The story of the Fitbit Versa
Fitbit shipped more than a million Versas in under two months, the fastest-selling product in its history. Six years later Google confirmed there would never be another one.
Chapters
- 2022 to 2024The last Versa
The Versa 4 arrived in August 2022 with mostly incremental changes and was less warmly received, criticised for lacking music apps. In August 2024 Google said no more Sense or Versa watches would be made, keeping smartwatches for the Pixel Watch. The Versa 4 became the final chapter.
- 2020 to 2021Its own GPS at last
Released just after the Sense, the Versa 3 finally added built-in GPS, plus GLONASS. It has a 1.58-inch screen and a speaker that lets Alexa answer out loud. It topped TechRadar's guide to the best Fitbit for years.
- 2019Alexa on the wrist
The Versa 2 was announced on 28 August 2019, just before IFA, at $199.95. Holding the side button let owners speak to Amazon's Alexa and read the answer on screen, while battery life stretched from about four days to five. The Versa family also has a Lite version.
- 2018A million in two months
Launched alongside a new female health tracking feature in the Fitbit app, the Versa became the top-selling smartwatch on Amazon. Fitbit said that in the second quarter of 2018 it outsold Samsung, Garmin and Fossil smartwatches combined in North America, and smartwatches brought in $165 million of Fitbit's $299 million quarterly revenue.
- 2017 to 2018Smaller than the Ionic
Fitbit's $300 Ionic smartwatch was larger and sold less well after its October 2017 launch. The Versa answered with a 39 mm aluminium case that fit smaller wrists, cost a third less and dropped GPS. A $230 Special Edition added NFC for payments.
Moments
2024. Google confirmed to Engadget that there would be no further Fitbit Sense or Versa models, with Fitbit-branded hardware continuing as Inspire, Luxe and Charge trackers.
2018. Within weeks of the Versa launch, more than 2.4 million people had started using Fitbit's new female health tracking, introduced with the watch.
2018. Fitbit reported that the $200 Versa outsold the smartwatches of Samsung, Garmin and Fossil combined in North America in the second quarter of 2018.
Generations and strap changes
- 2022Versa 4
Announced in August 2022 with the Sense 2, keeping a similar design and adding a physical button.
A Fitbit Community reply says Versa 3/4 and Sense 1/2 use the same band connection.
- 2020Versa 3
Announced in August 2020 alongside the Fitbit Sense, shipping from September 25.
New infinity bands with a quick-release system; Versa, Versa Lite and Versa 2 bands no longer fit.
- 2019Versa Lite
A cheaper Versa launched in March 2019, without swim tracking or music storage.
Same case size as the Versa, so the bands are fully interchangeable.
- 2019Versa 2
Launched in August 2019 with a larger 0.987 inch display and Amazon Alexa.
Slightly larger case, but same pin size and attachment as Versa and Versa Lite, so bands interchange.
- 2018Fitbit Versa
A redesigned, lower-priced square smartwatch released in 2018.