Choosing a new wearable just got a bit more difficult with Fitbit’s new Charge 4 entering the mix. With some much-awaited features being added to the beloved Charge series, fans have some deciding to do on whether or not to upgrade. So how does the Fitbit Charge 4 compare to one of the premium smartwatches available today, such as the Apple Watch Series 5? We compare their specs and features below.
With a new Always-on Retina display, the Apple Watch Series 5 lets you see the time and enjoy numerous watch faces all day. Comes in your choice of Space Gray, Silver, or Gold case.
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Fitbit Charge 4 vs Apple Watch 5 Fitness Smartwatch Comparison Chart
Model | Apple Watch Series 5 | |
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Price | Check Price at Walmart | Check Price at Amazon |
Display | LED | Retina |
Always-on | No | Yes |
Screen Size | 1.36″ | 1.78″ |
Dimensions | 1.4″ x 0.9″ x 0.5″ | 1.73″ x 1.5″ x 0.42″ |
Weight | 0.7 oz | 1.29 oz |
Colors | 4 | 3 |
Call & Text Alerts | Yes | Yes |
Water Resistance | Up to 50 meters | Up to 50 meters |
Heart Rate Monitor | Yes | Yes |
ECG Monitor | No | Yes |
Pedometer | Yes | Yes |
Altimeter | Yes | Yes |
Calorie Burn Tracker | Yes | Yes |
Sleep Tracking | Yes | No |
Swim Tracking | Yes | Yes |
Female Health Tracking | Yes | Yes |
Compass | No | Yes |
GPS | Built-in | Built-in |
Cellular | No | Available |
Wi-Fi | No | Yes |
Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
NFC | Yes | Yes |
Storage | No | Yes |
Compatibility | iOS, Android, Windows | iOS |
Battery Life | 7 days | 18 hours |
Design
The Apple Watch 5 has a more premium design and build quality than the

Holding these two fitness smartwatches side by side should instantly draw you towards Apple’s device, as it’s that much of a looker compared to Fitbit’s utilitarian aesthetics. The Apple Watch Series 5 has a matte aluminum case that’s only outshined by its crisp and colorful Retina display. It’s like having a mini-iPhone right on your wrist. With how responsive and large its touchscreen is, you’ll definitely enjoy playing around with its apps more than simply as a way to manage your fitness metrics.
That’s not all, too. Apple finally added a much requested feature to the Series 5: an always-on option. Now you can enjoy its lovely display even more and have a watch that shows the time all the time. With a customizable watch face it’ll look even better, though you’ll have to keep an eye on battery levels as this drains it much quicker.
Comparing the
Both look great, but those who’ve owned previous models will notice that these are essentially the same designs as before. While we can hope for a fresh new take, this does mean that they’re compatible with bands for older Charge and Apple Watch versions.
Activity Tracking
The

As the dedicated fitness tracker, the
Over the years the Apple Watch has continued to add to its repertoire of fitness features to match Fitbit’s lineup. Now, the Series 5 packs as much activity tracking capabilities, so you can wear it for almost any type of workout, including swimming. It has an Activity Rings feature that can inspire you to keep active every day, which you can share with friends for some friendly competition. To compare, the Charge 4 has a new Active Zone Minutes feature that functions similarly.
With built-in GPS and 24/7 heart rate monitoring, the Charge 4 is an essential upgrade for fitness fans.
However, Apple is eyeing more health tracking features with its smartwatch. The Series 5 adds an ECG sensor to measure heart rhythm and help spot anomalies that can turn into medical issues later on. It also has a fall detection app that can send an alert to emergency contacts and health professionals in case you need help, which is handy for older users. There’s also a noise level app to warn you of dangerous sound volume along with cycle tracking to record period symptoms and other information.
Finally, both Charge 4 and Apple Watch 5 have built-in GPS so you can get real-time access to your pace and route during outdoor runs or cycles. They’re also fully waterproof up to 50 meters, so you can track laps at the pool, too.
Smart Features
The Apple Watch 5 has a larger app library and better connectivity than the Charge 4.

There’s no getting around the fact that Apple has gotten a lot more developers to create app for the Apple Watch 5 and its earlier versions. It will be likely that you can find an app that does what you need in the WatchOS library than on Fitbit OS. Moreover, the UI of Apple Watch apps simply looks better since they’re designed for a better display.
While the
Those who like using voice assistants get full Siri access on the Apple Watch Series 5, which comes equipped with mic and speaker. Meanwhile, the
Battery Life and Other Features
The

There’s a mountain of difference between the
Note that using GPS will drain battery life a lot quicker for both devices, and using the always-on display of the Series 5 will ravish it even faster.
Verdict
The Apple Watch 5 is packed with more features than the
With built-in GPS and 24/7 heart rate monitoring, the Charge 4 is an essential upgrade for fitness fans.
With a new Always-on Retina display, the Apple Watch Series 5 lets you see the time and enjoy numerous watch faces all day. Comes in your choice of Space Gray, Silver, or Gold case.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that the Apple Watch Series 5 comes out way ahead if you’re simply looking at the total number and variety of features. As the premium wearable, it’s got nearly everything you could want on your wrist, including fitness tracking, health tracking, music storage, apps, GPS, etc., the list goes on. However, you have to consider the price, since even the standard aluminum case is quite expensive. There are other variants featuring ceramic, stainless steel, and titanium cases, with correspondingly skyrocketing costs. If your budget easily accommodates it though, the Apple Watch 5 is indeed a topnotch device.
At the more reasonable point of the price spectrum sits the Fitbit Charge 4, and it’s never been more attractive. The beloved Charge series finally has built-in GPS and music control to make outdoor use a lot more appealing. It remains as lightweight and minimalist as ever, and as a dedicated fitness tracker with a fantastic app, you’ll be able to measure your progress and enhance your fitness levels better. You’ll be saving so much by getting it, and it won’t feel like you’re simply snapping up a cheap option.
FAQs
The Apple Watch definitely has better and more smartwatch features than most Fitbit models. However, Fitbit’s activity tracking app has been the standard in the industry, making Fitbit trackers like the Charge 4 still the go-to choice of dedicated fitness enthusiasts.
Yes, the Fitbit Charge 4 truly stands out with its extensive activity tracking features, waterproof build, amazing battery life, and very friendly price. It easily outperforms the majority of fitness trackers available today, and it now has built-in GPS and music controls.
The Apple Watch Series 5 only has a few minor upgrades from the Apple Watch Series 4. These include an always-on display option, more music storage, and a compass. There are additional editions available for the Series 5 with more premium cases though they don’t impact actual performance.
If you’re upgrading from the