All of the options I wish to see

Fitbit’s Cost sequence stays one of many firm’s hottest lineups. Every health tracker gives buyers a broad function set and a petite type issue, minimizing show house in favor of a slim design and higher battery life. Although I discovered rather a lot to love about Fitbit’s newest technology, the Fitbit Cost 6, there may be additionally loads of room for enchancment. Assuming Fitbit will proceed to help the lineup, I’ve brainstormed the whole lot I’d hope to see on a Fitbit Cost 7 and the whole lot we all know to date concerning the potential system.

Throughout my assessment interval, GPS accuracy was the largest disappointment of the Fitbit Cost 6. Constructed-in GPS is a serious promoting level for any system, but it surely’s solely as helpful as it’s correct. Sadly, that logic made it fairly ineffective on the newest Cost.

After some digging, I realized the fault lies with the location of the Cost 6’s GPS antenna. When you put on the band tight sufficient to garner correct coronary heart charge information throughout exercises, the GPS sign is totally blocked. When you loosen the band to permit GPS to lock on, coronary heart charge information suffers significantly. These metrics are key to exercise monitoring and have to be mounted earlier than I personally would advocate the lineup to anybody taken with a exercise companion.

This shortcoming actually eliminates the Cost 6 as a viable selection for severe athletes. My primary hope for the Cost 7 is that it addresses the problem efficiently and gives each dependable GPS monitoring and correct coronary heart charge monitoring throughout exercises.

The return of an altimeter

When Fitbit launched the Cost 5, the system dropped the altimeter beforehand discovered on the Cost 4. Regardless of some consumer complaints, the sensor didn’t make a reappearance on the Cost 6. An altimeter is mostly used for stair monitoring and for counting flooring, each of that are in style stats for informal exercise trackers. Although not a deal breaker, I want to see this sensor returned to the lineup.

The Fitbit Cost 6 was the primary tracker to really exhibit a mixed Fitbit/Google expertise. Along with the very best of Fitbit’s ecosystem, the system gives entry to turn-by-turn instructions, YouTube Music controls, and Google Pockets help. These options are nice additions to the consumer expertise. Nevertheless, in addition they name consideration to the system’s show dimension.

I want to see the Fitbit Cost 7 introduce a small bump in show dimension to accommodate the added sensible options. I don’t need this lineup to go full-blown smartwatch, however I believe a slight improve would assist make these in style instruments much more user-friendly. Given its rectangular form, it could nonetheless be simple to tell apart the tracker from the Google Pixel Watch line.

I used to be additionally happy to see Fitbit restore a aspect button to the Cost 6 after eradicating it from the Cost 5. I hope that change is maintained going ahead, because it enormously improved on-device navigation.

I detest proprietary chargers if for no different cause than the egocentric one which I’ve method too many cables to take care of as a wearables reviewer. I might like to see the Fitbit Cost 7 break the mould and energy up utilizing a common charger. If that’s off the desk, I hope Fitbit will at the very least improve the present cable to a USB-C plug just like the Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2.

Even higher battery life

The Fitbit Cost 6 boasts seven days of battery life in gesture-only mode and I used to be in a position to eke out about three days of use in always-on mode. These stats are commendable, particularly on a tool with a sizeable show and tons of options. Then again, the facility race is fixed and lengthy battery life is among the most necessary options distinguishing the tracker from its smartwatch stablemates. Given {that a} handful of Put on OS watches are pushing the envelope on this regard, Fitbit can’t relaxation on its laurels. I would love the Cost 7 to stretch battery life additional than its predecessor to supply customers an much more handy expertise.

I might be very shocked to see Fitbit drop its Cost lineup. Quite the opposite, the tracker type issue stays the corporate’s bread and butter, whereas its smartwatch traces are overshadowed by Google’s Pixel Watch line. Regardless of the shortage of rumors to date, I count on a Fitbit Cost 7 to land; it’s only a matter of when.

• Fitbit Cost  — October 2014
• Fitbit Cost 2 — Septmeber 2016
• Fitbit Cost 3 — October 2018
• Fitbit Cost 4 — March 2020
• Fitbit Cost 5 —  September 2021
• Fitbit Cost 6 — September 2023

Sadly, the Fitbit Cost line’s launch schedule isn’t the simplest to foretell. In some circumstances, Fitbit waited practically two years to launch a brand new technology. In the meantime, the present mannequin landed virtually precisely 12 months after its predecessor. This creates a variety of potentialities.

To this point, we’ve but to listen to any definitive leaks or rumors concerning the upcoming system, which makes me marvel if we gained’t see it till 2025. With that stated, it’s nonetheless early and Fitbit may actually slip a launch on this fall. I’ll maintain this hub up to date as we hear extra.

With none viable rumors to counsel after we may see the Fitbit Cost 7, I don’t advocate ready for the tracker. You’re significantly better off searching for an alternate and getting your health journey began. For informal monitoring, the Fitbit Cost 6 ($159.95 at Amazon) is a strong system with loads of spectacular sensible options. As talked about, its GPS/coronary heart charge accuracy makes it a much less engaging decide for severe athletes. When you’re searching for a robust health companion at an entry-level worth, Garmin’s Venu SQ 2 ($249.99 at Amazon) is a good various, although you gained’t discover Google instruments on board.

For these, you’ll have to fork over somewhat extra and seize a Google Pixel Watch 2 ($349.99 at Amazon). It’s a lot pricier than the Cost lineup however boasts a extra strong smartwatch expertise. In the other way, budget-wise, Fitbit’s Encourage 3 ($99.95 at Amazon) can be a robust tracker providing most of the finest well being and health monitoring instruments of the model’s ecosystem. It doesn’t supply built-in GPS or NFC help, but it surely rings up at underneath $100.