Fitbit Charge 6: Specifications

• Price in the UAE: AED 550 to AED 650
• Size: 11.4 x 22.9 x 10.2mm
• Display: 1.04-inch AMOLED
• Weight: 0.53 oz
• Battery life: 6 days
• Water resistance: Up to 50m
• GPS: Yes

For a long time, the Fitbit Charge 6 has been the brand’s most popular fitness tracker, offering built-in GPS and many advanced health tracking features at an affordable price. The Charge 6 continues this trend, building on the Charge 5 and becoming the first fitness tracker to include all major Google apps, like Google Maps and Google Wallet, without needing a software update. 

Fitbit Charge 6: Design

Outwardly, the Charge 6 looks similar to the Charge 5. It has a bright color display and a design that smoothly integrates with its strap. Fitbit has brought back the side button on the Charge 6, which was missing on the Charge 5 where you had to use only taps and swipes. Most interactions will still be through swiping and tapping, but the side button lets you return to the main screen or change metrics during an activity. The Charge 6 uses a magnetic charger that can detach easily, but you only need to charge it every few days. Additionally, it comes with a second strap for larger wrists.

Fitbit Charge 6: Fitness Tracking

The Charge 6 has smaller displays making it hard to read while running. It shows your pace in large numbers, but the distance is in tiny figures. This watch isn't ideal for marathon training; a dedicated running watch would be better. However, for tracking steps, calories, sleep, and occasional runs, it works well, just don't expect to see a lot on the run. Like the Charge 5, it's hard to navigate with gloves or sweaty fingers. During swimming, it's challenging to stop the activity mode because you need to double-tap the screen, which is very difficult.

A big improvement in the Charge 6 is the ability to access all 38 sports modes directly from the watch, instead of being limited to six profiles. You can also set pace alerts for walks, runs, and bike rides without needing your smartphone. In each activity mode, you can set goals for activity zones, time, distance, or calories burned, and enable laps to get updates every mile or kilometer. You'll see your Active Zone Minutes during workouts, and the watch will buzz when you enter a new zone unless you turn this off.

Overall, the Fitbit Charge 6 is accurate in most fitness tracking modes. Sometimes, the GPS takes longer to connect compared to Garmin, but this may be due poor signal. While it's not as advanced as 

Garmin Forerunner 265 or Apple Watch Ultra 2, it doesn't aim to be. If you want a fitness tracker to monitor your overall fitness, the Charge 6 is a great choice.

Fitbit Charge 6: Sleep Tracking

Another important aspect of health tracking is sleep. The Charge 6, like the Charge 5, has a SpO2 pulse oximeter sensor to help you understand your sleep patterns better. It includes Fitbit's standard sleep tracking features, but on the tracker itself, you can only see your total sleep time and your sleep score from the previous night. In the Fitbit app, you can view your sleep score, sleep stages, and set a smart wake alarm. However, to access more detailed sleep data, such as deep, light, and REM sleep cycles, you need to be a Premium user.

To test the Fitbit Charge 6, you may compare its sleep data with Oura ring and you will find that both devices give similar results for time spent asleep and sleep scores.

Fitbit Charge 6: Features

Google's integration with Fitbit continues with the Charge 6. To use Fitbit’s latest tracker, you must switch your Fitbit account to a Google account. If you want to make purchases with the Charge 6, Fitbit Pay has been replaced by Google Wallet.

You can control music playback on the Charge 6, but it only works with Google-owned YouTube Music, not third-party apps like Spotify, which was available on some older Fitbit devices before Google acquired Fitbit.

For the first time, the Charge 6 also integrates with Google Maps. After updating your Google Maps app and pairing it with the Charge 6, you can follow directions from your wrist using the app on the tracker. This feature is handy for runs, hikes, or longer walks, but not something you would use daily.

It's important to note that many of the most useful features on the Charge 6 are reserved for Fitbit’s Premium users. Advanced sleep tracking, personalized workouts, access to Fitbit’s library of classes, and the Daily Readiness Score require a subscription. Unlike Garmin and Apple, Fitbit is one of the few brands that puts a lot of user content behind a paywall.

Fitbit Charge 6: Battery Life

Fitbit claims the Charge 6 can last up to seven days on a single charge. After one day without using GPS, the battery dropped by 15%. A 30-minute run with GPS used up an additional 10% of the battery.

A useful feature is that the Charge 6 can use your phone's GPS when it's nearby and automatically switch to its internal GPS if you leave your phone behind. 

However, features like the always-on display will drain the battery much faster. During testing, we found Fitbit’s estimate to be accurate when the always-on display was off. It also takes about two hours to fully charge the watch from empty.

Final Thoughts

The Fitbit Charge 6 is one of the best trackers available, with improvements like a side button and Google apps enhancing it further. It's worth choosing over the cheaper Inspire 3 for its built-in GPS and extra workout modes.

For a more advanced smartwatch, consider the Fitbit Sense 2, though it's pricier. Dedicated runners should opt for the Garmin Forerunner 55, which is more user-friendly and offers comprehensive sports and sleep tracking, suggested workouts, and accurate recovery data.