Fitbit is one of the most popular wearable device makers on the market, and today it introduced its newest smartwatch.
The Fitbit Versa 2 is now available for pre-order ahead of its September 15 launch. Pricing starts at $199.95 for the base Versa 2, or you can step up to the Versa 2 Special Edition for $229.95 and get a premium jacquard woven band and a free three-month trial of Fitbit's new Fitbit Premium service.
One of the major new features of the Fitbit Versa 2 is its Amazon Alexa integration. You can press a button to interact with Alexa and ask questions, set alarms and timers, check the weather, and control smart home devices. You can also use Alexa to begin Fitbit exercises using your voice.
Fitbit has also upgraded the screen and processor on the Versa 2, giving it a larger AMOLED screen compared to the first Versa that also offers an optional always-on display mode. And when it comes to battery life, Fitbit touts that its new Versa 2 can get you five days on a single charge.
Of course, since it's a Fitbit, sleep and activity tracking are important features of the Versa 2. There's 24/7 heart rate tracking, more than 15 exercise modes, a swimproof body, and personalized reminders to help keep you on track with your goals. There's female health tracking in there, too, as well as sleep-focused features like sleep tracking and a Sleep Score that'll tell you how well you've slept.
The Fitbit Versa 2 also includes Fitbit Pay so that you can make mobile payments and access seven transit systems, including New York MTA OMNY and Transport for London. Spotify comes preloaded on the Versa 2 as well, and the watch can show you your smartphone notifications on your wrist. Android users can use the Versa 2's built-in microphone to reply to texts and other notifications from their wrist.
Also announced today is Fitbit Premium. This paid subscription service will launch in September 2019 at a price of $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year. It'll be available in English in 17 countries through the Fitbit app this fall, and it'll expand to other languages in 2020, including Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.
A subscription to Fitbit Premium gets you nine guided health and fitness programs, such as Intro to Health Habits, Run Training, and Habits for Restful Sleep. You'll get personalized insights on your activity training to help you reach your goals, too, as well as advanced sleep features like Sleep Restoration that'll help you visualize your sleeping heart rate and work to get better sleep. And finally, there are thousands of audio and video workouts from certified personal trainers.
Fitbit plans to make its Fitbit Premium service even better in the future by adding games and challenges. These include an All for One challenge that'll let you team up with friends or family members to reach a shared goal and a Get Fit Bingo game that'll have you competing with friends to perform different activities and play a game of Bingo.
Rounding out today's announcements is the Fitbit Aria Air. This affordable smart scale includes Bluetooth and can sync with the Fitbit app to calculate BMI and give you a better overall view of your fitness.
The Fitbit Aria Air will be available for pre-order in late September 2019 and it will launch in mid-October, with pricing set at $49.95.
