The Fitbit Charge 3 didn't land until October 2018. It's an impressive device that ranks first on our list of the best fitness trackers. But there is no reason to think that Fitbit will stop at three o'clock, there will probably be a Fitbit Charge 4 sooner or later.
And while Fitbit Charge 3 is, Fitbit still has plenty of room to improve things for a fourth generation. After all, our review has given it four stars. Then there is one star to be achieved.
With this in mind, we've put together a list of everything we want most from the Fitbit Charge 4, as long as it arrives. You'll find it below, with news, rumors, and release date information. There is not much to do yet, but we will add to this article as soon as we hear something.
Cut to the hunt
- What is the next entry in the Fitbit Charge range
- When did he come out? Maybe by the end of 2019, probably 2020
- How much will it cost? Maybe € 129.99 / € 149.95 / AU € 229.95
Fitbit Charge 4 launch date and price
Having landed the Fitbit Charge 3 in October 2018, we don't expect to see the Fitbit Charge 4 before October 2019.
There is a slim chance this will show up at IFA 2019, which is scheduled for early September. This is the show where Fitbit introduced Charge 3 last year. It may be that the company is ready to introduce a new tracker.
However, there is a good chance that the wait will be longer, as there was roughly two years between Fitbit's Charge 3 and Charge 2. It was also about two years between the launch of the original Fitbit charge and charge 2, it may be around October 2020 that we receive the Fitbit 4 tax.
It is likely to land late in the launch year, as was the case with previous numbered models. The Fitbit Charge HR was an exception, as it went on sale in January 2015, but was announced in October 2014 alongside the original Fitbit Charge.
So far we can only predict the price, but the standard Fitbit Charge 3 launched at € 129.99 / € 149.95 / AU € 229.95. This is the same as the cost of Charge 2 at launch, so it is quite possible that Fitbit Charge 4 is expensive as well. If anything, the price will probably be higher than lower.
Fitbit Charge 4 could cost the same as Fitbit Charge 3
Fitbit Charge 4 news and rumors
We don't know anything about the Fitbit Charge 4 yet, but we can be sure. For example, most of the Fitbit Charge 3's features are likely to be retained, including a waterproof construction, a heart rate monitor, swim tracking, and a somewhat similar design, with a rectangular display and strap. Plastic or silicone.
But this will probably add and enhance the features too. For example, the Charge 3 has a connected GPS (this is a connection to your phone's GPS), so the Fitbit Charge 4 will surely have it at the very least. But it could improve and have its own GPS.
We don't know what will change, but we have some suggestions below.
What we want to see
While we wait for news and rumors about the Fitbit Charge 4, this is what we want the most from the laptop.
1. GPS on board
Perhaps the main missing feature of the Fitbit Charge 3 is the built-in GPS. You have at least one GPS connected, but it means you have to take your phone with you if you want to track GPS, which is not ideal.
So for the Fitbit Charge 4, we'd like to see the GPS added. If added and Fitbit doesn't drop the ball in any other way, the Charge 4 could be a fitness tracker without any major glitches.
2. A color screen
We would like to see a color display on the next model
The Fitbit Charge 3 has a larger screen than the Fitbit Charge 2, but it is still monochrome. For Fitbit Charge 4, we want to see an additional color.
Adding color to the screen should make observation and interaction easier, and even if the battery has an impact on battery life, the effect should be minimal. That said, an option to switch to monochrome would also be appreciated if you want to save battery life.
3. Standard USB-C or wireless charging
The Fitbit Charge 3 has a dedicated charger, which means that if you don't have the charger with you, you probably won't be able to charge it because your partner is unlikely to have a compatible charger.
So for Fitbit Charge 4, we would like it to work with standard USB-C chargers or standard wireless chargers as they are becoming more common.
4. Fitbit Pay as standard
There is a version of Fitbit Charge 3 that comes with NFC and Fitbit Pay, but we want it to be standard on Fitbit Charge 4, rather than being a feature that you have to pay more for.
Contactless payments can be very useful, especially on a fitness tracker, because you probably don't want to pack your wallet, so with Fitbit Pay you can always stop for a drink if you need one. .
5. A prettier strap
The Fitbit Charge 3 doesn't come with the most beautiful straps
We weren't the biggest fans of the plastic strap that came with the standard Fitbit Charge 3. Fitbit offers silicone and leather bands, but their price is additional.
We would like the Fitbit Charge 4 to come with a silicone strap, because it is much better to work with. Even if that means paying a little more, you will still save more than you need. Buy one separately.
6. Fitbit App Gallery
Fitbit Charge 3 does not support apps, but we would like this to be the case with Fitbit Charge 4, especially if it shows a color screen.
Fitbit already has an app gallery for devices like Fitbit Ionic and Fitbit Versa. We'd like to see access to Fitbit Charge 4 also allowed. This could help make it smarter and more versatile than the average fitness tracker.
7. Better battery life
The Fitbit Charge 3 does not have a faulty battery. In fact, almost seven days later, it's pretty reasonable, but some fitness fans are still getting over it, so we'd like to see more improvements here.
This is especially important because the Charge 3, and most fitness trackers, can also be used to track sleep, which can't be done so easily at night when you need to plug them in.