Apple Watch or Fitbit Versa? The question I have been asking myself for a few months.
A couple of years ago, my two daughters had given me a Fitbit Charge 2. I have used my Fitbit to track many walks along Riverside Trails, bicycle rides, and workouts on the elliptical machine. I couldn’t take it to the lake because this particular model isn’t waterproof. Still, I love my smartwatch and the hourly reminders it gives you to get up and move! But now this old Fitbit is worn out and clearly it was time to shop around for a new smartwatch.
Right before I was going to go shopping for a new Fitbit, my daughter decides to purchase a brand new Apple Watch, which she loves. You can use several of the same apps that you use for the iPhone! Except, for that very reason, the thought of owning one seemed to overwhelm me.
So I decided to do some research and compare the Apple Watch versus the Fitbit Versa. Hey, if I am going to spend over $200 on a new watch, I better make sure to select one that I am going to be happy with for a while! By the way, we still have a couple more days to go until we get our first official look at the new Apple Watch Series 4 on September 12.
What I found out in my research is that Fitbit users don’t have to worry about finding a charger for several days (which I already knew that, lol). The Versa lasts 4 days, the Ionic lasts 5, and the Charge 3 can go a full week before it needs to be plugged in. Although, it is more than capable of lasting a full day of music streaming and notifications, the Apple Watch, unfortunately, does not have a long battery life like the Fitbit.
One of the functions I like on the Fitbit is the sleep tracking. Sleep tracking is even better in the Ionic and Versa models, making it the best sleep tracking you can currently get on a smartwatch. When you wear your watch through the night, it will automatically measure the longevity and quality of your sleep, breaking it down into stages so you can get a full picture of your night’s rest. And you don’t need to do anything—the watch will automatically detect your sleep based on your heart rate.
The mobile health data company’s deep learning network, DeepHeart, already uses data from the Apple Watch heart rate sensor to detect atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and sleep apnea. Now it’s adding a new disease to the list: diabetes.
Next, I compared the cost for the Fitbit Versa and Apple Watch. The Fitbit Versa ($199.95 at Amazon.com) is an alternative to the Apple Watch Series 3 with GPS Only ($459 regular price, Prime Members $372.59 at Amazon Marketplace). Prices varied for both smartwatches, both offer special editions.
Both water resistant to 50 meters, so you can wear them in the shower or use them to track laps in the pool. Plus so many other features, which made it at first a little difficult for me to decide on which smartwatch to get.
Do I want just a superb fitness tracker or do I want, what I would consider, a second iPhone on my wrist? I had to think about this. You see, whenever I workout, I feel it is my time to de-stress and relax after a good workout. It’s not so much the text messages or phone calls that would bother me but all the apps that I know I “just can’t live without” that would constantly be overwhelming me with tons of notifications throughout the day. Besides, that’s what my iPhone is for! And that is why I decided to go with the simplicity of the Fitbit Versa.
For others, like my daughter, who loves using her Apple Watch for work and play, it is perfect for her lifestyle.
Fitbit Versa or Apple Watch? Both are excellent smartwatches, but doing your own research will help you to determine which is best suited for your own lifestyle.
*** UPDATE ***
I have since then uploaded a few of some of the Apps offered on Fitbit like Alarm, Music, Pandora, Starbucks, and Uber. I also set up to receive or stop (goes to voice mail) incoming calls and text messages. If you use an iPhone (which I am) you cannot reply to texts at this time. Although, if you have an Android, you do have the capability of answering texts back right from your Fitbit Versa! Do I still like my decision of going for the Fitbit Versa? Absolutely! Love how I can personalize it just for me!