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At $100, the Fitbit Air offers an affordable way to track your health and fitness, while the Google Pixel Watch 5 starts at a much higher $400 in the US. Google's new Fitbit Edge aims to bridge that gap, offering more features than its screenless sibling without going all-in on smartwatch functionality. It packs an OLED display for viewing real-time workout stats, limited notification mirroring, and more.
In many ways, the Fitbit Edge feels like a successor to the Fitbit Charge 6. It builds on the Fitbit Air, packing the same functionality as Google's screenless tracker but adding an OLED screen. Google says this is the largest and brightest display it has ever used on a tracker, with 46% more display area than previous models.
Housed in a recycled aluminum case that's water-resistant to 50 meters, the 11.5mm-thick Fitbit Edge uses a hybrid OLED display. Besides complications, it can show real-time workout stats, step count, heart rate, and more.
Google says it has revamped the Edge's interface, taking inspiration from the Pixel Watch. The Edge also offers limited notification mirroring, along with support for Google Maps, media controls, calls, and messages.
The side button on the right edge offers haptic feedback, so you can pause the workout without looking at the wearable.
The Fitbit Edge is also Google's first repairable fitness tracker, with its modular architecture allowing for a replaceable battery.
The wearable tracks heart rate around the clock, monitors heart rate variability, and measures overnight changes in skin temperature. It also packs Health Guardian features, providing monthly insights into your blood pressure and insulin resistance, along with high and low heart rate alerts.
The Fitbit Edge does have an edge over the Air in one aspect of health tracking. Like the Pixel Watch 5, you can take an ECG through an on-device app right from the wearable to check your heart rhythm.
For fitness tracking, the wearable can automatically recognize and track up to 100 different workouts. Besides GPS, it comes with an altimeter to measure elevation changes.
Thanks to deep Google Health Coach integration, the Fitbit Edge will provide personalized insights based on your key health metrics.
Fitbit Edge brings smartwatch features without the smartwatch price
Google says the Fitbit Edge's GPS offers up to 40% better tracking accuracy than the previous generation, even when used without your phone.
Despite the addition of a screen, Google rates the Fitbit Edge for up to 7 days of battery life. Plus, when in a hurry, a quick 5-minute charge will provide a full day of use.
The Fitbit Edge comes in four finishes with several different band options, including Volcanic Black (Matte Black attachment), Mist (Satin Silver attachment), Olive (Satin Pyrite attachment), and Peach Rose (Champagne Gold attachment). Google is also selling a Stephen Curry limited edition in his signature game-day orange color.
The Fitbit Edge is already available for pre-order and will hit retail stores starting October 27 for $180. Eligible users will get a 3-month Google Health Premium subscription for free. The Stephen Curry limited edition will retail for $220.