Fitbit Charge 5 review: From basic band to pseudo smartwatch

Jeramy Johnson is from the Central region.

The Charge fitness tracker is refreshed every couple of years or so, and the most significant changes to the device to date are in the 2021. A new design, new sensors, and a new price point combine for a compelling package. It's clear that the basic trackers in the lineup are something that will be prominently featured by the search giant.

You may think I'm just a basic band fanatic because I was so excited to try out the new Charge 5 and give it a proper review, but I'm not alone in my affection for this form factor or device. A group of reporters and industry analysts were told that one-third of its active users wear a Charge device. The company has poured a lot of its best design and sensor tech into the latest version of the popular Wearable.

The Charge 5 and its Premium fitness service, as well as the new looks and functions, are all part of the new look of the company. The company sees this combination as the key to battle the Apples, Pelotons, and WHOOPs of the world moving forward.

Let's take a look at what I thought of the Charge 5 after the first ten days of use.

The Charge 5 is the best tracker ever, with advanced health sensors, a bright color touchscreen, and a stylish new design. The price and performance of this device have put it closer to a watch than a fitness band. It's not a bad thing, but it may be more than the person needs.

New design is stylish and comfortable.
The new sensors are EDA and ECG.
Fast pair for the phone.
Solid battery life.
6 months of the premium of the fitness tracker.

Not compatible with previous Charge bands.
It can be a bit difficult.
$30 price increase over Charge 4.

The source is: Fitbit.

The Charge 5 went up for pre-order in late August and the first devices were shipped out in September. The Charge 5 is $30 more expensive than the Charge 4 at $180, but it's still $50 cheaper than the Versa 3. The Charge 5 can be purchased from major retailers such as B&H and Amazon.

The Charge 5 is what's good.

Jeramy Johnson is from the Central region.

The Charge 5 is one of the best fitness trackers around, and it makes a strong case to stay at the top of that list. Even though it is instantly recognizable as a Charge device, Fitbit made some significant improvements to its best band.

The design is rounded, organic, and overall more refined than the blockier look of the Charge 2, 3, and 4, and it comes in 10% thinner than previous versions. It now fits in with the design aesthetic of the new devices. It has a larger, brighter version of the Luxe's screen, making it easy to read indoors or out. It's even brighter than the Charge 4 at 450 nits. The new Charge device is better suited to my wrist than previous Charge devices.

The Charge 5 is available in three different colors: a Platinum case with a Steel Blue band, a Black band and a Gold band. The colors mentioned above are examples of the great first-party straps that Fitbit offers.

The category is called

The Charge 5 is from the company.

There is a display.

1.04 inches is AMOLED.

Water resistance.

Up to 50m.

There are dimensions.

The measurement is.44 inches x.90 inches.

The weight.

.48 ounces (15 g)

There are sensors.

A 3-axis accelerometer, optical heart rate sensor, SpO2 and ambient light sensor were used.

The gps is on.



The NFC is a part of the game.



Always on display.



The premium of the fitness tracker.

It is free for six months.

There are colors.

Steel Blue/Platinum, Black/Graphite, and Lunar White/Gold.

The Charge 5 promises the same seven day battery life as the Charge 3 and 4. It is good to know that the same capacity was maintained even as it added features and new screen technology. I found the estimate to be on target. I was able to get just over six days out of a single charge, and this included using aGPS mode for four separate workouts, with max brightness and continuous heart rate monitoring turned on. I did not enable the always-on display because it has a significant impact on the battery life, and it's never been an essential feature to me.

The premium tracker has a number of advanced health features, including the ability to take EDA and ECG scans to measure your heart rhythm, as well as the ability to use a premium watch. Both work the same way on the Sense watch as they do on the Charge 5.

Once you open the EDA app and press the start button, you can simply grip the thumb and finger of your opposite hand on the sides of the watch for three minutes, and then you can add how calm you felt during the process. This information can help you with your training and recovery.

The Charge 5 is the only tracker that offers on-deviceGPS and NFS for payments. Since it will be running Wear OS 3, it is possible that the next premium watch from the company will switch to Google Pay. Fast Pair is a feature of the Charge that takes you to the Fitbit app when you power on your Charge 5.

If you can't find the workout you want or you forget to start one, the Charge 5 has SmartTrack technology that will detect when you start a workout. It works well, though it sometimes makes funny mistakes, like when it categorizes my lawn as swimming or cycling. The intensity map is something I love. This feature shows you on a map what your pace and heart rate were at different points in your walk, hike, run, or ride, when you start an active workout. I like this feature on my watch, and it's nice to have it here as well.

The source is: Fitbit.

The Charge 5 and the Daily Readiness Score are new metrics from Fitbit. This score is generated by your heart rate variability, activity levels, and sleep data. Measure your body's readiness for activity or rest to find out if you need more rest.

This information will be used to suggest activities, workouts, targets, and fitness goals for you. It's similar to the readiness and recovery guidance that companies like WHOOP and Oura have been giving their customers for years now, and it's something that Fitbit Premium customers should get a lot of value from.

The source of the information is the Android Central.

You can monitor your Stress Management Score in the app, but you'll need to manually add the tile for it as it's not on the main screen. The Stress Management Score is calculated by taking your own reflections of your stress level, along with data from yourMindfulness sessions, heart rate, overall activity, and sleep information. As with most scores, the higher the better, as that means that Fitbit has detected fewer signs of physical stress.

The source of the information is the Android Central.

If you purchase a Charge 5, you will get a free six months of the service, so you can try out the Premium features and see if they work for you. The lengthy trial period for its Premium service is pretty generous. The Charge 5, Luxe, Versa 3, and Sense all have six months on top of the three-month Apple Fitness+ you get with a new Apple Watch.

The Charge 5 is not good.

Jeramy Johnson is from the Central region.

I've been a regular wearer of Fitbit for over five years now, and I've worn the Charge tracker for most of that time, so I'm a fan. There is an awful lot to like about the Charge 5, but it's not perfect. It's better than the Charge 4 in a lot of ways, and it makes up for the things that I didn't like about the Luxe.

My complaints with the Charge 5 are relatively minor in the grand scheme of things, but a few things frustrated me with the newest Fitbit. We are once again faced with a new set of proprietary bands. That means they're not compatible with the Charge 3 or 4 and the bands and chargers won't work with the Charge 5.

Jeramy Johnson is from the Central region.

The Charge 5 has a different design and dimensions than the earlier devices, so it makes sense that the old accessories won't fit the new tracker. Since the Apple Watch Series 7 can still use the same bands and charger as a seven-year-old first-generation Apple Watch, it's kind of a bummer that Fitbit couldn't keep compatibility for longer.

I had a major complaint about the new navigation paradigm. The Charge 5 doesn't respond to wet fingers or sweaty hands the same way as all the other touchscreen devices. It's not a big deal with a phone, but it's inconvenient when you're working out or swimming.

There are no buttons to navigate back to the home screen, and you have to either double-tap any screen to return home or use the left or right Swips to return home. The problem is that this was very hit or miss for me. I had the same issue when I was reviewing the Luxe, and it was something Tshaka noticed when filming his video review.

Tshaka told me that the touchscreen took some getting used to. You have to be very intentional compared to other touchscreens.

I have to say something about the price increase. The Charge 5 retails for $30 more than the Charge 4's initial price, but you can get a Charge 4 for as little as $50 less, and the Charge 5 is on sale for the holidays. It's obvious why the new tracker is more expensive, but it's a big jump from one generation to the next. It's approaching the territory of some of the best watches, including the SAMSUNG GALAXY WATCH 4.

The source is: Fitbit.

The Charge 5 received some important and promised updates just a few months after its release, including the launch of the Fitbit Daily Readiness Score and the ECG app.

Afib is a heart rhythm abnormality and can be assessed with the ECG app.
The Daily Readiness Score is now available for Premium users. A high score indicates you're ready for a high-intensity workout while a low score indicates you're tired and should rest.

The Charge 5 is a competition.

The source is "Whoop."

The next logical comparison is with the Luxe, a premium tracker from Fitbit. Both have the same design language, similar features, andUI paradigms. The Charge 5 is larger and more expensive than the Luxe, it has more health sensors, and it has a better battery life.

The Mi Band 6 is the best fitness tracker value around, with a similar-sized color touchscreen and battery capacity. It is over $100 cheaper than the Charge 5. The Mi Band 6 doesn't have the built-inGPS that the Charge 5 does, and it lacks the health and activity tracking results that the Mi Band 6 does.

It makes sense to compare the Charge 5 with WHOOP's service since it is leaning into recovery with the Charge 5. Both devices can track standard and advanced health metrics, but the mission behind both seems to be helping users know when is the best time to work out and when they should rest and recover.

Should you buy it?

Jeramy Johnson is from the Central region.

You like the feel of a fitness band.
You don't want to spend a lot of money on health tracking.
You are already a member of the Google/Fitbit system.

There are many quality options for less money.
You want to use your watch.
You don't like touch-only navigation.

The Charge 5 is an excellent fitness tracker, but not for everyone. If you can't afford the nearly $200 price tag, then you should look at the Luxe or Inspire 2. If you need more from your Wearable, you might be better spending a bit more on something like the Sense or the Samsung Watch 4.

It's fascinating to see how far this tracker has evolved. The Charge 5 has come a long way in just a few years, from only having a smallLED that showed your steps and the time to a large screen, to having some of the most advanced health sensors on any Wearable.

Is it too far? The device is functional, and its price point is quickly approaching some of the more popular watches. I'm more comfortable calling the Charge 5 a smartwatch than a tracker. The Charge 5 is a great device if you're into the Fitbit system. If your needs are more basic, you might want to look elsewhere.

The Charge 5 is the most advanced tracker ever, with high-end sensors found on more expensive watches. It has a new, refined design that is sure to appeal to the fashion-conscious.

The article was published in September of 2021.

The following changes were made in December 2021.

Pricing has been updated to reflect recent sales.
"Updated features" section has been added.
The daily readiness score was mentioned.
Mention of the app has been added.

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