Fitbit Charge 4 vs. Charge 5: 4 Must-Know Facts
- CNET’s Editors’ Choice for the best fitness tracker in 2020 is the Fitbit Charge 4. Compared to a full-fledged smartwatch, its smaller size, longer battery life, and lower price make it a good alternative for individuals who want to track their health and fitness but don’t want to carry the extra weight.
- Fitbit introduced GPS to independently track outdoor workouts with the release of the Charge 4, offering athletes better training tools. While it lacks the smartwatch functions of the latest Fitbit Versa 3, such as voice assistant and dictation, it does allow you to make contactless payments, access Fitbit’s sophisticated sleep tracking tools, and respond to texts (but only on Android). It’s the people’s favorite because it has everything and it’s reasonably priced.
- Fitbit introduced the electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) app and the Daily Readiness Score for the Charge 5, as promised. The Charge 5 should be a top selection because it is a fantastic fitness tracker with a clear display, long battery life, Android and iOS compatibility, and fair pricing.
- Before Google acquired Fitbit, the Charge 5 was the best fitness tracker on the market. Unlike more expensive Fitbit smartwatches like the Versa 3 and Sense, this one costs only $150 and has nearly all of the same health and fitness functions. The Charge 5 is a fantastic deal for individuals who don’t require a larger display, a voice assistant, or additional music storage.
Are you considering changing your Fitbit Charge? If so, you’re likely trying to decide between the Fitbit Charge 4 and Charge 5. So, how do they compare?
Both offer a wide range of features and benefits, but there are some key differences to consider before deciding.
Fitbit Charge is the first port of call for most people looking to invest in a fitness tracker. Both the Fitbit Charge 5 and the Fitbit Charge 4 are excellent options, but it’s challenging to decide between them. Fitbit’s most recent model, the Charge 5, is a cutting-edge wearable device that tracks your physical activities and provides insightful analytics. Still, the Fitbit Charge 4 might be a better option if you’re on a tight budget.
The Fitbit Charge 4, released in 2020, was a game-changer upgrade over previous models because it included built-in GPS for tracking outdoor activities such as running, walking, and cycling without needing to carry a phone. It was the thinnest and lightest Fitbit with a GPS chip (the Fitbit Ionic and Surge also had them), and it was also the best option for new runners.
Learn more about the differences, cons, and pros of Fitbit Charge 4 and Charge 5. Which one should you pick? Let’s dive in below!
Fitbit Charge 4 vs. Charge 5: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fitbit Charge 4 | Fitbit Charge 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Uses the most advanced heart rate sensors to measure calorie expenditures throughout the day, current heart rate zone, and the number of minutes spent in the Active Zone for self-discovery. The Fitbit app’s Sleep Score feature allows you to track sleep cycles, including light, deep, and REM sleep. You can use this to build more consistent sleeping patterns. | A powerful fitness tracker that combines the greatest features of previous Fitbit models. It has the Fitbit Versa 3’s GPS technology, the Fitbit Luxe’s slim profile and high-contrast AMOLED display, and the Fitbit Sense’s stress-monitoring features. |
| Developer | Google, LLC | Google, LLC |
| Release Date | March 31, 2020 | August 25, 2021 |
| Price | $128 | $119 |
| Battery Life | 7 Days | 7 Days, 5 hours of continuous GPS tracking |
| Colors | Black and rosewood | Steel Blue/Platinum Stainless Steel, Black/Graphite Stainless Steel, Lunar White/Soft Gold Stainless Steel |
Charge 4 vs. Charge 5: What’s the Difference?
If you’re on the fence about upgrading to the Charge 5, this comparison of the Fitbit Charge 4 and Charge 5 should help you decide. Read more below about the main distinctions to consider.
Price
At $149, the Fitbit Charge 4 was one of the more expensive fitness trackers on the market. For example, none of the top-rated low-cost fitness trackers cost more than $100. On the other hand, Fitbit raised the Charge 5’s price to $179 to reflect the device’s improved capability.
The Fitbit Charge 4 is more likely than the Charge 5 to be reduced alongside the best Fitbit deals. However, given it’s still new, this could change in the future. Therefore, both models vary in price.
Design
The Charge 4 looks almost the same as the Fitbit Charge 3, which came before it. The watch has a sleek rectangular shape, a grayscale OLED display, and silicone bands that wrap around your wrist. The Charge 4 has a single touch-sensitive area on the left side. The plastic casing comes in two colors: black and maroon.
The Charge 5 has an entirely different look. The case is made of stainless steel and comes in three colors: black, silver, and gold. Because of the metallic accents, this fitness tracker has a sleeker, more attractive appearance 一 the face’s gentler contours make it more appealing.
In addition to the improved look, the Charge 5’s color AMOLED display is twice as bright as the Fitbit Charge 4’s and can last longer hours. Even in direct sunlight, visibility is excellent. Though there are other low-cost activity bands with color displays, the Charge 5’s color animations and notifications raise it above the level of a simple fitness tracker.
Features
Regarding fitness trackers, neither the Fitbit Charge 5 nor the Charge 4 can be beaten. They can track the wearer’s health, such as the number of steps walked, heart rate at different times, and sleep quality. They can track how much time has passed and how far you’ve walked while exercising using GPS technology. Though neither display is large enough to show the plethora of sophisticated metrics that serious runners may require.
The Fitbit Charge 5 is a considerable upgrade over its predecessor, the Charge 4. It has an ECG sensor that detects atrial fibrillation as well as a EDA stress sensor. However, the ECG feature is currently unavailable. When Fitbit debuted the Charge 5, there was no mention of the Daily Readiness Score. When it goes online, it will assess your heart rate variability, recent sleep, and fitness weariness (activity) to see if you’re ready for exercise.
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Battery Life
While Fitbit states that the Fitbit Charge 4 and Charge 5 have a week battery life, this will vary depending on how frequently you use your fitness tracker. You may need to charge your tracker every few days if you utilize features like GPS, heart rate monitoring, and the always-on display.
Pros and Cons of Fitbit Charge 4 vs. Charge 5
| Pros of Fitbit Charge 4 | Cons of Fitbit Charge 4 |
|---|---|
| Displays blood oxygen saturation levels | No music storage |
| Lightweight and comfortable | Limited smart functionality |
| 7-day battery life | Music controls only work with Spotify Premium |
| Their sleep tracker is fantastic | Not compatible with Apple Health or Google Fit |
| Affordable |
| Pros of Fitbit Charge 5 | Cons of Fitbit Charge 5 |
|---|---|
| Great OLED display | No music control |
| Solid performance | Expensive |
| Built-in GPS | Small screen |
| Tracks overnight HVR, breathing rate, and skin temperatures | No physical buttons |
| Supports mobile payments | Can’t customize clock faces |
Fitbit Charge 4 vs. Charge 5: Which One Should You Get?
Now that we have covered the critical differences between the Fitbit Charge 4 and Charge 5, choosing a model that’s well-suited for you won’t be so complicated.
If you’re a novice to fitness tracking and don’t require ECG or a color screen, the Fitbit Charge 4 is a great option. Furthermore, its activity monitoring functions are currently comparable to the Charge 5. It’s possible that once the Fitbit Charge 5’s capabilities are available, it will outperform the Charge 4. It’s also common to find a Fitbit model at a relatively lower price when discounted.
Up Next…
Interested in similar articles? Click on the links below:
- Fitbit Sense vs. Apple Watch 7: How Do They Compare? Which comes with more connectivity options? More sensors? A longer battery life? The answers to these questions and more can be seen right here.
- Fitbit Luxe vs Charge 5: How Do They Compare? They are both stylish and fitness-focused. Which one comes with more features? Has a longer battery life? Will let you make contactless payments? The answers can be found here.
- Fitbit Versa 2 vs Versa 3: Full Comparison: They are both compatible with Android and iOS devices. One is sweat resistant. The other has a significantly longer battery life. Find out which is which and what other differences exist between them.
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