In other respects, Fitbits are even an improvement over the Apple Watch. For example, both trackers claim a full week of battery life and a day’s worth of power from a 12-minute charge, while the Apple Watch Series 7 only lasts for a day.
Some of the Google-driven feature changes, like turn-by-turn directions for Google Maps and Google Pay for Google Wallet, are expected to come to these wearables, but they weren’t there at launch.
Versa 4 is even more optimized for exercise, with built-in GPS and 40 different exercise modes. However, the Sense 2 now has a new body response sensor. When you measure pressure on the first Sense, you place your hand on the watch’s metal bezel. Instead of field testing, Sense 2 now continuously monitors your galvanic skin activity, along with your heart rate, heart rate variability and skin temperature, to help you identify stress triggers. The sign-in button prompts you to decompress using a stress management tool such as guided breathing.
Both watches are also lighter and thinner than previous iterations. The Versa and Sense collections include accessories designed by Black-owned fashion brand Brother Vellies. There are also unlimited band options — a take on the Apple Solo Loop, of course. As with the Inspire 3, daily readiness scores, sleep profiles and advanced stress management metrics are accessible with a Fitbit Premium subscription. Fitbit offers at least six months of Fitbit Premium free with the purchase of any tracker.
While the Apple Watch continues to dominate the smartwatch market, I still like the appeal and simplicity of Fitbit’s design. Google acquires Fitbit Google It’s in a better position to compete with Apple, but it’s unclear if that means Fitbit wearables themselves will get better and smarter. It just means, maybe, that Wear OS fitness trackers could become slightly less bulky and annoying to use thanks to the infusion of Fitbit DNA.
But what about small but significant improvements that combine the two companies’ respective expertise, like longer battery life and a thinner display with Fitbit’s advanced health features? This is where we can get behind. Now, if only something could be done about that annoying Fitbit Premium subscription.
