BERLIN—Fitbit's Sense 2 and Versa 4 smartwatches aren't slated to begin shipping in the US for another three weeks, but the new fitness trackers are on display now at the IFA trade show.
I strolled up to the "Fitbit by Google" booth, and, to my delight, there they were—the premium Sense 2 ($299.95) and the midrange Versa 4 ($229.95). Based on my brief first impressions, Fitbit's latest smartwatches appear to offer major design and functionality improvements over the previous generation.
A New Look and Features
In a departure from their predecessors, the Sense 2 and Versa 4 are basically indistinguishable from each other in terms of design. The original Sense had a slightly fancier look with a shiny metal ring around the display that the Versa 3 lacked. This time around, the Sense 2 and the Versa 4 have the same satin case finish.
Of course, the pricier Sense 2 offers several features not available on the Versa 4. That includes an ECG app that can assess your heart rhythm, a skin temperature sensor, and a continuous electrodermal activity (cEDA) sensor for all-day stress tracking. If you're deciding between the two and don't necessarily care about those advanced health-tracking features, go with the more affordable Versa 4, because it otherwise looks and works the same.
Both new models feature a tactile mechanical button on the left side of the case, a huge upgrade from the somewhat unresponsive haptic button on the original Sense and Versa 3. Based on what I saw of both new wearables, responsiveness shouldn't be a problem this time around. The new mechanical button is much easier to press, and the display immediately lights up when you do.
The new mechanical button will, no doubt, offer improved day-to-day functionality, especially during workouts when your hands are sweaty. On both new models, the button features a shiny finish, for a nice contrast to the case.
The Biggest Improvement
Perhaps even more exciting, Fitbit seems to have significantly improved touch-screen responsiveness on both models. I found the displays on the original Sense and the Versa 3 to be frustratingly laggy, sometimes requiring several swipes to get a response. Functionality-wise, it was my biggest complaint about both models.
While handling the Sense 2 and Versa 4 here at IFA, I didn't experience this issue at all—the screens feel very zippy and immediately respond to swipes and taps. The displays are also bright and colorful like the last generation, and with their improved speeds, they may just be on par with the Apple Watch.
Fitbit says the Sense 2 is 10% thinner and 15% lighter than its predecessor while offering the same 6-day battery life. In the real world, these design improvements are immediately noticeable. A Fitbit representative at the IFA booth told me that these are the thinnest smartwatches on the market, even thinner than the Apple Watch. I haven't confirmed this, but I put the Sense 2 next to my Apple Watch Series 7, and it's hard to tell which one is thicker. When I get the units in for review, I'll be sure to take precise measurements to compare Apple's latest models.
I also got a look at the new Sense and Versa accessory straps here at IFA, and I'm a big fan of the new vegan leather ones. The good news is that if you have an original Sense or a Versa 3, you'll be able to use the same bands with the Sense 2 or Versa 4 because all four models work with the same 24mm straps.
Stay Tuned
The Sense 2 and Versa 4 are available for pre-order now and are expected to ship by September 23. They come with six months of Fitbit Premium (normally $9.99 per month or $79.99 a year), which gives you access to 90-day health metric trend graphs, over 1,000 workouts and meditation sessions, and more.
I'll be sure to run down the battery and test all the new features in our full review, so stay tuned. But based on this quick first look at IFA, I'm highly optimistic about Fitbit's fall lineup.