The Apple Watch SE 2 and Fitbit Versa 4 are both great smartwatches priced under $250, but which one is the better buy? The Versa 4 was announced alongside the Sense 2, and while it shares its design and many features with the more expensive smartwatch, some significant differences set them apart. Apple’s second-generation smartwatch looks nearly identical to its predecessor, but has received some internal upgrades.
The Apple Watch SE 2 and Fitbit Versa 4 both have a square dial. In addition, they also have an aluminum case and are water-resistant up to 50 meters. The Watch SE 2 has the signature Digital Crown and side button, while the Versa 4 settles for a single button on the left. The Apple Watch SE 2 is available in 44mm and 40mm sizes, with three color choices for the case and many bands to choose from. On the other hand, the Versa 4 is sold in only one size but is available in four color options, all of which have the same type of band. Fitbit also sells other bands that can be purchased as additional accessories.
Watch SE 2 Vs. Versa 4: Display, Health, & Fitness
The Apple Watch SE 2 has a Retina LTPO OLED screen but doesn’t have an Always On display unlike other Apple Watch models. On the other hand, the Fitbit Versa 4 has an AMOLED Always On display. The Watch SE 2 is powered by the same S8 chip that’s found on the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra. It also packs 32GB of storage for audiobooks and podcasts. Fitbit doesn’t specify the chipset and storage of the Versa 4, but unconfirmed reports suggest that the smartwatch has 4GB of internal memory.
Both smartwatches have an optical heart rate sensor for all-day heart rate monitoring and will notify users if their heart rate is too high or too low. They also offer irregular (heart) rhythm notifications, checking for signs of AFib. In addition, the two watches can track heart rate variability (HRV). One notable feature missing on both devices in an ECG sensor.
A significant difference between both smartwatches is that the Watch SE 2 lacks blood oxygen level (SpO2) monitoring, unlike the Versa 4. Neither smartwatch has a temperature sensor, but the Versa 4 can measure skin temperature variation using existing sensors. Sleep tracking and menstrual cycle tracking is available on both the Watch SE 2 and Versa 4.
As for the sports modes, Fitbit says the Versa 4 can track more than 40 activities with auto-detection for some. Apple doesn’t say how many activities the Apple Watch SE 2 can track, but it covers most popular workouts, including running, cycling, swimming, strength training, pilates, yoga, and many more. Both smartwatches have built-in GPS for real-time tracking when outdoors. Apple bests Fitbit in additional safety features such as Crash Detection, Fall Detection, and Emergency SOS.
Watch SE 2 Vs. Versa 4: Connectivity, Battery, & Price
Both watches have Bluetooth 5, NFC for payments, and Wi-Fi. The Watch SE 2 also has optional LTE, so users can make calls even when their phone isn’t on them. The Versa 4 does have a microphone and speaker, but it can only be used to take calls over Bluetooth when the paired smartphone is nearby. As for voice assistant support, the Watch SE 2 has Siri, while the Versa 4 supports Alexa. Unfortunately, the Versa 4 doesn’t feature Google Assistant integration, a feature that was available on its predecessor.
As for the battery life, the Watch SE 2 lasts up to 18 hours on a single charge and go up to 36 hours in Low Power mode. However, it is no match for the Versa 4, which offers six days of battery life. The Fitbit also has fast charging support, with a 12-minute charge providing a day of use.
At $199, the Fitbit Versa 4 is cheaper than the Apple Watch SE 2, which starts at $249 for the base model with Wi-Fi + GPS. The Apple Watch SE is more expensive than the Fitbit Versa 4, and lacks key features such as an SpO2 sensor, Always On display, and a long-lasting battery. However, choosing between the two devices comes down to more than just features. For users primarily concerned about tracking their health and fitness, either smartwatch will be a good option. However, iPhone users might prefer the Apple Watch SE 2 thanks to the deep integration between watchOS and iOS. This means features such as notifications, calls, and app support work better on the Apple Watch.
