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Fitbit may now have more powerful wearable devices, but the Charge series has a dedicated follower that cannot be ignored. (Not everyone wants a big screen similar to a smart watch.) Fitbit Charge 5, the latest product of the Charge series, brings many advanced health tracking functions you want in a size that fits everyone’s wrist. Here is everything you need to know about Fitbit Charge 5.
Please also read: The complete Fitbit buyer’s guide
Fitbit Charge 5 overview
Fitbit charging 5
The same shape, better display
Fitbit Charge 5 is a major update of its predecessor. Not only does it have a color AMOLED display, but it is also the first tracker with Fitbit’s daily readiness score-this feature is designed to predict how many activities or breaks you should do that day.
Fitbit Charge 5 is a brand new fitness tracker launched by Google’s company. Although the upgrade from Charge 3 to Charge 4 is nominal, Charge 5 adds many hardware and software features, and may even make existing Charge users consider upgrading.
There is a new AMOLED display, advanced sensors that can track your heart rate and stress, and a daily readiness score that will try to remind you whether you should exercise or rest on a particular day.
Fitbit Charge 5 has many great features on paper, but you’d better like the idea of paying for Fitbit Premium members. Unfortunately, some new features are locked behind Fitbit’s infamous Premium pay zone.
What’s new in Fitbit Charge 5?
Let’s talk about aesthetics. Fitbit Charge 5 is fully suitable for the Charge series, but adds design elements from the company’s high-end Sense and Versa 3 devices. It still has a stainless steel case and detachable strap, but all of its corners are rounded, making the appearance more stylish.
learn more: Fitbit Sense Buyer’s Guide
It is 10% thinner than its predecessor, which is already a thin and light device that can provide up to 7 days of battery life on a single charge. Considering that Charge 5 is the first Charge device equipped with a touch screen AMOLED display, the last indicator is impressive. The brightness of this display is almost twice that of Charge 4’s grayscale OLED display, so outdoor visibility should not be a problem. In addition, Fitbit includes the always-on display option for the first time, making Charge 5 look more like a smart watch than a traditional fitness tracker.
Of course, there are new bands that coincide with the release. Fitbit offers silicone infinity and sports straps, nylon hook and loop straps, and Horween leather straps From its website.
The new headline feature of Fitbit Charge 5 is the company’s daily readiness score. Using your daily activities, 24/7 heart rate data, heart rate variability, and sleep over the past few nights, Charge 5 will try to tell you how “ready” you are for the day ahead. In the long run, should you really go out? Or rest will be more beneficial? Your Charge 5 will notify you every morning of its findings, as well as data that affects your score and suggestions on what to do that day.
Unfortunately, you need to be a premium member to use Fitbit’s new daily readiness score.
Fitbit’s Daily Readiness Score is very similar to Garmin’s Body Battery function. It uses similar data to provide you with a 0-100 Body Battery score every morning. However, there is a big difference between these two features: Unfortunately, Fitbit locks its daily readiness score behind the Fitbit Premium paywall, while Garmin’s Body Battery is free on all devices that support it. . This means that after the Fitbit Premium free trial period ends, you will need to pay $10 a month to use the feature again. Boy, will it become expensive to own a Fitbit device?
In other words, the Daily Readiness Score function will not be provided when Fitbit Charge 5 is released, and Sense, Versa 3, Versa 2, Luxe and Inspire 2 devices are also “coming soon.”
Fitbit Charge 5 also has two sensors, which first appeared on last year’s Fitbit Sense smartwatch: electrical skin activity (EDA) and electrocardiogram (ECG) sensors.
EDA sensors measure your body’s pressure level by applying a small amount of electrical charge to your skin to see how they interact with your body’s sweat level. research shows Electrical skin activity is closely related to our emotional state and can reflect stress well. However, in our test of Fitbit Sense, the EDA sensor was not completely comparable to more traditional pressure trackers based on heart rate variability data. The situation for Charge 5 may be different, so stay tuned for our full review of these results.
Fitbit Charge 5 is also equipped with an ECG monitor that can measure your heart rhythm on demand throughout the day. If you have a heart disease, this sensor is very useful for detecting early signs of AFib. (However, if you feel a heart problem, you should still definitely see a doctor.)
related: What is an electrocardiogram and why is it important?
One more thing-when Charge 5 is launched this fall, the EDA sensor should work out of the box, but the ECG monitor will not. When we receive a response from Fitbit regarding when the ECG monitor will be available, we will update you.
With the introduction of Charge 5, Fitbit is increasing 25 new high-energy workouts From Les Mills to Fitbit Premium. Today, all premium subscribers can use all 25 exercises. Next month, Fitbit will also add 30 pieces of content from Calm, which will be available in seven languages. Calm itself can be an expensive platform (US$70 per year or US$400 for life), so if you are a Calm fan, this may be a cheaper way to get the service.
Fitbit Charge 5 and Charge 4: What is the difference?
Fitbit Charge 5 is a direct successor to Charge 4, so you can imagine that these two trackers share many functions.
They all have 20 motion tracking modes and provide automatic activity recognition for a select few exercises. They all provide independent GPS and connected GPS, 24/7 heart rate monitoring, and at any time of the day when your heart rate is too high or too low, it will sound an alarm.
These two devices also provide Fitbit’s powerful sleep tracking suite. They will track your sleep stage throughout the night and provide you with a sleep score in the morning based on your sleep status.
What are some good alternatives to Fitbit Charge 5?
Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority
From left to right: Mi Band 6, Huawei Band 6
Not keen on Fitbit’s latest news? Fortunately, there are many Fitbit Charge 5 alternatives worth considering.
- Fitbit charging 4: Fitbit Charge 4 has many of the same features as Charge 5, although grayscale OLED is a considerable degradation. However, since it is last year’s tracker, it can be found in sales on a regular basis.
- Mi Band 6: Looking for something cheaper? Mi Band 6 is the cheapest choice of fitness trackers we can buy right now. It has excellent battery life, an accurate heart rate sensor and a large and colorful display-all of which are only a fraction of the price of the Charge 5.
- Huawei Band 6: Huawei Band 6 has a large and bright display, multiple sports tracking modes and all-day SpO2 monitoring, which is not common at this price point.
Where can I buy Fitbit Charge 5
Fitbit charging 5
The same shape, better display
Fitbit Charge 5 is a major update of its predecessor. Not only does it have a color AMOLED display, it is also the first tracker with Fitbit’s daily readiness score-this feature is designed to predict how many activities or breaks you should take in a day.
Fitbit Charge 5 can be pre-ordered from Fitbit.com and other retailers in the United States for $179.95. Fitbit did not provide an exact release date, except that the device will be launched in North America in late September and “this fall” globally.
It has blue steel/platinum, black/graphite and lunar white/gold options. There is no special edition model this year, so all Fitbit Charge 5s are the same.
do not miss it: Is Fitbit Premium right for you?
Like all new Fitbits, the company is offering Fitbit Premium (new users only) a six-month free trial. After the trial period ends, the cost of Fitbit Premium is 9.99 USD per month or 79.99 USD per year.
Top Fitbit Charge 5 Q&A
Q: When is the release date of Fitbit Charge 5?
A: Fitbit has not yet confirmed the exact release date of Fitbit Charge 5. The company stated that it will be listed in North America in late September, and the international supply situation may vary.
Q: How long can the Fitbit Charge 5 battery last?
A: According to Fitbit, the Charge 5 battery can be used for up to 7 days on a single charge. Of course, this will depend on your usage.
Q: Is Fitbit Charge 5 waterproof?
A: Fitbit Charge 5 has a 5ATM waterproof rating.
Q: Is the Fitbit Charge 5 bracelet interchangeable?
A: Yes, you can change the Fitbit Charge 5 bracelet first, or third party Various bands.
Q: Is Fitbit Charge 5 compatible with iPhone?
A: Yes, Fitbit Charge 5 is compatible with iPhone. However, by pairing it with an Android phone, you will get the best experience.
Q: Does Fitbit Charge 5 have GPS?
A: Yes, Fitbit Charge 5 has independent GPS and networked GPS.
Q: Can Fitbit Charge 5 be used for swimming?
A: Yes, Fitbit Charge 5 can track various swimming activities.
Q: Can Fitbit Charge 5 detect atrial fibrillation (AFib)?
A: Yes, Fitbit Charge 5 can use its ECG sensor to detect potential AFib warning signs. However, the ECG function will not be available at the time of release.
Q: Can Fitbit Charge 5 play music?
A: Fitbit Charge 5 can control music playback on a connected smartphone, but it does not support onboard music storage.