Apple Watch Series 4 vs. Fitbit Versa: Which One Should You Buy?

One question I always get asked before the holidays is: Should I get an Apple Watch or Fitbit?

The answer always depends on what you want. Apple this week revealed its new Apple Watch Series 4 with some of the most significant upgrades since 2015. That includes a larger display, upgraded sensors, and new heart health features. Meanwhile, the Fitbit Versa is a pared-down version of last year's Ionic. Affordable, accurate, and blessed with a long battery life, the Versa is a compelling choice for anyone shopping for a smartwatch.

Both feature square screens, heart rate monitoring, and their own app ecosystems. Both will notify you when your friends and family want to get in touch. So which one should you pick? Read on to find out.

Design and Features

At a glance, the Apple Watch Series 4 and Fitbit Versa ($131.99 at Amazon) could easily be mistaken for each other. In fact, I frequently have to correct friends and coworkers when I wear the Versa for testing that it is indeed, not an Apple Watch. This is because they're both slim, have similar color options, and sport a rounded square color display.

That said, there's a clear difference in screen quality between the Series 4 and the Versa. First, the Series 4 display is larger, coming in 40mm and 44mm options. That's a more than 30 percent increase from previous iterations. Apple also drastically increased the Watch's screen real estate by nearly eliminating any bezel, allowing you to see more information at a glance; new watch faces can hold up to eight complications versus five on earlier models. Comparatively, the Versa's display measures 0.95 inches on each side, has a resolution of 300-by-300 pixels, and a rather large bezel.

When it comes to metrics, both are capable of tracking steps, distance, elevation, a variety of exercises, and come with NFC payment options. (Though for the Versa, you'll have to shell out an extra $30 for the Special Edition). They're also both swimproof. One major difference, however, is GPS. The Versa doesn't come with standalone GPS; the Watch does. The Versa also doesn't support LTE connectivity, making the LTE model of the Series 4 the better option for phone-free runs.

Both come with optical heart rate sensors. The Versa also features Sp02 sensors, which are capable of measuring blood saturation levels. Fitbit hasn't launched any features that utilize this yet, but it's an open secret that the company is working on a way to detect sleep apnea using these sensors.

Meanwhile, the Series 4 just went all-in on heart health. In addition to an optical sensor, it now features electrodes that enable it to take an electrocardiogram (ECG). Plus, the Series 4 can notify you if your heart rate is too low or if it detects an abnormal heart rhythm that resembles atrial fibrillation.

Another major distinction between the two is battery life. You'll get around four to five days of battery on a single charge with the Versa, and that's with continuous heart rate monitoring. Meanwhile, the Series 4 is limited to an estimated 18 hours, so expect to charge it every night. If you opt for an LTE version, keep in mind that tends to drain battery even quicker.

If you're interested in sleep tracking, the Apple Watch's shorter battery life isn't your friend. And while you can download a third-party app for this purpose, it doesn't track sleep natively. The Versa is a better smartwatch if you're trying to improve your sleep. Not only do you get advanced sleep tracking metrics, you can get helpful tips and insight in the app for building a better night-time routine.

Ecosystem vs. Community

While Fitbit's OS and app ecosystem is still nascent, Apple has had years to build out its third-party app offerings. What this means is you'll get a more robust smartwatch experience from the Series 4, especially with the upcoming watchOS 5 update on Sept. 17.

In addition to a new walkie-talkie feature, we're expecting to see better automatic activity tracking, more detailed running metrics, Apple Podcasts, and improved Siri integration. And if you're big into the Internet of Things, the Apple Watch is the better device for controlling smart home devices.

However, if competition is a motivating factor, Fitbit wins hands down. The Series 4 is prohibitively priced at $399 for a GPS-only version and $499 for an LTE version (not including additional carrier costs). The Versa is a mere $199.95 and $229.95 for a NFC-enabled Special Edition. So you'll generally have a smaller pool of friends to compete with in Activity Challenges, a feature expected in watchOS 5. Meanwhile, there are Fitbits in every price range and the community is well-established. You can easily compete with friends, family, and complete strangers. (Or even yourself in a solo challenge).

Which One Is Right for You?

First things first, take a look at your smartphone. If you're an Android user, the Apple Watch isn't a viable option unless you're willing to switch to iPhone. The Versa, meanwhile, is platform-agnostic and can be used with iOS, Android, or even a Windows Phone.

But if you have the choice, it's most important to consider the experience you desire. The Versa and Series 4 have capable fitness tracking, but as always, the Versa remains better for anyone who's fitness-focused and looking to get simple push notifications. The gap is shrinking, though, with watchOS 5 offering greater fitness options. And while Fitbit has increased its app offerings, it still has a long ways to go before it can match the Apple Watch's notification, AI, and smart home control capabilities.

The Versa is available now, and earned our Editors' Choice for smartwatches earlier this year thanks to its stylish form factor, long battery life, and capable fitness tracking. You can pre-order the Apple Watch Series 4 starting Sept. 14, with watches shipping on Sept. 21. We'll be sure to put it through its paces once it's available, so check back soon for a full review.

Fitbit Versa Review