After releasing its two entries in the smartwatch game, leading global wearables brand Fitbit took a step back—or perhaps it was a step forward—and followed it up with a new fitness tracker with added smart features.
Before the end of 2018, Fitbit launched Charge 3, the latest evolution of the brand’s bestselling Charge range. Much like its predecessors, Charge 3 showcases the best of Fitbit’s fitness tracking features—and more. In fact, it was Wearable Tech Awards 2018’s “Fitness Tracker of the Year.”
At first glance
Charge 3 features a seamless and modern design. The graphite aluminum with black band version especially looks sleek. It also comes in rose gold aluminum case with blue-gray band.
Fitbit managed to keep it lightweight thanks to materials used, such as the aerospace-grade aluminum case and Corning Gorilla Glass 3. It features a crisp, touchscreen OLED display that is larger and brighter than its predecessor. It also automatically adjusts to lighting conditions.
On the left side is an inductive button that helps with navigation. Fitbit said Charge 3 is its first wearable with an inductive button.
Features and functions
The latest in the Charge family does what the line does best: fitness tracking. Charge 3 has the most advanced health and fitness sensors and algorithms, to date.
Through PurePulse heart rate tracking and relative SpO2 sensor, it offers accurate heart rate insights day and night which helps track calorie burn, optimize workouts, and uncover health trends. In addition, it provides real-time heart rate zones to help the wearer see whether they’re in Fat Burn, Cardio, or Peak zone.
It lets the wearer know how many calories they’re burning all day, and offers real-time pace and distance. However, it does not have GPS, which would have made Charge 3 a better tracker, but to see key stats pace and distance during, say, an outdoor run, users may simply connect it to a smartphone.
Fitness buffs will greatly appreciate its more than 15 goal-based exercise modes, including run, bike, yoga, circuit training, and swim—a sweet addition as Charge 3 is water resistant up to 50 meters. It automatically tracks swims and can be used in the pool or ocean.
The device also helps the wearer find their calm with its guided breathing sessions.
It also records sleep: sleep stages and sleep insights, and it comes with a female health tracking feature that helps women monitor their monthly cycles and ovulation periods.
Making Charge 3 more interesting than other fitness trackers are its smartwatch features such as apps which can be downloaded from the Fitbit app on the phone. Further, users are also given the liberty to change clock faces from a modest selection.
Meanwhile, the Fitbit Charge 3 special edition, which comes in rose gold aluminum with lavender woven band and graphite aluminum with white frost silicone band, comes with Fitbit Pay for mobile payments. Both special edition versions come with a black band as well.
User experience
Fitbit truly does what it does best—to help individuals get fitter. Charge 3 has helped me monitor my heart rate 24/7 and has provided me insights on how well I sleep every night.
The brand also made good on its seven-day battery life promise, as unlike other fitness trackers, you only have to charge it once a week for less than two hours.
It also gives extra encouragement to move more by competing with friends or by simply complying with the reminders.
Verdict
Fitbit gives what it promises. Again, Charge 3 would be better if it has built-in GPS, but its fitness tracking functions and additional features more than made up for it.
I would definitely recommend it to those who want a sleek fitness tracker with bonus smartwatch features.
Fitbit Charge 3 is available at Digital Walker, Beyond the Box, select Toby’s stores, iBOOK, iCENTER, Mobile1, Globe, Gadgets in Style, Hivemind, Lazada, Zalora, Timeline, The Inbox Store, iLiberty and Rnnr stores, as well as on Lazada and Zalora for P9,990. Special edition retails at P10,990.