NEW FOR THE CHARGE BRIGADE
We look at the pros and cons of Fitbit’s latest tracker
NOW FOR No 3!
It’s Fitbit’s most popular product line to date, having sold millions of units worldwide. So it’s no surprise the latest model in the Charge line has generated plenty of buzz.
The Charge 3 is packed with new features, including a few borrowed from Fitbit’s new higher-end smartwatches, the Versa and Ionic.
Here’s what you need to know.
THE GOOD
The Charge 3 is waterproof (up to 50m) and now has a “swim” workout mode.
It also has the female health tracking functionality released with the premium devices, which allows women to track their periods, ovulation and fertility.
You can respond to notifications on the Charge itself with quick replies such as “Hello” and “Okay” if you can’t compose messages – but only on Android devices.
You can choose goals by exercise category before you begin a workout. For example, for running you can choose distance or time, or for weight training, time or calories.
THE BAD
Sorry, runners – there’s no built-in GPS on this device. Despite the handy pace- and distance-tracking functionality on the Charge 3, you’ll have to lug your phone along on your runs to track your route.
The Charge 3 promises battery life of up to a week but we found with regular use it managed about five days before it needed juice.
The touchscreen is now 40% bigger – a welcome change for the teeny tiny screens of Fitbits past – but it seems to need work. It tends to be quite unresponsive at times, requiring several taps or swipes to get to where you want to go.
THE VERDICT
It’s received a few new features but the Charge 3 isn’t a groundbreaking upgrade to the popular Charge 2 so it doesn’t quite justify the hefty price tag (R2 900 – R3 500, depending on the strap).
If you’re looking for a simple tracker, the Charge 2 will still suit you just fine. If you’re looking for a major upgrade on your current tracker, you’re probably better off checking out Fitbit’s Versa (about R3 900) or the premium device, the Ionic (R4 900).