Fitbit Charge 4

This will be my third review of a Fitbit Charge In four years, having first checked out the Charge HR2 in 2016, then the Charge 3 in 2018. I’ve had a Fitbit in one form or another on my wrist virtually 24/7 over the past 5 years, until I won an Apple Watch in a media raffle last Christmas 2019. After a 6-month break from the Fitbit ecosystem, I must admit I’m glad to be back.

- Maribelle Alba

DESIGN

Except for very minor, hardly noticeable details, the Charge 4 looks much the same as its predecessors, which is why I’ve downgraded my score in the design category. Looks will not be the compelling reason for why anyone would want to upgrade from an earlier model.

Instead of the aluminum case on the Charge 3, the Charge 4 casing is now made of plastic resin in either black or rosewood. A color-matched classic wristband makes for a nice unibody look. There is an option for a storm blue wristband/ black tracker combination, and on the Special Edition, a granite reflective woven band with a black tracker.

The unified color scheme disguises the fact that the Charge 4 is slightly thicker than its predecessor, although it is still light enough to be comfortably worn the whole day.

HARDWARE

The Charge 4 has the same basic equipment and components as other Fitbits. An optical heart rate monitor calculates blood flow using light detectors and tracks pulse rate every 1-second when exercising and every 5-seconds at other times. A 3-axis accelerometer and altimeter track movement and elevation, and the new GPS feature now also tracks location. A vibration motor buzzes gently for discreet notifications, alarms, and reminders. Connectivity is via Bluetooth 4.0 for syncing with a smartphone and for Spotify controls. It also has NFC for Fitbit Pay, a tap-to-pay feature that’s not yet offered in the Philippines. It is powered by a lithium-polymer battery that fully charges in two hours and can last up to 7 days or 5 hours with continuous GPS use.

USER EXPERIENCE