I pre-ordered the Fitbit Sense and it was delivered Thursday.

But given the early feedback, I won’t be sending my Fitbit off to ebay just yet.

I had intended to swap my Apple Watch for the new SE (in progress) and my Versa 2 for a Versa 3. While the band attachment improvements are confirmed (in the video above), the clasp on the default band is actually more fiddly and the band itself seems to interfere with securing that new magnetic charger in position. Google Assistant and voice phone calls will be enabled at a later date, which is has led to some confusion and frustration – not to mention I generally advise folks to not make purchases based on future promises. However, the Versa 3 is not yet feature-complete. Speaking of software, both the Versa 3 and Sense run the new Fitbit OS 5.0… which will not be backported to older devices. As a primary device interface, this is quite worrisome, but I’m hopeful much can be improved via software. Basically the same ding seen in the Fitbit Sense reviews. Several on reddit are complaining about the new, capacitive button are – it’s not entirely responsive, somewhat erratic, and not ideally positioned. Unfortunately, the proof is in the pudding and it’s not all good news. The Fitbit Versa 3 corrects all of these: onboard GPS, quick release band button, and magnetic charger. Lastly, it kinda stings that Fitbit’s highest-end device has packed a charger inferior to its lowest-end device. The band replacement mechanism is another Fitbit shortcoming that has led to many frustrating moments (including bloody fingernails). Sometimes it works, often slowly, sometimes it works for only a portion of my route, and sometimes it never works. Beyond not being able to leave my phone at home for walks or runs (which I wouldn’t), linking up with my phone’s GPS is frequently a frustrating affair. And the largest Versa 2 gap, as a fitness tracker, is the conspicuously absent onboard GPS.

And while “the press” remain bound by embargo, despite widespread retail availability, real customers have started chiming in.īut before we get ahead of ourselves, owning both a Versa 2 and Apple Watch Series 3, I can say each has its strengths and weaknesses. I’ve been anxiously awaiting the Fitbit Versa 3 ($229), as it addresses a number of my Versa 2 complaints.

Versa fitbit 3