Fitbit Charge 5 — Design, Display, Features & UK Pricing

Design & Display

The Fitbit Charge 5 features a significantly sleeker and more refined design than its predecessor. While the Charge 3 and 4 were nearly identical, the Charge 5 introduces smooth, rounded edges for a more premium look. Its design sits somewhere between the Fitbit Sense and the slimmer Fitbit Luxe. According to Fitbit, the Charge 5 is 10% thinner than the Charge 4 and weighs around 28 grams, just 2 grams more than its predecessor, which is barely noticeable in use.

For the first time in the Charge series, Fitbit has added an always-on AMOLED display. This ensures that your stats are always visible without needing to tap or twist your wrist. The screen is bright and vibrant, with stainless steel casing adding to the premium feel. Despite the smaller form factor compared to the Charge 4, the screen itself is approximately 11% larger, making it easier to read notifications and fitness stats.

• Display size: 21.93 mm × 14.75 mm
• Resolution: 326 PPI (pixels per inch)
• Weight: Approx. 28g (module only)

New Strap Connector — Not Backwards Compatible

The Charge 5 uses a completely new strap mechanism, meaning older Fitbit bands from the Charge 3 or 4 won’t fit. If you’re upgrading, make sure to purchase Fitbit Charge 5-compatible straps for the right fit and comfort.

Battery Life

The Charge 5 maintains a battery life of up to 7 days, depending on how features like GPS and the always-on display are used. Charging takes approximately 2 hours for a full battery. Keep in mind that enabling always-on mode will reduce overall battery life.

Health & Fitness Features

This tracker is packed with health sensors and sports tools, including:

• Built-in GPS for phone-free outdoor workouts
• NFC for contactless payments via Fitbit Pay
• Vibration motor for alerts and notifications
• 20+ workout modes including running, HIIT and swimming
• 24/7 heart rate tracking with zone monitoring
• SpO₂ sensor for blood oxygen monitoring
• Sleep tracking with sleep score insights
• EDA sensor for stress detection and guided breathing
• ECG (electrocardiogram) for heart rhythm readings – supported in the UK
• Daily Readiness Score to determine if you're ready to train or should recover (requires Fitbit Premium)

Fitbit Premium Features

Some features like the ECG and Daily Readiness Score are included in the 6-month free Fitbit Premium trial. After the trial, Fitbit Premium is a paid subscription that unlocks deeper health insights and guided workouts.

Available Colours

At UK launch, the Charge 5 was available in:

• Graphite/Black
• Lunar White/Soft Gold
• Steel Blue/Platinum

UK Price & Release Date

The Fitbit Charge 5 launched in the UK with an RRP of £169.99. It became available from major UK retailers and Fitbit’s official website in late September 2021.

Should You Upgrade?

If you’re upgrading from a Fitbit Charge 3 or 4, the Charge 5 brings a noticeably improved display, advanced health sensors like ECG and EDA, a cleaner design, and the same trusted battery life. For UK users, the inclusion of ECG support and Fitbit Premium make it a worthy upgrade for those focused on health tracking and fitness optimisation.