Fitbit’s flagship fitness tracker, after a two-year wait, finally has a successor: the Fitbit Charge 6. Following Google’s acquisition of Fitbit, the company has been gradually integrating Google features into its trackers. The Charge 6 is the latest to benefit from this integration, boasting features like Google Maps for route tracking and Google Wallet for tap-to-pay capabilities. And all of this comes at a reasonable price of $160, slightly cheaper than its predecessor. The Charge 6 is set to launch on October 12.
One significant change is that for new Fitbit devices, you’ll need to sign in with your Google account, reflecting the closer integration between Fitbit and Google. This integration extends to the newly redesigned Fitbit app, although some premium features remain behind a paywall, with the Fitbit Premium service costing an additional $10 per month.
For those hoping for a Fitbit fitness tracker with Google’s Wear OS, it appears that Google is reserving its wearable operating system for fully featured smartwatches, like the rumored Pixel Watch 2 expected to launch on October 4.
The Charge 6 builds upon the success of its predecessor, the Charge 5, by reintroducing the side button, providing an additional means of interaction with the interface. Fitbit claims that the heart rate tracker in the Charge 6 is its most accurate yet, thanks to the utilization of on-device learning models introduced in Google’s original Pixel Watch. These algorithms have been optimized to maintain a seven-day battery life, despite the increased processing power.
This precision allows for fine-tuning of proprietary health metrics such as Active Zone Minutes, SpO2 measurements, and an FDA-cleared electrocardiogram for detecting irregular heart rhythms. The Charge 6 also offers the ability to connect to popular Bluetooth-compatible exercise machines and introduces new workout activities, expanding its exercise mode options to over 40.
Additionally, it offers features like the Daily Readiness Score, Stress Management score, and Advanced Sleep Tracking, though some of these are accessible only to Fitbit Premium customers, who can enjoy a six-month trial.
In terms of sustainability, while not claiming carbon neutrality like Apple’s Watch Series 9, Fitbit has made efforts, such as using 100 percent recycled aluminum for the pebble and employing plastic-free packaging.
The integration of Google features continues with YouTube Music controls on the Charge 6’s display, albeit requiring a paid YouTube Music Premium subscription and Bluetooth connectivity to your phone. Google Maps can also be used for navigation, but the tracker must be connected to its paired smartphone via Bluetooth for this feature to work.
Although Garmin watches can often function as stand-alone units without paywalled subscriptions, both Fitbit and Apple acknowledge that most users keep their phones nearby even during workouts.
New Fitbit users will need to sign up with their Google accounts, while existing Fitbit account holders have until 2025 to make the transition. The Fitbit app remains available for iPhones running iOS 15 or newer.
The Fitbit Charge 6 comes in three color options: black with the Obsidian Infinity band, silver with the Porcelain Infinity band, and champagne gold with the Coral Infinity band. As always, you can customize the look with different Fitbit straps. Preorders start today in 30 countries, and the official launch is scheduled for October 12.
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