All of the options I wish to see

Fitbit’s Cost collection stays one of many firm’s hottest lineups. Every health tracker gives consumers a broad function set and a petite kind issue, minimizing show house in favor of a slim design and higher battery life. Although I discovered so much to love about Fitbit’s newest era, the Fitbit Cost 6, there’s additionally loads of room for enchancment. Assuming Fitbit will proceed to assist the lineup, I’ve brainstormed every thing I’d hope to see on a Fitbit Cost 7 and every thing we all know thus far in regards to the potential gadget.

Throughout my assessment interval, GPS accuracy was the largest disappointment of the Fitbit Cost 6. Constructed-in GPS is a significant promoting level for any gadget, however it’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 position of the Cost 6’s GPS antenna. When you put on the band tight sufficient to garner correct coronary heart charge knowledge throughout exercises, the GPS sign is totally blocked. When you loosen the band to permit GPS to lock on, coronary heart charge knowledge suffers significantly. These metrics are key to exercise monitoring and have to be fastened earlier than I personally would advocate the lineup to anybody all in favour of a exercise companion.

This shortcoming actually eliminates the Cost 6 as a viable alternative 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 gadget dropped the altimeter beforehand discovered on the Cost 4. Regardless of some person 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 widespread stats for informal exercise trackers. Although not a deal breaker, I wish to see this sensor returned to the lineup.

The Fitbit Cost 6 was the primary tracker to really show a mixed Fitbit/Google expertise. Along with the perfect of Fitbit’s ecosystem, the gadget gives entry to turn-by-turn instructions, YouTube Music controls, and Google Pockets assist. These options are nice additions to the person expertise. Nonetheless, in addition they name consideration to the gadget’s show measurement.

I wish to see the Fitbit Cost 7 introduce a small bump in show measurement to accommodate the added sensible options. I don’t need this lineup to go full-blown smartwatch, however I feel a slight improve would assist make these widespread instruments much more user-friendly. Given its rectangular form, it might nonetheless be simple to differentiate 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 significantly improved on-device navigation.

I detest proprietary chargers if for no different motive than the egocentric one which I’ve approach too many cables to cope with 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 no less than 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. Alternatively, the facility race is fixed and lengthy battery life is without doubt one of 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 kind 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 thus far, 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 best to foretell. In some instances, Fitbit waited practically two years to launch a brand new era. In the meantime, the present mannequin landed nearly precisely 12 months after its predecessor. This creates a variety of prospects.

To this point, we’ve but to listen to any definitive leaks or rumors in regards to the upcoming gadget, which makes me marvel if we received’t see it till 2025. With that mentioned, 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 once we would possibly see the Fitbit Cost 7, I don’t advocate ready for the tracker. You’re significantly better off looking for another and getting your health journey began. For informal monitoring, the Fitbit Cost 6 ($159.95 at Amazon) is a strong gadget with loads of spectacular sensible options. As talked about, its GPS/coronary heart charge accuracy makes it a much less enticing decide for severe athletes. When you’re in search of a robust health companion at an entry-level value, Garmin’s Venu SQ 2 ($249.99 at Amazon) is a superb various, although you received’t discover Google instruments on board.

For these, you’ll must fork over slightly 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 also be a robust tracker providing most of the greatest well being and health monitoring instruments of the model’s ecosystem. It doesn’t provide built-in GPS or NFC assist, however it rings up at beneath $100.