure, but fast charging helps offset this drawback.
Fitbit Premium Subscription
It’s worth noting that while the Versa 4 works fine without a subscription, many advanced features require Fitbit Premium. Premium unlocks deeper sleep insights, readiness scores, stress management breakdowns, and guided workout videos. For serious users, the subscription can add a lot of value, but casual users may find the extra cost unnecessary.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Sleek, lightweight design with AMOLED display
- Long battery life (5–6 days)
- Reliable sleep tracking and health metrics
- Built-in GPS with improved accuracy
- Water-resistant up to 50 meters
- Quick charging feature
- 40+ workout modes
Cons:
- Heart rate tracking lags during intense workouts
- No music storage or playback
- No support for Google Assistant
- Heavy reliance on Fitbit Premium for advanced insights
- Limited third-party app support
Real-World User Experiences
Looking beyond the specifications, real user feedback provides important insights:
- Heart Rate Issues: Some users report frustration with heart rate accuracy during fast-paced workouts. For example, a Zumba class might show a heart rate of 102 BPM while the actual rate feels much higher.
- Vibration Alerts: A few reviewers noted that the watch vibrates too frequently, especially when it auto-detects activities like walking.
- Connectivity Problems: Some users have complained about Bluetooth disconnections and occasional lag in the interface.
Despite these issues, many owners are happy with its overall ease of use, stylish design, and dependable sleep insights.
Comparison with Competitors
The Versa 4 sits in a competitive mid-range category. Here’s how it stacks up:
- Versus Garmin Venu Sq 2: Garmin offers more accurate GPS and heart rate tracking, but shorter battery life. Fitbit wins in sleep tracking and ease of use.
- Versus Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen): Apple’s smartwatch delivers better integration with iOS, more apps, and stronger smartwatch features. However, its battery life is much shorter (1–2 days).
- Versus Amazfit GTR 4: Amazfit provides longer battery life and music storage, but Fitbit offers a stronger ecosystem for sleep and wellness tracking.
Who Should Buy the Fitbit Versa 4?
The Fitbit Versa 4 is best suited for:
- Users who want a fitness tracker first, smartwatch second
- People prioritizing sleep health and wellness insights
- Casual to moderate exercisers who don’t need advanced performance metrics
- Those looking for a long-lasting battery in a stylish, comfortable design
It’s not the best choice for:
- Hardcore athletes who need pinpoint accuracy
- Users who want offline music, app variety, or advanced smartwatch functions
- People who dislike subscription models
Final Verdict
The Fitbit Versa 4 Fitness Smartwatch shines as a well-rounded, fitness-focused wearable. Its strengths lie in long battery life, sleek design, reliable sleep tracking, and improved GPS performance. However, it sacrifices advanced smartwatch features like music playback, app support, and high-intensity workout accuracy.
For casual users, health-conscious individuals, and anyone prioritizing sleep tracking, the Versa 4 is a great value for money. But if you’re a serious athlete or want a feature-rich smartwatch, alternatives like Garmin, Apple, or Samsung may serve you better.
FAQs About Fitbit Versa 4
1. Does the Fitbit Versa 4 have music storage?
No, the Versa 4 does not support music storage or offline playback. You can control Spotify or Deezer via your phone, but tracks cannot be stored directly on the watch.
2. How long does the Fitbit Versa 4 battery last?
With regular use, the battery lasts 5–6 days. Using Always-On Display or GPS frequently will shorten this, but quick charging helps.
3. Is Fitbit Premium required?
No, the Versa 4 works without Fitbit Premium, but advanced insights like sleep profiles, readiness scores, and guided workouts require a subscription.
4. Can I use the Fitbit Versa 4 for swimming?
Yes, it is water-resistant up to 50 meters and supports swimming as one of its exercise modes.
5. Does the Fitbit Versa 4 support Google Assistant?
No, Google Assistant support was removed. It currently supports Amazon Alexa for voice commands.