The Fitbit Edge: Perfect for Those Who Want a Screen Without Going Fully Digital
The Fitbit Edge might not be the most secretive fitness tracker from Google, but it’s now officially on the scene. This device finds its place between the newly released Fitbit Air and the more robust Google Pixel Watch 5 in the current lineup of wearables. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by smartwatches but still want to keep up with notifications, the Edge serves as a fresh alternative to the aging Fitbit Charge 6.
While many of its specifications were previously leaked, the Edge boasts a 46% larger OLED display compared to the Charge 6, a physical side button, and a slightly thicker profile at 11.5mm. It features a replaceable battery that lasts about a week on a single charge, though that drops to two days with the always-on display activated. The tracker uses the same proprietary charger as the Air, providing roughly a day’s worth of battery life with just five minutes of charging (a full charge takes about 90 minutes). For health tracking, the Edge includes an EKG sensor for detecting atrial fibrillation, a skin temperature sensor, SpO2 and optical heart rate sensors, along with standard motion tracking sensors. It also has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, making it safe for swimming up to 5ATM.
There are a few hardware features missing, though. The Edge lacks a microphone and speaker, so you can’t take calls directly from your wrist, even though you can see incoming calls on the display. Additionally, it doesn’t have an NFC chip for contactless payments, which is a letdown considering it replaces the Charge 6 and comes in at $179.99—$20 more than its predecessor. However, this price includes three months of Google Health Premium.
The new Fitbit enhances automatic workout tracking and GPS capabilities compared to the Charge 6. The updated motion model, which will also be available on the Air, supports racket sports and uses location data to make educated guesses about your activities. For instance, if you log activity at a tennis court, it will assume you’re playing tennis. If you regularly practice yoga on Tuesday mornings, it will recognize that as your activity. Google claims that this new model makes auto activity tracking twice as accurate and supports over 100 different activities.
The Edge’s GPS tracking is said to be 40% more accurate, thanks to on-device improvements rather than the software-based post-processing update introduced with the Pixel Watch 5. It will also offer turn-by-turn directions.
The Edge and Fitbit Air will feature metal link and mesh straps for a more elegant, jewelry-like appearance. This device is designed for users who want quick access to information without all the complexities of a full smartwatch. The Edge adopts much of the Pixel Watch’s design language in terms of widgets and user interface, but it runs on a redesigned Fitbit OS instead of Wear OS. It will receive the same Google Health software updates for features like blood pressure trends and insulin resistance levels. In terms of non-fitness features, it includes a clock, timers, alarms, media controls, and push notifications, along with heart rate broadcasting to compatible gym equipment.
Despite its display, the overall aesthetic aligns more closely with the Air. The Edge will launch with various strap options to suit different occasions, including metal links for a more sophisticated look. Additionally, a Stephen Curry edition of the Edge will be available for $219.99.
