What to expect from Fitbit’s next-generation GPS fitness tracker – possibly codenamed ‘Morgan’.
The Fitbit Charge 5 isn’t out yet, but we can make some predictions about when it’s going to appear – and what features is may have when it does. The Fitbit Charge series sits in between the Inspire and Versa lines in terms of both size and features, with a slim profile and neat rectangular display coupled with an impressive stack of features for such a small device. The Fitbit Charge 4 was one of the first Fitbits to offer on-board GPS (behind only the Fitbit Ionic), which was a real boon when it launched last year, and made it a viable alternative to chunky fitness trackers. It’s surprisingly affordable too, and has sat comfortably at the top of our roundup of the best fitness trackers for months. It’s a tough act for the Fitbit Charge 5 to follow, but with the right upgrades, it could meet the challenge. We’ll be keeping this guide updated as soon as we learn more about the next-generation Fitbit, so stay tuned. Fitbit appears to follow a two-year release cycle with its Charge series. The Fitbit Charge 4 was released in April 2020, so if the company follows the same pattern, we’re likely to get our first glimpse of the Charge 5 in April 2022. However, a recently filed FCC document suggests that the next Fitbit could be arriving as soon as October 2021. The listing gives details of a new ‘wireless activity tracker’, with images and a user manual to be kept confidential until October 18. We suspect that the Charge 5 is likely to cost £149.95 / £129.99 / AU$229.95 at launch – the same as the Charge 4. Fitbit has established a precedent of sticking to the same release price with successive models in the same line. However, there’s a chance that Fitbit might want to differentiate between the Charge 5 and the recently released Fitbit Luxe, which launched at the same price. It’s tough to say which could be the more expensive of the two. There was little news around the Fitbit Charge 5 until July 2021, when 9to5Google published an image purported to be a new Fitbit device codenamed ‘Morgan’. There’s no guarantee that the image is genuine (there’s no Fitbit branding, and 9to5Google is keeping its sources close to its chest), but if real, its minimalist design suggests it could be our first glimpse of the new Charge.
