I Compared the Fitbit Charge 6 vs. Versa 4: Walking

Today, I’m comparing my two popular fitness trackers: the Fitbit Charge 6 and the Fitbit Versa 4. I'll be going over things like, display, statistics, GPS, step tracking, build quality, heart rate monitoring, and unique features to help you make an informed decision in 2025. 

Just so you know, some of the links on this site are affiliate links (I’m part of the Amazon Associates program). This means I may earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase—at no extra cost to you.

Display Differences and Settings

Initially, the displays on my devices were out of sync. To standardize them, I adjusted the settings.

On the Fitbit Charge 6, I navigated to Settings > Display Settings. While brightness was left on "Normal" and screen wake on "Auto," I changed the Screen Timeout from "Default" to "Long." I also activated the Always On Display for this comparison.

For the Fitbit Versa 4, the process was similar: Settings > Display. I kept brightness on "Normal" and button/motion settings on "Button and Motion." The Screen Timeout was adjusted from 6 seconds to 10 seconds, and the Always On Display was also turned on.

With both devices now set to always-on, we can take a look at the next comparison point.

Statistics Display and Readability

Looking at stats, a clear difference jumps out. The Fitbit Charge 6 displays smaller font sizes when scrolling through stats. In contrast, my Fitbit Versa 4, equipped with a custom "Big Time Display" clock face (a free download from the clock face app), shows significantly larger and more readable fonts. While this specific display isn't default on the Versa 4 out of the box, it highlights the potential for better readability with customization.

On the main stats page, the Versa 4's display is noticeably larger, making all statistics easier to view compared to the Charge 6.

I attempted to activate the magnification feature on the Charge 6. This requires a triple tap, which was not doing much at first. I had to enable it first via Settings > Magnify Settings. Once activated, the triple-tap feature allows for a larger font size. However, I found it somewhat finicky and not as natural to use as a larger default display.

From my world here, the Versa 4's larger display, especially with the customized clock face, offers a superior viewing experience for daily statistics.

GPS Connection Speed

Next, I tested the GPS connection speed. I performed this test in my basement, a challenging environment for GPS signals. I initiated a "Walk" exercise on both devices.

On the Charge 6, I scrolled to "Exercise," selected "Walk," and then activated GPS, as it was off by default.

The same steps were followed on the Versa 4: scroll to "Exercise," select "Walk," and activate GPS.

Both devices displayed "GPS connecting." The Fitbit Charge 6 connected significantly faster, indicating "GPS connected" while the Versa 4 continued to search for a signal for a much longer period under these conditions.

Step Count Comparison (5-Minute Treadmill Walk)

I conducted a 5-minute walk on a treadmill to compare step counts. Take this with a grain of salt, five minutes is definitely not enough time for an in-depth comparison.

Pre-walk step counts:

Fitbit Charge 6: 2,773 steps

Fitbit Versa 4: 3,700 steps

After a 5-minute walk at 1.7 mph:

Post-walk step counts:

Fitbit Charge 6: 3,156 steps

Fitbit Versa 4: 4,097 steps

Calculated steps during the 5-minute walk:

Fitbit Charge 6: 383 steps

Fitbit Versa 4: 397 steps

There was a slight difference in the recorded step counts, with the Versa 4 registering 14 more steps in this single, quick test.

Second Walk Test: A Deeper Dive

After a quick first test, I decided to take both watches on a second, much longer walk. On the surface, the step and heart rate counters seemed to keep up, and the displays were readable in the sun. But let's look closer at the actual numbers.

Once I got back, the final numbers told a more complete story. The Fitbit Charge 6 logged 4,775 steps, while the Fitbit Versa 4 came in with 4,846 steps. A difference of 71 steps might seem small at first glance, but over a single walk, it’s worth noting. It raises the question of which device, if either, is truly accurate. This second test gave me more data to work with, but it didn't completely settle the debate on which tracker is more reliable.

Build Quality and Bands

Both the Fitbit Charge 6 and Versa 4 exhibit pretty good build quality for their main bodies. The clock face and housing, including the sensor area, feel solid and well-constructed.

However, my opinion on the bands differs. The snap-in mechanism for both devices feels less secure than ideal. While the bands clip in, I'm not sure about their long-term durability and how firmly they will remain attached over time. Despite this, I have worn the Versa 4 without issues so far.

The bands themselves are comfortable on the skin. They feature an "interlock" design where the excess band tucks underneath, preventing it from flapping. This design is effective and comfortable.

Heart Rate Monitoring

Standing still, I observed the heart rate readings. The Charge 6 displayed around 84 bpm, while the Versa 4 showed approximately 82 bpm. These numbers fluctuated slightly but remained consistent and close to each other, indicating no outrageous discrepancies in this subjective, one-off test.

Fitbit Charge 6 Exclusive Feature: ECG

The Fitbit Charge 6 includes an Electrocardiogram (ECG) feature. To use it, I scrolled to "ECG" on the device, placed my index finger and thumb on the metal sides, and held still for 30 seconds. After data collection and analysis, the device provided a conclusion and additional information. This is a notable extra feature present on the Charge 6.

Final Thoughts for Walking and Daily Use (September 2025)

For my personal walking routine, things have changed. These days, I need my reading glasses to look at tiny words and numbers. That said, the Fitbit Charge 6 display has taken a back seat in my walking life because the stats are just a bit too small for my liking. Don't get me wrong, the Fitbit Charge 6 is still a great fitness tracker; it's just not my cup of tea anymore.

As for the Fitbit Versa 4, its large display works great out and about. The only reason I don't really wear it is because of its uncertain future. So, I had to explore other fitness trackers and smartwatches outside the Fitbit world. But the Fitbit Versa 4 is still a pretty solid smartwatch for my walks; the battery is decent, and, again, the display is large enough to read.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did I set up the display on my Fitbit Charge 6 for the video?

A: I went into the display settings on my Fitbit Charge 6. I set the screen timeout to "Long" and turned on the "Always On Display."

Q: How did I set up the display on my Fitbit Versa 4 for the video?

A: I went into the display settings on my Fitbit Versa 4. I set the screen timeout to 10 seconds and also enabled the "Always On Display."

Q: Does the Fitbit Versa 4 have an ECG feature like the Charge 6? 

A: No, the ECG feature is exclusive to the Fitbit Charge 6. To use it, I placed my index finger and thumb on the metal sides of the device and waited for the assessment to complete.

Q: How did I activate the magnification feature on the Fitbit Charge 6?

A: I had to enable it first by going to Settings > Magnify Settings. Once it was on, a triple-tap on the screen would magnify it.

Q: Did the triple-tap magnification work well for you on the Charge 6?

A: Not really, it was a bit finicky. I found it wasn't as natural to use as the larger default display on the Versa 4.

Q: How many steps did each device record during the 5-minute walk?

A: The Fitbit Charge 6 recorded 383 steps, and the Fitbit Versa 4 recorded 397 steps.

Q: Do you have any concerns about the bands? 

A: Yes, I have some issues with the long-term durability of the snap-in mechanism for the bands, as it feels a bit less secure than I would like.

Q: How did the heart rate readings compare?

A: The readings were very close to each other, with the Charge 6 showing around 84 bpm and the Versa 4 showing around 82 bpm while I was standing still.

Q: What is the "interlock" band design you mentioned?

A: It's a design where the excess part of the band tucks underneath the main band, which prevents it from flapping around and makes it more comfortable.

Q: Why do you prefer the Versa 4 display for daily use?

A: I prefer the Versa 4's larger display because it makes it much easier for me to read all of my daily statistics, especially since I need reading glasses now.

Q: Did you have to do anything special to get the GPS to activate on the devices?

A: Yes, on both devices, the GPS was off by default. I had to scroll to the "Exercise" setting, select "Walk," and then turn on the GPS manually.

Q: What is the "dynamic GPS" feature on the Charge 6? 

A: The GPS will switch between using the GPS on the device itself (Fitbit Charge 6) and the GPS on my phone to save battery life.

Q: Why do you not wear your Fitbit Versa 4 as much anymore?

A: I don't wear it as much because I am uncertain about its future, so I've been exploring other brands. 

How long will the Fitbit Charge 6 get security updates from Google?

A: Till June 2026 - Official Google security updates for the Fitbit page. 

How long will the Fitbit Versa 4 get security updates from Google?

A: Till June 2026 - Official Google security updates for the Fitbit page. 

Q: Does the Versa 4 have a physical button?

A: The Versa 4 has a physical side button, while the Charge 6 has a haptic side button.

Q: What were the final step counts in the second walk test?

A: The Fitbit Charge 6 logged 4,775 steps, and the Fitbit Versa 4 came in with 4,846 steps.

Q: What was the difference in steps between the two devices in the second test?

A: The difference was 71 steps, with the Versa 4 logging more steps than the Charge 6.

Q: How did the watches perform in real-time during the long walk?

A: Both devices seemed to keep up with the step and heart rate counting in real-time. The displays were also readable in the sun.

Related Posts

Fitbit Inspire 3 vs. Charge 6: Good for My Walks?

My Fitbit Charge 6 Display Settings in 2025

Fitbit Charge 6: Restart vs. Reset: Step-by-Step Guide

Does My Old Fitbit Inspire 2 Still Work with the NEW Fitbit App?

Garmin Instinct 2 and My Fitbits: First Look: Walking