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Google’s Fitbit Edge brings back the screen the Fitbit Air left out, and it does so without asking anyone to commit to a full smartwatch. It also drops contactless payments, which the older Charge 6 had.
Google today announced the Fitbit Edge, a $179.99 fitness tracker with a 1.34-inch AMOLED display, built-in GPS, ECG support, and a user-replaceable battery. Pre-orders are open now, and it goes on sale October 27 for Android and iPhone.
A 1.34-inch AMOLED screen and a side button that clicks
The display is 46% larger than the Charge 6 screen and sits in an 11.5mm aluminum case under Gorilla Glass 3. The side button is now a real physical button instead of a capacitive one, which should make life easier with wet hands.
IP68 and 5ATM ratings cover dust and pool laps. Between the screen, built-in GPS, and ECG support, the Edge covers most of what a runner or gym regular needs.
Seven days of battery life, but only two with always-on
Google rates the Edge at up to seven days, but that figure assumes the screen stays off until you raise your wrist. Switch on always-on, and it drops to about two days. I’m curious how fast raise-to-wake responds, because a screen that makes you wait defeats the whole purpose.
A full charge takes about 90 minutes; five minutes gets you roughly a day, and it uses the same charger as the Fitbit Air. It’s also the first Fitbit with a user-replaceable battery, though Google says repair options vary by region.
Fitbit OS tiles and health sensors instead of Wear OS
The Edge does not run Wear OS, so there is no Play Store and no Gemini. It uses an updated Fitbit OS with swipeable tiles for weather, timers, alarms, and music controls that work with any music app, and Google Maps directions are reportedly coming later this year.
Health tracking includes ECG, blood oxygen, and skin temperature, plus more than 50 exercise types. It works with iPhone too, though quick replies are Android-only. Three months of Google Health Premium are included, then it’s $10 per month.
No NFC, no speaker, and no dual-frequency GPS
There is no NFC chip, so Google Wallet payments are gone, which is a step back from the Charge 6. There is also no mic or speaker, so notifications arrive by vibration only, and you cannot answer calls.
The GPS is built in but not the dual-frequency kind on the Pixel Watch 5, so expect less accurate location tracking. I understand where Google drew the line, but cutting payments from a tracker pitched as a step up is the part that bugs me.
Fitbit Edge price, colors, and new snap-in bands
The Edge costs $179.99 in Obsidian, Olive, Canyon, or Fog, and a Stephen Curry Special Edition runs $219.99. The new snap-in band system means old Fitbit and Pixel Watch bands will not fit. Extra bands cost $39.99 for Active Sport, $59.99 for Magnet, and $149.99 for Metal Links, with the $49.99 Performance Loop arriving later.
If you own a Charge 6 and have been waiting, this is your upgrade. If you tap your wrist to pay every day, stay put. For everyone stuck between the Fitbit Air and the Pixel Watch 5, the Edge fits the gap well, as long as payments were never part of your routine.
