Fitbit’s next fitness tracker looks fancy

[mood]

Fitbit’s next fitness tracker looks fancy

Photos of the upcoming Luxe have leaked

 

Image of the upcoming Fitbit Luxe showing three colors: gold, black, and silver.

 Image: WinFuture

 

Fitbit may be ready to launch a new fitness tracker soon, if images published by WinFuture are to be believed. The new tracker is apparently named Luxe and features a more fashion-centric design than Fitbit’s existing Inspire 2. It’s not clear when the Luxe will be released or how much it will cost, but I would not be surprised if it has a higher price tag than the $100 Inspire 2.

 

The big upgrade for the Luxe is a new stainless steel body, which will be available in silver, gold, or black finishes. It also has a color OLED touchscreen, though WinFuture didn’t provide specs or detailed information about it. Both the stainless steel body and the color screen are upgrades over the plastic and monochrome options on the Inspire 2.

 

The Luxe is expected to have a heart rate monitor, sleep tracking, and all of the activity tracking features that Fitbit’s other wearables support. It’s not likely to have a GPS radio of its own, however — you’ll probably need to have your phone with you for accurate mapping of your runs. In addition to the body colors, WinFuture’s images show various strap color options, so it’s likely Fitbit will position this as much of a fashion accessory as a fitness device.

 

Fitbit, which is now owned by Google, built its brand on wrist-worn fitness trackers, and it looks like the Luxe is very much in that vein. The company has had less success producing a competent smartwatch, but perhaps it can inject some life into Google’s flailing smartwatch platform once the companies fully merge their resources.

 

 

Source: Fitbit’s next fitness tracker looks fancy

[mood]

Fitbit's $150 Luxe is another attempt to make a stylish fitness tracker

It looks nicer than the Charge 4 but doesn't have GPS onboard.

 

Fitbit

 

You can probably spot a Fitbit tracker from a mile away. They generally have a distinct blockish look with rubbery straps and simple watch faces. That's likely why Fitbit has been partnering with designers to make prettier bands and trying to make more "stylish" trackers like the Alta. But the Alta was far from stylish, and the company discontinued the device in 2019. Since then, Fitbit's trackers have stuck to basic designs. That is, until now. The company is announcing today the Fitbit Luxe — which it's calling a "fashion-forward fitness and wellness tracker... in an effortlessly chic bracelet design." 

 

You can be the judge of whether the Luxe is indeed fashion-forward and effortlessly chic, but based on the renders so far, it at least appears to offer lots of attractive band and color options. There's also a few strap and bracelet options from Californian jewelry maker gorjana. Three case colors are available: black, platinum (silver) and gold, and they're paired with black, orchid (pink) and white bands respectively. 

 

Besides the hues and accessories, there are more reasons Fitbit is calling the Luxe its "most elevated tracker." For one thing, the company says this is its thinnest touchscreen tracker to date. Like the Sense, the Luxe features a buttonless design so you'll only be able to use it by swiping and tapping the AMOLED display. Fitbit also said it adapted jewelry-making techniques, using a process called metal injection molding to create the Luxe's stainless steel case, as well as a "metal vaporizing technique" for a polished finish on the gold and platinum finishes.

Gallery: Fitbit Luxe press photos | 31 Photos

 

Until we see the device in person, it's hard to tell if these touches truly make the Luxe more attractive than the Alta, the Inspires and Fitbit's other trackers. Like the company's previous wearables, the Luxe monitors a wide variety of metrics like heart rate variability, breathing rate, sleep stages and blood oxygen saturation, though that last one is "coming soon" and won't be available in all countries. 

The Luxe will also monitor your vitals to gauge how stressed you are and assign you a Stress Management score, as well as track your skin temperature variation — both already available on the Sense. Unlike the Sense though, the Luxe does not have GPS built in, so you'll have to bring your phone with you to map your run. 

Though it's not technically a smartwatch, the Luxe's simplistic OS will still let you receive your smartphone's notifications, set alarms and use a stopwatch. It's compatible with both iOS and Android devices, and will also work with Google's Fast Pair to make syncing with your phone much less of a pain. This appears to be the only new feature hailing from Google since it completed its acquisition of Fitbit in January. 

 

Fitbit

 

Like most of Fitbit's trackers, the Luxe promises to last up to seven days on a charge. It's water resistant up to 50 meters and will automatically track your swims. Plus, it can also keep tabs on your menstrual cycle in addition to constant heart rate, daily steps, distance and calories burned. 

 

Those in the US can pre-order the Luxe today for $150, while global availability is slated for this spring. The company is throwing in a free six-month trial of Fitbit Premium, which usually costs $10 a month or $80 a year. It offers personalized health-tracking reports across all your metrics, guided programs to improve your nutrition, sleep and wellbeing, as well as games, challenges and workout content. As is Fitbit's custom with its recent releases, a Special Edition with nicer accessories (by gorjana) is available for $200 and will arrive in June.

 

 

Source: Fitbit's $150 Luxe is another attempt to make a stylish fitness tracker