Fitbit, one of the leaders in the crowded activity tracker market, has just unveiled three new wrist-worn wearables.
The company, which is looking to bounce back from the recall of its flagship model, announced the Fitbit Charge, Fitbit Charge HR and Fitbit Surge. The product line, which the company describes as "innovative devices to help reach everyday, active or performance health and fitness goals," comes with a number of improvements from previous models.
Out of the three, the only one that's available right now is Fitbit Charge. It is the low-end option in the bunch, with a price tag of just $130. As expected, the lower prices come with some shortcomings. Unlike its pricier siblings, the Fitbit Charge lacks a GPS function for tracking runs and a heart rate monitor.
However, it's a good option if you simply want a cool upgrade to your old Fitbit activity tracker. Just like the old Fitbit Force, the Fitbit Charge can detect when you're climbing the stairs. It also has an OLED display that shows the time and real-time stats.
Despite kinship with earlier Fitbit wristbands, the Fitbit Charge comes with some new features. The device uses motion analysis to automatically detect when the wearer has gone to sleep. It also has a new caller I.D. feature when paired with a smartphone, which makes it easier to assess whether a call warrants a pit stop while you're on the run.
The Fitbit Charge HR and Fitbit Surge are slated for release early next year. Out of the three, the top-of-the-line option is the Fitbit Surge, which has a price tag of $250. The device, which Fitbit describes as a "Fitness Super Watch," is designed for serious athletes.
The Fitbit Surge has eight sensors, which include 3-axis accelerometers, a compass, gyroscope, GPS, heart rate monitor and ambient light sensor. Its main advantages are its heart rate monitor and GPS tracker.
The Fitbit Charge HR, which goes for $150, is very similar to the Fitbit Charge. The only difference is the inclusion of a heart rate monitor. According to Fitbit, this feature allows for "more accurate all-day calorie burn, [reaching] target workout intensity and [maximizing] training."
The new product line comes eight months after Fitbit recalled the Fitbit Force. The company halted sales after people complained that the device caused skin irritation.
