Apple Watch 7 and Fitbit Charge 5 are altogether different products. The latest Apple Watch 7 strives to tick most boxes for a good and complete smartwatch. A Fitbit Charge 5 falls in the category of a fitness tracker.
The comparison between Apple Watch 7 and Fitbit Charge 5 is essentially a comparison between the features of a fitness tracker and the features of a smartwatch. We look at the essential differences between an Apple Watch 7 and a Fitbit Charge 5.
Topics in this document include:
Table of Comparison – Quick comparison
For a quick check of main features and capabilities of Apple Watch 7 and Fitbit Charge 5, please check out the table of comparison below.
| Features | Apple Watch 7 | Fitbit Charge 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.99 and up | $119 and up |
| iOS compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Android Compatible | No | Yes |
| Display | OLED | AMOLED |
| ECG | Yes | Yes (with, Fitbit Premium) |
| Screen Size | 1.79″ | 1.04″ |
| Cellular model | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 24 hours | 7 days |
| Fast Charging | Yes | No |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | No |
| Answer Calls | Yes | No |
| Temperature Sensor | No | Yes |
| Weight | 38.8 g | 28 g |
| Calorie intake | No | Yes |
| Perspiration Tracking | No | Yes |
| Weight Tracking | No | Yes |
| Music feature | Yes | Limited |
| Fall Detection | Yes | No |
| NFC | Apple Pay | Fitbit Pay |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Blood Oxygenation Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Water Rating | 50 meters (equivalent to 5 ATM) | 50 meters |
Costs – Apple Watch 7 vs Fitbit Charge 5
One of the most significant differences between the Apple Watch 7 and Fitbit Charge 5 is the cost. A Fitbit Charge 5 costs less than $150. Apple Watch 7, on the other hand, is priced between $399 to $749.
The more expensive models have stainless steel body. The cellular model of the Apple Watch 7 allows you to connect to the cellular network from the watch directly. The cellular model of the Apple Watch 7 is priced higher too.
Apple Watch 7 is one of the best smartwatches available in the market. And, Fitbit Charge 5 is probably the best fitness tracker money can buy. You ought to make a decision. Do you want a fitness tracker or a smartwatch? At the same time, set a budget for your tracker or smartwatch.
Battery Life – Apple Watch 7 vs Fitbit Charge 5
Apple Watch 7 has a full suite of apps that come preloaded on the watch. These apps perform a range of different tasks or functions. There are 44 apps that come loaded on the Apple Watch 7.
Some of the significant apps also include the ECG app on the watch. All these apps draw power from the battery of your Apple Watch 7. Apple Watch 7 battery has a rated life of 24 hours. For practical considerations, the battery charge of an Apple Watch 7 is anywhere between 15 to 18 hours.
You need to charge your Apple Watch 7 every day. There are ways in which you can enhance the battery life of an Apple Watch 7. You can the instructions to save battery life of an Apple Watch 7 on this page.
With a basic set of fitness tracking features, the Fitbit Charge 5 is a smart tracker. It has an exceptionally long battery life of 7 days. For practical considerations, you may expect Charge 5 to last anywhere between 5 to 7 days on full battery charge. With continuous GPS usage, the battery life of Fitbit Charge 5 goes down to 5 hours only.
Android and iOS – Apple Watch 7 vs Fitbit Charge 5
Apple Watch 7 works within the Apple ecosystem only. That means that you can use an iPhone to pair with the Apple Watch 7. Activation of Apple Watch 7 is possible with an iPhone. This effectively means that the Apple Watch 7 is incompatible with the Android operating system.
Fitbit Charge 5 is compatible with iOS and Android mobile operating systems. You can use an Android mobile or an iPhone to pair with a Charge 5 device. Fitbit app is available for download from the Apple Store and the Google Play Store. The app works well withthe iPhone and Android mobile operating systems.
Music – Apple Watch 7 vs Fitbit Charge 5
Apple Watch 7 can allow full music functionality and support. An Apple Watch 7 can allow you to play music in any of the following ways:
- You can store music locally on the Apple Watch 7. For this, you make use of the Apple Watch storage or the device storage of the watch. Apple Watch 7 allows you to play music that is stored on the watch storage locally.
- You can stream music directly from the Apple Music streaming service. You will need a valid subscription of Apple Music to do so.
- You can also control music on your iPhone through the Apple Watch 7. The iPhone needs to be paired with the Apple Watch 7. And, the iPhone needs to be close to the Apple Watch 7.
A Fitbit Charge 5 has limited music functionality. It does not offer on-device storage to store music files locally on the fitness tracker. It allows you to control music on the paired smartphone.
In terms of comparison, Apple Watch 7 has full music functionality.
ECG app – Apple Watch 7 vs Fitbit Charge 5
Apple Watch 7 has an in-built ECG app. The heart sensors on the Apple Watch 7 have progressed well with each generation of Apple Watches. ECG app on the Apple Watch offers insightful data for heart health.
Apple Watch 7 has a proven history in terms of measuring and tracking heart health. You can read about how Apple Watches have been trusted by people for the heart monitoring. It can send you alerts when the heart rate goes below or above the normal heart beats range.
Apple Watch 7 is also very good in detecting AFib. AFib is Atrial Fibrillation condition. Heart rhythm issues can also be detected through an Apple Watch 7.
Apple Watch 7 does a reasonably good job in tracking blood oxygenation levels. And, it does track your sleep too.
Fitbit Charge 5 does not, on its own, have the ECG app. It does have a separate sensor to track heart rate data from your wrist. However, if you were to subscribe to the Fitbit Premium subscription, you can expand the basic functionality of a Fitbit Charge 5.
Fitbit Premium gives you:
- ECG app to take ECG readings of the heart.
- Measure Daily Readiness Score. This is a score of your energy levels and fatigue scores.
- Fitbit Charge 5 can also track sleep using the Fitbit Premium program.
The only issue that I have with the Fitbit Premium is the monthly subscription service fee of $9.99 a month. Add the costs and monthly subscription charges of Fitbit Charge 5 and Fitbit Premium. Over a 2 years period, Fitbit Charge 5 and Fitbit Premium costs you close to $370. When you choose to pay Fitbit Premium subscription annually, you can end up saving $40 over a 2 years period. You will still need to pay $330 for a 2 years period of ownership of Fitbit Charge 5.
Compare this with the Apple Watch 7. You buy it outright for $399. But, you get to keep it without incremental subscription charges for a period that may last 4 years. It does make a lot of sense to invest in an Apple Watch 7 over a Fitbit Premium + Fitbit Charge 5.
Display and other features – Apple Watch 7 vs Fitbit Charge 5
There are quite a few physical attributes and features that mark a difference between the two devices. We look at some of these key differences between the Apple Watch 7 and Fitbit Charge 5 closely.
- Apple Watch 7 has an OLED display and the Fitbit Charge 5 has an AMOLED display.
- Apple Watch 7 can be used to answer calls. It has an inbuilt speaker and microphone. This makes it possible to answer the calls right off your watch device. A Fitbit Charge 5 allows you to take calls by pressing the icon on the Charge 5 screen. However, you cannot answer the calls through the Fitbit Charge 5.
- Apple Watch 7 has a large screen size of 1.9″. The new design of Apple Watch 7 is sleeker as the bezel has been further compacted. Fitbit Charge 5 is sleek and has a screen size of 1.04″. Lesser screen area boosts the battery life of a Fitbit Charge 5.
Apple Watch 7 can be used to track your phone.
Apple Watch 7 can also track elevation changes. In other words, it does provide the altimeter functionality through the watchOS.
Apple Watch 7 has a cellular model. It allows you to hook up to the provider services without the need of a phone. A cellular service model is very useful for people who love hiking or running. There is no need to carry the paired smartphone when you have a cellular model of Apple Watch 7.
Apple Watch 7 supports wireless charging. With a compatible pod and charging station, you can charge your Apple Watch 7 wirelessly.
Fitbit Charge 5 can monitor perspiration. It also has a temperature sensor to take wrist-based temperature changes. Apple Watch 7 is missing both these features.
Summary
Buy a Fitbit Charge 5 if you want basic activity tracking and fitness tracking. Charge 5 does a very good job of offering basic fitness tracking features.
If you wish to expand the basic features to include ECG or Daily Readiness Scores, you may be better off getting an Apple Watch 7. With reasonable level of care, an Apple Watch 7 can easily last 3 to 4 years. With AppleCare+ Extended Warranty, you can save money in maintaining the Apple Watch 7 over extended periods of time.
Over a 3 years period of ownership, an Apple Watch 7 makes all the more sense than a Fitbit Charge 5.
You may also like to read more about Apple and Fitbit smartwatches in the content below:
- The back of my Apple Watch cracked. Now what?
- Apple Watch ECG – Saving lives
- watchOS 8.5 Security Update – Released 14 March 2022
- Save battery on Apple Watch 7
- Apple Watch SE vs Garmin Venu 2 Plus
- Fitbit Sense – smartwatch for 2022
Helen Kurt is a geeky nerd who loves to cover the wearables space. She has over 5 years of experience in the smartwatch domain. You can reach her on email at [email protected].