The much-awaited Fitbit Charge 4, the successor to the top-selling Charge 3, is now available for pre-order. Fitbit finally equips its new fitness activity tracker with a built-in GPS, a feature requested by many of its users. Apart from this, what other upgrades does the flagship Fitbit Charge 4 have that the Charge 3 doesn’t? Read on to find out.
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Fitbit Charge 4 vs Charge 3 Fitness Tracker Comparison Chart
Model | ||
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Price | Check Priceย | Check Price |
Display | OLED | OLED |
Dimensions | 1.4โณ x 0.9โณ x 0.5โณ | 1.4โณ x 0.9โณ x 0.5โณ |
GPS | Built-in | Connected |
Call & Text Alerts | Yes, for Android users | Yes, for Android users |
Smart Awake | Yes | No |
Water Resistance | Up to 50 meters | Up to 50 meters |
Heart Rate Monitor | Yes | Yes |
Pedometer | Yes | Yes |
Calorie Burn Tracker | Yes | Yes |
Sleep Reports | Yes | Yes |
Resting Heart Rate | Yes | Yes |
Active Zone Minutes | Yes | No |
Blood Oxygen Level | Yes | Yes |
Swim Tracking | Yes | Yes |
Menstrual Tracking | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth | 4.0 | 4.0 |
Fitbit Pay | Yes | Available in the Special Edition |
Compatibility | iOS, Android, Windows | iOS, Android, Windows |
Subscription | 90-day free trial of Fitbit Premium | 90-day free trial of Fitbit Premium |
Battery Life | Up to 7 days | Up to 7 days |
Colors | Black Rosewood Storm Blue/Black Special Edition: Granite Reflective Woven | Black/Graphite Blue-Grey/Rose-Gold Frost White/Graphite Special Edition: Lavender/Rose-Gold |
Design and Comfort
The

Design-wise, the Fitbit 4 isn’t much different from its predecessor, the Charge 3. Both fitness tracker models come with slim straps available in plastic and woven bands. Their frame dimensions are also the same, so you can use your Charge 3 bands with the upcoming Charge 4.
They both house one button on the side with haptic feedback and a slim scratch-resistant OLED display. Where they differ is in their band and frame colors. The rose gold frame is no longer available in the
Health and Fitness Activity Tracking
The

Fitbit users have long been waiting for the upgrade that comes with the
Another feature found in the new Charge 4 that’s not available in the Charge 3 is the Active Zone Minutes. This is Fitbit’s new heart-rate metric that interprets data from your fitness activities and their varying intensities. Depending on the Active Zone Minutes goal you set, the app will give suggestions on how you can reach these targets based on your usual fitness activities. Fitbit announced that the Active Zone Minutes will become available in other smartwatches, but did not mention whether this will be available in older fitness trackers.
Apart from the above-mentioned upgrades, the
Additional Smart Features
The new

In the
The Fitbit app compatible with the Charge 4 and the Charge 3 also offers other sleep features for better quality sleep. These include the Silent Alarm, Sleep Schedule, Bedtime Reminders, and Sleep Insights. The
Connectivity and Compatibility
The

Pairing your smartphone with either the
Fitbit ensures anyone can enjoy its features and technology, making the Charge 4 and 3 compatible with iOS, Android, and Windows. If you’re an Android user, you can get message and call alerts and other notifications through your Fitbit.
Battery Life and Water Resistance
Both the

To ensure your fitness activity tracker can consistently monitor your activities, including sleeping patterns and sleep quality, it needs to be on your wrist 24/7. Fitbit made this possible by the long-lasting battery of the Charge 4 and the Charge 3 that can last for up to 7 days. However, if you often use the GPS of the Charge 4, usage hours is significantly reduced.
Both the
Verdict
Now’s the best time to get the
The small price difference makes the new Fitbit Charge 4 worth it, as it comes with a built-in GPS, Active Zone Minutes that help you get moving, lets you control Spotify through the fitness tracker, and pay contactless through Fitbit Pay. However, if you don’t mind missing out on those features, now’s a great time to snag a Fitbit Charge 3 as many retailers offer them on sale. If you already own a Fitbit Charge 3, perhaps wait it has been out for a while before you upgrade.
Last update on 2020-12-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API