Fitbit Versa 2 Smartwatch and Apple Watch 5: Fitness Smartwatch Battle
Recently we talked about the new Versa 2 Smartwatch from Fitbit, and it is just great, but can a $200 smartwatch compete with the Apple Watch 5?
Both the Fitbit Versa 2 and the Apple Watch 5 come with compleatly different features, designs and choosing between them can be very hard. So with this in mind we made a short guide detailing the main differences between the Fitbit Versa 2 and the Apple Watch 5.
Fitbit Versa 2 and Apple Watch 5 - Features and Specs
Fitbit Versa 2
Design wise they look quite similar. Both the Fitbit Versa 2 and the Apple Watch 5 come in squre cases, interchangeable strap designs and high quality OLED screens. The only major difference here is that the Apple Watch 5 has a digital crown control, while the Versa 2 comes with phisical button controls.
Now if design wise they both look the same (almost the same) once you turn them on the story changes. Why? Well first of all the Fitbit Versa 2 is a fitness tracker first and then a smartwatch (you can read the full Versa 2 review here), while the Apple Watch 5 is a smartwatch first and a fitness tracker second.
Apple Watch Series 5
How can we tell that you might ask? The answer lies in the software and applications offered by the two smartwatches.
WatchOS 6 being the latest version of Apple’s wearable software, brings a number of awesome features, including one of the largest and most diverse apps library and built-in Siri support.
The Versa 2 on the other side comes with Fitbit OS and has some applications like Strava, Spotify and so on, but its software library is small. But it compensates on the fitness side of things, offering dedicated coaching and access to Fitbit’s Premium service (paid of course) which offers one of the best bespoke coaching, workout regimes and exercise advice.
The Versa 2 has something that the Apple Watch 5 does not, sleep tracking. The Versa 2 also offers support for Amazon’s Alexa and it can be matched with the iPhone in terms of voice command functionality.
Nonetheless, the Versa 2 still remains behing the Apple Watch 5 as it comes with few key sensors and features that are missing from the Versa 2.
First, the Apple Watch 5 comes with integrated GPS and compass. No GPS functionality on the Versa 2 is something of an odd choice and this means that you have to pair it with your phone if you want acurate measurements for tracking when running.
Another thing that is missing from the Versa 2 is local storage, meaning that only the Apple Watch offers the possibility to listen to music for example without the need of a data connection or paired phone.
Last but not least, the OLED screen technology used with the Apple Watch 5 is superior. The Apple Watch 5 comes with variable refresh rate, which transltes into better battery saving by lowering how many images per-second the screen renders when doing tasks that does not need more power than usual, but in contrast with the Versa 2 battery life is way behind (see the full hardware breakdown below).
On the fitness side of things, the Apple Watch 5 has a few key features. The most important one is an ECG heart rate monitor, fall detection service and auto-emergency service calling. This feature, at least in theory, lets the smartwatch call for help if it detects that you are in danger of heart failure.
Here is a full hardware breakdown of both the Fitbit Versa 2 and the Apple Watch 5:
| Spec | Apple Watch 5 | Fitbit Versa 2 |
| Size | 44mm / 40mm | 40x40x12 mm |
| Screen | OLED variable refresh rate | OLED |
| Always on | Yes | Yes |
| CPU | S5 with 64-bit dual core | N/A |
| Storage | 32GB | None |
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 5 days (2 days with always-on display active) |
| Water resistance | 50 meters | 50 meters |
| LTE | Yes (optional) | No |
| ECG | Yes | No |
| Compass | Yes | No |
| Emergency call | Yes (LTE) | No |
Fitbit Versa 2 and Apple Watch 5 Price and Conclusion
Price wise the clear winner by far is the Fitbit Versa 2. The basic Versa 2 comes at just $200 and if you choose to grab one with a 90 day Premium subscription for $219 the grand total will be half the price of the full version Apple Watch 5.
The basic Apple Watch 5 comes at $400 and if you want one with LTE you have to add an extra $100.
No one can deny that the Apple Watch 5 has a strong technical lead over the Fitbit Versa 2, but if you are looking for an affordable smartwatch, you only need basic smartwatch functionality and excellent fitness tracking then the Versa 2 could be the right smartwatch for you.
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