Will there be a Fitbit Charge 7 this year?

Fitbit has been around for a while, and if there’s one product that truly defines the brand, it’s the Charge series. This tracker has been a staple in the fitness tech world for years, offering a solid mix of features without the bulk of a smartwatch. With the most recent version launching in 2023, a Charge 7 in 2025 seems likely. While Fitbit hasn’t confirmed anything yet, looking at past release patterns might give us some clues about what to expect.

Fitbit Charge 7: Potential release date

Fitbit’s been rolling out their Charge trackers for more than a decade, and if we look at their release dates, we might guess when the next one’s coming. Here’s the lowdown:

• Fitbit Charge: November 2014
• Fitbit Charge HR: January 2015
• Fitbit Charge 2: September 2016
• Fitbit Charge 3: October 2018
• Fitbit Charge 4: March 2020
• Fitbit Charge 5: September 2021
• Fitbit Charge 6: October 2023

At first, Fitbit was cranking out new Charges pretty quickly, sometimes just months apart. But lately, they’ve been taking their time, with about 18 to 24 months between releases. So, if we follow this trend, it’s a good bet that the Fitbit Charge 7 might drop in September or October 2025. The company typically announces the device to coincide with IFA in Berlin – Europe’s largest tech gathering.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The added uncertainty, this year, is to do with Google. They are the one calling the shots now, not Fitbit. And it seems, following the takeover, Google is slowly phasing Fitbit out. We attended IFA in Berlin in 2024 and for the first time in recent memory, Fitbit was not there. Google was and the company had a small stand showcasing Fitbit devices. It was kind of sad to see.

Our guess is that we will see a Fitbit Charge 7 this year. For now, the brand is still alive and kicking. Beyond 2025, it is difficult to predict as Google might have its own ideas about the best way forward for Fitbit.

Fitbit Charge 7: Features to expect – wish-list

Fitbit has been playing it safe with the Charge series for a while now, but it might be time for a shake-up. There is word on the street that Charge 7 will get a “a major redesign”. But these are all unconfirmed reports. If Google is killing the Sense and Versa models in favour of the Google Pixel Watch, it might make sense to try and do more with Charge 7. 

Some things definitely need fixing, and if Google is serious about keeping the Charge lineup around, they’ll have to make some real improvements. Right now, the Charge lineup is already competing with Fitbit’s high-end smartwatches in terms of features, so why not push it even further? And fix the existing issues.

Bigger display, better design?

One of the biggest complaints with the Charge 6 is its tiny screen. It is not the easiest thing to read when you’re mid-run or trying to check your stats quickly.

A larger display could help bridge the gap between fitness bands and smartwatches, especially since other brands are already making fitness bands with bigger screens. Google doesn’t have its own fitness band yet and doesn’t appear to have an interest in this area. So a bigger Charge 7 makes a lot of sense. Especially if Fitbit phases out its smartwatch range.

Bring back the altimeter

For some reason, Fitbit decided to drop the altimeter from the Charge 6, which means it doesn’t track stairs climbed anymore. It’s a weird decision, considering previous models had it. Maybe it is to do with keeping costs down, or battery levels up. Hopefully, the Charge 7 brings it back because plenty of people still want that data.

Better health tracking

Fitbit is known for its health features, but there’s always room for improvement. Blood pressure monitoring would be a solid addition, though Fitbit hasn’t made public any moves in that direction yet. Sure there are some patents – but that doesn’t mean anything. We’ve been hearing about blood pressure monitoring from the wrist for years now – but no company has come up with a very accurate way to track this.

At the very least, Fitbit should improve the existing sensors. Some users have complained that heart rate tracking isn’t super accurate during intense workouts. So that’s one area for improvement.

Subscription model frustration

One of the gripes with Fitbit is that some of its features are locked behind a Fitbit Premium subscription. It’s not cheap, and a lot of users aren’t happy about having to pay extra to access detailed health insights. Granted, you don’t really need the subscription as you get plenty as it is.

But it would be nice if Fitbit made all of the features free. But knowing Google, they’ll probably double down on the subscription model instead.

Fix the GPS already

Charge 6 users have reported GPS connectivity issues, with the device sometimes struggling to hold a signal. If you’re going for a run and your tracker loses GPS midway, it’s frustrating. Hopefully, the Charge 7 sorts this out and makes GPS tracking more reliable. Dual-band GPS, like on Garmin watches, would probably help to solve most issues.

Battery life that lasts

Fitbit claims the Charge 6 can last up to seven days, but in reality, that depends on how you use it. Turn on the always-on display, and that battery drains fast. If the Charge 7 is going to add more features, Fitbit will need to improve battery efficiency. No one wants to be charging their fitness tracker every couple of days.

Like this article? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and never miss out!