Fitbit lives: Google confirms new tracker will | Tech News

If you’ve got been ready patiently for a new Fitbit tracker to hit cabinets, you’ve been ready very patiently certainly. The Google-owned firm has not launched a new tracker for the reason that Fitbit Charge 6 in September 2023, whereas the opposite units in its present line up, the Inspire 3, Versa 4 and Sense 2, had been launched in 2022.

The Fitbit Ace LTE, a smartwatch for kids, was launched in 2024, however is just obtainable within the US.

Now, Google has confirmed to 9to5Google that it will release “new Fitbit hardware” in 2026.

The well-known fitness model had beforehand been on a roll of releasing no less than one new gadget for adults each calendar 12 months since 2011, even after Google acquired the company in 2021.

In August 2024, Google mentioned it will no longer release Fitbit-branded smartwatches, implying the Versa 4 and Sense 2 will be the final obtainable. Google has as a substitute built-in the Fitbit app into its Google Pixel Watch smartwatches, with customers needing to make use of the Fitbit app for Android for his or her fitness and train monitoring.

Because of this, it’s doubtless the new 2026 Fitbit will be a slim tracker within the ilk of the Charge or Inspire vary. Google has not mentioned how many units it’s aspiring to launch.

Unlike the Pixel Watch, all Fitbits are suitable with each Android and iPhone handsets.

Google advised 9to5Google it’s “launching new Fitbit hardware next year” when discussing the new Fitbit Coach software program, which is presently getting into preview within the US. This means some customers will be capable to take a look at it earlier than its normal release.

Fitbit Coach is an AI-powered assistant that will dwell within the Fitbit app and is designed to provide you a more personalised fitness coach instrument that will be capable to assess knowledge gathered from carrying your Fitbit and advocate sure actions, from when to train and for how long to mining sleep knowledge for deeper insights into how to improve your relaxation.

Announcing a plan for new Fitbit {hardware} suggests Google desires a newer low-cost Fitbit with which to push people onto its Fitbit Coach software program, which will require a £7.99 per thirty days Fitbit Premium subscription.

I’ve used and reviewed a number of Fitbit units during the last decade, and am glad to listen to Google is reportedly not solely executed with Fitbit {hardware} regardless of the Google Pixel Watch eating some of Fitbit’s lunch.

The Fitbit Inspire 3 and Charge 6 are achieved, if easy, trackers in 2025 and have stood up properly over time. As they don’t seem to be smartwatches, the absence of third celebration apps is just not as huge an situation as when Google determined to not assist the Versa 4 or Sense 2 with them, which left these smartwatches feeling hobbled, particularly contemplating their greater costs.

The Inspire 3 prices £84.99 and is extremely light-weight with 10 days of battery life, however it has a very small screen and lacks GPS.

The Charge 6 retails for £139.99 however has a bigger, higher screen, GPS, and entry to turn-by-turn instructions in Google Maps and Google Wallet assist for contactless funds.