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Google’s wearables department is having one heck of a year. The company kicked things off with the Fitbit Air earlier this year, taking on the likes of WHOOP and other screenless fitness trackers, while the Pixel Watch 5 later showed us what a proper Android smartwatch should be.
But these two wearables sit at opposite ends of the spectrum. The Fitbit Air costs just $99, while the Pixel Watch 5 now starts at a whopping $399. That leaves quite a big gap in Google’s wearable lineup.
Thankfully, Google has finally come to its senses and filled that gap with the new Fitbit Edge, which has just launched for $180. As someone who has used both the Fitbit Air and Pixel Watch, I think I’ve already made up my mind. I’m not planning to buy another Pixel Watch anytime soon. Instead, here are a few reasons why I can’t wait to get my hands on the Fitbit Edge.
Would you ditch your smartwatch for a simpler fitness tracker?
2 votes
A smaller display is all I need on my wrist
One thing I’ve always appreciated about Google’s Pixel Watch is that the company doesn’t blindly follow other smartwatch makers and instead offers a proper round timepiece. At the same time, however, I’ve found smartwatches (as a category) to be quite bulky and not something I particularly enjoy wearing every day.
The Fitbit Air is a compelling alternative, but then you lose the display, which I still think is essential for basic things like checking the time, date, steps, and heart rate.
The Fitbit Edge looks like a proper mashup of the two. You get a slimmer, lighter design that shouldn’t cause much fatigue when worn all day, while still offering a small display for essentials like incoming calls, time, date, and health stats. My Pixel Watch 3 can sometimes feel a little bulky on my wrist, and I think the Fitbit Edge’s slimmer design could make it much more comfortable for everyday use.
I’m tired of charging my Pixel Watch every day
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
The best part about the Fitbit Edge, in my opinion, isn’t just that it has a display, but that Google has managed to offer up to seven days of battery life despite adding said display. That’s the same battery life Google claims for the screenless Fitbit Air, which is pretty impressive.
As a Pixel Watch 3 owner, I’ve grown tired of charging my smartwatch almost every day. Sure, you get a bigger display, proper app support, and smoother animations, but is the trade-off in battery life really worth it? Not for me.
The Fitbit Edge seems to strike a much better balance. I’d still get the week-long battery life I’ve enjoyed on the Fitbit Air, but now with a display for checking calls, notifications, time, and pretty much everything else I actually need from a smartwatch.
I’m not missing out on the important features
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
Speaking of essentials, the Fitbit Edge also brings many of the Pixel Watch features I actually use, which means I won’t be missing out on much by switching. I’ll still get notifications from the apps I care about, including incoming calls on my Pixel 11 Pro. And thankfully, Google hasn’t skipped some of the more important health and fitness features either.
The Fitbit Edge seems to offer pretty much everything I need from a wearable without making me carry around a full-fledged smartwatch.
There’s built-in ECG support and GPS for tracking runs without carrying your phone, both of which are missing from the cheaper Fitbit Air. Not only that, but you also get access to Google’s growing Health Guardian suite, which includes features such as blood pressure and insulin resistance trends.
All of this for less than half the Pixel Watch’s price
Joe Maring / Android Authority
Of course, when talking about electronics in 2026, you can’t ignore the price. With smartphones (and other gadgets) getting more expensive, the Fitbit Edge is surprisingly easier on the wallet. Google has priced the Fitbit Edge at $180 in the U.S., which is less than half of what the Pixel Watch 5 costs.
And considering you’re still getting a display, built-in GPS, and other things I mentioned above, I think that’s a pretty reasonable price. Sure, you don’t get the full Wear OS experience with third-party apps and all the extras, but I don’t think I need to spend another $220 just for those features.
Android and iPhone support is a big plus
Shimul Sood / Android Authority
Finally, one of the biggest reasons I’m looking forward to using the Fitbit Edge is that it works with both Android phones and iPhones. I’m someone who constantly switches between smartphones to test different devices, including iPhones.
Unfortunately, Google’s Pixel Watch lineup is still tied to Android, so I can’t pair it with an iPhone. But since the Fitbit Edge supports both Android and iOS, I’ll be able to use the same fitness tracker regardless of which phone I’m carrying.
Display • Tracking • Longevity • Durability
MSRP: $179.99
A feature-packed fitness tracker with a bigger screen and week-long battery life
The Fitbit Edge strikes a balance between a basic fitness band and a full-fledged smartwatch. With a larger OLED display, advanced health tracking, built-in GPS, and up to seven days of battery life, it’s a compelling pick for fitness-focused users.
All things considered, the Fitbit Edge is shaping up to be a pretty compelling wearable for my needs. I haven’t had the chance to go hands-on with it just yet, so I’ll have to see how well the display, battery life, and health tracking actually hold up in everyday use. But having used both the Fitbit Air and Pixel Watch for quite a while, I think Google may have finally found the middle ground I’ve been looking for.
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