Wear Radar

Fitbit ChargevsApple Watch Ultra

Fitbit Charge
Buy/Wait:bad

Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest

Best for: Anyone who wants serious health and fitness tracking without the bulk or cost of a full smartwatch. Works with both Android and iPhone, making it the most accessible Fitbit tracker in the lineup.

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Apple Watch Ultra
Buy/Wait:good

Early in release cycle

Best for: Serious athletes, trail runners, triathletes, and outdoor adventurers who need the most durable, most accurate GPS watch Apple makes. Also for iPhone users who simply want the best Apple Watch regardless of sport, and value the extra battery life over the Series 11.

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Fitbit ChargeApple Watch Ultra
TierFitness TrackerSports GPS
PlatformiOS & AndroidiOS only
Battery7 days1.75 days
Always-on display
GPS
Cellular
Health sensorsecg, spo2, eda stress, hrecg, spo2, skin temp, hrv, blood pressure
ReleasedSep 28, 2023Sep 19, 2025
Cycle length731 days727 days
Cycle advicebadgood
Deals advicegoodneutral
Next modelApple Watch Ultra 4 (Expected fall 2026)

Why buy each?

Fitbit Charge

ECG and EDA stress in a slim band

Full ECG, electrodermal activity stress sensing, SpO2, and continuous heart rate in a tracker thinner than most smartwatches.

Google apps integration

Google Maps navigation, Google Wallet NFC payments, and YouTube Music controls — more useful on-device apps than any previous Charge.

7-day battery with GPS

7 days of typical use, dropping to around 30 minutes per GPS workout session before needing a charge.

Apple Watch Ultra

42-hour battery + satellite SOS

The Ultra 3 nearly doubles the Series 11 battery life, and satellite emergency SOS works even without cellular or WiFi coverage.

Dual-frequency L1+L5 GPS

More precise GPS tracking in urban canyons and dense forests — critical for trail running, mountaineering, and triathlon.

3000-nit titanium-cased powerhouse

The 49mm titanium case and 3000-nit display make this watch usable in full direct sunlight and water depths up to 100m (EN13319 certified for diving).