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Fitbit Charge 3 vs 4 – What’s New?

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Fitbit has officially announced the Charge 4, the new successor to one of their most popular wearable, the Charge 3. The Charge 4 isn’t so outstanding in design and otherwise despite the acquisition by Google which many of us believed will usher in better design and all, but it comes with few upgrades like inbuilt GPS and music control which sets it apart from it’s predecessor. In this post, we look at the difference between the Fitbit Charge 3 vs 4.

Fitbit Charge 3 vs 4 Specs Compared

Fitbit Charge 3Fitbit Charge 4
fitbit-charge 3 specsfitbit charge 4 specs and features

ABOUT DEVICE

Device nameFitbit Charge 3Fitbit Charge 4
Device typeSporty/Fitness smartwatchSport/Fitness smartwatch
PredessesorFitbit Charge 2Fitbit Charge 3
SuccessorFitbit Charge 4Fitbit Charge 5
Released dateAugust, 2018March, 2020
Ideal forUnisexUnisex

DISPLAY

Display typeOLED (monochrome)OLED (monochrome)
Display size1.57 inch1.57 inch
Display resolution__100 x 160 pixels
Pixel density--120.2 PPI
Input typeTouchscreenTouchscreen
Always-onNoNo
Customizable watch faceYesYes

BODY

ShapeRectangular/curvedRectangular/curved
Dimension38 x 18.3 x 11.8 mm35.8 x 22.7 x 12.5 mm
Weight30 grams27 g
Casing materialPlastic ResinResin
Strap/band materialPolyester (Special edition)
Silicone
Elastomer
Bezel MaterialResinResin
Strap size140 - 180 mm (small)
180 - 220 mm (large)
140 - 180 mm (small)
180 - 220 mm (large)
Interchangeable band YesYes
Screen protectionHardened GlassHardened Glass
Water resistant/ProtectionYes, 5ATMYes, 5ATM
Swim-proofYes, recommendedYes, recommended
Color(s)Graphite black
Rose-gold/berry
Rose-gold/ blue grey

(Special Edition)
Lavender
White
Black
Rosewood/rosewood

MEMORY

RAM--N/A
Internal storage__N/A
Memory card slot__No

CONNECTIVITY

BluetoothBluetooth v4.0 LEBluetooth v4.0 LE
Bluetooth callingNoNo
Wi-FiNoNo
NFCYes (special edition)Yes
Payment systemFitbit Pay (special edition)Fitbit Pay
GPSNo, (connected GPS)Yes

CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY

TechnologyNoNo
SIMNoNo
BandNoNo

NOTIFICATIONS

Email alertYesYes
SMS alertYesYes
Calls alertYesYes
Event reminderYesYes
WeatherYesYes
Third-party appsYesYes
Text responseYes (android only)Yes (Android only)

FITNESS TRACKING

Sleep apneaNoNo
Sleep trackingYesYes
StepsYesYes
Floors climbedYesYes
Heart rate monitoringYesYes
CaloriesYesYes
DistanceYesYes
StressYesYes
VO2 Max.YesYes
Blood oxygenYesYes
Blood pressureNoNo
Menstrual cycle trackingYesYes
Swim trackingYesYes
Under-water heart rate trackingNoNo
Preloaded mapsNoNo
On-screen workout modesNoNo
Triathlon mode__No
ECG TrackingNoNo
Preloaded sport modesYes, 15+Yes, 20+
Safety trackingNoNo

MEDIA

AudioNoNo
Music streamingNoNo
Bluetooth musicNoNo
RadioNoNo
LoudspeakerNoNo
MicrophoneNoNo
CameraNoNo

SENSORS

PLATFORM

Operating system (OS)Fitbit OSFitbit OS
Chipset--N/A
CPU--N/A
GPU--N/A

BATTERY

Type of batteryNon-removable lithium polymerNon-removable lithium polymer
Battery capacity _N/A
Battery lifeMixed usage: up to 7 daysStandby: 10 day+
Mixed usage: 7 days
Continuous GPS Tracking: 5 Hrs
Charging typeUSB based charging dockCharging Dock
Charging timeAbout 1-2 hoursAbout 1-2 hours
Battery saver modeNoNo
Solar powerNoNo
Rapid chargingNoNo

CLOCK FEATURES

Time/DateYesYes
StopwatchYesYes
AlarmYesYes

OTHER FUNCTIONS

Control cameraNoNo
Music controlNoYes
Find phoneNoNo

MISC

Compatibility Android, IOS

Check supported devices
Android 7.0+
iOS 12.2+
Check your device compatibility
Companion appFitbit AppFitbit App
Voice commandNoNo

BOX CONTENTS

Fitbit Charge 3Fitbit Charge 4
Strap (small and large)Strap (small and large)
Magnetic charging dockCharger
Quick start guideQuick start guide
NOTE: We can't guarantee that all the information on this table are 100% correct. Read full disclaimer. Please, report an error.
Official SiteOfficial Site

Fitbit Charge 3 vs 4 – The Differences

The difference between the Charge 3 and Charge 4 is that the latter comes with an inbuilt GPS, music control, has more activity-tracking features and NFC is now available in all models, unlike the Charge 3 which has NFC in only the Special Edition.

FeaturesCharge 3Charge 4
SMART FEATURES
DisplayMonochrome OLEDMonochrome OLED
Ambient lightNoNo
Always-on-display
Just glance to see what you need during workouts or when your hands are full. (will require frequent charging)
NoNo
Syncs Wirelessly
Automatically sync to most popular iOS and Android devices to show your stats, trends and progress on your Fitbit dashboard.
YesYers
Amazon Alexa Voice Assistant
Check the weather, set timers, control your smart home devices, and more, powered by Amazon Alexa. Amazon Alexa not available in all countries
NoNo
Google Voice Assistant
Check the weather, set timers, control your smart home devices, and more, powered by Google Voice.
NoNo
Music Storage
Store and play 300+ songs on your smartwatch—plus download your favorite Pandora stations or Deezer playlists. Paid subscriptions required. Pandora is US only.
NoNo
Make Payments
Use your credit and debit cards to make secure purchases anywhere that accepts tap-and-pay.See participating banks
Yes
(special edition)
Yes
Smart Notification
See call, text, or calendar notifications on screen & get push notifications from smartphone apps.
YesYes
Connect With Wireless Headphones
Listen to your favorite tunes without the wires.
NoNo
Connect and Control Music on Spotify
Control your music, songs, and browse recent playlists and podcasts all from your wrist. Works with phone nearby; Spotify Premium subscription required. Not available in all countries.
NoYes
Sleep Mode
Use the sleep mode to mute smartphone notifications and stop your screen from turning on at night.
NoYes
Do Not Disturb Mode
Use do not disturb mode when you want to mute call, text, calendar, and app notifications during the day.
NoYes
Access Apps On Watch
Access your favorite apps for fitness, sports, news, travel, transit, and more with a simple tap.
NoNo
Loudspeaker and Microphone
Has a loudspeaker that allows you to play music aloud and as well make and receive calls via Bluetooth connection to the phone.
NoNo
EXERCISE FEATURES
Real-Time Using Built In GPS
See your real-time pace and distance without a phone, then get a map of your route in the Fitbit app.
NoYes
Real-Time Using Phone GPS
See your real-time pace and distance by connecting to your phone's GPS, then get a map of your route in the Fitbit app.
YesNo
Workout Intensity Map
After outdoor exercise, check your workout intensity map in the Fitbit app to see your heart rate zones throughout your route.
YesYes
Active Zone Minutes
Feel a buzz when you reach your target heart rate zones during exercise and celebrate when you earn extra minutes outside of workouts.
NoYes
Active Minutes
Calculates active minutes through metabolic equivalents (METs). This metric, which factors in your body mass, is used to estimate exercise intensity.
NoYes
Personalized Reminders
Stay on track toward your goals with personalized reminders that remind you to stay active, get hydrated, stick to a sleep schedule and more.
YesYes
SmartTrack Exercise Recognition
Automatically record select exercises like running, biking and more & see detailed workout information in the Fitbit app.
YesYes
20 Preset Workout Modes
Choose from 20+ exercise modes like run, bike, swim, yoga and more, set a goal, and get real-time stats during your workouts.
YesYes
Swimproof
Water-resistant up to 50M, so you can wear your tracker or smartwatch in the shower, pool, and beyond.
YesYes
Onscreen Workout Coach
Get personalized on-screen workouts that play on your wrist, coach you through each move and adapt based on your feedback.
NoNo
Sedentary Reminder
See how long you've been active throughout the day and get reminders to fit in a few extra steps when you've been sitting a bit too long.
YesYes
See Your Heart Rate Zones
Use your personalized fat burn, cardio, and peak heart rate zones to optimize your effort during workouts.
YesYes
HEALTH FEATURES
EDA Scan App
The on-wrist EDA Scan app detects electrodermal activity—which may indicate your body’s response to stress—and reveals a graph in the Fitbit app to illuminate it.
NoNo
ECG tracking
Monitors your heart rate and can help you detect irregular heart rhythms which can lead to AFib is left untreated
NoNo
Cardio Fitness Score (VO2 Max.)
Get a better understanding of your fitness level and see how you can improve over time with a personalized Cardio Fitness Score.
YesYes
Complete Sleep Tracking
See your time spent in light, deep and REM sleep stages and get sleep insights to help you improve. https://www.fitbit.com/us/technology
YesYes
Female Health Tracking
Know your body on a deeper level using your tracker or smartwatch with the Fitbit app to follow your cycle, record symptoms and more.
YesYes
Guided Breathing Session
Find moments of calm throughout your day with personalized breathing sessions based on your heart rate.
YesYes
SpO2 Sensor
Allows you to see how well your blood utilizes oxygen.
YesYes
24/7 Heart Rate Tracking
Use 24/7 heart rate to better track calorie burn, see your resting heart rate trends and get real-time guidance to optimize your workouts.
YesYes
Resting Heart Rate
Wear your tracker or smartwatch all day and night to record your resting heart rate and track heart rate over time.
YesYes
24/7 Activity Tracking
Track steps, distance, calories burned, active minutes, hourly activity, and stationary time.
YesYes
Altimeter
Counts floors climbed
YesYes
Sleep Score
Based on your heart rate, time asleep and restlessness, this personalized score helps you better understand your sleep quality each night.
YesYes
Sleep Tracking
Understand your rest with automatic sleep tracking and silent alarms on your wrist & bedtime reminders and helpful tips in the app.
YesYes
All Day Calorie Burn
Better understand the total number of calories you burn—all day and during workouts—to manage your weight and stay on track toward your goals.
YesYes
Battery Life7 days7 days
Fast ChargingNoNo
Fitbit Charge 3 vs 4 Features Compared

  • Design

  • Nothing much has changed in the design section, the Charge 4 looks similar to the Charge 3. The display is still the same monochrome OLED which is easy to read outdoors. Navigation is still via touch-screen support, while the Charge 4 weighs just 27g compared to 30g of Charge 3. These two are still very lightweight, just that the Charge 4 is lighter.

    The display size is still 1.57 inches for both devices even though the Charge 4 is a little thicker by 1.1mm.
    The case of the Charge 4 is made of plastic resin material just like the Charge 3, while Corning Gorilla Glass 3 still protects the display on both devices. The straps of the Charge 4 are made of soft fluoroelastomer material just like the Charge 3. And like the Charge 3, the special edition of the Charge 4 features woven polyester straps that’ll cost you more.

  • Activity Tracking
  • Like Charge 3, the Charge 4 is also fitness-focused only that it’s a more comprehensive activity tracker. The additional fitness tracking features are,

    1. The Charge 4 has inbuilt GPS which now allows you to track routes, distance, real-time pace and more with your phone at home while you go out for outdoor sports, while with the Charge 3, you’ll have to carry your phone along.
    2. Secondly, there’s now the Active Zone Minutes that allows you to set your target heart rate which upon reaching the set goal, you get alerted. A great way to manage the intensity of your training.
    3. Thirdly, while the Charge 3 features 15 preloaded sport modes, the Charge 4 features 20 preloaded sport modes.

    Beyond this, each of these two will track your heart rate continuously, calories, complete sleep cycle which includes REM, deep and light stages, and time spent in each. Each of these two will also track floors climbed, automatic exercise recognition, menstrual cycle logging, blood oxygen saturation via the SpO2 sensor and fitness level.

  • Battery Life

The battery life of Charge 4 and 3 remain about the same as Fitbit has stated that Charge 4 will last up to 7 days with mixed usage which same as Charge 3. Meanwhile, with continuous GPS tracking, Charge 4 is expected to last up to 5 hours. This is quite impressive.

Verdict

No doubt each of these two is clearly an outstanding wearable and activity tracker. Both are lightweight, sleek, easy to read outdoors, have long battery life, and are loaded with lots of activity tracking features.

However, Charge 4 is clearly a better smartwatch than Charge 3. It’s more comprehensive for the following reasons.

  • There’s inbuilt GPS that allow you track outdoor activities without carrying your phone along.
  • The Charge 4 can control music on your phone.
  • It has a lot more activity tracking features.
  • NFC that allows you make payments on the go from this device is now available on all models unlike the Charge 3 where it is reserved only to the special edition.