Fitbit Versa 3 vs. Apple Watch Series 8: Which Smartwatch is Right for You?

Top Compras Updated: January 9, 2025

Fitbit Versa 3

7/10
Fitbit Versa 3
$179
Built-in GPS
Phone call capability
Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant
vs

Apple Watch Series 8

7.5/10
Apple Watch Series 8
$399.99
Fast charging
Always-on display
Advanced fitness tracking

Quick Overview

A detailed comparison between the Fitbit Versa 3 and the Apple Watch Series 8, covering design, features, battery life, pros, and cons.
## Fitbit Versa 3 vs. Apple Watch Series 8: Detailed Comparison

Choosing between the Fitbit Versa 3 and the Apple Watch Series 8 can seem like a big decision. Both devices are popular smartwatches, but they meet different needs and budgets. To understand which one is right for you, let’s take a look at a detailed comparison.

Design and Display

The Fitbit Versa 3 has a sleek, curved design with a 1.5-inch AMOLED display. It is comfortable to wear and looks modern. The display is bright and vibrant and easy to read in different lighting conditions. However, the tactile buttons are a bit finicky and sometimes don’t recognize touch, which can be frustrating when trying to quickly start a workout.

The Apple Watch Series 8, on the other hand, is more premium, with an always-on display. The design is similar to the Series 7, with clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic. The screen is bright and crisp, and the always-on feature is a big plus for quickly checking the time and notifications. However, the aluminum screen is prone to scratches, so you’ll want to look into a screen protector.

Fitness and Health Tracking

Both watches do a great job of fitness tracking, but they have different strengths: the Fitbit Versa 3 has built-in GPS, which is handy for tracking outdoor activity without a cell phone. The watch also provides accurate heart rate and sleep tracking, giving you detailed information about your health. The sleep tracking is particularly impressive, with sleep stages, heart rate and blood oxygen levels displayed. However, sp02 measurement is only available at night and requires a dedicated watch face, which is a bit inconvenient.

Apple Watch Series 8 offers advanced fitness tracking with customizable workout and heart rate zones. The watch also provides comprehensive health monitoring, including heart rate, blood oxygen and temperature sensors. The temperature sensor is particularly useful for tracking menstrual cycles and predicting ovulation. The Apple Watch is also equipped with car accident detection, which is nothing short of amazing. However, some of these features, such as blood oxygen level monitoring and traffic accident detection, may not be utilized by everyone.

Smart Features

Fitbit Versa 3 allows you to make calls on your wrist by selecting Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Call quality is good in quiet environments, but the speaker volume is not loud enough in noisy places. Unfortunately, iPhone users can’t reply to text messages from the watch. The Fitbit app is easy to use and provides detailed health information, but the range of apps in the Fitbit store is limited.

Apple Watch Series 8 offers seamless integration with iPhone. The watch offers seamless integration with iPhone: notifications, calls, and Apple Pay. The watch also has a rich app ecosystem with a wide selection of apps available. The digital crown can sometimes malfunction, causing unintentional volume changes, which can be frustrating; Apple Watch also offers fast charging, which is convenient for daily use, but battery life is limited to about one day and requires daily charging.

Battery life

Battery life is the main difference between the two devices, with the Fitbit Versa 3 boasting a much longer battery life that lasts for about five days of normal use. Even with the display on all the time, it lasts for two to three days. This is a big advantage for those who don’t want to charge the watch every night. On the other hand, the Apple Watch Series 8 lasts about one day under normal use. Even with fast charging, having to charge the watch every day may be a disadvantage for some users. If long battery life is important to you, the Fitbit Versa 3 is the clear winner in this category.

Pros and Cons

Fitbit Versa 3 Pros:

  • Built-in GPS allows you to track activity without your phone.
  • Calls can be made on your wrist.
  • Choice of Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
  • Bright and vibrant 1.5-inch AMOLED display.
  • Accurate heart rate and sleep tracking.
  • Easy-to-use Fitbit app.
  • Long battery life - up to 5 days.

Cons of Fitbit Versa 3:

  • Touch buttons are not always responsive.
  • Sometimes the user interface stutters and freezes.
  • Limited selection of apps in the Fitbit store.
  • SPO2 measurement is only available during sleep and on some watch faces.
  • iPhone users cannot reply to text messages.
  • Insufficient speaker volume.

Benefits of Apple Watch Series 8:

  • Fast charging provides quick power on.
  • Always-on display provides easy access to information.
  • Advanced fitness tracking customizable workouts.
  • Comprehensive health monitoring including temperature measurement.
  • Seamless integration with iPhone for notifications and calls.
  • Rugged design with shock, dust, and water protection.

Disadvantages of Apple Watch Series 8:

  • Temperature sensor data may not be immediately available for all users.
  • Battery life is about one day with normal use.
  • Aluminum screen scratches easily and requires a screen protector.
  • The digital crown may malfunction, causing unintentional volume changes.

Final Thoughts

The Fitbit Versa 3 and Apple Watch Series 8 are great smartwatches, but they accomplish different tasks: Fitbit Versa 3 offers long battery life, accurate fitness tracking, and usability at a more affordable price. The Fitbit Versa 3 is a better option for those who prioritize this at a more affordable price. The Apple Watch Series 8, on the other hand, is perfect for iPhone users who want seamless integration, advanced health features, and a premium experience. Ultimately, the best choice depends on individual needs and preferences.

Specification

FeatureFitbit Versa 3Apple Watch Series 8

Fitbit Versa 3

Pros

  • Built-in GPS for phone-free activity tracking.
  • Ability to take calls on the wrist.
  • Choice of Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
  • Bright and vibrant 1.5-inch AMOLED display.
  • Accurate heart rate and sleep tracking.
  • User-friendly Fitbit app with detailed health insights.

Cons

  • Inconsistent touch-sensitive button responsiveness.
  • Occasional UI stuttering and freezes.
  • Limited app selection in the Fitbit store.
  • SPO2 readings only available during sleep and with specific watch faces.
  • No text message reply for iPhone users.
  • Speaker volume is not loud enough for noisy environments.

Apple Watch Series 8

Pros

  • Fast charging allows for quick power-ups.
  • Always-on display provides easy access to information.
  • Advanced fitness tracking with customizable workouts.
  • Comprehensive health monitoring, including temperature sensing.
  • Seamless integration with iPhone for notifications and calls.
  • Durable design with crack resistance, dust tightness, and water resistance.

Cons

  • Temperature sensor data may not be readily accessible or useful for all users.
  • Battery life is limited to about a day with normal use, requiring daily charging.
  • The aluminum screen scratches easily, requiring a screen protector.
  • Digital crown can misfire, causing unintended volume changes.

Quick Verdict

Fitbit Versa 3

Read Full Review

The Fitbit Versa 3 is a great option for those who prioritize long battery life, accurate fitness tracking, and a user-friendly experience at a more affordable price.

7.5/10
Features
6.5/10
Performance
7.5/10
Value
7/10
Quality
7/10
Overall

Apple Watch Series 8

Read Full Review

The Apple Watch Series 8 is ideal for iPhone users who want seamless integration, advanced health features, and a premium experience, even if it means charging it daily.

8/10
Features
8.5/10
Performance
7/10
Value
7/10
Quality
7.5/10
Overall

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