What’s the difference between the Fitbit Char 5 and Fitbit Charge 4? These activity bands are considered two of the most popular fitness trackers, and are popular with novice step-counters as well as exercise enthusiasts.
The Fitbit Charge 5, and Charge 4 were released about a year apart. They serve similar purposes in the brand’s device line-up. The Charge is the best Fitbit and it’s not a smartwatch. Each generation brings new improvements.
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The Fitbit Charge 4 introduced Activity Zone minutes and on-board GPS, while the Fitbit Charge 5 brought a redesign, an ECG reader, and many other features. These features are also available in Fitbit’s premium smartwatches like the Fitbit Sensor but are quite advanced for a fitness tracker.
This Fitbit Charge 5 vs. Fitbit Char 4 comparison can help you decide if the Charge 5 is worth it. These are the main differences.
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Fitbit Charge 5 vs. Charge 4: Design
The Charge 4 is almost identical to the Fitbit Charge 3. The Charge 4 has a rectangular shape with a grayscale OLED touchscreen and silicone bands that can be worn around the wrist. The Charge 4 has a single touch-sensitive area that acts as a Back button. You can also get it in a black or maroon-colored case made of plastic.
The Charge 5 has many aesthetic improvements. The Charge 5’s design has undergone several aesthetic changes. It now comes in three colors: black, silver, and gold. This fitness tracker is more fashionable with its metallic accents. Its curvier face adds an elegant touch.
The Charge 5 features a new body and a color-amole touchscreen. This is twice as bright as the Fitbit Charge 4’s, and has an always-on option. Even in direct sunlight, it’s easy for you to see. Charge 5 feels more like a semismartwatch and not a regular fitness tracker. However, there are many low-cost activity bands with color displays.
Fitbit Charge 5 vs. Charge 4: Features
The Fitbit Charge 5 as well as the Charge 4 are both robust fitness trackers. They can be used to track your steps, heart rate throughout the day, and even review your sleeping patterns over the night. They can also track your steps and distance via GPS when you are working out. For more advanced metrics, the screens are not large enough. You can also check out the best GPS watches and best running watches.
The Fitbit Charge 5 has more features than the Charge 4. It includes an electrodermal activity sensor (EDA) to detect stress and an ECG sensor to detect signs of atrial fibrillation. However, the ECG feature is not available at this moment. The Daily Readiness Score feature Fitbit has announced is not available alongside the Fitbit Charge 5. It will pull in three metrics — your fitness fatigue (activity), heart rate variability (HRV) and recent sleep — to determine how fit you are for exercise when it goes live. This tool could play a major role in deciding whether Apple Watch or Fitbit is the right one for you.
Fitbit also took some features from the Fitbit Charge 5. The Fitbit Charge 5 doesn’t have Spotify music controls and the weather app is gone. All guided breathing and relaxation sessions are done through the Fitbit app. To access many of the mindfulness tools, you will need a Fitbit Premium subscription. Fitbit Premium offers more detailed metrics, nutrition facts, and guided exercises. You can try it for free for a few months when you purchase a new Fitbit device.
Fitbit Charge 5 vs. Charge 4: Battery Life
Fitbit claims that both the Charge 5 & Charge 4 will last seven days. However, each user’s experience with their fitness tracker will be different. You can expect to charge your tracker once a week if you have GPS, heart rate monitoring, and the always-on display on.
Fitbit Charge 5 and Fitbit Charge 4: Which one should you choose?
Knowing the differences between the Fitbit Char 5 and the Fitbit charge 4, you can decide which model to buy based on your needs. The Fitbit Charge 4 is an excellent choice for those who are new to fitness tracking and don’t require ECG or color displays. It’s also perfectly matched with the Charge 5’s activity tracking features.
The Fitbit Charge 5 may be worth more than the Charge 4. You will also find Fitbit models on sale for less once they go on sale.
