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Fitbit Charge 3 vs 4 - Where are the differences?

Written by Lucas B | published on 07.04.2020 | no comments |
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After the successful Fitbit Charge 3, the manufacturer brings the Fitbit Charge 4, which of course leads to the question about the differences. Which of the two fitness trackers is better? Fitbit definitely surprises with the Fitbit Batch 4 and responds to many requests from loyal fans. But let's take a closer look at Charge 3 and 4 in comparison.

Comparison table

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Image
Model Fitbit Charge 3* Fitbit Charge 4*
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HR function 24/7 HR function 24/7 Yes HR function 24/7 Yes
GPS GPS Connected GPS (smartphone) GPS 1
Display available Display available Yes Display available Yes
Touchdisplay Touchdisplay No Touchdisplay Yes
Color display Color display No Color display No
Display Display Display
Diagonal display Diagonal display 39,83 mm Diagonal display 39,83 mm
Resolution Resolution 100 x 160 px Resolution 100 x 160 px
Dimension Dimension 35.8 x 22.7 x 11.8 mm Dimension 35.8 x 23.7 x 12x5 mm
Weight Weight 29 g Weight 30 g
Waterproof / Swimproof Waterproof / Swimproof 50 Meter Waterproof / Swimproof 50 Meter
Recording tracks (swimming) Recording tracks (swimming) Yes Recording tracks (swimming) Yes
Battery (up to) Battery (up to) 7 days Battery (up to) 7 days
Battery life with GPS Battery life with GPS - Battery life with GPS 5,0 hours
Spotify control Spotify control No Spotify control Yes
Pulse oximeter Pulse oximeter Yes Pulse oximeter Yes
Notifications Notifications Yes Notifications Yes
Quick replies / answers about the band Quick replies / answers about the band Yes Quick replies / answers about the band Yes
Quick Replies, Voice Quick Replies, Voice No Quick Replies, Voice No
Mobile Payment (NFC) Mobile Payment (NFC) Yes Mobile Payment (NFC) Yes
Mobile payment Mobile payment Fitbit Pay Mobile payment Fitbit Pay
Training Intensity Map Training Intensity Map No Training Intensity Map Yes
Active Zone Minutes Active Zone Minutes No Active Zone Minutes Yes
Changeable bands Changeable bands Yes Changeable bands Yes
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buy Fitbit Charge 3
buy Fitbit Charge 4

Differences between Fitbit Charge 3 and 4

Even though the two fitness trackers may look very similar at first glance, there are crucial and interesting differences in detail.

 

Optics and display

At first glance, the two fitness trackers look very similar. Even though the Fitbit Charge 4 is a bit bigger and heavier in terms of numbers.
 
Both fitness trackers do not have a color display. The resolution is 100 x 160 pixels with the identical size. Both have an OLED display. However, the Batch 4 has received small optimizations for lighting and readability.

GPS

Probably the most exciting point is the GPS. The Fitbit Charge 4 has built-in GPS. A thing that many fans have been waiting for. With the Fitbit Charge 4 you can record routes without the need for a connection to your smartphone. A gigantic progress, which will please many.

With the Fitbit Charge 3 you only get connected GPS and can use the GPS of your smartphone. Of course the smartphone must be nearby for this to work.

In general the built-in GPS is much better than the connected GPS. In this case, there can be no more disconnections, as it happened with the Fitbit Charge 3.

Battery life

Without GPS use, the battery life of both fitness trackers is identical. The battery lasts up to 7 days. Depending on use, the battery life will naturally decrease.

The battery life is especially high when using GPS. Thereby the battery life decreases from batch 4 to up to 5 hours.

By the way, both devices are charged via their own charging station and not via USB standard. Unfortunately, the stations for each device are also different at Fitbit.

NFC and contactless payment

In contrast to batch 3, batch 4 also has contactless payment available in the normal version. With the predecessor this was only available in the Special Edition.

Waterproof and swimming

The Charge 3 and the Fitbit Charge 4 are both waterproof up to 50 meters. So both units are also suitable for swimming.

There is no difference, but if you have a Fitbit Charge 2, it is a significant difference, as you could read in the comparison of the Fitbit Charge 2 and 3.

Control

The conditions are also identical for batch 3 and 4. In comparison to batch 2 there is a big difference. Both new fitness trackers have no physical button anymore. There is a touch screen.

The menu navigation as well as the structure of the system are the same for batch 3 and 4.

Spotify

The Fitbit Charge 4 can Spotify if you have a Spotify premium account. However, you can only control the music playing on your phone. You cannot play or save music directly to the Charge 4. Fitbit Charge 3 does not support Spotify.

Aktivzonenminuten und Trainingsintensitäts-Karte

The Batch 4 has a new fitness function. This is called active zone minutes. With it you can better control whether you are coming up to your training goal.

There is also a map in the app, where you can see when and how long you have been training in which heart rate zone after outdoor workouts.

These functions will also be available for the Versa and Ionic, but not for Fitbit Charge 3.

Are the bracelets compatible?

Yes, the bracelets for Fitbit Charge 3 and 4 are compatible with each other. Many people will be happy about this. This of course also answers the question that the wristbands of both fitness trackers can be changed.

Which fitness tracker is better?

The Fitbit Charge 4* is definitely the better fitness tracker. Compared to the Fitbit Charge 3 you get important new features:
 
  • Built-in GPS (probably the most important upgrade)
  • New fitness functions
  • Contactless payment already with the normal Fitbit Charge 4*
  • Spotify control

For a new purchase I would recommend the Fitbit Charge 4* even with the higher price. Even if the Fitbit Charge 3* is a good fitness tracker, you get enough added value with the Charge 4 which justifies the price.

The purchase of the Special Editon is not worthwhile in my opinion, by the way, as you can see in the differences between the Fitbit Charge 4 and the Special Edition. You will only get another bracelet.
buy Fitbit Charge 3
buy Fitbit Charge 4

Should you upgrade from Fitbit Charge 3 to Charge 4?

In addition to the new purchase, there is of course the question of whether it is worthwhile to switch from the older Fitbit Charge 3 to the new Fitbit Charge 4. Again, I am of the opinion that a change to the new Fitbit Charge 4* is worthwhile.

The built-in GPS alone is a very good argument in my opinion. Especially for runners this factor is important. Additionally you get new fitness functions which increase the fun with the Fitness Tracker. Spotify might be interesting for some of you. For myself this is not an argument.

I find the contactless payment much more attractive. In general I am a big friend of it. But here you should consider that Fitbit Pay does not support all banks. On the contrary, the choice is very small, as I have also described in my experience of Fitbit Pay.

However, I still consider a change to Fitbit Charge 4* to be sensible and can recommend it with a clear conscience.
buy Fitbit Charge 3
buy Fitbit Charge 4
Tags: ProduktvergleichVS, Fitness Tracker, Fitbit, Fitbit Charge The article is written by and published on .
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