What you need to know
- Google’s new fitness tracker offers a touchscreen and advanced health features without the price of a full smartwatch.
- Its replaceable battery could extend the device’s lifespan and reduce electronic waste.
- The OLED screen is 45% larger and over 40% brighter than the Fitbit Charge 6’s display, according to Google.
- Preorders are live now for $180 ahead of an October 27 launch, alongside a $220 Stephen Curry Special Edition.
Google has announced the Fitbit Edge, a new fitness tracker with a proper touchscreen, advanced health monitoring, and week-long battery life in a slim design.
Available for preorder for $180 starting October 12, the Fitbit Edge is targeting those who want more than the screenless Fitbit Air but don’t want to pay more for a full-blown smartwatch. It also addresses one of the biggest frustrations with wearable devices: battery replacement.
Google says the Edge is its first repairable fitness tracker, with a replaceable battery meant to extend its useful life rather than force owners to replace the whole device when the battery capacity declines.
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The Fitbit Edge has an OLED touchscreen that’s 45% bigger and over 40% brighter than the screen on the Fitbit Charge 6, according to the Fitbit Edge product page. It also has a built-in GPS, heart rate monitoring, blood-oxygen tracking, ECG readings, skin temperature sensing, and an altimeter to measure elevation on outdoor workouts. The tracker can automatically detect more activities and gives you the option to track your menstrual cycle on your wrist.
Google is also bringing its Gemini-powered Health Coach to the Edge via a Google Health Premium subscription. It gives you recommendations on what workouts to do and adapts your training plans to your routines and goals. Google Health Premium is free for three months for buyers.
Battery life is another strong selling point. Google says a single charge will last up to seven days, and five minutes of charging will provide a full day of use. It also has a water resistance rating of up to 50 meters and is compatible with Android phones and iPhones running iOS 16.4 or later through the Google Health app.
The Edge is available in Obsidian, Fog, Olive, and Canyon finishes, with bands sold separately for interchangeability. A Stephen Curry Special Edition, developed with the four-time NBA champion, costs $220.
But there are trade-offs. The Edge lacks NFC for contactless payments and has no microphone or speaker, so it won’t be a smartwatch replacement for everyone. That said, the Fitbit Edge will be on sale October 27.