Google Has Finally Released Another Fitbit Fitness Tracker With a Screen.
The rumors were confirmed: Google announced a new device, the Fitbit Edge . It’s a fitness tracker with a narrow screen, very similar to the old Charge 6, but updated to match the appearance and some features of the Fitbit Air.
Before the Fitbit Air launched earlier this year, Google hadn’t released a new Fitbit model since the Charge 6 in 2023. Meanwhile, the Pixel Watch had reached its fifth generation , and the Fitbit app had morphed into the Google Health app . I feared the small-screen fitness tracker idea might be lost forever. Fortunately, I was wrong.
What’s new in Fitbit Edge?
Google says the new Fitbit has the following features:
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The physical button is located on the side, unlike the tactile joystick on the Charge 6.
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It uses its own GPS chipset, not your phone’s.
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An altimeter, which the Fitbit Charge 6 lacked (but many fitness watches have).
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Battery life is seven days, or about two days with the always-on display enabled.
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Same charger as Fitbit Air.
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Replaceable battery
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Music controls that work with any app your phone plays.
Pre-orders open today, and the Fitbit Edge will begin shipping on October 27. The retail price is $179.99, which is $20 more than the regular price of the Charge 6. For comparison, the Fitbit Air costs $99.99 , and the Pixel Watch 5 starts at $349.99 . The Fitbit Edge’s price, size, and features fall somewhere in the middle between these two devices, and frankly, it’s a well-balanced lineup.
Google representatives announced at a briefing that both the Fitbit Air and Fitbit Edge will be connected to the phone, allowing users to switch between them at will. (Previously, it was possible to connect both a Fitbit and a Pixel Watch, but not two Fitbits simultaneously.)
Compared to the Charge 6, the Fitbit Edge gains an altimeter and more convenient music controls; the Charge 6 could only control music from YouTube Music, which required a subscription. However, the Fitbit Edge lacks the Charge 6’s contactless payment feature and lacks NFC support. Google claims that GPS tracking on the Edge is more accurate than on the Charge 6, which is unsurprising, as this was one of the Charge 6’s major shortcomings. I look forward to testing the Fitbit Edge and reporting back on its real-world performance.