Fitbit users - do have to use GPS?

[CookieDoughKid]

I'm considering buying a Fitbit for my son (aged 12). He doesn't carry a mobile as he prefers using IPAD for games and he isn't into social media a lot. I'm considering a basic fitbit (Inspire range, which is the small fitbit). Do you need to carry a phone whilst using the fitbit? Do you have to have GPS enabled to use the features? Hoping there are some fitbit users on here as I can't seem to find a suitable answer on the Fitbit forum. Thanks in advance!

Depends! I had a versa 2 which just measured steps rather than gps distance unless I linked it to my phone ( ie when I went for a run.) Just upgraded to a versa 3 which has built in gps which means I don't need to take my phone too when I run. But the non gps ones tell you how far you've walked-run through stride length if they can't link to your phone.

@iknowhimsowell thank you. I will look into a Versa!

I only know the charge series so not much help... would like to note that using GPS makes the battery die faster. On Charge series you have to turn GPS on, it's only sometimes automatic.

I can see lots of features without having GPS on... what features do you mean?

@lljkk Many thanks. No particular features I am thinking of, just general 'useability' without GPS. It definitely sounds like a feasible Christmas present without GPS.