What are the differences between Fitbit Charge 5 and Charge 6, and which one should you purchase?
Fitbit has become well-known for their fitness tracking devices, and their Charge line has played a significant role in this. While the Charge 5 model introduced some specialized health monitoring tools, the recently released Charge 6 offers added features focused on Google integration. Is this an improvement, and what other updates does it bring? Find out more in our comparison of the Fitbit Charge 5 and Charge 6.
Comparison
Comparison of specifications between Fitbit Charge 5 and Charge 6.
| Fitbit Charge 6 | Fitbit Charge 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 1.04-inch AMOLED Full-color Touchscreen |
1.04-inch AMOLED Full-color Touchscreen |
| Dimensions and weight | 36.7 x 23.1 x 11.2mm 37.64g Please provide all measurements excluding the band. |
36.7 x 22.7 x 11.2mm 28g The measurements do not take into account the band. |
| Materials | are all materials used in the manufacture of modern windows
Modern windows are made using aluminum, glass, and resin as key materials. |
are three common materials used in manufacturing
Aluminum, glass, and resin are widely utilized materials in the manufacturing industry. |
| Limitations |
The recommended operating temperature range is from 14 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Maximum altitude for operation: 28,000 feet. |
The operating temperature range is between 14 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Maximum operational altitude: 28,000 feet |
| Phone compatibility |
Android version 9 or newer You are required to have a Google account in order to log in. |
Android 9 Pie or later iOS 15 or higher |
| Battery and power |
The battery life advertised is up to 7 days. Time to fully charge: Two hours (as advertised) Complimentary charger provided in package |
The battery life advertised is up to 7 days. The advertised charging time from 0 to 100% is two hours. The box comes with a charger that is exclusively owned by the company. |
| Sensors | Optical heart rate monitor Sleep tracking AFib monitoring 3-axis accelerometer Built-in GPS + GLONASS SpO2 monitoring EDA & ECG sensors Ambient light sensor |
Optical heart rate monitor Sleep tracking AFib monitoring 3-axis accelerometer Built-in GPS + GLONASS SpO2 monitoring EDA & ECG sensors Ambient light sensor |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 NFC |
Bluetooth 5.0 NFC |
| Durability |
This item can withstand water pressure up to 50 meters. There is no official rating for IP. |
The ability to withstand water up to a depth of 50 meters. There is no official IP rating available. |
| Services | Google Wallet/Pay
Notifications and comments from connected Google Maps. This only pertains to connected controls on YouTube Music. Sending heart rate data to compatible gym equipment. |
Fitbit Pay Notifications (read-only) |
| In-box contents | Fitbit Charge 6 Proprietary charger Small wrist band Large wrist band A free six-month trial for a Fitbit Premium subscription. |
Fitbit Charge 5 Proprietary charger Small wrist band Large wrist band A 6-month trial subscription for Fitbit Premium. |
and Features
The design and features of the Fitbit Charge 5 and Charge 6 compared.
The new smartwatches and fitness trackers released in 2023 have a striking resemblance to their previous versions, and the Fitbit Charge 6 follows suit. The design of the new tracker is mostly recycled from the Charge 5, including the smooth band fit, metal bezels surrounding the large AMOLED display, and the method of attaching the strap. However, there is one notable change – the addition of a physical button to replace the unreliable inductive groove on the Charge 5. This was one of our main complaints during our review of the previous model, so we are happy to see this improvement on the new version. However, this change does come at a cost – the Charge 6 is now significantly heavier, weighing in at 37.6 grams, which is a 34% increase from its predecessor. It is also slightly wider, although this change is barely noticeable without a measuring tool.
