14 DAY TRIAL // Fitbit Versa has long been considered a powerful alternative to the Apple Watch, eventually becoming one of the best-selling products of the company that Google is trying to purchase right now.
Today, Fitbit has officially announced the new Versa, an upgraded model that comes with even more new-generation features, all at a price that makes it a pretty compelling purchase.
While technically the all-new Fitbit Sense is the model that’s positioned as a direct competitor to the Apple Watch, the new Versa 3 comes with a mix of advanced features and an affordable price that could really make some potential Apple customers think twice before getting the Apple Watch.
One of the biggest changes on the Fitbit Versa 3 is the addition of a stand-alone GPS sensor. In other words, if you work out you no longer need to keep the phone around because the Versa 3 can track your location on its own. So for example, if you’re going for a run, Fitbit Versa 3 can now map your workout and then transfer all the data to the smartphone that it’s paired to when a Bluetooth connection is re-established.
Versa 3 also comes with a speaker and a microphone, which essentially means that you are now able to use the features of assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. In fact, seeing Google Assistant launching on the new Versa isn’t at all surprising given that Google is now waiting for regulatory approval to purchase Fitbit, so expect all models launched by the company in the future to come with even deeper integration of Google services.
Just like on the previous model, the new Versa 3 supports Fitbit Pay, so you can also make contactless payments with the device.
Fitbit says the design is inspired by the Fitbit Sense, which itself is inspired by the Versa 2. So technically, Both the Versa 3 and the Sense are based on the previous Versa, and that’s quite alright since the look of the older model was pretty cool anyway.
One welcome upgrade concerns the charging process. Versa 3 comes with the same charger as the Sense, so if you buy both devices, you can use the same charger for both of them. But the really useful addition is the fast charging, which allows you to restore no less than one full day of battery life in just 12 minutes.
Fitbit has also implemented a new band design for the Versa 3, which at a quick glance seems to be inspired by the Apple Watch.
“Cross-compatible accessories feature an easy, quick-release band attachment and come in a wide variety of colors and styles, including designer partnerships with Pendleton and Victor Glemaud. Pendleton bands reflect the brand's ties to nature and iconic designs with a patterned woven aesthetic, while the Victor Glemaud collection channels the Haitian-American designer’s joyful, gender-neutral, body positive approach in bold, sustainable knits,” Fitbit explains.
Fitbit Versa 3 is available for pre-order today for $229.95, and the company says the device is projected to go on sale in late September, with more specifics to be offered at a later time. In Europe, the device will cost 229.95 euros.
The Versa 3 will be offered in multiple color combinations, namely black/black aluminum, pink clay/soft gold aluminum and midnight/soft gold aluminum. If you want to get more accessories for the Versa 3, the newly-introduced bands are available from $24.95 from the official Fitbit Store.
Fitbit Premium, the service that enhances the full capabilities of the Versa 3, is available or $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year.
