The Fitbit Charge 4 charges through a USB cable that connects to the watch via a large clip. This is presumably another power-saving measure.

We'd also prefer it if the screen remained at full brightness a little longer after it's woken (either by pressing the side button, or by raising your wrist), as it dims rather quickly. Some of the optional watch faces would be clearer with a little color (those packed with a lot of stats can be tricky to read) but choose one of the less cluttered options and it's not an issue. The backlit OLED display is bright and clear, even in direct sunlight, and if a colorful screen meant sacrificing battery life then we'd rather stick with monochrome. After several weeks of use though, we don't believe this is a major drawback.

We'd hoped that this iteration of the Fitbit might have a color screen, but it's still black and white. The Fitbit Charge 4 Special Edition comes with woven and silicone bands, both in small and large sizes (Image credit: Future) Straps are easy to remove and swap, and are supplied in two lengths to suit different sized wrists. Our review sample was the Fitbit Charge 4 Special Edition, which is supplied with two straps: one black silicone, and one reflective woven nylon, which looks a little like tweed, and makes a smart alternative for more formal occasions. The Fitbit Charge 4 Standard Edition is supplied with a robust silicone strap in black, rosewood (a shade of purple) or storm blue/black. The Fitbit Charge 4 has a very similar design to its predecessor in terms of shape and size, with the slim, rectangular face we've come to expect. The device is water resistant to a depth of 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming, showering and sweating, but Fitbit advises taking a moment to dry the band afterwards. NFC allows you to use the Fitbit Charge 4 for contactless payments through Fitbit Pay, and you can control the Spotify app on your phone via Bluetooth. It also features an altimeter for measuring stairs climbed. The Fitbit Charge 4 has a narrow rectangular case and slim band (Image credit: Future)īuilt-in GPS is a real game-changer for the Fitbit Charge 4, and makes it a viable alternative to dedicated fitness trackers for anyone who enjoys running, cycling and swimming for general fitness, but doesn't need the wealth of data provided by a dedicated Garmin watch or Polar.

Charge 4 fitbit