It’s still a few months away, but already leaks and rumors abound regarding the new Fitbit models that will be launched in 2015. A tech website got its hands on the marketing materials for the Fitbit Charge and Charge HR and it looks like both are a somehow refurbished version of the Fitbit Force. The company was forced to recall the Force last year after the nickel in the band caused some to break out in rashes and burns. Is this the second (and better) coming of the fitness band?
Based on the images, the Fitbit Charge looks like the Force which has a bigger display and wider band than its current Fitbit Flex, giving it a more high-end feel. The leaked material also shows that it basically has the same functions, which includes the ability to track steps, distance covered, calories burned, stairs climbed and how many minutes of activity you were able to do. It also monitors how many hours and what kind of sleep you’re getting. It displays all your statistics as well as the time and even when someone is calling your smartphone.
The Fitbit Charge HR meanwhile has the same basic functions except for one fundamental addition. It now has a heart rate montor, the first Fitbit device to have such a feature. The marketing material shows that it’s called PurePulse and will continuously monitor your wrist-based heart rate. If you use it with the MoblleRun on the Fitbit app, you will be able to see your running statistics. All other features and capabilities we mentioned in the Fitbit Charge is also applicable to the Charge HR.
Now the major questions are how much these two devices will cost and if you really need to upgrade your current Fitbit that is still working properly. According to Gizmodo, a Russian retailer has put the price at around $185 for the Charge and $220 for the Charge HR. Considering that the Flex is around $125, that’s pretty steep for a slightly upgraded fitness band. But if you think that it is crucial to have the newest model or to have a heart rate monitor for your activities, then you should wait with bated breath for the launch in 2015.
VIA: SlashGear
