The Fitbit Charge 5, launched in 2021 alongside the Apple Watch Series 7, is still available for around $100 new or $40 used. But can a five-year-old wearable keep up with the 2026 flagship, the Apple Watch Series 11? I set out to find out by taking them on a 5,500-step walk.
Fitbit Charge 5 surprises in step counting accuracy
Both devices counted steps within 100 of the manual count of 5,500. However, the Fitbit Charge 5 proved slightly more accurate, registering 5,473 steps against the Apple Watch's 5,429. An impressive result for a tracker from 2021.
Apple Watch dominates elevation tracking
The walk included significant uphill sections, and here the Apple Watch Series 11 showed its superiority thanks to its built-in barometric altimeter. The Fitbit Charge 5, lacking this sensor, recorded only 324 feet of climb versus the Apple Watch's 481 feet and Strava's 456 feet, underestimating by over 130 feet.
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Heart rate and calories: conflicting data
The Fitbit measured an average heart rate of 120 bpm and max of 149 bpm, lower than the Apple Watch's 125 and 156 bpm. Despite this, it reported higher calorie burn: 461 calories versus 400. However, calorie estimates are often unreliable in wearables.
Battery life: Apple Watch consumes less during workouts
Although the Fitbit Charge 5 promises seven days of battery life versus the Apple Watch's 24 hours, during the 52-minute walk it drained 14% battery compared to just 5% for the Apple Watch. This means the Charge 5 might not be reliable for outdoor activities longer than 5-6 hours.
In the wearable ecosystem, innovation continues. Recently, OpenAI revealed its first hardware, a screenless voice assistant, signaling the sector's dynamism. Similarly, Shark Beauty challenges market giants with new products.
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For more on biometric sensors, see the Wikipedia page on heart rate.
The final verdict? The Fitbit Charge 5, despite its age, proved to be a surprisingly capable tracker, exceeding expectations in step counting and heart rate, but falling short in elevation accuracy and battery life during GPS use. For those seeking a budget fitness tracker, it remains a solid option, but for precise data, the Apple Watch Series 11 remains king.
