Fitbit Charge 6 vs Fitbit Charge 5: The Fitbit Charge 6 and Charge 5 are both fitness trackers with similar designs and features.
Pros and Cons
| Fitbit Charge 6 | Fitbit Charge 5 |
|---|---|
| Most powerful Fitbit tracker | Current price at $150 |
| New physical side button | Sleeker and lighter design |
| Google’s ecosystem available | Long-lasting battery life |
| Accurate heart rate sensor | Excellent tracking accuracy |
| Looks almost identical to Charge 5 | Lacks physical buttons |
| No major improvements | Less accurate heart-rate sensor |
Fitbit, a well-known name in the world of fitness trackers, gained significant attention with the launch of the Charge 5 back in August 2021. Now, with the launch of the Charge 6, it seems the company’s focus has shifted more towards refining the product and integrating with Google’s ecosystem. But the question many consumers are asking is – should they upgrade? Let’s compare these two models to find out.
Specifications
| Fitbit Charge 6 | Fitbit Charge 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Fitbit | Fitbit |
| Released | 28 Sep 2023 | 28 Sep 2021 |
| Price | $160 | $150 |
| Display | 1.04-inch AMOLED | 1.04-inch AMOLED |
| Dimensions and weight | 36.7 x 23.1 x 11.2mm | 36.7 x 22.7 x 11.2mm |
| weight | 37.64g | 28g |
| Materials | Aluminum, glass, and resin | Aluminum, glass, and resin |
| Battery | Upto 7 days | Upto 7 days |
| Charging | 2h charge time | 2h charge time |
| Sensors | Heart rate, SpO2, EDA, ECG | Heart rate, SpO2, EDA, ECG |
| OS | Android, iOS | Android, iOS |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, NFC | Bluetooth 5.0, NFC |
| Mobile payments | Google Wallet | Fitbit Pay |
| Water resistant | Up to 50m | Up to 50m |
| Colors | Obsidian, Porcelain, Coral | Black, Steel Blue, Lunar White |
Underneath the surface, both devices possess a rich array of sensors – including a 3-axis accelerometer, optical heart rate monitor, and an NFC chip. The Charge 6, however, stands out with its advanced heart rate tracking capabilities, thanks to Google’s enhanced algorithms.
Interestingly, the EDA (Electrodermal Activity) sensor, which helps measure stress, offers only on-demand readings in both devices, contrasting the continuous readings provided by the Fitbit Sense 2.
Key Differences
Here are the key differences between the two:
| Buit-in GPS (pace & distance) | ✔ | ✔ |
| ECG app for AFib assesment | ✔ | ✔ |
| Exercise modes | 40+ | 20+ |
| YouTube Music Control on wrist | ✔ | ✘ |
| Google Wallet & Maps | ✔ | ✘ |
| Sleep tracking & score | ✔ | ✔ |
| Heart rate on equipment* | ✔ | ✘ |
| Call, text & app notifications | ✔ | ✔ |
| SpO2,skin temp,HR variability | ✔ | ✔ |
| Fitbit Premium membership | 6 months | 6 months |
- Fitbit Charge 6: It acts more like a smartwatch compared to the Charge 5. You can access Google Maps directly on it.
- It offers improved workout tracking with 40 exercise modes, double the 20 modes in the Charge 5.
- Fitbit Charge 5: It’s a bit simpler, focusing mainly on essential fitness features.
- Both devices are waterproof up to 5 ATM, making them suitable for most aquatic activities.
Design
Fitbit Charge 6: At first glance, it looks a lot like the Charge 5! They share the same case, design, and screen. But the Charge 6 is a tad thicker by 1.2mm, and although it shares the height and width with the Charge 5, it weighs less. However, it’s heavier overall at 37.6 grams, which is 34% more than the Charge 5.
Fitbit Charge 5: It’s lighter, weighing 13g less than the Charge 6.
Features & Functionalities
Both the Charge 5 and Charge 6 are adept at monitoring a range of health metrics. These include the basics, like steps and distance, and more intricate ones like HRV (Heart Rate Variability) and skin temperature.
The Charge 6 does step it up a bit by introducing 20 new workout modes and the unique ability to broadcast heart rate data to third-party fitness gadgets through Bluetooth.
Smart Capabilities
The Charge 6 takes the lead in terms of smart features, thanks to its deeper integration with Google. This includes support for Google Wallet, Google Maps turn-by-turn directions, and control over YouTube Music. It even comes with a bonus month of YouTube Premium.
In comparison, the Charge 5 is a tad limited, offering just Fitbit Pay and basic notifications.
The Charge 6 also marks Fitbit’s foray into accessibility features. With ‘Zoom Plus Magnification,’ users can enlarge text on their device, making it easier to read.
Battery Life
Battery performance is commendable in both models, with a single charge lasting almost a week.
Price:
Fitbit Charge 6: Initially, it cost $169, which is actually cheaper than the Charge 5’s starting price of $179.95. But now, it retails at $160.
Fitbit Charge 5: It currently sells for $150.
Conclusion
If you already own a Fitbit Charge 5? If yes, think twice before upgrading. The Charge 5 tracks your fitness pretty well. The main reason you’d want to move to the newer version is for the improved health features. But if your current tracker works fine, you might not need the new one right now.
Between the two, the Charge 6 stands out. Even though it looks similar to the Charge 5, it offers more accurate heart rate tracking and more exercise modes. For $160, it’s worth it, especially if you want a tracker that lasts a long time without needing a recharge.
However, the Charge 5 remains a great choice. It’s perfect for most users, and its price might even drop now that the Charge 6 is available.
