You've probably seen the reviews. People love to complain that the Fitbit Versa 4 feels like a step backward compared to the older Versa 3. They point at the lack of third-party apps. They mourn the loss of Google Assistant. But honestly? Most of those critics are missing the point of why this device actually exists in a post-Google-acquisition world.
It’s a fitness tracker wearing a tuxedo.
If you go into this expecting a "mini Apple Watch" or a "Pixel Watch Lite," you're going to be annoyed within twenty minutes of taking it out of the box. But if you want a dedicated health tool that doesn't require a daily charging ritual and actually has a physical button you can press with sweaty fingers, the story changes.
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The Fitbit Versa 4 is basically a refined version of the Sense 2 without the high-end ECG and stress sensors. It's built for people who want to move, sleep, and check their heart rate without getting sucked into a vortex of wrist-based Twitter notifications or complex app ecosystems that drain battery life in six hours.
The Physical Button is a Huge Deal
Let's talk about that side button. On the Versa 3, Fitbit tried this weird inductive "groove" that you had to squeeze. It was, frankly, a disaster. It didn't work if your hands were wet, it was finicky in the cold, and it felt like pressing a brick.
Fitbit fixed it.
The Fitbit Versa 4 brought back a tactile, clicky, physical button. It’s positioned higher up on the case so you don't accidentally trigger it when your wrist flexes during a plank or a push-up. This sounds like a small detail, but when you're mid-run and trying to pause a workout while gasping for air, that physical "click" is everything. It’s reliable.
The chassis itself is thinner than the previous model. It sits closer to the skin, which isn't just about fashion; it actually helps the optical heart rate sensor stay flush against your arm. This reduces "light leakage," which is the main culprit for wonky heart rate readings during high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
Why the "No Apps" Argument is Sorta Overblown
The biggest sticking point for tech enthusiasts is the software. When Google bought Fitbit, they moved the Versa 4 and Sense 2 over to a new interface that looks a lot like Wear OS but isn't actually Wear OS.
Because of this, you can't download Spotify to the watch. You can't use Starbucks apps or third-party mapping tools.
But let's be real for a second. How many people actually use a calculator on their watch? Or try to browse Yelp on a 1.5-inch screen? Most of us just want to see who is texting, check the weather, and pay for a Gatorade at the gas station using NFC. The Fitbit Versa 4 handles Google Wallet and Google Maps (for turn-by-turn directions) just fine.
By stripping away the "smart" fluff, Fitbit preserved the one thing Apple and Samsung still haven't mastered: battery life. You get six days. Real, actual days. Even with the Always-On Display (AOD) toggled on, you’re looking at a solid three to four days of juice.
Heart Rate Accuracy and the 40+ Exercise Modes
Fitbit bumped the exercise count on the Versa 4 up to over forty modes. This includes things like HIIT, weightlifting, and even CrossFit.
Does the watch track "CrossFit" differently than "Weights"? Not really. It's mostly a labeling system for your data later. However, the heart rate tracking algorithm has been tweaked. According to several independent tests by experts like The Quantified Scientist, the Versa 4 performs admirably for steady-state cardio like running or cycling.
It still struggles a bit with the rapid "spikes" and "drops" of heavy lifting—most wrist-based trackers do because of the way blood flow changes when you grip a barbell—but for the average person hitting the gym three times a week, it's more than accurate enough to tell you which heart rate zone you're in.
- Active Zone Minutes (AZM): This is still the "secret sauce." Instead of just counting steps, the watch tracks how long your heart rate is elevated.
- Daily Readiness Score: This requires a Fitbit Premium subscription (usually around $9.99/month), and it analyzes your sleep and heart rate variability (HRV) to tell you if you should crush a workout or take a nap.
- GPS Performance: It has built-in GPS, so you don't need your phone. It takes about 10–30 seconds to lock on depending on tree cover, which is standard for this price bracket.
The Sleep Tracking Supremacy
If you care about sleep, there is still no one doing it better than Fitbit at this price point. The Fitbit Versa 4 uses its SpO2 (blood oxygen) sensor and heart rate monitor to give you a terrifyingly accurate breakdown of your Deep, REM, and Light sleep stages.
The Sleep Profile feature is particularly cool—though it takes a full month of data to kick in. It assigns you a "Sleep Animal." Are you a Bear (consistent sleeper) or a Parrot (late to bed, high energy)? It’s gamified health, but it works because it makes you actually care about your "Sleep Score" in the morning.
The "Smart Wake" alarm is another underrated gem. The watch vibrates during your lightest sleep phase within a 30-minute window of your alarm. It’s the difference between waking up feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck and waking up feeling actually human.
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The lack of music storage is a bummer. You can't load MP3s onto this thing, and you can't control your phone's Spotify playlist from the wrist anymore. If you're a runner who hates carrying a phone, you'll have to run in silence or rely on the built-in GPS while your phone sits in an armband for the tunes.
Also, the "Google-fication" of Fitbit is almost complete. You now need a Google account to use the device. If you're someone who is protective of your health data and doesn't want it under the Google umbrella, the Fitbit Versa 4 is a non-starter.
Comparing the Competition
| Feature | Fitbit Versa 4 | Apple Watch SE | Garmin Venu Sq 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | 6+ Days | 18 Hours | 11 Days |
| Sleep Tracking | Industry Leading | Good | Very Good |
| App Store | Virtually None | Massive | Limited |
| GPS | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in |
The Apple Watch SE is a better "smartwatch," but you'll be charging it every single night. The Garmin Venu Sq 2 is a better "sports watch," but the interface feels like it was designed in 2012. The Versa 4 sits in that "Goldilocks" zone—it looks nice, the screen is beautiful, and the app is incredibly easy to read.
Is the Premium Subscription Worth It?
Honestly? It depends.
You get the basic stuff for free: steps, sleep duration, heart rate, and basic exercise tracking.
But if you want the "Daily Readiness Score," the detailed breakdown of your sleep stages, and the "Stress Management" score, you have to pay. Most new Versa 4 units come with six months of Premium for free. My advice? Use the six months, see if you actually look at the data, and then cancel it if you don't. Most people find they don't actually need the "advanced" metrics once they've established a healthy routine.
Real-World Usage Insights
I've talked to plenty of users who shifted from the Versa 3 to the 4. The consensus is usually "It's faster." The interface on the Fitbit Versa 4 is noticeably snappier. Scrolling through your tiles—weather, heart rate, steps—doesn't have that slight lag that used to plague older Fitbit models.
The charger is the same magnetic puck they've used for a while. It’s fine. It sticks well. You can get a 10% charge in about 10 minutes, which is great if you realize your watch is dead right before you head to the gym.
Actionable Steps for New Owners
If you've just picked one up, or you're about to, do these three things immediately to get the best experience:
- Turn off "All-Day Sync": It drains your phone and watch battery. The watch will still sync when you open the app.
- Set up Google Wallet: Even if you don't plan on using it, having a backup payment method on your wrist is a lifesaver if you forget your wallet.
- Adjust your Heart Rate Zones: Go into the app and make sure your max heart rate is calculated correctly. If it’s off, your "Active Zone Minutes" will be completely wrong, either giving you too much credit or not enough.
The Fitbit Versa 4 isn't trying to be a computer. It’s a health monitor that happens to tell the time. Once you accept that it’s not going to replace your phone, it becomes one of the most reliable tools in your fitness kit. It’s light, it’s tough, and it stays out of your way until you actually need it.
Next Steps for Your Fitness Journey
- Check your wrist size: The Versa 4 comes with both small and large bands in the box. Ensure the sensor is snug (one finger width above the wrist bone) for the most accurate heart rate data.
- Sync with MyFitnessPal: If you're tracking calories, link your Fitbit account to MyFitnessPal. The integration is seamless and helps balance your "calories in vs. calories out" automatically.
- Enable "Reminders to Move": Set these for your work hours. It sounds annoying, but hitting 250 steps an hour is the easiest way to prevent sedentary fatigue.