Fitbit Versa 4

Overview

The Fitbit Versa 4 is Fitbit’s mainstream fitness smartwatch, sitting below the Sense 2 in features and price. With the same excellent 6-day battery life and comprehensive fitness tracking at a lower price point, it’s positioned as the affordable option for fitness-focused users who don’t need advanced health sensors. However, like the Sense 2, it controversially removes features from its predecessor, making it more fitness tracker than smartwatch.

What’s Different from Sense 2?

For $50 less than Sense 2, you lose:

• No EDA stress sensor: No continuous stress tracking
• No ECG app: Can’t detect AFib
• No skin temperature sensor: Less cycle tracking insight
• No cEDA: No Body Response notifications

Everything else is identical—same design, battery, display, and limited smart features.

The 6-Day Battery Advantage

Like the Sense 2, battery life is exceptional:

• Typical use: 6-7 days easily
• Heavy use: 4-5 days with GPS
• Power saving: Up to 12 days
• Always-on display: Still 6 days
• Fast charge: 12 minutes = 24 hours

This remains the Versa 4’s strongest selling point versus competitors.

Fitness Tracking Capabilities

Daily Readiness Score

Requires Fitbit Premium but valuable:

• Combines recovery, activity, sleep
• Suggests workout intensity
• Helps prevent overtraining
• Genuinely useful for training optimization

Exercise Tracking

Solid for mainstream fitness:

• 40+ exercise modes
• Built-in GPS (no phone needed)
• Auto-exercise recognition
• Active Zone Minutes
• Real-time pace and distance
• Swimming metrics (5ATM)

Sleep Tracking

Fitbit’s expertise shines:

• Detailed sleep stages
• Sleep Score with insights
• Smart Wake (30-minute window)
• Sleep Profile (Premium)
• Benchmark comparisons

Still better than Apple, Samsung, or Garmin for sleep.

What Fitbit Removed (The Problem)

Like Sense 2, the Versa 4 loses features from Versa 3:

• No WiFi: Bluetooth sync only
• No music storage: Can’t store songs
• No voice assistants: No Google Assistant or Alexa
• No third-party apps: Closed ecosystem
• Fewer clock faces: Limited selection

These removals make no sense and frustrate upgraders.

Design & Comfort

Identical to Sense 2:

• Lightweight: 37.6g barely noticeable
• Thin profile: 11.2mm sits flat
• AMOLED display: Bright and colorful
• Physical button: Replaced haptic (polarizing)
• One size: May be small for large wrists

Comfort is excellent for 24/7 wear including sleep.

Smart Features (Minimal)

Where the Versa 4 disappoints:

• Notifications only: Can’t respond meaningfully
• No apps: Just Fitbit’s basics
• No music: Control phone playback only
• No voice: No assistant at all
• Basic functions: Timer, alarms, weather

It’s barely smarter than a fitness tracker.

Fitbit Premium Dependency

Many features require subscription ($9.99/month):

• Daily Readiness Score (key feature)
• Sleep Profile
• Wellness Report
• Guided programs
• Video workouts
• Advanced insights

Includes 6 months free, but feels required for full value.

Real-World Performance

GPS Accuracy

Built-in GPS performs adequately:

• Lock time: 10-30 seconds typically
• Accuracy: Within 5-10 meters usually
• Urban: Some building interference
• Battery impact: 5 hours continuous

Good enough for fitness, not precision.

Heart Rate Monitoring

Optical sensor is reliable:

• Resting: Very accurate
• Steady cardio: Within 3-5 bpm
• Intervals: Lags 5-10 seconds
• Daily tracking: Consistent

Sufficient for zone training.

Software Experience

Fitbit OS 6 is simple but limited:

• Smooth navigation
• Quick stat access
• Limited customization
• No real apps
• Basic watch faces

It works but feels dated versus Wear OS or watchOS.

Who Should Buy the Versa 4?

Perfect For:

• Budget fitness tracking ($199 often $149)
• Week-long battery requirement
• Sleep optimization focus
• Basic fitness needs
• Cross-platform users
• First smartwatch buyers

Should Avoid:

• Previous Versa 3 owners (downgrade)
• Smart features important
• Music storage needed
• App ecosystem wanted
• Advanced health monitoring

Consider Instead:

• Sense 2: If budget allows, better health features
• Galaxy Watch6: Much smarter, shorter battery
• Apple Watch SE: If iPhone user, more features
• Garmin Venu Sq 2: Similar price, better features

Versa 4 vs Competition

vs Apple Watch SE 2 ($249)

• Versa 4 wins: Battery life, sleep tracking, cross-platform
• SE wins: Apps, ecosystem, smart features, performance
• Verdict: SE for iPhone users, Versa 4 for battery

vs Galaxy Watch6 ($279)

• Versa 4 wins: Battery life, price, simplicity
• Galaxy wins: Everything else
• Verdict: Galaxy unless battery is critical

vs Garmin Venu Sq 2 ($249)

• Versa 4 wins: Sleep tracking, simpler interface
• Venu wins: More features, better GPS, no subscription
• Verdict: Venu Sq 2 is better value overall

Value Analysis

At $199 (often $149 on sale):

• Pros: Great battery, good fitness tracking, comfortable
• Cons: Limited features, subscription dependent
• Reality: Overpriced for what you get

The removed features make it poor value versus Versa 3 at similar prices.

The Fitbit Dilemma

With Google ownership:

• Why remove features?
• Why no Google integration?
• Is Fitbit abandoning smartwatches?
• Will Pixel Watch replace Fitbit?

This uncertainty affects purchase decisions.

Verdict

The Fitbit Versa 4 is a capable fitness tracker masquerading as a smartwatch. The 6-day battery life and fitness tracking are genuinely good, while the sleep tracking remains best-in-class. At sale prices under $150, it’s a decent budget fitness device.

However, the removal of features from the Versa 3 is unforgivable and makes this feel like a downgrade. Competitors offer far more functionality for similar money. The Versa 4 only makes sense if battery life and sleep tracking are your absolute priorities and you don’t care about smart features at all.

Should you buy it? Only if you find it under $150 and prioritize battery life and fitness tracking over everything else. The Versa 4 does those two things well but fails as a smartwatch. For most people, spending $50 more on competitors gets you a dramatically better device. The Versa 4 represents Fitbit’s retreat from competing as a smartwatch platform, and it shows.