A new smartwatch from Google, the Fitbit Edge, aims to address one of the most common complaints about its Pixel Watch 5: its bulky design. The Edge, priced at $180, shares many features with Google’s existing Fitbit Charge lineup but offers a slightly thinner profile at 11.5 mm—down from the Pixel Watch 5’s 12.3 mm. That may not sound like much, but for users who prefer a device that blends into the wrist rather than standing out, the difference matters.
The Pixel Watch 5 has long been praised for its health-tracking capabilities, particularly through Google Health, which excels at monitoring sleep, stress, and exercise readiness. Yet its bubbled display and thick frame, thicker than both the Galaxy Watch (8.6 mm) and Apple Watch Series (9.7 mm), have made it less appealing as an everyday wear item. The Edge, by contrast, adopts a more streamlined look, borrowing elements from other Google wearables like the Fitbit Air while adding a touchscreen for quick interactions.
Beyond its thinner profile, the Edge introduces two key upgrades over the Fitbit Charge 6: a side button (similar to Apple’s Action Button) for one-tap workout starts and a 15% improvement in sleep tracking accuracy. Battery life remains consistent with other Fitbit models, seven days with the always-on display off, but only two days when enabled. That trade-off mirrors the Fitbit Air, which lasts a full week without a screen but costs $99, $80 less than the Edge.
The Edge also inherits the Pixel Watch 5’s health and notification features, including workout details, incoming messages, and Google Maps directions, all displayed on a hybrid OLED screen protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Yet the $20 price increase over the Charge 6, which shares nearly identical specs, raises questions about whether the upgrades justify the cost. Repairability, a first for Google’s Fitbit devices, is one selling point, but software-driven improvements like sleep tracking may not feel substantial enough to offset the extra expense.
Pre-orders for the Fitbit Edge are open now, with general availability set for October 27. The watch will be sold through standard retailers, though Google has not yet clarified whether it will be exclusive to its own storefronts.
