two minute review
The Fitbit Versa 2 was the company's first true smartwatch, and it has stood the test of time well. Even though it's now been superseded by the Fitbit Versa 3 (which has the added benefit of built-in GPS), it's still one of the best Fitbits you can buy, and is particularly good if you're looking for a budget smartwatch.
After the release of Fitbit's first smartwatch, the Ionic, the company struggled to compete with the Apple Watch and Garmin's dedicated running watches. Then Fitbit Versa came along and changed the company. Not surprisingly, Fitbit quickly followed with the Versa 2 and, later, the Versa 3.
With the Versa 2, Fitbit has once again proved that you don't necessarily need top-tier features to make a great sports watch, and it doesn't need to burn a hole in your wallet.
- Fitbit Versa 2 on Amazon for €159.99 (opens in a new tab)
Fitbit Versa 2: Key Features
Display: 300 x 300 pixel AMOLED touch screen
Materials: aluminum watch case
Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Water resistance: up to 50m
Sensors: 3-axis accelerometer, optical heart rate monitor, altimeter, ambient light sensor, vibration motor, NFC, microphone, and relative SpO2 sensor
Battery life: 5 days of typical use
Unlike most other smartwatches on the market, the Versa 2 isn't trying to replace your phone; in fact, you could call it a stripped down version of a smartwatch. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.
The Versa 2 is aimed squarely at avid fitness users rather than those looking for portable productivity, making it an extension of Fitbit's excellent range of fitness trackers, but with added benefits.
While health and activity tracking take center stage, the Versa 2 bridges the gap between phone and wrist by offering message and calendar notifications, ways to control your smart home settings, and listening to music from your phone during a run or workout.
Fitbit has continued to update the Versa 2 with new features since its launch in 2019. New features like the smart alarm and additional watch faces didn't seem like enough for the company, so the latest update brings a power level monitor. oxygen that controls the levels of oxygen in the blood. as you sleep.
Fitbit Versa 2 price and release date
- € 199 / € 199 / AU € 329 introductory price
- The Versa 2 Special Edition is $229 / £219.99 / AU$379
Fitbit announced the Versa 2 on August 28 ahead of IFA 2019, where the company first introduced the device to the public. The Versa 2 is available to buy now, and you can pick it up from the Fitbit website (opens in a new tab) or from major retailers, in-store or online.
The Fitbit Versa 2 costs $199,99 / £199,95 / AU$329,95, though there is a special edition version that retails for £229,95 / £219,99 / AU$379 and comes with a chassis Mist Gray or Copper Rose and a premium woven box band.
At launch, the Versa 2 was similarly priced to its predecessor in the US and UK, but is slightly higher in Australia and nearly matches the price of the Apple Watch Series 3 in most regions. .
Purchasing a Versa 2 will also get you a free seven-day trial of Fitbit Premium, the company's new subscription-based fitness service. However, those who purchase the Versa 2 Special Edition will get a free 90-day trial of Fitbit Premium (more on this feature later).
(*two*)
The Versa 2's design should fit most wrists (Image credit: Future)Design and display
- Retains the "squirrel" design
- New AMOLED screen always on
- Single button
Design rating: 4/5
When it comes to design, the Fibit's mantra seems to be one of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." The "circle" design of the original Apple Watch and Versa seems to have been adopted by users and Fitbit has carried it over to the Versa 2. At first glance, the new sports watch looks strikingly similar to its predecessor, but closer inspection reveals a few small adjustments that give the Versa 2 a very elegant look.
At 0,47 inches (12mm) deep, it's only slightly thicker than the Apple Watch 3, but as the chassis tapers towards the heart monitor below, it actually appears thinner. And, with a 40mm screen size, it fits most wrists.
Thankfully, Fitbit has removed its trademark from the bottom bezel of the Versa, which means the Versa 2's bezels are a bit thinner, giving you a bit more screen real estate than before. While the screen's black background generally does a good job of hiding the bezels, they're pretty obvious from certain angles, though easy to miss.
Where the original Versa had three buttons on the chassis, two on the left and one on the right, the Versa 2 has just one button on the left and serves as both a "select" button and a "back" button. This means you're never more than a tap or two away from the function you need to access, while the rest of the navigation you need to do is done via the touchscreen.
Speaking of the screen, it's the only major hardware upgrade worth mentioning. Unlike the Versa's LCD screen, the second-generation Fitbit smartwatch has entered the era of the brilliant AMOLED touchscreen, which is protected by Gorilla Glass 3.
It's capable of over 1000 nits of brightness, though we found it was actually too bright for general use, setting our Versa 2 to the lowest brightness setting all the time. Even on a "low" setting, the 300 x 300 screen resolution is sharp, and thanks to its ambient light sensor, you can adjust the brightness to suit the environment you're in.
Another important feature that Fitbit has added to the Versa 2 is an always-on option. By default, this option is disabled and you will need to access the clock settings panel to change this selection. At launch, there were no customization options for the always-on watch face and, until now, it was limited to a single default analog or digital option. However, a new firmware update has now added many third-party always-on faces, some of which can be customized. They're available in the companion app, though most of them are paid options, with only a few free watch faces available.
If you prefer to use the always-on screen (after all, it's nice to be able to see the watch face without having to move your arm), you'll find that this cuts your battery life in half.
Fitbit Versa 2: price comparison