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 3 | Fitbit Charge 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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EDITOR'S RATING |
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ABOUT DEVICE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Device name | Fitbit Charge 3 | Fitbit Charge 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Device type | Sporty/Fitness smartwatch | Sport/Fitness smartwatch | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predessesor | Fitbit Charge 2 | Fitbit Charge 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Successor | Fitbit Charge 4 | Fitbit Charge 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Released date | August, 2018 | March, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ideal for | Unisex | Unisex | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
DISPLAY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Display type | OLED (monochrome) | OLED (monochrome) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Display size | 1.57 inch | 1.57 inch | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Display resolution | __ | 100 x 160 pixels | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pixel density | -- | 120.2 PPI | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Input type | Touchscreen | Touchscreen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Always-on | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customizable watch face | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
BODY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shape | Rectangular/curved | Rectangular/curved | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dimension | 38 x 18.3 x 11.8 mm | 35.8 x 22.7 x 12.5 mm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 30 grams | 27 g | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Casing material | Plastic Resin | Resin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strap/band material | Polyester (Special edition) Silicone | Elastomer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bezel Material | Resin | Resin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strap size | 140 - 180 mm (small) 180 - 220 mm (large) | 140 - 180 mm (small) 180 - 220 mm (large) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interchangeable band | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Screen protection | Hardened Glass | Hardened Glass | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Water resistant/Protection | Yes, 5ATM | Yes, 5ATM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swim-proof | Yes, recommended | Yes, 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth v4.0 LE | Bluetooth v4.0 LE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bluetooth calling | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wi-Fi | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NFC | Yes (special edition) | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payment system | Fitbit Pay (special edition) | Fitbit Pay | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GPS | No, (connected GPS) | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technology | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SIM | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Band | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOTIFICATIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Email alert | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SMS alert | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Calls alert | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event reminder | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weather | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Third-party apps | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Text response | Yes (android only) | Yes (Android only) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
FITNESS TRACKING | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sleep apnea | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steps | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Floors climbed | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Calories | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distance | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stress | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VO2 Max. | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Blood oxygen | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Blood pressure | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Menstrual cycle tracking | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swim tracking | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Under-water heart rate tracking | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preloaded maps | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| On-screen workout modes | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Triathlon mode | __ | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ECG Tracking | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preloaded sport modes | Yes, 15+ | Yes, 20+ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Safety tracking | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
MEDIA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Audio | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Music streaming | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bluetooth music | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Radio | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loudspeaker | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microphone | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Camera | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
SENSORS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PLATFORM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating system (OS) | Fitbit OS | Fitbit OS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chipset | -- | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CPU | -- | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GPU | -- | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
BATTERY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type of battery | Non-removable lithium polymer | Non-removable lithium polymer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Battery capacity | _ | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Battery life | Mixed usage: up to 7 days | Standby: 10 day+ Mixed usage: 7 days Continuous GPS Tracking: 5 Hrs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charging type | USB based charging dock | Charging Dock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charging time | About 1-2 hours | About 1-2 hours | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Battery saver mode | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Solar power | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rapid charging | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
CLOCK FEATURES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time/Date | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stopwatch | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alarm | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
OTHER FUNCTIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Control camera | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Music control | No | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Find phone | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
MISC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compatibility | Android, IOS Check supported devices | Android 7.0+ iOS 12.2+ Check your device compatibility | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Companion app | Fitbit App | Fitbit App | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Voice command | No | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
BOX CONTENTS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fitbit Charge 3 | Fitbit Charge 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strap (small and large) | Strap (small and large) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Magnetic charging dock | Charger | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quick start guide | Quick 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 Site | Official Site | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(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.
| Features | Charge 3 | Charge 4 |
|---|---|---|
| SMART FEATURES | ||
| Display | Monochrome OLED | Monochrome OLED |
| Ambient light | No | No |
| Always-on-display Just glance to see what you need during workouts or when your hands are full. (will require frequent charging) | No | No |
| Syncs Wirelessly Automatically sync to most popular iOS and Android devices to show your stats, trends and progress on your Fitbit dashboard. | Yes | Yers |
| 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 | No | No |
| Google Voice Assistant Check the weather, set timers, control your smart home devices, and more, powered by Google Voice. | No | No |
| 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. | No | No |
| 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. | Yes | Yes |
| Connect With Wireless Headphones Listen to your favorite tunes without the wires. | No | No |
| 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. | No | Yes |
| Sleep Mode Use the sleep mode to mute smartphone notifications and stop your screen from turning on at night. | No | Yes |
| Do Not Disturb Mode Use do not disturb mode when you want to mute call, text, calendar, and app notifications during the day. | No | Yes |
| Access Apps On Watch Access your favorite apps for fitness, sports, news, travel, transit, and more with a simple tap. | No | No |
| 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. | No | No |
| 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. | No | Yes |
| 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. | Yes | No |
| Workout Intensity Map After outdoor exercise, check your workout intensity map in the Fitbit app to see your heart rate zones throughout your route. | Yes | Yes |
| 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. | No | Yes |
| Active Minutes Calculates active minutes through metabolic equivalents (METs). This metric, which factors in your body mass, is used to estimate exercise intensity. | No | Yes |
| 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. | Yes | Yes |
| SmartTrack Exercise Recognition Automatically record select exercises like running, biking and more & see detailed workout information in the Fitbit app. | Yes | Yes |
| 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. | Yes | Yes |
| Swimproof Water-resistant up to 50M, so you can wear your tracker or smartwatch in the shower, pool, and beyond. | Yes | Yes |
| Onscreen Workout Coach Get personalized on-screen workouts that play on your wrist, coach you through each move and adapt based on your feedback. | No | No |
| 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. | Yes | Yes |
| See Your Heart Rate Zones Use your personalized fat burn, cardio, and peak heart rate zones to optimize your effort during workouts. | Yes | Yes |
| 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. | No | No |
| ECG tracking Monitors your heart rate and can help you detect irregular heart rhythms which can lead to AFib is left untreated | No | No |
| 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. | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | Yes | Yes |
| 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. | Yes | Yes |
| Guided Breathing Session Find moments of calm throughout your day with personalized breathing sessions based on your heart rate. | Yes | Yes |
| SpO2 Sensor Allows you to see how well your blood utilizes oxygen. | Yes | Yes |
| 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. | Yes | Yes |
| Resting Heart Rate Wear your tracker or smartwatch all day and night to record your resting heart rate and track heart rate over time. | Yes | Yes |
| 24/7 Activity Tracking Track steps, distance, calories burned, active minutes, hourly activity, and stationary time. | Yes | Yes |
| Altimeter Counts floors climbed | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep Score Based on your heart rate, time asleep and restlessness, this personalized score helps you better understand your sleep quality each night. | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep Tracking Understand your rest with automatic sleep tracking and silent alarms on your wrist & bedtime reminders and helpful tips in the app. | Yes | Yes |
| 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. | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 7 days | 7 days |
| Fast Charging | No | No |
- Design
- Activity Tracking
- 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.
- 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.
- Thirdly, while the Charge 3 features 15 preloaded sport modes, the Charge 4 features 20 preloaded sport modes.
- Battery Life
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.
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,
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.
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.
Hi! I’m Jude, the chief editor at Smartwatchseries.com
I’m a graduate of biochemistry, a 3D artist and a passionate fitness enthusiast. On here, I and other smartwatch fans work hard to help you find the right smartwatch for you with our guides, reviews, and comparisons.
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