Google has re-entered the affordable wearable market with two distinct devices: the Fitbit Edge and the Fitbit Air. While they share a brand name and some core health tracking capabilities, they are fundamentally different products designed for different types of users. The Fitbit Air, released in May for $99, is a screenless tracker that competes directly with devices like Whoop. The Fitbit Edge, introduced in October for $179, sits between the Air and the more expensive Pixel Watch 5, offering a display and more interactive features.
Design and Interaction Differences
The most obvious distinction between the Fitbit Edge vs Fitbit Air is the presence of a screen. The Fitbit Air is a small sensor puck measuring 1.37 x 0.66 x 0.32 inches without its band. It has no display, meaning nearly all user interaction happens through the Google Health app on a smartphone. Users only physically touch the Air to remove it for charging or to swap bands.
In contrast, the Fitbit Edge features a 1.34-inch oval-shaped AMOLED touchscreen and a mechanical side button. It measures 1.54 x 1.01 x 0.46 inches, making it larger and more visible on the wrist. The Edge supports an always-on display mode, which makes it function more like a traditional smartwatch. This design allows the Edge to show health data, receive phone notifications, and even run a stripped-down version of Google Maps directly on the device. The Air cannot display this information locally.
Sensors and Health Tracking
Both devices include optical heart rate sensors, continuous heart rate monitoring, and irregular heart rhythm notifications. They also track steps, sleep, cardio load, and provide a daily readiness score and resilience score to approximate stress levels. However, the Fitbit Edge includes additional sensors that the Air lacks. Specifically, the Edge has electrical sensors for ECG readings, an altimeter for calculating elevation changes, and an ambient light sensor to adjust screen brightness.
These extra sensors enable features like tracking the number of floors climbed and viewing live workout metrics on the wrist. Google has stated that Health Guardian features, such as heart health and insulin trend monitoring, will be available on both devices. These AI-powered tools rely on Google’s broader data corpus rather than specific hardware sensors, suggesting that future AI features may roll out to both the Edge and the Air.
Battery Life and Durability
Battery performance varies significantly between the two models due to the Edge’s display. Google rates both devices for seven days of battery life under standard conditions. For the Fitbit Air, this duration is consistent because it lacks a screen. For the Fitbit Edge, seven days is achievable only if the always-on display is turned off. If the always-on feature is enabled, battery life drops to approximately two days.
To mitigate the shorter battery life of the always-on mode, the Fitbit Edge supports faster charging. It can reach a full charge in 90 minutes. Additionally, a 15-minute charge provides enough power for a full day of use. Both devices are built to withstand water and dust, carrying IP68 ratings and 5ATM water resistance up to 50 meters.
While both wearables require a Google Health Premium subscription to access their full AI capabilities, they offer a more affordable entry point into Google’s health ecosystem than the Pixel Watch. The choice between them ultimately depends on whether a user prefers the discreet, app-centric experience of the Air or the interactive, on-wrist data visibility of the Edge.
Source: Engadget
