Apple Watch be gone: Fitbit Versa now has an extra, potentially life-saving feature

Fitbit blood oxygenation level SpO2 level estimated oxygen variation graph

(Image credit: Fitbit)

It's never been too complicated to check blood oxygen saturation – sometimes also called blood O2 saturation or just SpO2 levels – on the best Fitbits but it just became much easier thanks to a newly released watch face called "SpO2 Signature", available through the Fitbit App. Fitbit is seemingly after Apple Watch Series 5 users by constantly tweaking and updating its smartwatch range with new features, all the while keeping the price point relatively low.

The new watch face will be available for all the newly announced Fitbits such as the Fitbit Sense and the Fitbit Versa 3, but it was also made available all other devices capable of measuring blood oxygen levels, including the Fitbit Ionic, Fitbit Versa (still kicking), Fitbit Versa Lite and Fitbit Versa 2.

What is blood oxygen saturation and how does it work in Fitbits?

The sensors found on compatible Fitbit wearables utilise the red and infrared sensors on the back of the device to measure SpO2 levels. Blood oxygen saturation measures the percent of your blood that’s saturated with oxygen – pretty straightforward, right?

Typically, it’s at 95-100%, meaning the blood is carrying as much oxygen as it can. If you have lung issues (or stop breathing), the saturation level can fall since less oxygen enters the body. In general, variations should be low and if you are seeing frequent, big variations, that could be a sign that you may be experiencing breathing disturbances during sleep.

Through the Estimated Oxygen Variation graph, Fitbit tries to make this otherwise complicated information more understandable for the general public. The graph which users can see in the Fitbit app under the Sleep tile, approximates the changes in your blood oxygen saturation while you sleep.

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Matt Kollat is a journalist and content creator for T3.com and T3 Magazine, where he works as Active Editor. His areas of expertise include wearables, drones, action cameras, fitness equipment, nutrition and outdoor gear. He joined T3 in 2019.

His work has also appeared on TechRadar and Fit&Well, and he has collaborated with creators such as Garage Gym Reviews. Matt has served as a judge for multiple industry awards, including the ESSNAwards. When he isn’t running, cycling or testing new kit, he’s usually roaming the countryside with a camera or experimenting with new audio and video gear.