## Fitbit Versa 3 and Apple Watch Ultra 2: Detailed Comparison
Choosing between the Fitbit Versa 3 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 can be a daunting task as they cater to different needs and budgets. Let’s take a look at a detailed comparison to help you make the right choice.
Design and Construction
The Fitbit Versa 3 has a sleek, curved design with a 1.5-inch AMOLED display. It looks modern and is comfortable to wear. The aluminum body and rounded shape give it a premium look, but it doesn’t appear bulky.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2, on the other hand, is a robust device with a large titanium case and flat sapphire crystal. Built for extreme use and outdoor adventures, it’s clearly bigger and heavier on the wrist. The bright orange control buttons add to its bold aesthetic.
The Versa 3’s AMOLED display is bright and saturated enough for most conditions, but it can’t match the Apple Watch Ultra 2’s extremely bright display with up to 3,000 nits of brightness. The Ultra 2’s display is surprisingly easy to read even in direct sunlight, making it ideal for outdoor activities. The Versa 3 is good, but the Ultra 2 outperforms it in terms of visibility.
The Fitbit Versa 3 has built-in GPS, tracks heart rate, monitors sleep, and can take phone calls on your wrist. It can also integrate with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The Versa 3 does a great job with everyday fitness tracking and basic smartwatch functions.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 with the new S9 chip has much faster processing and improved performance. It includes features such as a siren, underwater computer, and dual-frequency GPS. The double-tap function is a breakthrough for convenient interaction. However, the blood oxygen sensor is not available in the new US model due to a patent dispute.
Battery Life
One of the biggest advantages of the Fitbit Versa 3 is its impressive battery life. With regular activity tracking, notifications, and a few GPS workouts a week, you can typically use it for about five days. With the Always On display enabled, that time drops to two to three days.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a longer battery life than other Apple Watches - up to two days with normal use. While this is an improvement for Apple, it falls short of the Versa 3’s longevity.
GPS Accuracy
The Fitbit Versa 3’s GPS is generally reliable for tracking running and hiking, connecting quickly and providing accurate routes. However, it’s not as accurate as watches with high-end GPS. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has dual-frequency GPS, which should improve accuracy. However, there are reports of unstable GPS accuracy in urban areas with dense high-rise buildings.
User Experience
The Fitbit Versa 3 features touch-sensitive buttons, but sometimes they don’t recognize touch. The user interface can also be slow.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2, on the other hand, offers a smoother user interface thanks to the new S9 chip. The double-tap feature is a useful feature that allows users to interact without using the screen. However, some users may find the Ultra 2’s large size and bulkiness uncomfortable.
Health and Fitness Tracking
The Fitbit Versa 3 provides detailed sleep tracking and displays sleep stages, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels. Sleep metrics are a useful indicator for understanding sleep quality.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 also offers fitness tracking, but sleep tracking isn’t always accurate, especially bedtime tracking. The blood oxygen sensor is disabled on newer U.S. models, which is a significant drawback.
Calls and Messages
The Fitbit Versa 3 lets you make calls right on your wrist, and the sound quality is good in quiet environments. However, iPhone users can’t reply to text messages from the watch.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 can also make calls and reply to messages, making this feature more convenient for iPhone users.
Pros and Cons of Fitbit Versa 3
- Pros:
- Built-in GPS: To track activity without your phone.
- Calling feature: Receive calls on your wrist.
- Voice Assistant: Choice of Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
- Display: Bright and vivid 1.5-inch AMOLED display.
- Accurate heart rate and sleep tracking.
- App integration: Convenient Fitbit app with detailed health information.
- Cons:
- Buttons: Touch-sensitive buttons are not always responsive.
- User interface: User interface stutters and freezes at times.
- App selection: Limited selection of apps in the Fitbit store.
- SPO2: SPO2 measurements are only available during sleep and on some watch faces.
- No option for iPhone users to reply to text messages.
- Speakers: Speakers are not loud enough in noisy environments.
Pros and Cons of Apple Watch Ultra 2
- Pros:
- Display: Very bright display (up to 3000 nits), readable even in direct sunlight.
- Performance: Faster processing and improved performance thanks to the new S9 chip.
- Double tap: Double tap function for convenient interaction.
- Battery: Longer battery life (up to two days) than other Apple Watches.
- Titanium case and sapphire crystal display glass for high durability.
- Outdoor features: Siren, dive computer, and dual-frequency GPS for outdoor activities.
- Cons:
- Blood Oxygen: Disabled blood oxygen sensor on newer models for the US.
- Price: High price makes it a significant investment.
- Size: Large and bulky, may not be convenient for all users.
- GPS: GPS accuracy is unstable in dense urban areas.
- Sleep tracking: Sleep tracking accuracy is poor.
Final Thoughts
The Fitbit Versa 3 is a great choice for those looking for a reliable fitness tracker with basic smartwatch features at a more affordable price. It is perfect for everyday use and has good battery life.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2, on the other hand, is for those who want a rugged, high-performance smartwatch with advanced features. It requires a significant investment but offers premium features with a brighter display, faster processing, and unique features such as dual-touch gestures. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your needs and budget.