It’s been a couple of years since Fitbit updated the Charge, its most popular fitness tracker. And with the Charge 6, the company is adding several new and key features inspired by Google’s first Pixel Watch while also lowering the price.
Wondering if this new fitness tracker is for you? Let’s break it down below.
How to preorder the Fitbit Charge 6
The Fitbit Charge 6 improves on the company's flagship fitness tracker with improved heart rate tracking while borrowing some of the Google Pixel Watch's best perks.
You can preorder the $160 Fitbit Charge 6 right now, with deliveries starting on Oct. 12 from the Google Store or fitbit.com. Alongside preorders for the new tracker, Fitbit is also launching several new bands and straps for the Charge 6.
What’s new in the Fitbit Charge 6
We’re coming up on a year since Google’s Pixel Watch was first unveiled, and now we’re seeing some of its features and optimizations making their way to Fitbit’s line of trackers. For those unaware, Google purchased Fitbit in 2021.
On the software front, the Charge 6 will have Google Maps and Google Wallet apps built in, meaning you can use the tracker to get turn-by-turn directions directly on your wrist or use the Charge 6 to pay with Google Wallet at checkout. You can also control YouTube Music playback directly from the Charge 6.
Fitbit’s trackers have always had reliable heart rate tracking and features, and with the Charge 6, Fitbit has brought the Pixel Watch’s heart rate optimizations to the Charge 6. Additionally, the Charge 6 can connect to gym equipment to show your heart rate in real time. According to Fitbit, Charge 6 has the company’s most accurate heart rate tracking for any of its trackers.
The heart rate features include the ability to take an electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor your heart health and look for irregular rhythms. There’s also an EDA scan app that can detect changes in your skin’s sweat level, which can be a way of detecting your body’s stress level.
Of course, all of the core Fitbit features are still present on the Charge 6. It’ll track your steps, sleep, activity and heart rate, it has built-in GPS for route tracking and it automatically recognizes and starts tracking workouts.
On the hardware front, Fitbit heard the feedback from Charge 5 users about the lack of a physical button and has brought it back for the Charge 6. The always-on display makes it easy to check the time without having to wake the Charge 6 as well.
Arguably the most significant change Fitbit made to the Charge 6 is the price. The Charge 5 was $180 at launch, and for the Charge 6, the company was able to introduce a ton of new tech and features while dropping the price to $160
Sweetening the pot is the fact that Charge 5 bands will work with the Charge 6, and the new lineup of Charge 6 bands will work with the Charge 5.
One other important note about the software experience on the Charge 6 is that users will need to begin using their Google account instead of their Fitbit account. You’ll be prompted to transition your account when setting up the Charge 6 if you haven’t transitioned already.
