Fitbit makes Sense 2, Versa 4 & Inspire 3 official: what’s new & different?

Fitbit has made a trio of devices offical today. Following weeks and months of speculation, leaks and rumours we finally know all the details on the new fitness trackers. They all come with some iterative upgrades over the predecessor devices. In this article we compare Fitbit Sense 2 vs Sense, Versa 4 vs Versa 3 and Inspire 3 vs Inspire 2, and provide you with all the details on what actually is new.

It is worth mentioning right at the outset that none of these devices offer enough to warrant upgrading if you have their immediate predecessor. That’s because the changes are not that big. Think about it as an evolution rather than a revolution in terms of features.

But if you are in the market for a new device, we always suggest going for the latest version. It will have the most up-to-date internals and will benefit from software upgrades for a longer time. The trio goes on sale in September, but is available for pre-order now.

Fitbit has also included a free a six-month Fitbit Premium membership with any new purchase. This extends the core functionality to offer deeper insights into your health and fitness performance, it provides access to longer-term data, along with 1,000+ workouts and mindfulness sessions.

Here’s everything else you need to know.

Jump to:

Fitbit Inspire 3 vs Inspire 2 – a boost in display quality
Fitbit Versa 4 vs Versa 3 – slimmer look, new workout options
Fitbit Sense 2 vs Sense – even better stress management

Fitbit Inspire 3 vs Inspire 2 – a boost in display quality

We’ll start off with the lowest spec of the bunch, the Fitbit Inspire 3. That one is an upgraded version of a device that launched in September 2020. The company typically sticks to a two year update cycle so this release is bang on schedule.

The main news with this entry-level device is a boost in display quality. You could say that it now represents a blend between Luxe and Inspire 2. That’s because it packs a high-res AMOLED display instead of a plain old monochrome one. That should make everything much more readable, particularly on the go.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The look of the fitness band is not all-too-different from its predecessor. It adopts a slightly thinner than before “traditional” fitness band, form-factor – which Fitbit has stuck to since its origins. The housing of the device is still plastic. And that’s one difference between Luxe and Inspire 3 – the second lacks the stainless steel case of the first so is a bit less fancy looking.

Here are pics of Inspire 3 and Inspire 2 side-by-side. As you can see, the devices look similar with a single button on the side. One difference is that the monochrome display of the previous generation looks more curved than the AMOLED on Inspire 3.

Fitbit Inspire 3 vs 2 – a few more features

Moving on to functionality – and Inspire 3 gets always-on SpO2 monitoring, irregular heart rhythm notifications (FDA approved), and Active Zone Minutes. Beyond that its much of the same. We suspect, though, that some of the sensors have been upgraded to the latest generation so should be more accurate.

Still no built-in GPS which is to be expected from a low-cost device. As before, you can get around this by tapping into your smartphone’s satellite signal for location tracking.

One would expect the new AMOLED display on Inspire 3 to effect battery life. But Fitbit has managed to retain the 10 days between charges thanks to a larger capacity battery. Excellent battery life has always been something Fitbit is known for.

Fitbit Inspire 3 is available for around $100 on Fitbit’s website (ships by September 15th), so the price is unchanged from the predecessor device. You’ll need to decide between Midnight Zen, Morning Glow and Lilac Bliss colour choices if making a purchase.

Here’s a table illustrating the main similarities & differences between Fitbit Inspire 3 vs 2.

Fitbit Versa 4 vs Versa 3 – slimmer look, new workout options

Next up the specs scale is Fitbit Versa 4. That one is marketed by the company as a fitness or exercise-focused watch and is a slight upgrade over Versa 3 which was launched about two years ago.

At first glance the two generations look identical. But just like Inspire 3, Fitbit Versa 4 is slightly thinner than its predecessor. The company has obviously managed to shrink the interals allowing for a narrower build. The device is also said to be lighter, although we do not have details yet of its actual weight.

The other difference is the now-physical (previously haptic) button. This is located slightly higher on the left side of the case. Also, the band attachment to the core unit is a bit higher up so that the device sits more snuggly against the wrist. Despite all this, if you put Versa 4 and 3 side-by-side, you will be challenged to tell the difference between them.

Fitbit Versa 4 vs 3: evolution of existing tech

If we go beyond the hype that this is a new device, in reality under the hood there is not too much that is different. You get the same bunch of sensors as before so it’s an evolution of existing tech.

Having said that, you do get quite a lot. This includes heart rate tracking, steps/distance/calories, Cardio Fitness Score, detailed sleep tracking, Daily Readiness Score, stress, HRV, skin temperature, SpO2 and much much more. And let’s not forget the built-in GPS which debuted on Versa 3.

As far as activity tracking, Versa 4 has 40 exercise modes so 20 more than before. Some of the additions are HIIT, dance, CrossFit and weight lifting.

The device can also deliver irregular heart rhythm notifications which can help with identifying signs of atrial fibrillation (afib). This functionality requires regulatory approval in order to be enabled. So far, Fitbit has this in a bunch of countries including: the United States, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Fitbit Versa 4 vs 3: tweaked operating system, new Google smarts

The more newsworthy bit of information is the slightly tweaked operating system. No, Fitbit’s new smartwatches do not run on WearOS. But they do get a revamp of the company’s proprietary operating system. You now get customisable tiles which you can use to start exercises, see weather and do other nifty stuff. It is a visual overhaul for a more Apple Watch-like experience.

Plus, you get some Google-driven smarts such as, on-the-go navigation with Google Maps and Google Pay with Google Wallet, which are expected to arrive in the weeks/months ahead. This makes sense given that the search giant owns Fitbit. The company says older watches will get the Google functionality updates, too. On-wrist Bluetooth calls are also said to be coming soon.

Once again, Versa 4 retails for exactly the same price as its predecessor. A total of $230 will get one of these shipped to you by September 23rd. The colour choice is between Black/Graphite, Waterfall Blue / Platinum, Pink Sand / Copper Rose and Beet Juice / Copper Rose. We suspect the company will now phase out Versa 3 and perhaps retain Versa 2 as the more affordable, non built-in GPS option.

Check out the table showing how Fitbit Versa 4 vs 3 compare.

Fitbit Sense 2 vs Sense – even better stress management

Sense 2 is being marketed by Fitbit as a health-focused smartwatch. While the fitness tracking tech is the same as what can be found on Versa 4, the device offers a bit more for health management. This includes sensors to track your stress in greater detail, along with the ability to take ECG measurements.

Similar to the other new additions launched today, Sense 2 is 10% thinner and 15% lighter than before. It also seems to sport a curvier body. The other important visual change is that the physical button has made a comeback.

Fitbit Sense 2 vs Sense – a new Body Response sensor

This is the company’s most advanced fitness tracker to date. So everything you get on Versa 4, you will also get on Sense 2.

As far as other functionality, Fitbit has taken stress management further. There’s a new Body Response sensor on-board that is capable of continuously monitoring electrodermal activity (cEDA). Previously, these types of measurements were only available on demand. If Sense 2 determines you are under stress, it will provide suggestions on how to stay in a more chilled state. To this end, the device has a metal frame around its display which is used to measure EDA responses on your skin.

Available to pre-order for $299 on Fitbit’s website, Sense to is expected to ship by September 29th. Once again, these are pretty much iterative upgrades so probably not worth the expense if you have the original device.

What follows is a table outlining the similarities and differences between Fitbit Sense 2 vs Sense.

Like this article? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and never miss out!