Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch Review: Sleeker Design, Smarter Fitness — But Fewer Smarts?
The Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch strikes a familiar balance between fitness tracking and smartwatch features — but this time, it leans more heavily into health and wellness while stepping back from broader smart capabilities. With a refreshed, slimmer design, 6+ days of battery life, and improved GPS performance, the Versa 4 is aimed squarely at fitness-first users who want daily health data in a sleek, distraction-free package.
At $199.99, the Versa 4 undercuts the premium Fitbit Sense 2 while still offering many of the same essentials: 24/7 heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, built-in GPS, and support for Fitbit Premium’s Readiness Score. It also marks the return of the physical side button, making navigation easier — a welcome move for users frustrated by the touch-only controls on the Versa 3.
However, Google giveth and taketh away. The Versa 4 loses third-party app support, no longer includes music storage or Spotify controls, and feels more like a stripped-down Fitbit OS than a full smartwatch. That puts it in an odd middle ground — more than a tracker, but less than a smartwatch.
Still, for users focused on fitness, battery life, and wellness insights over apps and bells and whistles, the Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch hits a sweet spot.
MSRP (when available or best estimate): $199.95
Price: Check Price on Amazon
✅ Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch Pros
✅ Slimmer, Lighter Design
More comfortable than the Versa 3, especially for sleep tracking and workouts.
✅ Physical Side Button Returns
Easier navigation versus the finicky touch-based system on Versa 3.
✅ Improved Built-in GPS
More accurate and faster lock times compared to earlier Versa models.
✅ 6+ Days Battery Life
Longer runtime than most smartwatches in this price range.
✅ Excellent Sleep and Heart Tracking
Tracks sleep stages, resting heart rate, and offers detailed insights in the Fitbit app.
✅ Fitbit Premium Readiness Score
Helps optimize your workouts based on recovery and stress.
✅ Fast Charging
A quick 12-minute charge provides a full day of battery life.
✅ Affordable Alternative to Sense 2
Delivers core fitness features without the higher price tag.
❌ Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch Cons
❌ No Third-Party Apps
Unlike previous Fitbits, the Versa 4 doesn’t support any downloadable apps.
❌ No Music Controls or Storage
Lacks Spotify, Pandora, or offline music — a downgrade from Versa 3.
❌ Limited Voice Assistant Use
Assistant support remains basic and requires phone proximity.
❌ Fitbit Premium Paywall
Some of the most useful features (like Readiness Score) require a subscription.
❌ No ECG or cEDA Sensor
Unlike the Sense 2, the Versa 4 skips advanced wellness sensors.
❌ No Support for Google Assistant
Alexa is available, but Google’s own assistant is absent — ironic given Google owns Fitbit.
Smart Features & Core Tech
Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch
Health & Wellness Sensors
The Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch keeps the core sensor suite users have come to expect: 24/7 optical heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking (during sleep), a skin temperature sensor, and an accelerometer for activity and sleep data. It offers menstrual health tracking, cardio fitness scores (VO2 max estimate), and high/low heart rate alerts — all of which sync to the Fitbit app for long-term trends.
However, unlike the Sense 2, the Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch does not include: - An ECG sensor (for AFib detection) - A cEDA sensor (for stress level tracking via skin conductivity)
That means if you’re looking for the most advanced wellness data Fitbit offers, you’ll need to pay more for the Sense 2. But for most users, the Versa 4’s standard metrics cover the day-to-day health bases well.
Fitbit Health Insights
With Fitbit Premium (first 6 months free, then $9.99/month), the Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch becomes a powerful personal wellness coach. You get the **Daily Readiness Score**, which helps determine whether your body is primed for exercise or recovery based on heart rate variability (HRV), activity, and sleep quality. It’s Fitbit’s version of a recovery gauge, and for many users, it becomes their go-to health metric.
The Sleep Score feature remains one of the best in the industry, breaking down sleep stages and offering practical insights. Resting heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature variations are also available through Health Metrics in the app — even without Premium.
Stress management tools include guided breathing sessions and reflections, but without the Sense 2’s cEDA sensor, these are software-driven rather than biometric-triggered.
Voice Assistant & Daily Utility
The Versa 4 supports Amazon Alexa, allowing for voice queries like checking the weather, setting timers, and adding reminders. However, **Google Assistant has been removed**, despite being present on the Versa 3 — a surprising omission considering Fitbit is now part of Google.
Voice commands require your phone to be nearby and connected via Bluetooth, and there’s no speaker, so Alexa replies are displayed as text only.
In terms of daily utility, the watch includes silent alarms, timers, stopwatch, find-my-phone, weather widget, and a calendar app. But **there’s no support for third-party apps**, which means no Uber, Starbucks, or even Spotify — features that were present in earlier Versa models.
What’s Missing vs Other Fitbit Models
Compared to the Fitbit Sense 2, the Versa 4 lacks: - ECG app (heart rhythm) - Stress detection via cEDA sensor - High-end wellness tools like irregular rhythm notifications
Compared to the Versa 3, it **removes**: - Third-party app support - Google Assistant - Music controls (Spotify, Deezer) and storage
So while the Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch is an upgrade in design, comfort, and GPS performance, it’s a **downgrade in smart features**, clearly repositioning it as a fitness-focused wearable rather than a full smartwatch.
Performance & User Experience
Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch
Health & Fitness Accuracy
The Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch delivers strong fitness tracking performance, especially for casual to intermediate users who care about heart rate, sleep, and activity metrics. Its optical heart rate sensor is the same as found in the higher-end Sense 2 and consistently delivers accurate readings during steady-state cardio like walking, running, cycling, or elliptical sessions.
Compared with chest straps and high-end trackers (like Garmin or Polar), the Versa 4 does show minor lags during high-intensity interval training or strength training with wrist flexion — which is common among optical sensors — but still within an acceptable margin for non-competitive use.
Built-in GPS is faster and more reliable than in the Versa 3, with better satellite lock and less drift during outdoor runs. You no longer need to rely on your phone’s GPS, which is a huge improvement for runners and cyclists.
Sleep tracking remains one of Fitbit’s standout strengths. The Versa 4 automatically tracks sleep stages (light, deep, REM), and reports are detailed, easy to understand, and available without a Premium subscription. Sleep Score gives a simple summary each morning, with deeper insights and trends available for paying users.
Other health metrics, such as resting heart rate, breathing rate, and skin temperature variation, are tracked passively and visible in the Health Metrics dashboard — making it easy to spot signs of illness or overtraining.
While it lacks the ECG and stress sensors of the Sense 2, the Versa 4 nails the basics — and does so with minimal effort on the user’s part.
Notifications & App Integration
The Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch delivers a clean and mostly reliable notification experience — as long as you're using an Android phone. You’ll get call alerts, text messages, calendar events, app notifications (like Gmail, WhatsApp, or Instagram), and the ability to configure quick replies for messaging apps.
On Android, you can respond using pre-set replies or emojis directly from the watch. On iOS, however, you can view notifications but not reply — a limitation of Fitbit’s iOS integration, not the hardware itself.
One notable downgrade from earlier Versa models is the lack of third-party app support. You won’t be downloading Uber, Starbucks, or Spotify onto the Versa 4 — Fitbit has fully removed its app store. That significantly limits how much you can extend the watch’s functionality beyond what it ships with.
Still, the core Fitbit apps — Weather, Calendar, Alarms, and Timers — are well-designed and responsive. And syncing with the Fitbit mobile app is fast and stable, whether you're reviewing health trends or customizing your watch face.
One additional perk for Android users: if you miss a call, you can reject it directly from the watch and send a quick text reply. That brings a welcome bit of smartwatch convenience — even if the rest of the “smart” side has been dialed back.
Smart Assistant & Voice Control
The Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch supports Amazon Alexa as its only voice assistant — but with several caveats. You can use Alexa to set timers, check the weather, control smart home devices, and ask basic questions. However, the experience is somewhat limited: responses are shown as on-screen text (since the watch has no speaker), and you’ll need your phone nearby with an active Bluetooth connection for Alexa to work.
Frustratingly, Google Assistant support — which existed on the Versa 3 — has been removed. This is a surprising and disappointing omission given Fitbit is owned by Google, and many users expected better Assistant integration, not less.
There’s also no offline voice functionality. If your phone isn't connected, voice commands won’t work at all — even for local tasks like setting a timer or starting a workout. Compared to devices like the Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch, which offer limited offline voice features, the Versa 4 feels more like a passive listener than an intelligent assistant.
You also can’t initiate calls or reply to messages by voice — even on Android — which further limits the assistant’s usefulness. For those who relied on Assistant on the Versa 3, this will feel like a step backward.
In short: Alexa on the Versa 4 is functional, but very limited — and without Google Assistant or offline commands, it’s hard to consider this a true “smart” assistant experience.
Battery Life
Battery life has always been one of Fitbit’s strong suits, and the Versa 4 continues that tradition. Rated for **6+ days of use**, the watch easily outlasts most Wear OS and Apple Watch models, even with continuous heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and regular notifications enabled.
In practice, most users report 5.5 to 7 days of battery depending on settings: - With always-on display turned off, GPS workouts a few times per week, and sleep tracking active, you can expect around 6 days. - With always-on display enabled, battery drops to ~3.5–4 days. - Heavy GPS use (e.g. daily outdoor runs) will reduce runtime, but even then, it often lasts 3+ days — still impressive.
One of the most convenient features is **fast charging**. Just 12 minutes on the charger gives you about a full day of use, and a full charge takes ~1 hour. This makes it easy to top off while showering or getting ready, especially if you plan to track sleep at night.
Charging is done via Fitbit’s proprietary magnetic puck. It’s compact and reliable, but not USB-C — so you’ll need to pack the included charger for travel.
While it doesn’t hit the multi-week stamina of a Garmin, the Versa 4 offers one of the best battery-to-feature ratios in its price class — a major win for users who don’t want a daily charging ritual.
Comfort & Design
Fitbit has refined the Versa 4’s design to make it thinner, lighter, and more comfortable than previous generations — and the difference is noticeable. The aluminum case is smooth and curved with a low profile that sits flush against the wrist, making it comfortable for 24/7 wear, including during sleep.
At just 40mm across and 11.2mm thick, the Versa 4 is compact and light (around 40g with strap), which is ideal for users with smaller wrists or anyone who finds bulkier smartwatches uncomfortable. The **return of the physical side button** — after the much-criticized haptic groove on the Versa 3 — is a huge usability win. It's tactile, responsive, and makes navigating menus far more intuitive.
The 1.58-inch AMOLED display is bright and easy to read, even in direct sunlight. While the bezels are still present, they’re masked well by Fitbit’s dark UI. The screen supports always-on mode, and watch face customization is available through the Fitbit app.
Strap comfort is decent out of the box — the included “Infinity” band is soft, sweat-resistant, and secure during workouts. Fitbit uses a proprietary quick-release mechanism for bands, which limits third-party options a bit, though more choices are available now than in years past.
Overall, the Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch is one of the most comfortable fitness-focused smartwatches in its class — sleek enough for daily wear, and unobtrusive enough for overnight use.
Companion App & Ecosystem
The Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch connects with the Fitbit mobile app, which remains one of the most polished and user-friendly health platforms available. It offers a rich dashboard for tracking steps, calories, heart rate, sleep quality, readiness score, and more. Data is visual, color-coded, and easy to interpret — perfect for both fitness newbies and data nerds alike.
All core metrics (steps, heart rate, sleep stages, stress management) are free to access, but many of the more detailed features — like **Daily Readiness Score**, long-term trends, and advanced health reports — are gated behind **Fitbit Premium** ($9.99/month after a 6-month trial). While the Premium features are genuinely helpful, the paywall remains a sticking point for some users, especially given the $199.99 price tag.
Watch settings, notifications, and tile configurations are managed through the Fitbit app as well. It’s reliable, regularly updated, and integrates with services like Google Fit, MyFitnessPal, and Strava (though syncing can be delayed at times).
In terms of ecosystem, the Versa 4 feels like it exists in a Fitbit bubble. It doesn’t tie into Google Wallet, doesn’t support Google Assistant (despite being a Google-owned company), and doesn’t offer app store access like a full Wear OS device. It’s a great tracker — but not a true smartwatch in the ecosystem sense.
Still, for users who live in Fitbit’s world and don’t mind the Premium upsell, the experience is clean, stable, and easy to stick with long term.
Final Verdict
Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch
The Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch is a leaner, more focused fitness smartwatch that doubles down on health tracking while trimming back its smart capabilities. It’s a great choice for users who want a comfortable, sleek wearable with excellent battery life, accurate sleep and heart rate monitoring, and no-fuss daily insights.
That said, the Versa 4 also feels like a step back in some key areas. The removal of music controls, third-party apps, and Google Assistant makes it noticeably less “smart” than its predecessor. And while Fitbit Premium adds value, locking major features like the Readiness Score behind a subscription on a $200 device may rub some users the wrong way.
For those who care more about fitness tracking and long battery life than about voice assistants or wrist-based apps, the Versa 4 still offers strong value. But if you’re looking for a true smartwatch experience — or want the most advanced sensors Fitbit has to offer — the Sense 2 (or a Wear OS alternative) may be a better fit.
Recommended for: Health-focused users, Android or iPhone owners who don’t need deep smartwatch features, and anyone who prioritizes comfort, battery life, and Fitbit’s excellent app experience.
FAQ
Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch
What’s the difference between the Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch and Sense 2?
The Versa 4 is focused on fitness and daily health tracking, while the Sense 2 includes advanced sensors like ECG and cEDA for heart rhythm and stress detection. If you want deeper wellness metrics, the Sense 2 is the better option — but it costs more.
Does the Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch support music apps or controls?
No. Unlike the Versa 3, the Versa 4 does not support Spotify, Pandora, or local music playback. There are no onboard music controls, which is a step backward for users who enjoy working out with music.
Can I use Google Assistant on the Versa 4?
No. The Versa 4 only supports Amazon Alexa for voice control. Google Assistant, which was previously supported on the Versa 3, has been removed.
Is the Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch compatible with iPhone?
Yes, the Fitbit Versa 4 Smartwatch works with both Android and iOS. However, iPhone users can’t reply to notifications or texts — that’s an Android-only feature.
Does Fitbit Premium come with the Versa 4?
Yes, you get a 6-month trial of Fitbit Premium with purchase. After that, it’s $9.99/month to retain access to the Readiness Score, detailed sleep insights, and long-term health trends.
Additional Information
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