The Fitbit Charge 5 is one of the top fitness trackers available. It's Fitbit's most advanced tracker so far, with features typically found in more expensive models. While it's not the cheapest, upgrading from an older tracker will show you a big improvement. 

Fitbit Charge 5: Specifications

• Price in UAE: AED 380 to AED 480
• Battery life: 7 days
• Display: AMOLED
• Screen size: 0.86 X 0.58 inches
• Resolution: 326 PPI
• Built-in GPS: Yes
• Heart rate monitor: Yes
• SpO2 monitor: Yes
• ECG monitor: Yes
• Fitbit pay: Yes
• On-board music storage: No
• Weight: 0.98oz  
• Size: 1.4 inches L x 0.89 inches W x 0.44 inches D 

Fitbit Charge 5: Design

The biggest design change in the Fitbit Charge 5 is its color OLED screen, which is twice as bright as the Charge 4's. It's easy to see, even in direct sunlight, and now it's a touchscreen. To navigate, swipe right from the home screen; to return to the home screen, double-tap. All functions are controlled via the touchscreen, except for the side panels, which are used for the EDA and ECG sensors.

From the home screen, you can view smartphone notifications (though you can't reply), start activities, set timers and alarms, and do an EDA scan. The Charge 5 is Fitbit’s first tracker with an EDA sensor, which measures your body's response to stress through changes in sweat. This feature was first introduced with the Fitbit Sense.

The Fitbit Charge 5 is comfortable to wear and is 10% thinner than the Charge 4. Unlike the Charge 4, which had gaps at the edges on smaller wrists, the Charge 5 fits well. It comes with both small and large bands in the box, so you can choose the right size.

However, Charge 4 users can't use their old wrist straps or chargers with the Charge 5, as Fitbit has updated the charging port.

Fitbit Charge 5: GPS and Performance

Compared to Garmin Fenix 6S Pro, the Fitbit Charge 5 is slim and stylish. It's great for both casual and professional wear. While the touchscreen is handy for HIIT, it lacks buttons for easy use during runs. Although it has a bigger screen than the Charge 4, it doesn't display all key metrics simultaneously in running mode. During a 10-mile run, the Fitbit's GPS connected slightly slower than my Garmin, with fluctuating average pace. While the Garmin's split times felt more accurate, the Fitbit recorded a slightly longer distance, likely due to auto-pause differences.

Fitbit Charge 5: Tracking

The Charge 5 offers nearly all the same activities as the Charge 4, with six customizable sport profiles. Its brighter screen with an always-on function enhances readability during movement. Like the Charge 4, auto laps can be activated for pace alerts, though they're off by default. Setting workout goals for time, distance, or calories burned is easy, tracking progress on the display. Active Zone Minutes display during workouts, with optional buzz alerts for heart rate zones. Despite some GPS tracking issues, a notable incident occurred when the Fitbit misinterpreted a cleaning session as a swim, possibly due to vigorous cleaning.

Fitbit Charge 5: Sleep Tracking

The Fitbit Charge 5 shares the same SpO2 pulse oximeter sensor as previous models, aiding sleep pattern understanding. It tracks standard sleep metrics, but on the tracker, only total sleep time and score are visible; the app offers deeper insights for Premium users. Snore and noise detection, initially announced, aren't available due to the lack of a microphone.

During a high-stress week before a marathon, the Fitbit showed good sleep with 11% restlessness and a score of 81. As the race neared, restlessness increased, with 34 minutes awake before a long run. The Smart Wake feature, like the Charge 4, optimally wakes users.

Fitbit Premium

As you might have noticed, many features on the watch are only available to Fitbit’s Premium users. Fitbit Premium, which launched two years ago, offers personalized workouts, health and sleep insights, and coaching from top trainers.

Fitbit has recently partnered with LES MILLS to add more workout options and Calm, the top sleep app, to provide more mindfulness and meditation sessions. 

When you buy a Fitbit Charge 5, you get six months of Premium membership for free, giving you plenty of time to try out the platform before deciding whether to pay for it monthly.

Fitbit Charge 5: Daily Readiness Score

Fitbit introduces a 'Daily Readiness' score, available on various models including the Charge 5. It assesses activity fatigue, heart rate variability, and recent sleep to gauge exercise readiness. Scores dictate Active Zone Minutes targets, with Premium users receiving personalized recovery content. 

Testing the score for weeks, it accurately reflects recovery levels. A high score led to a vigorous workout, while a lower one suggested moderate activity. Despite some missing features compared to the Charge 4, like Spotify control, weather app, and altimeter, the Charge 5 offers guided mindfulness sessions via the Fitbit app.

Fitbit Charge 5: Battery life

We tested the Fitbit Charge 5 for five days, using the always-on display during workouts, and didn’t need to charge it once. This exceeded Fitbit’s estimate, which said using the display would reduce battery life from seven days to two. Compared to the Apple Watch Series 6, Fitbit’s battery life is excellent. However, if you keep GPS, heart rate monitoring, and the always-on display turned on all the time, you’ll likely need to charge your tracker every couple of days.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Fitbit Charge 5 is an excellent fitness tracker, especially with the new features. Initially, you may not see a big reason to upgrade from the Charge 4, but the Daily Readiness Score may change my mind. It helps you listen to your body and exercise more intuitively. If you have a Charge 3 or older, the upgraded display alone makes it worth upgrading.

If you want more smartwatch features, consider the Fitbit Versa 3, which supports Alexa and Google Assistant and lets you answer calls from your wrist (with an Android phone). However, if you're a serious runner, the Charge 5 might not be the best choice. Consider spending a bit more on the Garmin Forerunner 55, which offers better features for runners while still tracking various sports, sleep, workouts, and recovery accurately.