Fitbit Charge 5 has arrived and is now available for pre-order. In terms of size and features, the Fitbit Charge series falls somewhere between the Inspire and Versa lines, with a slim profile and neat rectangular display, as well as an impressive stack of features for such a small device.
The Fitbit Charge 5 is now available for pre-order from Fitbit and a number of third-party retailers. Fitbit has yet to confirm a shipping date, but the watch will be available worldwide “in the fall”. We expect that to be available between September and November 2021.
The Fitbit Charge 5 costs $179.9. That’s slightly more than the Fitbit Charge 3 and 4, which both launched at £149.95. The price increase appears reasonable given the hardware upgrades. The Charge 5 not only has a new design, including a stainless steel case rather than plastic, but it also has a high-resolution color screen and both EDA and ECG sensors.
Price: $179.95
Battery life: 7 days
Display: AMOLED
Screen size: 0.86” X 0.58”
Resolution: 326 PPI
Built-in GPS: Yes
Heart rate monitor: Yes
SpO2 monitor: Yes
ECG monitor: Yes
Fitbit pay: Yes
On-board music storage: No
Weight: 28g
Size: 36.7mm L x 22.7mm W x 11.2mm D
Features
Since the release of the Fitbit Charge 4, Fitbit’s designs have evolved, and the Charge 5 adheres to the same ‘Biologic Industrial Design Language’ as the Sense, Versa 3, Inspire 2, and Luxe. That means smooth, rounded edges, softer silicone, and subtle colors inspired by nature. The stainless steel case of the Charge 5 sits flush with a silicone Infinity Band, which uses a soft loop and tang rather than hard plastic or metal buckle. It’s also 10% thinner than its predecessor, which was achieved by miniaturizing its components.
The color AMOLED display on Charge 5 is small but bright. This is a significant improvement over the Charge 4’s black and white display. The Charge 5 also includes an ambient light sensor, which allows the screen to lighten and darken depending on the lighting conditions, as well as an always-on mode, which makes it easier to check your stats at a glance during a workout.
The Charge 5 has a variety of workout tracking modes as well as onboard GPS for tracking your runs, bike rides, and walks without having to carry your phone. Your personal Readiness Score is a new feature. This is calculated using your heart rate variability, activity level, and sleep quality – and is only available to Fitbit Premium subscribers. Each morning, you’ll receive a score as well as activity suggestions for the day. If you’re well-rested, the Fitbit app may recommend an intense workout, and if you’re tired, it may suggest some gentle yoga to try instead, with recommendations drawn from the Fitbit app’s vast archive of instructor-led programs.
The Fitbit Charge 5 has an ECG sensor and app, similar to the Fitbit Sense, that can be used to check for signs of atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm). This could be an early sign of heart disease, which is dubbed “the silent killer” due to the lack of early symptoms. After taking an ECG reading, the Fitbit app will generate a report for you to share with your doctor if you have any concerns.
Another important feature shared by the Fitbit Charge 5 is an EDA (electrodermal activity) sensor, which detects changes in your skin’s conductivity in response to stress. More EDA responses correspond to higher stress levels, and after taking a reading, you’ll be prompted in the Fitbit app to add details about anything that may have affected your mood.