Google Unveils $180 Fitbit Edge Fitness Tracker with Repairable Design
- Google has unveiled the Fitbit Edge, a $179.99 fitness tracker available for preorder now with an October 27 release date.
- The Fitbit Edge sits between the screenless Fitbit Air and the Pixel Watch, replacing the three-year-old Fitbit Charge 6.
- Google rates the Edge battery life at up to seven days with the always-on display disabled.
Google has unveiled the Fitbit Edge, a $179.99 fitness tracker available for preorder now with an October 27 release date. The new device features a slim, modular internal design with a replaceable battery, positioning itself as Google’s first repairable Fitbit.
The Fitbit Edge sits between the screenless Fitbit Air and the Pixel Watch, replacing the three-year-old Fitbit Charge 6. Measuring 11.5 mm thick, the Edge includes a 1.34-inch hybrid OLED display built with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, a physical side button, and a design that offers 46% more viewing area than earlier Fitbit trackers. It runs a redesigned version of Fitbit OS rather than Wear OS.
Battery Life and Sensors
Google rates the Edge battery life at up to seven days with the always-on display disabled. With the always-on display enabled, the battery life drops down to two days, and the device supports a fast-charging feature where a five-minute charge can provide a full day of power.
The fitness tracker comes equipped with built-in GPS, an altimeter, ECG, skin-temperature, blood-oxygen, and optical heart-rate sensors. Google states that the Edge’s GPS is up to 40% more accurate than previous generations. For durability, the device is rated IP68 for dust and water resistance and 5ATM for swimming.
Tradeoffs in Advanced Health Features
Under the hood, sleep tracking improves by 15% on the Edge. Its updated automatic activity detection can recognize up to 100 types of workouts, and more than 50 exercise modes can be started directly from the wrist. The device also syncs to phones for incoming texts, Google Maps directions, and other notifications.
Certain advanced health features are tied to Google Health Premium, which includes three months of the subscription with the device. Health Guardian can surface longer-term blood-pressure and insulin-resistance trends, and an AI coach can use those patterns to adjust fitness guidance, though Google stresses these are wellness tools rather than diagnostic readings.
Compared to the older Charge 6, the Edge comes with certain tradeoffs. It has no microphone or speaker, meaning it cannot take calls from the wrist, and it also drops NFC support, leaving Google Wallet and contactless payments unavailable.