Fitbit Versa 2 Review: Still not an Apple Watch



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We are just begins to discover how sleep can make us happier and healthier. It is therefore logical that Fitbit, in its latest portable version, attaches so much importance to its sleep tracking technology. This is a particularly clever move since the last Apple Watch again There is no sleep technology cooked in.

I was looking forward to testing this amazing sleep tracking feature. The Versa 2 is delivered to the trial of Fitbit Premium, the company's paid subscription service with several guided health programs. I chose the "Get More Zzz's" program and prepared to pump my immune system and short-term memory immediately. It was easy to follow the suggestions and my sleep hours right away. The screens at 21:30? Check. But my sleep score – a figure that Fitbit uses to rate my sleep – did not improve immediately.

I've clicked further in the app and discovered that I am a restless sleeper; In fact, I do not spend a lot of time in the deep EM. Fitbit tactfully suggested that my stress level seemed high. Did I know that the company also offers a meditation app? Ugh. How did you know, Fitbit !?

Bright happy people

I've recommended the latest versions of the hugely popular Versa as the best fitness tracker for your money. In the fall, the company added the subscription service and a host of features to the watch, while keeping the price at $ 200 (relatively) affordable. You can also get a discount if your health insurance provider is one of Fitbit's preferred partners.

The Versa 2 has a more premium appearance than previous versions. There is no "fitbit" inscribed on the bezel and the dial and the dial of the glass watch have more rounded edges. You control the watch by sweeping the silky glass dial or pressing a button on the left.

The new AMOLED display has significantly darker shades and brighter colors than previous Versa displays. On these older versions of the watch, I kept the dial of the clock simple. Here, however, I felt that the brighter screen justified moving to a beautiful, detailed floral dial.

The screen now has an optional permanent mode. I was anxious to see more trackers, including this feature (the Apple Watch 5 also has a permanent screen), but I was surprised to find it a little embarrassing. Rather than keeping the same clock dial running, the Fitbit switches to a simple screen when it normally goes to sleep. I did not need to tap or shake my wrist to check the time, but I still had to wake him up to get to the dashboard.

The Versa 2 also has an integrated microphone and integrates Alexa, which is excellent. I love my privacy. I do not keep smart cameras at home, and I do not like smart speakers that listen to my angry whisper with my husband in the kitchen.

But a little Alexa activated by buttons that does not answer – you check the answers on the screen – is the exact amount of Alexa for me. My kids could not interact with her and I could check the predictions while dressing my toddler or quickly adjusting several timers while preparing dinner.

Fitbit Premium, which starts with a $ 10 monthly subscription or $ 80 annual subscription, includes personalized recommendations based on your fitness goals. Four of the nine guided programs required tracking my food intake, which seems tedious and probably inaccurate. I found it helpful to remind myself to get ready to sleep at the hour and to do mindfulness exercises.

Who is the first?

Versa 2 has three major brands of strike. First, the watch can only connect to Wi-Fi in the 2.4 GHz band. To be fair with Fitbit, most smart watches can only connect to the 2.4 GHz band, and I did not expect it to be a problem. I have a dual-band network at home and the previous iterations of the Versa have been able to easily find the 2.4 GHz band.

But for some reason, Versa 2 can not connect to my network. Also, if your home router only broadcasts a 5 GHz band, you may be blocked. I did not think it was a problem because I had just synced the watch on my phone via Bluetooth. But it would be boring if I wanted to do without the phone, download music and plug in my headphones.

And although the application on my iPhone is, as always, clean, attractive and easy to use, the Versa 2 software was only a bit … fragmented. For example, I finally gave up and got a Spotify Premium subscription to test the application.

But to use the application, the Versa 2 must be connected to my phone and I must also open the application on my phone. The app only allows me to control whether or not songs are dropped, and I can not control Spotify while Versa 2 is following an exercise. In addition, the Versa 2 has no built-in GPS, only a connected GPS. After three days, I stopped trying to control the music with the watch and just put my phone on with me.

Finally, the Versa only allows voicemail responses for Android phones. It's not that bad, but it's a reminder that Fitbit products are more for an Android audience. That brings us to the big final shot against Versa 2: it's not an Apple Watch.

Apple's recent announcement of the sale of the Watch Series 3 at the same price as Versa 2 (just US $ 199) is very much like a direct strike – and hilarious as small – against this imitating competitor. But Versa 2 is fighting well. First of all, Apple can not better its battery. Even with the function still on, I still had five days of autonomy. It has very detailed sleep tracking features that Apple has not yet integrated with Apple Health.

Fitbit also has a large user community, which is important if you want to keep in touch with your friends and family to stay motivated in achieving your fitness goals. And I also like the suggestions of Fitbit Premium and the Fitbit Coach. It allows you to do quick and convenient guided workouts of 7 to 15 minutes without wasting time scrolling through the videos on YouTube.

Do these good reasons buy it? If you are an iOS enthusiast with an eye on the new watch, probably not. Otherwise, the Versa 2 still has many features to recommend, especially if you like to sleep and do not like to charge your battery! It's a sizeable demographic of consumers that also includes me.

You can buy the Fitbit Versa 2 from Fitbit, Amazon or Best Buy.


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