Just hatched: Fitbit Charge 3
Zurich, on 27.08.2018
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
Fitbit recently presented its new Charge 3 in San Francisco. Wrapped in a waterproof case, it features a new smart function and a battery life that lasts for up to seven days. Plus, Fitbit is working on «Sleep Score» that is expected to deliver an improved sleep analysis. This should become reality with the SpO2 sensor that triggers an alarm if it detects any health issues.
The latest Charge is designed to be both lightweight and durable. Aerospace grade aluminium and Gorilla Glass 3 give the new Charge its slim shape and extra robustness. Compared to the Fitbit Charge 2, the display has grown and now glows even brighter. A feature that is particularly handy when the sun is shining brightly. At night, it dims down. But the main task of activity trackers is still measuring physical activity. The Charge 3 does not disappoint in this department and claims to deliver even more accurate recording of calories burned and customised workouts.
What is it better at?
- 15 exercises and more for biking, swimming, running, weightlifting or yoga
- Waterproof up to 50 metres
- Connected GPS from your smartphone
- Female health tracking (cycle trends)
- Insight on pulse rate, diet and sleep quality
- Breathing exercises for improved in-between relaxation
- NFC payment with the special edition
Watch Faces
There’s not much to say here other than new graphics and animations of your measurements are shown on the touch display.
Smarter sleep
Fitbit claims to have tracked and evaluated 7.5 million nights since 2009. I can’t wait for your comments. This supply of information has delivered new insight that is now coming into its own. Based on heart rate monitoring, sleep quality measurement has become more concrete – from «Sleep Tracking» to «Sleep Stages» to «Sleep Insights».
«Fitbit continues to harness its data to give users actionable insights into their health and wellness.[...] In the future, we hope to provide more guidance to our users to reduce the risk of disease so they can become the healthiest versions of themselves,» said Shelten Yuen, Vice President of Research at Fitbit.
With the Charge 3, Fitbit is implementing the «Sleep Score Beta» function. Using key metrics – that’s all the information I could get for now – and 24/7 heart rate tracking, it gives each night a score. Accordingly, it is then possible to track good sleep quality and evaluate it. Furthermore, Fitbit is testing a Sp02 sensor with Charge 3, Versa and Ionic. You might be asking yourself what Sp02 is? It’s a pulse oxymetric measurement of the blood oxygen saturation. Normal oxygen content is at around 95–100 per cent. At 90 to 95 per cent, the oxygen content in your blood is considered low. Fitbit aims to measure the content in future. This will allow them to draw conclusions regarding sleep problems. E.g. problems such as allergies, asthma or sleep apnoea.
Matching accessories for Charge 3
Andrea Jacob
Category Marketing Manager, Zurich
My head is crammed with ideas. And I add a new one every minute. I enjoy discussions and forming my own opinions. I love gadgets and anything that has a motor. I’m definitely in the right place.