Released in 7 October 2018, the Fitbit Charge 3 was praised as a superb fitness tracker. It may not be as innovative as other Newer Fitbits, such as the Charge 5, Versa 3, Charge 4 or the brand new Sense, but it brought important improvements over previous generations and is still a very good smartwatch.
The third-generation impressed with a more refined design, a larger, fully waterproof display, and lighter weight.
So, it has an array features to make it more appealing to fitness fans – here we take a look under its hood to find out what makes it tick.
Compared to the 4 and 5 at a very similar price, you may want to consider the charge 4 in this case so we list both options here.
Design and Display
From an aesthetic standpoint, Charge 4 isn’t too different from its predecessor, the Charge 3. The display, band and colour palette follow similar lines: nevertheless, the new Charge has some small improvements.
It’s only weighs 3.21 ounces. So it perfectly suits an active lifestyle.
It has a full touchscreen display, not least because the absence of buttons has made for a completely waterproof smartwatch – making it more appealing to swimmers with immersion resistance down to 50 metres.
The display measures 1.47″. The watch itself is 1.63 x 4.04 x 8.9 inches. The strap is as wide as the display, and there’s a range of classic silicone, leather, woven, and sports bands available.
Smart Features
More of an everyday fitness tracker than a smartwatch, Fitbit Charge 3 has some, though limited smart features – it does not offer contactless payments or built-in GPS like the charge 4.
With messages, you can only send quick replies from Android, but not with iOS or other operating systems.
Fitness, Mindfulness and Medical Features
Fitbit Charge 4 might not have abundant smart features, but it excels in terms of fitness and medical functionality.
From a medical standpoint, you get:
- Health and heart rate monitoring: The smartwatch delivers 24/7 heart rate monitoring, burned calories counter, and real-time heart rate zones. The latter is particularly useful if you want to make the most out of your workout.
- Sleep tracking: If you feel fatigued without apparent reason, the sleep tracker will monitor the quality of your sleep and deliver personalised insights. While it won’t help cure any sleep disturbances, it will surely help you understand whether or not you should visit your doctor.
- Feminine health tracking: This feature helps keep track of periods, ovulation and fertility windows, and their associated symptoms.
Besides these medical functions, the fitness tracker also incorporates a wealth of features developed to help you improve your physical performance.
Perhaps the best function is the SmartTrack, which recognises your activity automatically and tracks your performance accordingly.
You can also set goals and get real-time stats for over 15 exercises or track your pace and distance in real-time using your smartphone’s GPS.
The smartwatch also keeps track of how much you move throughout the day and sends reminders to move, while the personalised guided breathing claims to help you get rid of negative emotions and channel your positive energies towards productivity.
Battery and Performance
Comfortable and durable, the Charge 3 has a tough case and Corning Gorilla glass display.
Though it doesn’t have the best-performing battery out there – the Fitbit Zip’s battery, for example, lasts for up to six months on a single charge – it can still last for 7 of continuous wearing and under normal usage.
You could potentially increase the battery life even more by disabling the alarms and reducing interaction.
Fitbit Charge 3 Summary
Fitbit Charge 3 is an exceptional fitness tracker – though not such a great smartwatch – and it integrates all the functions and features you’d expect. A variety of band styles and colors bring versatility, making it suitable for both men and women.
Coming at a cost that won’t break the bank, it blends high-end functionality with a mid-range price tag in a product that really knows how to satisfy its users.
If you’re looking for a great fitness tracker rather than the smartest watch, the Fitbit Charge 3 may fit the bill. You should also consider the charge 4 for comparison and more advances features and a similar price.
Why not head over to our comparison of all the Fitbit models, here.
Or, if you’re considering an alternative to the Fitbit Charge 3 at the same price point, you’ll love our article on the AmazFit X, a watch offering a button-free design and excellent battery life.
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