Time to check out the Fitbit Versa
The selection of smartwatches continues to grow.
For those looking to improve their fitness tracking or simply catch up on emails, you can find a smartwatch for almost any wrist and budget.
The latest entry in this category is the Fitbit Versa.
The Versa, priced at $199, was designed to compete with the Apple Watch, and at its core, it does just that.
The Versa performs well as a smartwatch as well as a fitness tracker. Works with Apple, Android and Windows devices.
The watch includes Fitbit Today, so you can check your daily health stats and compare them to your goals. There are also reminders for targeted movement and breathing sessions.
Fitbit fans will notice that the Versa has a different look than the older, more expensive Ionic. It has a wider, square face with metallic finishes. It’s sleeker and slimmer than the Apple Watch and comes with a standard rubber band with more strap options.
The touchscreen is more responsive than the Ionic. There are three buttons to control shortcuts for music controls, notifications, exercise start times and alarms. All buttons can be customized to your individual preferences.
The Versa has decent battery life. Fitbit says you can get four days of run time from the device.
You can take it to bed, check the time, set alarms and track your sleep. There’s even a vibrating smart alarm to wake you up.
The software has been updated. Those with an iPhone and OS will notice that the fitness tracking stats include more data. You can scan weekly progress, view recent workouts and monitor your resting heart rate. Unlike other versions of Fitbit, the Versa is waterproof.
Fitbit has created some options for the watch with its own app store called App Gallery. It can be launched from the Fitbit app.
There are 50 app options available. You can choose to change the clock face, follow the news and the stock market. Others can control your lights and help you pay the bill at Starbucks.
Some of the watch faces are attractive and some are not. If you like variety, you may be disappointed as you can only store one at a time.
Changing faces also takes some time. The Fitbit app is loading slowly. It may require the watch to be connected to Wi-Fi via a manual connection from the app running on whatever phone you’re using.
Although it’s cheaper than the Apple Watch Series One, the Versa has some areas where it falls short of the more expensive competition.
You cannot answer phone calls. Text message replies can only be made via a compatible Android phone.
The Versa only has 2.5GB of built-in music storage. Songs in most cases need to be downloaded from a computer. That pales in comparison to Apple Watch syncing with Apple Music. Some other brands also do a better job in this area.
Apple Pay is widely known and used. Fitbit also has a payment option, but it can be difficult to find banks and institutions that support it.
There’s no Siri, no microphone, and no automatic call-to-action assistant. The Find-my-phone app on Apple Watch is not included. There are no maps and no built-in GPS. Runners and athletes may still opt for the Ionic or Apple Watch Series 3 with more apps.
Still, the Versa has a lot going for it. Most will find it attractive, comfortable and fun to wear.
It provides a good alternative for those willing to forgo the added features and price of the Apple Watch and other higher-end competitors.
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