Google has added a new fitness tracker to its wearable lineup. The Fitbit Edge sits between the recently launched Fitbit Air and the more powerful Google Pixel Watch 5, offering a middle-ground option for people who want notifications without a full smartwatch. It effectively replaces the aging Fitbit Charge 6 in the company's current lineup.
The Edge features a 46 percent larger OLED display than the Charge 6, a physical side button, and a body that is slightly thicker at 11.5mm. It uses a replaceable battery that lasts about a week per charge, though that estimate falls to two days with the always-on display enabled. The device uses the same proprietary charger as the Air and can gain about a day of battery life in five minutes, while a full charge takes 90 minutes.
For health tracking, the Edge includes an EKG sensor for atrial fibrillation detection, a skin temperature sensor, SpO2 and optical heart rate sensors, along with standard motion tracking sensors. It carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and is safe for swimming up to 5ATM. The device omits a mic and speaker, so calls cannot be taken from the wrist even though incoming callers appear on the screen. It also lacks the Charge 6's NFC chip for contactless payments, despite costing $20 more at $179.99. That price includes three months of Google Health Premium.
Google says the Edge offers improved automatic workout tracking and GPS compared to the Charge 6. The revised motion model, which will also come to the Air, pulls in location data and routines to infer activities. For example, activity logged at a tennis court is assumed to be tennis, and regular Tuesday morning yoga is inferred as yoga. Google says the new model makes auto activity tracking twice as accurate and supports over 100 activities. GPS tracking is purportedly 40 percent more accurate, mostly from on-device improvements, and turn-by-turn directions are supported.
The Edge borrows much of the Pixel Watch's design language for widgets and the user interface, but it does not run Wear OS. Instead, it uses a redesigned Fitbit OS and will receive the same Google Health software updates for features such as blood pressure trends and insulin resistance levels. Non-fitness features include a clock, timers, alarms, media controls, push notifications, and heart rate broadcasting to certain gym equipment.
The Edge launches with several strap types, including metal links for a jewelry-like feel. The Air is also getting a new metal mesh strap priced at $69.99, available October 27th. As with the Air and Pixel Watch 5, a Stephen Curry edition of the Edge will be offered at $219.99.
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