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.

My Fitbit Versa 4 and Fitbit Charge 6 side-by-side, showcasing their different display sizes and information layouts.

Here, you can see my Fitbit Versa 4 on the left and the Fitbit Charge 6 on the right, demonstrating the contrast in their display sizes and how they present data.

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.

My Fitbit Versa 4 showing "GPS connecting" for a walk, next to the Fitbit Charge 6 which is also connecting to GPS.

This shot shows both my Fitbit Versa 4 and Charge 6 attempting to connect to GPS for a walk. The Versa 4 is still connecting, while the Charge 6 is starting its connection process.

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.

My Fitbit Versa 4 and Fitbit Charge 6 displaying activity statistics on their screens, side-by-side on my wrist.

Here, I’m showing the activity statistics on both my Fitbit Versa 4 and Fitbit Charge 6 screens. You can really see the difference in how much information is clearly visible at a glance.

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.

Close-up of my Fitbit Versa 4 and Charge 6 bands on my arm, highlighting the unique interlocking design.

This is a closer look at the bands of my Fitbit Versa 4 and Charge 6, showing the interlocking design that keeps the excess band tucked in.

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.

My Fitbit Versa 4 and Fitbit Charge 6 displaying current heart rate readings side-by-side on my arm.

Here, I'm displaying the real-time heart rate readings from my Fitbit Versa 4 and Fitbit Charge 6. You can see how closely their bpm measurements align.

Check Versa 4 on Amazon

Check Charge 6 on Amazon

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 since Google took over Fitbit. 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.

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