Fitbit Versa 4: Everything we know so far

Replace: July 27, 2022 (5:30 AM ET): We’ve up to date our Fitbit Versa 4 hub with new alleged pictures of the gadget additional detailing its design.

Unique article: Might 23, 2022: The Versa sequence is Fitbit‘s bread-and-butter smartwatch sequence. Ever for the reason that first Versa debuted in 2018, the 2 successive units have improved the components, added extra options, and upped the corporate’s smartwatch credentials. We earmarked the Fitbit Versa 3 as the corporate’s finest wearable contemplating its wonderful worth, first rate battery life, and correct well being monitoring. There’s loads of room for enchancment for the rumored Fitbit Versa 4.

Fitbit’s new smartwatch particulars are coming thick and quick, so it’s not a stretch to recommend it’ll be touchdown quickly. However what can we find out about Fitbit’s subsequent smartwatch? Under, we take a look at the most recent rumors surrounding the Fitbit Versa 4 and all the things we hope to see on the smartwatch.

See additionally: The most effective Fitbit smartwatches and health trackers

The Fitbit Versa 3 debuted in late August 2021, round eleven months after the Versa 2. Following this sample, it’s secure to recommend the Versa 4 may seem within the Fall of 2022.

As for the gadget’s title, there’s little indication that Fitbit will deviate from the Versa moniker. If Fitbit have been to think about a brand new title, the corporate has choices.

Fitbit may consolidate the Sense and Versa strains into one. Contemplating how shut the Versa 3 and Sense have been by way of base specs, it could be value calling the Versa 4 the “Sense Lite.” There’s no proof to help the demise of the Versa line, so we’ll have to attend and see how this performs out.

See additionally: The most effective smartwatches you should buy

What options will the Fitbit Versa 4 have?

Design

We obtained our first alleged glimpse of the Fitbit Versa 4 on Might 4, courtesy of 9to5Google. For starters, probably the most obvious design tweak over the Versa 3 is the inclusion of a bodily button on the right-hand aspect of the watch. Notably, the inductive groove is situated on the left-hand aspect of the Versa 3. Contemplating we don’t get an excellent take a look at that flank of the watch, Fitbit should still select to maintain the inductive groove on that aspect whereas additionally together with a tactile button on the opposite. We’ll have to attend for extra pictures to verify this.

Past the button, we will glean extra particulars of the shot. There are not any vital design deviations right here over the Versa 3. This means straps needs to be backwards appropriate, whereas the Versa 4 may seemingly occupy the identical quantity of area on the wrist as its predecessor.

We obtained a fair higher take a look at the Fitbit Versa 4 in late July, when 9to5Google printed alleged photographs of the gadget. Past the return of the bodily button, there’s not a lot totally different right here in comparison with the Versa 3. This isn’t a foul factor, because it suggests Fitbit goes for additional refinement fairly than a very new idea. The picture of the sensor housing additionally suggests the Versa 4 received’t acquire an ECG sensor just like the Sense.

Curiously, a now-deleted video titled “Tutorial for Fitbit Versa 4 / Sense 2 Display Protector” additionally allegedly showcased the Versa 4 within the flesh (by way of 9to5Google). The clip was from Wasserstein, an organization identified for manufacturing gadget equipment. However don’t get too excited but. The gadget on present is seemingly the unique Sense. Nonetheless, it does recommend the Versa 4/Sense 2 could also be awfully much like the present Fitbit flagship.

Moreover, an APK teardown of the Fitbit app carried out by 9to5Google means that the Fitbit Versa 4 and Fitbit Sense 2 may use 336 x 336 shows. That’s the identical decision utilized by the unique Sense and the Versa 3. The Versa 3’s show measured 1.58-inches, so we may count on the Versa 4 to pack related physique dimensions.

Our verdict: Fitbit Sense evaluate

Specs

We count on a number of options to return on the Versa 4, together with built-in GPS with Glonass help, a built-in speaker with Bluetooth name smarts, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa help, and SpO2 monitoring. It’s unclear how Fitbit would entice Versa 3 customers to improve to the Versa 4 with out extra sensors. With this in thoughts, we wouldn’t be stunned if it adopts all or a collection of the unique ECG, EDA, and pores and skin temperature sensors used on the Fitbit Sense.

Software program

The aforementioned 9to5Google teardown additionally revealed that the Fitbit Versa 4 doubtless received’t run Put on OS. Google has beforehand confirmed {that a} yet-to-be-released Fitbit smartwatch would run Put on OS, however contemplating the Sense 2 isn’t a probable candidate both, it appears an all-new Fitbit vary would possibly sport this distinction.

Extra studying: All the pieces we all know concerning the Google Pixel Watch

What’s going to the Fitbit Versa 4 worth be?

The Fitbit Versa 3 launched at $229, undercutting the Galaxy Watch 4 ($249) and Apple Watch SE ($279) however inserting it above the aesthetically-similar Garmin Venu Sq ($199). Fitbit’s newer fashions normally demand just a few extra {dollars} over their predecessors, so don’t be too stunned to see a $249 asking worth for the Versa 4.

As for availability, Fitbit’s new fashions normally launch just a few days after their official bulletins, so count on the Versa 4 to be accessible to buy within the Fall. Nonetheless, Fitbit additionally has a behavior of saying sure options that arrive locked, pending regulatory approval, or slated for a later launch date. We count on extra of the identical right here.

See additionally: The most effective Fitbit alternate options

Fitbit Versa 4: What we need to see

An inductive groove substitute/various

One of many extra quizzical design additions on the Sense and the Versa 3 is the finicky inductive groove. Its lack of tactile suggestions, awkward placement, and clunky operation makes it more difficult to make use of than a standard button. Certain, you get used to it will definitely, however we nonetheless really feel a tactile button could be a greater match whether or not you’re sitting nonetheless or out on a run.

The Versa 2 packed a clicky button that made it straightforward to seek out with out trying. Buying and selling this pusher for an inductive possibility was presumably made as an aesthetic resolution, however we’d a lot favor the return of a raised nub. Fitbit should make the Versa 4’s inductive button simpler to make use of if that’s an excessive amount of to ask. Early renders recommend we’d get each.

Extra Google service and app integration

Google now owns Fitbit, however you’d be forgiven for forgetting this. The newest model of Fitbit OS is devoid of Google apps and providers and doesn’t have appropriate replacements. For starters, there’s no dependable offline maps app supported by Fitbit. There’s no YouTube Music help or a devoted Google Calendar app, nor do customers have the flexibility to forged Fitbit exercise movies to supported shows. We’d like to see a extra concerted effort from Google to bolster Fitbit OS.

Wi-fi charging help

Fitbit makes a behavior of releasing a brand new charging cradle for nearly each smartwatch and health tracker. This stopped with the Versa 3 and Sense, however we’d nonetheless prefer to see help for a common answer, like wi-fi charging.

Whereas the brand new magnetic charging cradle is a major enchancment over the Versa 2’s foolish clasp charger, it stays a hindrance for vacationers or people who ceaselessly neglect to cost their units. Wi-fi charging help would enable customers to, in idea, top-up their Versa 4 utilizing their telephones’ reverse charging characteristic or by way of a transportable charger.

See additionally: The most effective wi-fi chargers

UI efficiency enhancements

Fitbit OS has come a great distance for the reason that fledgling days of the Blaze. The brand new model used on the Versa 3 is cleaner and extra intuitive than ever earlier than, however it stays sluggish when scrolling by way of and opening apps. We’d prefer to see a extra concerted effort from Fitbit to rid the OS of those graphical hitches and efficiency lapses that negatively affected the Versa 3 and Sense.

Well being sensors from the Sense

Lastly, if we’re not going to get sweeping bodily modifications, we’d prefer to see new sensors on the Fitbit Versa 4. Fitbit launched a man-made characteristic gulf between the Sense and Versa strains in 2021, however in 2022, we need to see the Sense’s smarts filter down into the subsequent Versa mannequin. This consists of the ECG monitor for coronary heart well being monitoring, an EDA sensor for stress monitoring, and a pores and skin temperature sensor to actively monitor physique warmth fluctuations.

That’s all the things we need to see on the Fitbit Versa 4. Which options do you want most? Make sure to vote in our ballot above.