Google launches Fitbit Edge, a slim smartwatch priced at $180

The new wearable bridges the gap between the Pixel Watch 5 and Fitbit Air, offering GPS and a touchscreen in a thinner aluminum frame.

Threat Times Systems DeskOctober 12, 20262 min read

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AI-generated illustration: Threat Times

Key points

The Fitbit Edge costs $180 and features a 1.34-inch OLED display with a single side button.
Battery life lasts seven days with the always-on display off, but drops to two days if enabled.
The device includes on-device GPS but lacks NFC payments, a microphone, and a speaker.

Google has unveiled the Fitbit Edge, a new wearable device priced at $180 that aims to balance the capabilities of its Pixel Watch 5 with the compact form factor of the Fitbit Air. According to reports from ZDNET Security and Ars Technica, the device targets users who find the Pixel Watch too bulky but want more functionality than a standard fitness tracker provides.

The Fitbit Edge features a pill-shaped 1.34-inch OLED touch display housed in a slender aluminum frame. Google states the screen offers 46 percent more viewable area than the previous Fitbit Charge 6. The device is 11.5 millimeters thick, making it thinner than the Pixel Watch 5, which measures 12.3 millimeters, though still thicker than competitors like the Galaxy Watch or Apple Watch.

Design and Battery Specifications

The hardware design resembles a compressed version of the Pixel Watch, with an IP68 and 5 ATM water and dust resistance rating. Unlike the buttonless Fitbit Air, the Edge includes a single tactile side button similar to Apple’s Action Button for starting workouts or waking the device. It uses the same magnetic charging puck as the Air and Charge models.

Battery performance depends heavily on display settings. With the always-on display disabled, the Edge provides approximately seven days of battery life. Enabling the always-on feature reduces this duration to about two days. The device can store seven days of full health data or 30 days of basic data when disconnected from a paired smartphone.

Software Limitations and Features

The Fitbit Edge runs a specialized software environment rather than the full WearOS operating system found on the Pixel Watch 5. It supports notifications from Android or iPhone devices via the Google Health app but limits responses to pre-defined quick replies. The device lacks a microphone and speaker, preventing voice calls or direct Gemini interactions.

One significant addition over the Fitbit Air is on-device GPS, allowing users to track outdoor activities without carrying a phone. However, Google notes this GPS is not as accurate as the dual-band radio in the Pixel Watch. The device does not support NFC, meaning Google Wallet tap-to-pay is unavailable. Users cannot download additional apps or watch faces beyond the pre-loaded collection.

What should you do?

Consumers interested in the Fitbit Edge should evaluate whether the lack of NFC payments and voice assistants is acceptable for their daily routine. Those prioritizing battery life must plan to disable the always-on display to achieve the advertised seven-day runtime. Users relying on precise GPS tracking for professional sports may prefer the Pixel Watch 5 despite its bulkier design.

What to do and how to stay safe: Google

Review your current smartwatch usage to determine if features like NFC payments or voice assistants are essential for your daily workflow.
Check the battery life requirements for your typical week; if you need multi-day endurance, ensure you are comfortable disabling the always-on display feature.
Compare the GPS accuracy needs of your primary activities; casual runners may find the Edge sufficient, while precision athletes might require the dual-band GPS of the Pixel Watch 5.
Verify compatibility with your current smartphone, as the device works with both Android and iOS via the Google Health app.

General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.