You have the option of purchasing either one of Fitbit’s two different smartwatches. In addition to this, we also have a large variety of different fitness bands.
The second edition of the Versa is, much like the Ionic before it, a fitness watch first and a smartwatch second. It retains many of the previous capabilities while also introducing some novel additions. So which option should you choose to pursue further? The following is a rundown to assist you in making your choice.
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Fitbit Versa 2 vs. Ionic: Which Is Better?
A few years ago, when we had our first look at the Ionic, we were not really thrilled by its boxy form. On the other hand, the Versa 2 is a wristwatch that resembles the Apple Watch in a manner that is more precise. The fact that it has rounded edges, is somewhat smaller, slightly thinner, and significantly lighter (40 grams as opposed to 50 grams) than the Ionic should make it more appealing to the female population.
Both of these smartwatches share a number of features, the most notable one being that they are constructed out of sturdy and lightweight 6000 series aerospace-grade aluminum. The sides of the Ionic have three physical buttons, with one located on the left and two located on the right. You are able to navigate across the display by using this in conjunction with the touch-screen. Because the Versa just has one physical button (located on the left), all of the navigation must be done through the use of the touch screen.
Although the displays on both watches are of good resolution, the Versa 2 is superior. The most recent edition of the Fitbit has a bigger screen than previous versions, but the overall dimensions of the gadget have remained the same. It has also changed the display from LCD to AMOLED, which was used in the previous edition of the Versa.
There is not much of a difference between the two behind the hood. Both watches are equipped with optical heart rate monitors, 3-axis accelerometers, 3-axis gyroscopes, altimeters, ambient light sensors, vibration motors, wi-fi antennas (802.11 b/g/n), and NFC (some versions).
In addition to this, the Ionic features an integrated GPS sensor, which is a key distinction to take into account. When you exercise outside, you can leave your phone behind thanks to the GPS, which gives you more accurate statistics on your pace and the distance you’ve traveled. Because the Versa 2 lacks this feature, it must be in close proximity to your phone in order to get the GPS readings on your device.
A sensor that the manufacturer refers to as a “relative SpO2 sensor” is also included in the smartwatches. Even if it hasn’t been put to good use just yet, this device, which detects the amounts of oxygen in the blood, has the potential to be utilized in the future to diagnose sleep apnea.
Battery life and water resistance compare the Fitbit Versa 2 to the Ionic
The lifespan of the battery is essential. It is not at all desirable for you to have to charge your smartwatch every single night. In this regard, neither of them falls short of expectations. The watches each have a lithium battery that is rechargeable and has a comparable amount of battery life. The hefty form of the Ionic enables it to squeeze 5 days of use out of a single charge, which is reduced to 10 hours with GPS turned on. The meter in verse 2 will be much the same.
Fitbit is well aware that the length of battery life is one of the most crucial selling points for any of its fitness trackers. Users are getting greater value for their money thanks to the steady increase in battery capacity that has been occurring over the past few years.
When it comes to making its wearables water resistant, it is abundantly evident that the corporation has acquired the knowledge necessary to do so. Both of these watches offer amazing water resistance of 5 ATM, which is equivalent to 50 meters, and will also keep track of your swimming workouts.
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Fitbit Versa 2 or Ionic: Specifications
Monitoring of activity
Both of them come with all that Fitbit has to offer in terms of activity monitoring features, as is to be expected. This consists of continuous monitoring of the user’s heart rate (including information on the user’s current, resting, and target heart rate zones), tracking of the user’s steps, distance traveled, floors climbed, active minutes, calories burnt, activity, and sleep, and more (Light, Deep, & REM).
The trackers will encourage you throughout the day by sending you reminders to move and will give you nudges to get moving if you are having a particularly sedentary day. There is also automatic activity recognition, which means that you will get credit even if you fail to log an exercise. This feature ensures that the app is always keeping track of your progress. During exercise tracking, the heart rate monitor will continue to save data at 1 second intervals, while it will store data at 5 second intervals at all other times.
You will, in the end, also receive some other, more advanced measures, such as your VO2 Max. This measure, which is expressed as milliliters of oxygen processed per kilogram of body weight per minute, informs you how efficiently your body uses oxygen when you are exerting yourself to the fullest extent, which is another way of saying how fit you are. And breathing exercises are a great way to keep stress at bay, so don’t forget to do those.
As was previously established, the internal GPS of the Ionic makes it possible to work out without needing your phone at all. You will have to rely on the GPS capabilities of your phone in order to record a map of your journey and view real-time metrics such as your pace and distance on the Versa.
Intelligent functionalities
When it comes to functions unrelated to fitness, each of these gadgets includes on-board storage of 2.5 gigabytes for music, in addition to the notifications they provide (enough to store up to 300 songs). This indicates that if you take the time and effort to set them up, they are capable of functioning as little iPods. Both can also run third-party apps downloaded from the company’s proprietary app store and come with contactless payment capabilities via Fitbit Pay.
Last but not least, the Amazon Alexa speech assistant is accessible through the microphone that is already embedded into the Versa 2 smartphone. You are able to query the watch for local weather data, and it will also provide you with control over your smart home as well as other features.
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Which should you buy, the Fitbit Versa 2 or the Ionic?
Both the Ionic and the Versa 2 are, first and foremost, fitness watches, with their respective smartwatch functions coming in a distant second. In terms of what they offer, they are quite comparable to one another if what you are looking for is something that can monitor your health and activities around the clock.
Having said that, there are some distinctions between the two that you need to be aware of. The most important difference is that the Ionic has a GPS receiver that is incorporated into the device, while the Versa just has a GPS receiver that is connected. As a result of this feature, the Ionic retails for around one third more than the Versa does as a result of this price disparity. It is quite unlikely that the built-in GPS will be of much use to you if you do not often engage in vigorous running.
A further significant distinction is in the design. The appearance of the Versa 2 is unmistakably more upscale. It has a more rounded appearance, is somewhat smaller, and has a slightly thinner and lighter profile. Both of these watches include water resistance and can keep track of your swimming workouts.
The aspects that are not related to fitness are comparable. This means that you receive on-board storage for music with a capacity of up to 300 tracks, the ability to make payments using NFC, and the same app store. The Amazon Alexa voice service and a microphone are both built into the Versa 2 speaker.
Both of these devices are capable of providing you with continuous monitoring of your fitness levels. Both of them go over the fundamentals and come equipped with an excellent app that is straightforward to use and has comparable social features. Because of its more rounded design, the Versa 2 will have greater appeal to the female population. If you are a runner who doesn’t mind the increase in price and the increase in size, you could find the built-in GPS on the Ionic to be useful.
