Fitbit's New Versa Lite Edition Costs Less Than Half as Much as the Apple Watch

eoblaed said:
1/10th the functionality for 1/2 the cost.

Sounds like a winner!
Click to expand...

I wouldn't go that far. They are decent fitness trackers and they do integrate into Apple Health. However they also are insecure and as far as build quality goes, every one that I had fell apart.
 
I used to be into less expensive fitness trackers before buying my first AW. They actually aren't too bad if that is all that you use them for; it is a good product for those looking for fitness tracking and not much more. One of my reasons for sticking with AW (if my AW S3 dies) was that I had to travel overseas into a secured area where I had to leave my phone in a locker until the end of the work day, and the only good way for me to communicate with my wife before her bed time was via the watch, since the watch was still connected to my wifi hotspot. This was back when I still had AW S0.
 
A colleague came back from China and had a Smartwatch/Fitnesstracker for 15 Euro, inkl ECG measure option.
He was as happy as a child.
You can make children happy if the price is right and they don't know what an Apple Watch can do.

Exactly the same here.

Why is this scrap actually presented in Macrumors (by people who know the superiority of AppleWatch in all ways)?
Did Fitbits give away 2 watches?
 
My series 2 Apple Watch has so far lasted 3 times as long as any of the five different fitbits I purchased before it, AND it looks better and does more than any of the fitbit devices ever did. (and it's still going strong so, unfortunately, I won't be getting a Series 4 or 5)
 
I can turn Bluetooth off on my Garmin Vivoactive 3... Can't do that on any Fitbit... Don't need an additional GPS device for golf, and battery life is good. I'm pretty happy with this
 
Trip Mitchell said:
My series 2 Apple Watch has so far lasted 3 times as long as any of the five different fitbits I purchased before it, AND it looks better and does more than any of the fitbit devices ever did. (and it's still going strong so, unfortunately, I won't be getting a Series 4 or 5)
Click to expand...
There must be something wrong with you if it took you 5 purchases with Fitbit and still kept buying them? Porky Pies?
 
ktecac said:
How hard is it to sync these things with Apple Health?

I was blown away that the answer when I searched this wasn't a simple "Yes" but "it requires a 3rd party app and then follow these x steps" among others.
I am only going to use it for workouts so don't need a true smart watch but if its a pain in the ass to sync with Apple Health I'll just pay the damn premium.
Click to expand...

But isn't Fitbit's fitness app better than Apple Health? I have an S3 and it's always telling me to close my rings and breathe for a minute, but in terms of actual exercise I feel like Fitbit did a much better job of it a couple of years ago than Apple currently does. I say a couple of years ago because that's how long I've been using an Apple Watch.
 
I guess this is Fitbit flooding the market with their fitness tracks so that they can subsequently try to sell them some sort of fitness programme.

Not a bad strategy, and probably the only real option left for them.
 
ani4ani said:
There must be something wrong with you if it took you 5 purchases with Fitbit and still kept buying them? Porky Pies?
Click to expand...

Well, I tried sequentially “better” fitbits and started purchasing them before any Apple Watches existed, I also had a Garmin, which was also much better than the fitbits. In the end I kept a Fitbit so my 70 year old mom could see my workout progress, compete with me and feel better, but thanks for suggesting there is something wrong with me.
 
Fitbit is still plagued with an absurd amount of people who complain that their devices are uncomfortable and cause a burning sensation on the wrist. I had one myself and had to return it after wearing it for 2 weeks.
Surely fitbit didn't comment on it.
 
If Versa have a GPS I would have got it the first time it was released. I always thought Fitbit is ahead when it comes to fitness wearables. But since there's no GPS I decided to get the Apple Watch and I love everything about Apple Watch except I miss having the sleep monitor.
 
joueboy said:
If Versa have a GPS I would have got it the first time it was released. I always thought Fitbit is ahead when it comes to fitness wearables. But since there's no GPS I decided to get the Apple Watch and I love everything about Apple Watch except I miss having the sleep monitor.
Click to expand...

I use the app AutoSleep for sleep tracking with my AW; it records the data into the Health app.
 
If cost is an issue, buy used! I found a series 2 in great condition on eBay for $180 Cdn.. Obviously its not the latest and greatest, but most of the Apple goodness is there, and it doesn't display the time any slower..
 
Last edited:
Considering how many fitbit devices died right after the warranty expired, it is not worth it.
 
jljue said:
I use the app AutoSleep for sleep tracking with my AW; it records the data into the Health app.
Click to expand...
I'm aware of those app but none of them close to Fitbit sleep tracking. If I want to do it on Apple Watch might as well just do the mind calculation of how many hours I'm on bed. Plus my Apple Watch don't have enough batteries to last me as my previous Fitbit. Night time is mostly when my watch stays on dock for charging but it's the tradeoff I'm willing to take. I'm happy with my Apple Watch and never going back to Fitbit it's limited to what I can do along with my iPhone.
 
Trip Mitchell said:
Well, I tried sequentially “better” fitbits and started purchasing them before any Apple Watches existed, I also had a Garmin, which was also much better than the fitbits. In the end I kept a Fitbit so my 70 year old mom could see my workout progress, compete with me and feel better, but thanks for suggesting there is something wrong with me.
Click to expand...


Yeah, you didn't get her an Apple Watch. I had that same scenario with my ex. She was Android/Fitbit. I came to my senses and went back to an iPhone. Then my second Charge HR physically fell apart which, along with Fitbit's total lack of security, led me to my first Apple Watch.

I dumped her.
 
willentrekin said:
But isn't Fitbit's fitness app better than Apple Health? I have an S3 and it's always telling me to close my rings and breathe for a minute, but in terms of actual exercise I feel like Fitbit did a much better job of it a couple of years ago than Apple currently does. I say a couple of years ago because that's how long I've been using an Apple Watch.
Click to expand...

I ended up going with a nice looking, Nokia Steel HR as a proof of concept for myself. Just had to actual try it because to me at least it wasn't clear how integration actually would work.
It was on sale (less than half the price of an Apple Watch 3) and doesn't look like a Smart Watch really - but I'm completely addicted now and get why a lot of reviewers said they were sold on the Apple Watch after a day of wearing it - so am just considering buying an Apple Watch in addition to this now (I would just return this but I like the option of having a more 'classic' looking watch for certain occasions).

The Nokia 'plays nice' with Apple Health - so the data can be shared back and forth quite easily in Apple Health. Its tracking my steps, calories, exercise, HR, distance, sleep etc and I can view in Apple Health or the Nokia/Withings app. But now that I'm like fascinated with the idea of a smart watch I'm leaning towards getting the Apple one for the full integration. There are things Apple Watch seems to track (I really like the 'standing' tracking that Apple Watch seems to have) that I wish this thing could do. I really want to get those damn rings but think I need Apple Watch for that (i can set goals, progress, unlock achievements with Nokia but never as satisfying as Apple's look lol)

REGARDING FITBIT - I've heard the same - that partially due to Fitbit doing it longer than Apple and kind of making this their hill to die on - they have some more accurate fitness related metrics and tracking.

However I do like the idea of integration with Apple Health since unlike Nokia/Withings and Fitbit - I know I'll keep using Apple hardware/Apple Health well into the future - so I want the data all in there as easy as possible. I think for Fitbit you need a third party syncing app (unlike this Nokia which directly links up with Apple Health). I'm not a hardcore fitness enthusiast so the difference between Apple and Fitbit exercise tracking likely not a deal breaker.

You may know all of this already but just thought I'd give my insights to anyone else who may be interest as well - since I spent many hours trying to understand this all lately and found best way to understand was to buy something.

Things I learned:
1) Once you get a 'smart' watch - you'll probably get addicted.
2) If you're going to spend more than $150 on it, just save yourself the hassle and go with an Apple one so you don't need any other apps / logins.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Back
Top