On 12 October Google unveiled the Fitbit Edge, the most complete fitness tracker ever released under the Fitbit brand. It has a larger screen than previous models, standalone GPS and a battery you can swap out. In the United States it is available to pre-order at $179.99 and reaches shops on 27 October.
What changes in practice
The feature that stands out is repairability. Google describes it as its first repairable fitness tracker, with a modular internal design and a replaceable battery. For a device worn on the wrist every day, that is a significant change: today, when the battery wears out, the whole thing usually gets thrown away.
The screen uses a Hybrid OLED panel, with a viewable area 46% larger than earlier Fitbits, and is designed to stay legible even in direct sunlight. The side button has been redesigned and now gives tactile feedback when pressed.
The case is 11.5 mm thick and, according to Google, weighs 45% less than an Apple Watch Series 12. It is made of recycled aluminium and is water-resistant to 5 ATM and IP68 standards.
Battery life and training
Google claims up to seven days on a single charge, a figure obtained in internal testing and therefore to be taken as a maximum. Leaks in recent days spoke of around two days with the screen always on. Magnetic charging is quick: five minutes is enough for about a day of use, but you need a 30 W power adapter, which is not in the box.
On the sporting side, there are:
- more than 50 workout modes, with heart-rate zones, pace and live splits;
- built-in GPS, claimed to be up to 40% more accurate than previous generations, and usable without a phone;
- an altimeter for elevation gain;
- automatic detection of around a hundred different activities.
Health and subscription
The optical sensor monitors heart rate continuously, while at night skin temperature, sleep stages and heart-rate variability come into play, producing a daily recovery score. There is also the Health Guardian feature, which flags trends in blood pressure and insulin resistance and alerts you if your heart rate is too high or too low. Google stresses that these are general wellness indications and not diagnoses, and that availability varies from country to country. The same goes for the ECG app, which is not intended for anyone under 22.
Beware of the subscription: some features, including Google Health’s personalised coach, require Google Health Premium, sold separately. The US box includes a three-month trial.
Price and availability
The official price is $179.99. There is also a special edition dedicated to Stephen Curry at $219.99. There are four finishes (Obsidian, Fog, Olive and Canyon), and straps are sold separately.
For Italy, Google has not yet announced a price or a date. Before the launch, the source Dealabs had indicated €179 for Europe and €99 for the simpler Fitbit Air: these are leaked figures, not official ones. The Fitbit Edge works with Android phones from version 11 and with iPhones from iOS 16.4, so it can also be used without a Google phone.
What we think
In our view, the replaceable battery is the strongest selling point, more than the battery-life figures. Fitness bands lose capacity after a couple of years, and until now the only solution was to buy a new one. If the European price really is close to €179, the Edge would sit above the Fitbit Air and below full smartwatches, a segment where the competition is fierce today.
It remains to be seen how much a spare battery will cost and whether Google will sell it directly: until it says so, repairability is a promise. It also counts that the most interesting health features come with a subscription. If you want a more complete watch, take a look at our guide to the best smartwatches; for a comparison with a recent alternative, read Garmin takes on Whoop.
Written by the SpazioiTech newsroom with the help of AI tools, from facts verified across at least two independent outlets, and checked before publication. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
Translated from the Italian original. Read in Italian
