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As wearable tech evolves, fans of fitness trackers often wonder: will the next model be a radical leap or just another incremental upgrade? In this article, we dive into what Charge 6 already offers what users have criticized, and what the next generation the rumored Charge 7 would need to bring to truly shine.
What Charge 6 Already Brings to the Table
To understand what needs upgrading, here’s a quick look at Charge 6’s strengths and its real-world limitations.
Key strengths / improvements in Charge 6:
- Built-in GPS + GLONASS makes the tracker more autonomous for outdoor runs or rides.
- Health features like ECG, SpO₂ tracking, and advanced heart rate monitoring.
- Integration of Google features: Google Maps turn-by-turn, Google Wallet (NFC payments), and YouTube Music controls (when paired).
- Battery life claims of up to 7 days under lighter use.
- More than 40 workout / exercise modes.
- A physical side button returned (after its removal on Charge 5) to aid in navigation.
- Better heart rate accuracy on intense activity, which helps improve metrics like Active Zone Minutes and readiness scores.
These upgrades have made Charge 6 a compelling option in the tracker class — but it’s not without complaints.
What Users Complain About (or Want Fixed)
Feedback and reviews have highlighted several recurring criticisms or gaps in Charge 6’s performance:
- GPS accuracy issues: Because of how the antenna is placed and how tightly the band must be fitted for accurate heart rate readings, GPS often suffers (signal loss or poor path tracking).
- Missing altimeter / floor count: One sensor many users want restored is the altimeter (for counting floors/stairs), which hasn’t returned in Charge 6.
- Battery under heavier usage: When features like always-on display, frequent notifications, or GPS are used, battery life drops significantly.
- Display size vs usability: As Charge 6 now handles more “smart” features (Maps, Wallet), the small screen sometimes feels cramped for showing all the data.
- Proprietary charging and cable type: Users hope for USB-C or more standard charging instead of a custom cable.
- Sensor calibration / consistency: Some users report differences in accuracy based on wrist placement, skin tone, motion, etc.
What Charge 7 Must Do: Smartest Upgrades to Watch For
If Fitbit wants Charge 7 to feel like a worthy upgrade (not just a refresh), here are the biggest improvements it should aim for:
| Area | Expected / Desired Upgrade | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| GPS & connectivity | Better antenna design or multi-band support, improved firmware to reduce signal loss | Accurate route tracking is essential for runners, cyclists, etc. |
| Return of altimeter | Add floor/stair counting via altimeter (barometric) sensor | It’s a basic metric many users expect & miss when absent |
| Larger / better display | Slight increase in screen real estate, improved brightness, better layout for multi-metric views | Smart features (Maps, notifications) are more useful when easily legible |
| Battery & efficiency | More efficient sensors, lower power modes, possibly a marginally larger battery | To maintain 5–7 days even under heavier “smart” use |
| Universal / USB-C charging | Move to a more universal connector or at least standardize the cable | Less “cable clutter” and easier replacement |
| Better sensor calibration / algorithms | Improved software to reduce errors, better handling of skin tone, movement, etc. | Makes health / fitness metrics more trustworthy |
| Durability & build quality | Tougher glass, better sealing, more wear resistance | Users expect trackers to survive sweat, knocks, daily life |
Potential Speculation: What Charge 7 Might Look Like
While nothing is confirmed, rumor and wishlists suggest some interesting directions.
For example:
- A slightly bigger display to accommodate more data (without turning it into a smartwatch).
- Improved GPS accuracy is repeatedly cited as a top want in wishlists.
- A return of features like altimeter (floor counting) that were dropped in earlier models.
- A switch to USB-C or more standard charging rather than a fully proprietary cable.
- More efficient power usage so that “heavy use” (GPS, always-on display) doesn’t cripple battery life.
