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Fitbit Versa Lite vs Versa vs Versa Special Edition – What’s the Difference?

fitbit versa lite vs versa vs versa special edition
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The much successful Fitbit Versa has a new version, the Versa Lite which was announced recently and in addition to the former Versa Special edition makes it three fine timepieces under one Versa family. All three are fitness focused which is just in line with the Fitbit mission, although each has specific features that singles it out from the pack. This is a comparison of the Fitbit Versa Lite Edition vs Versa vs Versa Special edition, head-to-head we compare their specs, features and price. So you understand what’s in for you and which is the best choice for you.

Fitbit Versa Lite Edition vs Versa vs Versa Special edition – Specifications

Fitbit Versa Lite EditionFitbit VersaFitbit Versa Special Edition
fitbit versa lite specsfitbit versa specsfitbit versa special edition specs

ABOUT DEVICE

Device nameFitbit Versa LiteFitbit Versa
(discontinued)
Fitbit Versa Special edition
(discontinued)
Device typeSporty/Fitness smartwatchSporty/Fitness smartwatchSporty/Fitness smartwatch
Predessesor------
SuccessorFitbit Versa 2Fitbit Versa 2Fitbit Versa 2
Released dateMarch, 2019April, 2018April, 2018
Ideal forUnisexUnisexUnisex

DISPLAY

Display typeTransflective
colored
LCD
Transflective
colored
LCD
Transflective
colored
LCD
Display size1.34 inch1.34 inch1.34 inch
Display resolution348 x 250 pixel348 x 250 pixel348 x 250 pixel
Pixel density------
Input typeTouchscreen
1 physical button
Touchscreen and 3 buttonsTouchscreen and 3 buttons
Always-onNoNoYes
Customizable watch faceYesYesYes

BODY

ShapeRectangular/curvedRectangular/curvedRectangular/curved
Dimension35 x 24.07 x 11.2 mm35 x 24.07 x 11.2 mm35 x 24.07 x 11.2 mm
Weight__38 grams38 grams
Casing materialAluminumAluminumAluminum
Strap/band materialPolyesterPolyesterPolyester
Bezel Material------
Strap size140 - 180 mm (small)
180 - 220 mm (large)
140 - 180 mm (small)
180 - 220 mm (large)
140 - 180 mm (small)
180 - 220 mm (large)
Interchangeable band YesYesYes
Screen protectionCorning Gorilla glass 3Corning Gorilla glass 3Corning Gorilla glass 3
Water resistant/ProtectionYes, 5ATMYes, 5ATMYes, 5ATM
Swim-proofYes, recommendedYes, recommendedYes, recommended
Color(s)Marina blue
Mulberry
Lilac
White
Gold, gray, blackRose-gold
Graphite

MEMORY

RAM------
Internal storage__About 4GBAbout 4GB
Memory card slotNoNoNo

CONNECTIVITY

BluetoothBluetooth v4.0 LEBluetooth v4.0 LEBluetooth v4.0 LE
Bluetooth callingNoNoNo
Wi-FiNoYesYes
NFCNoYesYes
Payment systemNoFitbit PayFitbit Pay
GPSNo, (connected GPS)No, (connected GPS)No, (connected GPS)

CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY

TechnologyNoNoNo
SIMNoNoNo
BandNoNoNo

NOTIFICATIONS

Email alertYesYesYes
SMS alertYesYesYes
Calls alertYesYesYes
Event reminderYesYesYes
WeatherYesYesYes
Third-party appsYesYesYes
Text responseYes (android only)Yes (android only)Yes (android only)

FITNESS TRACKING

Sleep apneaNoNoNo
Sleep trackingYesYesYes
StepsYesYesYes
Floors climbedYesYesYes
Heart rate monitoringYesYesYes
CaloriesYesYesYes
DistanceYesYesYes
StressYesYesYes
VO2 Max.YesYesYes
Blood oxygenYesYesYes
Blood pressureNoNoNo
Menstrual cycle trackingYesYesYes
Swim trackingYesYesYes
Under-water heart rate trackingNoNoNo
Preloaded mapsNoNoNo
On-screen workout modesNoYesYes
Triathlon mode______
ECG TrackingNoNoNo
Preloaded sport modesYesYesYes
Safety trackingNoNoNo

MEDIA

AudioNomp3/mp4mp3/mp4
Music streamingNoYesYes
Bluetooth musicNoYesYes
RadioNoNoNo
LoudspeakerNoNoNo
MicrophoneNoNoNo
CameraNoNoNo

SENSORS

PLATFORM

Operating system (OS)Fitbit OSFitbit OSFitbit OS
Chipset------
CPU------
GPU------

BATTERY

Type of batteryNon-removable lithium polymerNon-removable lithium polymerNon-removable lithium polymer
Battery capacity __145mAh145mAh
Battery lifeMixed usage: 4 days+Mixed usage: up to 5 daysMixed usage: up to 5 days
Charging typeUSB based charging dockUSB based charging dockUSB based charging dock
Charging timeAbout 1-2 hoursAbout 1-2 hoursAbout 1-2 hours
Battery saver modeNoNoNo
Solar powerNoNoNo
Rapid chargingNoNoNo

CLOCK FEATURES

Time/DateYesYesYes
StopwatchYesYesYes
AlarmYesYesYes

OTHER FUNCTIONS

Control camera___
Music controlYesYesYes
Find phoneYesYesYes

MISC

Compatibility Android, IOS

Check supported devices
Android, IOS

Check supported devices
Android, IOS

Check supported devices
Companion appFitbit AppFitbit AppFitbit App
Voice commandNoNoNo

BOX CONTENTS

Fitbit Versa LiteFitbit VersaFitbit Versa Special Edition
Strap (small and large)Strap (small and large)Strap (small and large)
Magnetic charging dockMagnetic charging dockMagnetic charging dock
Quick start guideQuick start guideQuick start guide
NOTE: We can't guarantee that all the information on this table are 100% correct. Read full disclaimer. Please, report an error.
Official SiteOfficial SiteOfficial Site

Fitbit Versa Lite Edition vs Versa vs Versa Special edition – The Differences

Fitbit Versa Lite EditionFitbit VersaFitbit Versa Special Edition
Floors climbedNoYesYes
Music Storage (stores over 300+ tracks)NoYesYes
NFCNoYes, (APAC and EMEA countries)Yes (US)
Onscreen WorkoutNoYesYes
Swim laps countNoYesYes
Number of bandsOne (Large and small)One (Large and small)Two (classic: large and small)
(woven: large and small)
Features Compared

  1. Design

  2. The three members of the Fitbit Versa family all look alike, same sleek and moderate case size that stylish and elegant. The main difference in the design of these three is the presence of one button on the Versa Lite instead of three present on both the Versa and Versa special edition.

    Another differentiating factor is the color differences. The Versa comes in three variants; all black band/case, peach color band/rose-gold case and gray band/silver case, while the Versa Special edition comes in two variants; charcoal woven band/graphite case and lavender woven band/rose-gold case. The Versa Lite edition, on the other hand comes in four variants; white band/silver case, lilac band/sliver case, marine blue band/case and mulberry band/case. So, there are plenty of options here to choose from.

    Out of the box, you will get two different sizes of bands (large and small) with any of these. However, if you order for the Versa Special edition, you will get one extra woven band (large and small). The Woven band looks quiet adorable and certainly will add the needed touch of class to your outfit.

  3. Connectivity

  4. Both the Versa Special edition and Versa standard edition have NFC chip that supports Fitbit Pay mobile payments. However, the NFC chip in the Special edition is only available in the US while that in the Standard edition covers APAC and EMEA countries. There is no NFC chip in the Versa Lite and it also lacks Wi-Fi which is present in both the Special and Standard editions.

  5. Memory

  6. In terms of memory storage, both the Versa special and standard edition have support for onboard music storage. There is about 2.5GB ROM available which is able to store over 300 tracks. So you can listen to your favorite tunes on the go while working out or perhaps just recreating. There isn’t that significant onboard storage available on the Versa Lite. So you won’t be able to store files on it.

  7. Fitness Tracking


Each of the three members of the Versa family are fitness-focused. Each contains all the necessary sensors in addition to a huge list of fitness tracking features. However, the Versa lite lacks an altimeter which deprives it of the ability to track altitude levels like counting steps climbed.

In addition, while all three are swim-proof, the Versa Lite isn’t able to count swim laps, so it isn’t the best companion for avid swimmers.

Which is the Best Choice For You?

Fitness tracking is at the heart of each of the three members of the Versa family, however, while there are slight differences in the price, the Versa standard edition is no doubt the best choice. The Versa costs less, even though it has almost the same features as the Versa Special edition except that the latter comes with an additional woven band. It’s no doubt the best bargain for someone outside the US.

However, for US residents, the Versa Special edition is the best choice. While it’s slightly costlier than the other two, it’s still a great bargain.

On the other hand, The Versa Lite edition is also a holistic choice. If you on a tight budget, the Versa Lite is a nice alternative to the other Versa versions. A great bargain that qualifies as a perfect choice for beginners.

Here is a summary;

FITBIT VERSA The best choice for residents outside the US, gives great value for money.
FITBIT VERSA SPECIAL EDITIONThe best choice for residents in the US.
FITBIT VERSA LITE EDITIONA cheaper alternative, also a great fitness tracker.

2 thoughts on “Fitbit Versa Lite vs Versa vs Versa Special Edition – What’s the Difference?”

  1. Take two. I’ve tried to leave this comment twice but the website keeps glitching. I will go ahead and do it one more time for the people 🙂

    My comment is just a point out a small but important typo/mistake in the comparison chart. The Versa SE column shows “no” in the Wi-Fi row under connectivity. There are very few differences between the 3 watches and that being one of them makes it pretty important so I thought it would be worth mentioning. Most people probably figure it out but, it might be helpful to change that.

    1. Sorry it took this long to reply. I’ve corrected the mistake, and thank you so much for taking out time to point that out.

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