Fitbit Charge 4
It’s been nearly two years since Fitbit launched its last flagship fitness tracker, and the new Charge 4 has now arrived in a much different world.
One where many of us are locked indoors, with increased stress levels and less exercise. So what does the Fitbit Charge 4 have that can help us ride out this storm until we are able to travel again?
Features
The headline news for the new Charge 4 is that GPS and Fitbit Pay are both standard features. Previously, Fitbit only offered connected GPS on its devices and Pay was reserved for the special edition.
But there is a slight clash of features.
Where the onboard GPS means you can leave your phone behind, the Charge 4 now has Spotify Connect & Control. This new feature lets you control your music on your smartphone from the Charge 4.
Our mission has always been to help people around the world get healthier. In today’s extraordinary times, that mission is more important than ever, but we realize how hard it is to focus on your health and wellness. However, staying active, eating well and getting enough sleep can help reduce stress and boost immunity.
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So, do you leave your phone at home when out for a run, or take it with you for the music? As there is no onboard storage for songs or podcasts. Maybe a feature for the next model?
Fitness Motivation
If you’ve not owned or used a Fitbit tracker in a while, they have moved way past just being a step counter.
Alongside, the now standard, tracking of most activities from walks, to runs, swimming, workouts and sports, Charge 4 will be the first Fitbit device with Active Zone Minutes.
Fitbit claim Active Zone Minutes will move beyond the on-screen heart rate monitor feedback during a workout to offer a more personalised report on when you are putting maximum effort into an activity.
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Goal-based exercises, heart rate zones, and workout intensity maps return, with the latter benefiting from the new GPS function. All this data will sync with your smartphone and the can be viewed in any of the Fitbit apps (Android | iOS |Windows | Desktops).
Design
Other than a few millimetres shaved off, the new Fitbit Charge 4 is nearly identical to the previous model. There’s a selection of accessories to change the appearance, including some leather band options.
The backlit greyscale OLED touchscreen display returns as the main user interface of the Charge 4. On the left-hand side, there is a physical button for some controls.
Charging the tracker is done via a bespoke USB cable where a full charge is expected to keep the Charge 4 going for up to 7 days. This will reduce though, the more you use the GPS function.
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Thanks to the magnetic charging connector and just the one inductive button, the new Fitbit Charge 4 is suitable for tracking your swimming sessions.
It has the same 50m water resistant rating as the previous model.
Activity Tracking
With four sensors inside, the new Fitbit Charge 4 offers enhanced tracking of resting heart rate, including oxygen level variability in your bloodstream, and optimal burn zones during exercise.
There is also female health & sleep pattern tracking along with the standard All-day activity tracking to keep you on course for staying fit and healthy.
Lockdown Fit
Fitbit has used the launch of the Charge 4 to announce free access to its premium services for a limited period of time.
To support our users and help people stay active at home during today’s difficult times, Fitbit is offering 40 new pieces of Premium content free in the Fitbit app.
Fitbit
In addition, anyone new to Fitbit Premium can get a 90-day free trial of this paid subscription, which includes personalized health insights, guidance, advanced sleep tools, customized programs and 200+ workouts from brands like barre3, Daily Burn, obé fitness, Physique 57, POPSUGAR and Yoga Studio: Mind & Body.
If Premium is not available in your region and you have not tried Fitbit Coach yet, we are offering a 90-day free trial so you can stream video workouts on your phone or computer. To access Premium or Coach, visit the Fitbit app.
Specifications
With the inclusion of built-in GPS and Fitbit Pay, the Charge 4 is a much more justifiable reason to stick with a fitness device over a smartwatch for health tracking.
| Fitbit Charge 4 | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (face) | 35.8 x 22.7 x 12.5mm |
| Small Band (circumference) | 140-180mm |
| Large Band (circumference) | 180-220mm |
| Colour Options | ⚫️……………..Black ????……………..Rosewood ????……………..Storm Blue SE……………..Granite |
| Water Resistance | 50m |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Optical Heart Rate Global Positioning System |
| Battery Life | Up To 7 Days |
| Charge Time | 2 Hours |
| In the Box | Fitbit Charge 4 Large & Small Wristbands Charging Cablew |
How Much does the Fitbit Charge 4 Cost?
The new Fitbit Charge 4 fitness tracker is available now for $149/£129/€149. Alongside the standard tracker, the Special Edition version is priced at 9/£149/€169.
Both versions are available direct from fitbit.com and Amazon for those with Prime accounts wanting free/speedy shipping.
*Colour option Storm Blue will be available from June 2020.
Join the Conversation
Do you still use a fitness tracker, or have you converted to a smartwatch instead? If you’re one who prefers an analog watch, do you wear a fitness tracker alongside it?
Does the new Fitbit Charge 4 have enough new features to convince you to upgrade from your current fitness tracker?
Comment below or join the conversation on Twitter.
Visit fitbit.com for further information.