Fitbit Versa 3: new rumors analysed and our features wish list

It seems that we could see the Fitbit Versa 3 launch in September 2020 – if a new set of leaks are to be believed.

While uncertainty remains over Google’s acquisition of Fitbit, a trio of new devices looks set to land.

The all-new Fitbit Sense will be joined by a Fitbit Versa 3 smartwatch, according to leaks by Evan Blass. The timing figures out, with the Versa 2 also launched at the end of August – and Blass has an impeccable track record with Fitbit launches.

Fitbit Versa 3 rumors: GPS (and other leaked details)

While the front of the leaked images might not reveal much about the Fitbit Versa 3’s features, the back does include some iconography that could give us some ideas.

They suggest built-in GPS, which would be a first for the Versa.

It also suggests there will be a built-in microphone to offer Amazon Alexa support like the Versa 2 and it will be fit for swimming once again.

GPS has been one of our most-wanted Fitbit Versa 3 features. And when the feature popped up on the Fitbit Charge 4 earlier this year, we knew it would b e a she-in for the company’s smartwatches.

But to catch up with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and Apple Watch Series 5, Fitbit will need to add more than just GPS.

So here’s what we’d like to see:

Wishlist 1: Proper Spotify support

When Fitbit revealed it was including a music player on its smartwatches, most of the Wareable team crossed their fingers that it would play nice with Spotify. We were made to to wait for an official Spotify app to arrive in Fitbit’s App Gallery storefront, and when it did it wasn’t quite what we hoped for.

It let us start a playlist or a personalised mix, but what we really wanted was the offline playback support that Garmin and Samsung smartwatch users enjoy. Now is the time to give us that offline playlist support we crave Fitbit.

Wishlist 2: Bring SpO2 more into play

When Fitbit first entered the smartwatch fray back in 2017, the decision to include an SpO2 sensor to measure blood oxygen levels was marked as an exciting development.

Except it took until January of this year to take the sensor out of its dormant state to power its Estimated Oxygen Variation feature.

Fitbit downplayed that the data produced from the sensor for this feature could correlate with serious sleep disorders like sleep apnea.

We think it’s time that it shows us how it can really put this health sensor to greater use.

The sensor has featured in all of Fitbit’s smartwatches so far and there’s no reason to suggest it won’t be there on a new Versa as well.

We’d like to see what other insights this potentially valuable sensor could offer, whether that’s related to serious health monitoring or for fitness.

Wishlist 3: Track more exercises

If you walk, run, swim or cycle, then the Versa serves you well as far the kind of metrics you can see during and after your workout.

While the current Versa promises to track 19 different exercises, the metrics that are on offer for those activities varies.

Why we wouldn’t expect Fitbit to have found a better way introduce kickboxing-centric stats, it would be good to see some form of recognition for yoga poses or extra metrics and insights for activities like circuit training that go beyond heart rate monitoring.

It’s previously tested out a tennis app in the Fitbit Labs, so it doesn’t feel out of the realm of possibility we could and should get better metrics for a wider range of activities.

Wishlist 4: Become more mindful

If ever there was a time that we needed to take more care over a mental wellbeing as well as our physical wellbeing, it’s now.

Offering more interesting insights through metrics like heart rate variability, which is tied to stress monitoring would be greatly welcomed too.

Fitbit already offers features like guided breathing and there’s more mindfulness features that lie behind a Fitbit Premium subscription.

It feels like there’s an opportunity to do more here and Fitbit feels well positioned to do more to help use de-stress and more.

A greater variety in the breathing exercises on offer would also be a good start.

Wishlist 5: A smarter assistant

The emergence of smart assistants on smartwatches hasn’t really taken off in the way we thought it might do, but there’s still time for that to change.

Fitbit was late to the party when it introduced Amazon’s Alexa to the Versa 2, but it arguably executed the support better than most attempts we’ve tried.

It was simple to summon Alexa, it helped control smart home devices, play radio stations and check in on your fitness goals.

There’s certainly room for improvement here, like adding a speaker to hear responses and offering better integration with Fitbit’s core health and fitness features on the whole.

It’s made a solid start adding smart assistant support, but we think there’s so much more that can be done.

There has been rumours that the Versa could get Google Assistant support, though with the buyout still dragging on, maybe it’s too early for that integration.