Following image leaks of two new Fitbit fitness trackers, the company today officially announced the Fitbit Charge 2 and Fitbit Flex 2. In addition, the Fitbit Blaze and Fitbit Alta wearables will receive a software update soon that brings new notifications, clock faces, and move reminders.
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Starting with the Fitbit Charge 2, the new device comes with a large OLED screen that includes a built-in tap display and is intended to capture all-day activity, including the usual statistics like step count, heart rate, calories burned, and more. Like other Fitbits, the Charge 2 allows for sleep tracking and wake alarms, and will also remind users to move in order to stay ahead of activity goals. When not working out, Fitbit is giving Charge 2 users a chance to dress their device up with all-new luxe leather bands and other premium accessories.
Improving on the original Fitbit Charge HR, the new OLED display is 4-times larger, "so you can see more activity stats and keep your fitness goals on track with just a glance." In addition to basic fitness readouts, the screen will also show smartphone-connected information such as text messages and emails. All of the Fitbit Charge 2's features will be able to last up to 5 days depending on usage, according to the company.
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Similar to the Breathe app coming to WatchOS 3 on the Apple Watch, Fitbit also announced "Relax," a mindfulness experience on the Charge 2 that will guide users through breathing exercises daily to help relax them. Relax will read each user's heart rate to determine the most comfortable breathing rate for each exercise, with sessions customizable from 2 to 5 minutes.
The Fitbit Flex 2, which is 30 percent smaller than the original model, follows in its predecessor's footsteps with a minimalist design that houses a row of LED lights instead of a traditional tap display. As a result, the Flex 2 is more rugged and the device is even water resistant up to 50 meters, letting it "automatically track your pool swims as exercise in the Fitbit app, capturing your laps, the duration of your workout, and caloric burn."
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Due to the Fitbit Flex 2's small design, the actual tracker is also able to be housed in a variety of new wearable accessories created by the company. These include basic wristbands, fashionable bangles, and even necklaces. Fitbit will also be launching "designer collections" of new wearable accessories, including stainless steel bands and nylon bracelets that cost a more premium price, up to nearly $300.
The Fitbit Flex 2 is available for pre-order as a wristband in black, lavender, magenta, and navy for $99.95, and will launch in November. The Fitbit Charge 2 has a few more color options: black/silver, plum/silver, blue/silver, teal/silver, lavender/rose gold, and black/gunmetal, the latter two of which are considered "special editions." The Charge 2 is not yet up for pre-order, however, but those interested can opt-in for email notifications for when the new device will go on sale, presumably alongside the Flex 2 in the fall.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)It's cute watching these little companies trying to take on fashion like Apple.
Fitbit is the largest wearable devices company in the world.Haha cute watching people who know nothing about other brands comment on them!! They are doing what apple do at less than a THIRD of the price, that just shows you how much Apple is ripping off their customers, Im preordering this, I sold my apple watch
Agreed. Fitbit's devices are phenomenal. Love my Charge HR, looking forward to upgrading to this.Fitbit Inc. has a market cap of $3B. Apple Inc. profits $3B every 24 days.
The point was about the Apple Watch and wearable devices. In that segment, Fitbit is far larger and is the #1 in that market. Fitbit doesn't make phones or computers.Doesn't change the fact that they're still a little company. Their quarterly results aren't even close to Apple's, and their market cap is 173 times smaller. That and they went from making cheap looking plastic fitness bands to fancy leather and rose gold bands similar to the Apple Watch. If they're so confident then why the change to copy a weaker-positioned Apple?
Nobody who cares about fitness gives a **** about apples market capitalisation versus Fitbits. They care about how the device works for the intended job. Talk about typical Apple fanboy bs.These new Fitbit devices are targeted at people who want accurate fitness tracking with a fantastic app to support the experience. It does the job well, something the Apple Watch does not even come close too when it comes to fitness. Yes I own an AW and a Fitbit charge HR. The AW has been sitting in the drawer gathering dust while the Fitbit is used daily.
It's cute watching these little companies trying to take on fashion like Apple.
I think the joke is on you. Take off your Apple blinders and take a look at the rest of the tech world. There were interchangable Fitbit fashion bands long before the AW existed. In fact Apple stole the idea from them. But also the term "fashion" is dubious. Neither Apple nor Fitbit make anything truly fashionable. Faddish, yes.[doublepost=1472502195][/doublepost]
If you were someone who is a serious swimmer, I would be interested to see how accurate the swim track feature is. Definitely a feature that could gain more attention if it serves well.
My guess is it's as accurate as the walk tracking feature, that is to say, accurate +/- 1/2 mile. I would think a serious swimmer would opt for a true swim tracking watch just as a runner would a real running watch. Fitbits can be great motivation aids to keep one off the couch but when things get real it's time for a dedicated sports watch and not an activity tracker. I know that's how it worked out for me.