Earlier this week a promotional video for Fitbit’s latest fitness-focused wearable, the Charge 5, leaked quite a bit of information for the new device. Now Fitbit is officially ready to debut the Charge 5, with this refreshed iteration featuring a slimmer body while packing in many of the features and monitoring technology that Fitbit has been working on of late.
Similar to last year’s Fitbit Sense, the Charge 5 boasts a few more features focused on well being and stress management.
Along with all the usual steps and workout tracking, Fitbit is adding six months worth of free access to its Premium subscription service, which opens up more features and analytics for those that are interested.
Added to this, is Fitbit’s focus on electrocardiography (ECG), but at the time of writing, it remains to be seen if the Charge 5 will support that functionality later in the year, when the wearable lands in South Africa.
“We’re also helping you prioritize your heart health. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the world’s most common heart rhythm condition, and since launching the ECG app on Sense, users have taken more than four million assessments. The ECG app will be available soon on Charge 5, bringing a critical tool to more people at a more approachable price. Charge 5 also tracks your heart rate 24/7 and provides notifications when you are above or below your personal ranges, and while many factors can affect your heart rate, a high or low heart rate may be an indication of a heart condition that requires medical attention,” explains Fitbit in a press release sent to Hypertext.
Other notable specifications and features include a 200 percent brighter display, week’s worth of battery life, support for more than 500 workouts and 20-plus watch face designs.
For now an official launch date in SA has not been detailed, but the Charge 5 is expected in the next couple of months, with a recommended price tag of R3 999 and R599 for accessories like watch straps. Local retailers and platforms that will stock it include Makro, Cape Union Mart, Incredible Connection, Takealot, Hi Online, Dischem, Superbalist. Total Sports, Sportsmans Warehouse, FNB eBucks and FNB connect.
