Fitbit Charge 6: Release and Price

Fitbit typically takes one and a half to two years to release a new Charge model. We’re nearing the two-year mark, so we feel it’s getting close. However, the release pattern remains unpredictable. Looking at the Charge tracker releases, no fixed pattern emerges:

• Fitbit Charge – October 2014
• Fitbit Charge HR – January 2015
• Fitbit Charge 2 – September 2016
• Fitbit Charge 3 – October 2018
• Fitbit Charge 4 – March 2020
• Fitbit Charge 5 – August 2021

We’re still some time away from a release, so there’s no concrete information on the Charge 6 price. We expect it to be around £179.99, though current inflation could push it closer to £200.00.

Last Update: August 2022

Fitbit announced three new devices but is preparing for another. During the Google Wallet reveal for the Sense 2 and Versa 4, references to the Charge 6 were made.

The FB423 code with the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) matches a tracker with Bluetooth, GPS, and NFC, potentially hinting at the Charge 6. Fitbit also called the Inspire 3, Sense 2, and Versa 4 the ‘autumn lineup,’ suggesting the Charge 6 might launch late winter or early spring.

What We Want from the Fitbit Charge 6

We can’t ignore that new devices always introduce features to encourage purchases. Here are some functions that could convince us to buy the Fitbit Charge 6 upon release.

Battery Capacity

The Charge 5’s battery life declined with its new sensor suite and AMOLED screen. With casual use, it lasts about 7 days. With the always-on AMOLED feature, it barely reaches 3 days, and with GPS on, it’s around 5 hours. We’d love to see extended GPS usage.

The Charge 6 needs an improved battery to compete with cheaper fitness trackers and affordable smartwatches. A larger battery would require more space, which seems unlikely for Fitbit given their consistent design and size. However, we know the straps are replaceable each year. Explore our Fitbit straps in advance.

Music Control

The Fitbit Charge 4 launched with Spotify control, letting premium subscribers manage tracks played via their smartphone. This was completely removed in the Charge 5, which also lacks general music control for smartphone playback.

Music control is nearly essential for a fitness tracker, as you’d rather not pull your phone out during workouts. Since competitors in the same price range offer this, it’s time for Fitbit to add it to the Charge 6.

Google Features

Google acquired Fitbit in 2019, and we expect Google’s influence in developing the Charge 6. If it includes Google Maps navigation, it could be one of the cheapest fitness trackers with this feature.

Google Wallet and Google Assistant would add extra value, though the recently launched Versa 4 and Sense 2 lack Google Assistant despite the potential. The chances of the Charge 6 having Google Assistant seem slim.

Google Pay

Although Fitbit Pay exists, it’s less user-friendly than Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. With Google and Fitbit’s collaboration, Fitbit Pay feels outdated. Replacing it with Google Pay would improve usability.

The Sense 2 and Versa 4 are compatible with Google Wallet, so we expect the Charge 6 to follow suit.

Fitness Features

The Charge 6 should be the best fitness tracker in the lineup. The Charge 5 was already top-tier, so Fitbit must innovate significantly to improve it.

The Charge 5 mirrored many Fitbit Sense features; repeating this with the Sense 2 could bring similar traits to the Charge 6.

Sense features in the Charge 5 include the heart rate monitor, skin temperature sensor, and stress monitor. The stress monitor on the Sense 2 was updated for continuous measurement, and we hope the Charge 6 inherits this version.

This feature could give the Charge 6’s health tracking a significant edge over competitors, one of the few additions Fitbit can make to meaningfully enhance the Charge 5 within its price range.

Improved GPS Tracking

Fitbit isn’t known for GPS tracking, so there’s room for improvement. Why not start with the Charge 6? The Charge 5 had occasional tracking issues, losing positioning. We’d like Fitbit to prioritise better GPS tracking.

Dual-band GPS and GNSS tracking are common in Garmin, Apple, and even Amazfit watches. Even affordable Amazfit models use dual frequencies. We doubt Fitbit is focusing on this, as GPS tracking wasn’t significantly improved in the Sense 2 or Versa 4.

Third-Party Apps

Some apps work with Fitbit, but many top fitness apps aren’t compatible. Fitbit wants you to use its own health tracking features, making it hard to share data with apps like Google Fit and Strava. While Strava’s exclusion makes sense, Fitbit should integrate well with Google Fit given the Google partnership.