Google Introduces Fitbit Edge, Positioned Between Pixel Watch 5 and Fitbit Air

Fitbit Edge Offers More Than Air, But Isn't a True Smartwatch

The Fitbit Edge offers more than the Air, but it's not a true smartwatch.

The Fitbit Edge screen lets you control notifications and track workouts.

Google is releasing its second Fitbit tracker in 2026, giving fans of the older Charge 6 a more advanced option. The new Fitbit Edge sits squarely between the Pixel Watch 5 and the Fitbit Air, with a more compact display and more health sensors than the Air. You won't get all the apps and features of the Pixel Watch 5, but the Edge is only half the price.

The Fitbit Edge is basically a new Charge 6, but with more of the Pixel Watch aesthetic. Crush the Google smartwatch on the sides and get the Edge. It has a tablet-shaped 1.34-inch OLED touchscreen inside a slim aluminum frame that is IP68 (5 ATM) rated for protection against water and dust. Google says the display has 46 percent more viewable area compared to the Charge 6. It's very close to the Fitbit Air in terms of overall size and uses the same magnetic charging pump.

Edge works with Android or iPhone through the Google Health app and can last for about seven days on a charge. If the tracker is away from your phone, it can still track your activities all week with support for full storage of health data (or 30 days of basic data) during the week. However, the generous one-week battery life does not include always-on display mode. If you turn it on, battery life drops to about two days, barely longer than the Pixel Watch 5.

The Fitbit Edge plays it right in the middle of Google's wearables, and not just in terms of price and size, the number of buttons splits the difference. The Pixel Watch has two buttons, the Air has none, and the Edge has a touch-sensitive side button. You can use it to wake up the device or start/pause a workout. However, most interactions are done with the touch screen.

Edge comes with a collection of fitness-focused experiences and watch faces, and you can't download more. While this is very similar to the Pixel Watch software, it's not the full version of WearOS. It can mirror your phone's notifications, but there's no microphone or speaker. So responses are limited to predefined quick responses. Likewise, there is no support for Gemini interactions. The Edge also lacks NFC, so there's no bump in Google Wallet payments.

One notable upgrade is the Fitbit Air GPS on the device. This allows you to track an outdoor activity without bringing your phone along for the ride. However, Google says it's not as accurate as the dual-band GPS radio on the Pixel Watch. The Edge keeps the ECG and blood oxygen sensor from the Pixel Watch, which you can't get on the Air. The Edge also has an altimeter, an optical heart rate sensor, and a skin temperature sensor.

All of this data is sent via Bluetooth 5.4 to the Google Health (formerly Fitbit) app, which feeds all your data to your Gemini-powered Health Coach. The device's chatbot comes with three months of Google Health Premium, without which you won't get the AI features. Of course, some would probably prefer to skip AI. Premium subscription is $10 per month. It's included with Google AI Pro, but you can disable Health Coach if you want.

Like the Pixel Watch, the Edge comes with an active silicone band for $180. There is also a special Stephen Curry edition available for $220. The Edge has a custom band connector similar to the Pixel Watch, but the size is different. While there will eventually be third-party options, Google plans to have a line of accessory bands at launch, including the Active Sport (silicone with holes) for $40, the Performance Ring (polyester fabric) for $50, the Magnet Band (leather-like but still silicone) for $60, and the Metal Links band for a whopping $15.

The Fitbit Edge is available for pre-order today and will ship on October 27. Available in matte black, polished silver, satin pyrite (between silver and gold) and champagne gold. While the tracker is significantly more expensive than the $100 Fitbit Air, it's only slightly more than 2023's $160 Charge 6. The Pixel Watch 5 starts at $350.

Like Air, this tracker is not an island in the Google ecosystem. You can pair multiple Google wearables with the Health app and wear whichever one you want. No need to re-pair or manually change your health tracking. This app collects statistics from your device Wear anytime, change how often. So you can, for example, wear the Pixel Watch 5 during the day and the Edge when you hit the gym.

Google also notes that Edge can stay with you for a long time. It is the company's first repairable fitness tracker designed with a replaceable battery. Note that it is not meant to be user replaceable. There will be service options to replace the battery, but Google still doesn't recommend opening the tracker yourself.

Ryan Whitwam is a senior technology reporter at Ars Technica, covering the ways Google, artificial intelligence, and mobile technology continue to change the world. During his 20-year career, he has written for Android Police, ExtremeTech, Wirecutter, NY Times, and more. He has reviewed the number of phones most people have ever owned. You can follow him on Bluesky, where you'll find photos of dozens of his mechanical keyboards.