Google's $180 Fitbit Edge: slim screen band, week-long battery in early reviews

A band between two Fitbit models

Google's new Fitbit Edge costs $180, according to Bloomberg Business, and sits between the screen-free Fitbit Air and the Pixel Watch 5 smartwatch in both price and features. Reviewers describe it as a compact device for people who train regularly and want more than a basic band without the bulk of a full smartwatch. The Independent's reviewer wore it for almost two weeks, testing sleep tracking, CrossFit sessions, jogs and other workouts. Xataka's reviewer initially saw a resemblance to a Xiaomi Smart Band made by Google, but concluded the device targets a different audience. The Google Health app is the main reason many reviewers say the device is worth considering.

Design and display

The Edge is a slim, oval unit with a screen and sensors on its underside, and its silicone strap curves into the display housing. El Periódico gives the case as recycled aluminium about 11.5 mm thick, sold in four finishes: obsidian, fog, olive and cannon. Google says the device is 45% lighter than an Apple Watch Series 12, a difference El Periódico's reviewer said was noticeable in daily wear. The Independent measures the 1.34-inch hybrid OLED display as 45% larger and 40% brighter than the AMOLED screen on the Charge 6. The always-on display is not switched on automatically, and ZDNet's reviewer found the screen not very reactive, a cost-cutting compromise that made the experience less pleasant than on the Fitbit Air or the Pixel Watch 5. Xataka's reviewer found the screen sharp but had trouble reading it in strong sunlight.

Battery life and features

ZDNet's reviewer confirmed the claim of a week of battery life with the always-on display disabled, but got around two days once that mode was turned on. The Independent's reviewer said the battery life was the surprise of the test, since most smartwatches last a day or two. ZDNet notes that the Google Health app lets a new customer track metrics without owning another Fitbit or Pixel device. Google's automatic activity model guesses workouts and logs them without manual input, and ZDNet's reviewer said its estimates held up during a weekend of hiking in upstate New York. El Periódico lists an ECG feature, more precise GPS and a coach built with Gemini. Xataka notes that personalised training plans and advanced data interpretation sit behind a subscription, with three months included, and regrets that the device has no NFC for Wallet payments.

Always-on display off7

Always-on display on (around two days)2

Always-on display off

7 days

Always-on display on (around two days)

2 days

Data from the article text

Reviewers' verdict

Reviewers broadly agree that the Edge is a comfortable middle option rather than a full smartwatch. Xataka recommends it for people who exercise often and want a compact device for general measurements, and advises against it for serious training for a sports event or for anyone who wants apps and payments. ZDNet's reviewer summed it up as a budget health tracker with a strong app, where the price shows in the hardware. The Independent's reviewer found the battery life the most surprising feature, given the device's screen. The Edge's appeal rests on the app and the form factor, while the display and subscription costs are the trade-offs reviewers keep returning to.