The Fitbit Charge 4, initially released in 2020, was a significant evolution for Fitbit’s popular Charge line. While we’re in mid-2025, and newer models like the Charge 5 and Charge 6 have since been released with color displays and more advanced health sensors, the Charge 4 remains a key device in Fitbit’s history, known for bringing several important features to a more affordable tracker.
Here are 9 key things to know about the Fitbit Charge 4, providing context from its release and its standing even in 2025:
Fitbit Charge 4 Review: 9 Key Things To Know (in 2025 Context)
- Built-in GPS was a Game-Changer: This was the headline feature. Unlike its predecessors and many competitors at its price point, the Charge 4 included onboard GPS. This meant you could leave your phone at home and still accurately track your runs, walks, hikes, or bike rides, seeing real-time pace and distance on your wrist, and a GPS map of your route in the Fitbit app afterward. This was a significant leap for serious fitness tracking without needing a smartphone.
- Introduction of Active Zone Minutes: The Charge 4 debuted Active Zone Minutes, a smarter way to track activity intensity. Instead of just counting steps, it measured time spent in your fat burn, cardio, or peak heart rate zones. You earned more “minutes” for higher intensity, aligning with health recommendations from organizations like the WHO. This metric aimed to provide a more meaningful measure of exercise effort.
- Fitbit Pay Became Standard: While Fitbit Pay (contactless payments via NFC) was previously limited to special editions of the Charge 3, it was made standard across all Fitbit Charge 4 models. This allowed users to make purchases directly from their wrist, even without their phone, adding significant convenience.
- Spotify Control on Your Wrist: For Spotify Premium subscribers, the Charge 4 offered basic music control from the wrist. You could play, pause, and skip tracks playing on your phone, a convenient feature during workouts or when your phone was out of reach. It did not have onboard music storage, though.
- Monochrome Display: One of its main limitations, especially when compared to newer trackers, was its grayscale OLED touchscreen display. While clear enough to read stats and notifications, it lacked the vibrant colors and visual appeal of the AMOLED screens found on later Fitbit models (like the Charge 5) and competing devices. This also meant no always-on display functionality.
- Solid Battery Life (with a Caveat): The Charge 4 boasted up to 7 days of battery life on a single charge with typical usage. However, activating the built-in GPS significantly drained the battery, reducing it to around 5 hours – a point to remember for long outdoor workouts.
- Advanced Sleep Tools: It offered comprehensive sleep tracking, breaking down sleep into stages (light, deep, REM) and providing a daily Sleep Score. It also incorporated tools like “Smart Wake” (waking you with a silent vibration during an optimal sleep stage) and an estimated SpO2 sensor for blood oxygen variation tracking during sleep (though detailed SpO2 readings required Fitbit Premium).
- Durable and Swim-Proof Design: The Charge 4 maintained Fitbit’s characteristic slim, comfortable, and discreet design. It was water-resistant up to 50 meters (5 ATM), making it suitable for swimming and showering, aligning with its versatile fitness tracking capabilities. The bands were also easily interchangeable.
- Robust Companion App and Ecosystem: The Charge 4 leveraged the excellent Fitbit app, which provides detailed insights into your activity, sleep, heart rate trends, menstrual health tracking, and more. The app’s community features, challenges, and guided programs (some requiring Fitbit Premium) enhanced the overall user experience, making data understandable and motivating.
In 2025, while the Charge 4 has been superseded by trackers with color screens, ECG, and EDA sensors, it remains noteworthy for the crucial features it introduced, particularly built-in GPS and Active Zone Minutes, making advanced fitness tracking more accessible to a wider audience. If found at a very low price, it could still serve as a basic, reliable tracker for someone prioritizing GPS and essential health metrics over a vibrant display or advanced medical sensors.