Google has announced the Fitbit Edge, a new fitness tracker that offers a touchscreen, advanced health monitoring and week-long battery life in a slim design. Preorders open October 12 at $180, with the device going on sale October 27. It targets buyers who want more than the screenless Fitbit Air but don't want to pay for a full smartwatch.
The Edge's OLED touchscreen is 45% larger and over 40% brighter than the Fitbit Charge 6's display, according to Google. Built-in GPS, heart rate monitoring, blood-oxygen tracking, ECG readings, skin temperature sensing and an altimeter support outdoor workouts. It can also detect more activities automatically and offers menstrual cycle tracking on the wrist. Google is bringing its Gemini-powered Health Coach to the device through a Google Health Premium subscription, which is free for three months for buyers.
Google says the Edge is its first repairable fitness tracker, with a replaceable battery designed to extend its useful life and reduce electronic waste. A single charge lasts up to seven days, and five minutes of charging provides a full day of use. It is water resistant to 50 meters and works with Android phones and iPhones running iOS 16.4 or later. Finishes include Obsidian, Fog, Olive and Canyon, with bands sold separately.
There are trade-offs. The Edge lacks NFC for contactless payments and has no microphone or speaker, so it will not replace a smartwatch for everyone. A $220 Stephen Curry Special Edition, developed with the four-time NBA champion, is also available.
Source: Android Central · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing