[News] Fitbit Announces Charge 2 and Flex 2
Fitbit has introduced two new smart fitness devices to its already popular line-up of fitness trackers. Both Fitbit Charge 2 and Fitbit Flex 2 is a step up in terms of design (and a new feature or two here and there) to its predecessors. They are both available for presale now, with the Charge 2 being available in retailers in late September, and the Flex 2 in October.
The new Fitbit Charge 2 is a slight upgrade from its predecessor the Fitbit Charge HR (which I had previously). It is better looking and has a slightly larger screen.
In addition to the above, the Fitbit Charge 2 also features an enhanced exercise experience, new health and fitness tools, smart notifications and interchangeable bands. It also features a new personalised cardio fitness level and score based on your estimated VO2 Max. These are calculated using your user profile, heart rate and exercise data.
The Charge 2 also offers guided breathing sessions to help you stay calm and stress-free during the day, based on your real-time heart rate. Two and five minute sessions that display biofeedback and animations help you inhale and exhale with the guide.
On the other hand the Fitbit Flex 2, a slightly lower-down model to the Charge 2 with only LED light display, is now Fitbit’s first swim-proof fitness wristband. It continues to have its signature features of tracking all-day activity, exercise and sleep. The new Flex 2 is a lot more thinner and lighter, and is now able to be removed to fit into additional luxury, fashionable accessories such as a pendant or a bangle.
Fitbit also released an update for its Blaze smart fitness watch including new watch faces and the ability to receive more notifications than before, now including apps such as Facebook, Gmail, Instagram, Skype, Slack, Snapchat, WeChat, WhatsApp and more. Blaze and Alta users will also have access to a new special edition gold series that features a hand-polished accessories to customise the trackers’ looks.
The Fitbit Charge 2 is priced from $270 and the Flex 2 from $170.
Should You Upgrade To The New Fitbits?
If you are upgrading from a Charge HR to a Charge 2 and you want a better design, larger screen to see notifications on, and the ability to get a snapshot of your cardio fitness based on estimated VO2 Max, then yes.
If you are upgrading from the original Flex to the Flex 2 and you want a thinner, removable tracker, and be able to swim with it on, then yes.
