Fitbit enters into the smartwatch business with the Fitbit Ionic

Better late than never I guess.

Fitbit has now entered into the smartwatch business with its new Fitbit Ionic. Hitherto known for fitness-focussed wearables, this is the company’s first true smartwatch.

The Fitbit Ionic builds on Fitbit’s health and fitness expertise with a new relative SpO2 sensor, making it possible to track deeper health insights like sleep apnea in the future, industry-leading GPS tracking, on-device dynamic workouts, improved heart rate tracking, and water resistance up to 50 meters.

It also has smart features like contactless payments, on-board music, smart notifications, and a variety of popular apps and clock faces available in the Fitbit App Gallery. Ionic also has core features like 4+ day battery life, automatic activity and sleep tracking, and cross-platform compatibility.

According to James Park, co-founder and CEO of Fitbit. “With Ionic, we will deliver what consumers have not yet seen in a smartwatch – a health and fitness first platform that combines the power of personalization and deeper insights with our most advanced technology to date, unlocking opportunities for unprecedented health tracking capabilities in the future.”

Fitbit’s strongest and lightest GPS watch

As Fitbit’s first device designed fully in-house, Ionic features new processes and materials that improve weight, fit, durability, breathability and daily wear – resulting in an extremely lightweight, ergonomic design comfortable enough to wear all day and night.

• Fitbit’s most advanced design: Utilizing nano-molding technology, the unibody watchcase allows it to double as the Bluetooth and GPS antenna. This construction creates a stronger GPS signal that works in busy cities or on remote trails.
• Built to last: Ionic is built to be more durable with new materials, new bands and more extensive testing than ever before.
• Easy to read display: A color, spherical glass touchscreen with crisp graphics and amplified brightness of up to 1,000 nits lets you read your stats wherever you are – in bright sunlight or a low-lit room.
• Trending styles and accessories: Ionic comes in a range of styles and colors (see below) with interchangeable Classic, Sport and Horween leather accessories so it can seamlessly transition from work to a workout or a night out.

The Ionic will be available in three colour combinations: silver gray tracker and clasp with blue gray band, smoke gray tracker and clasp with charcoal band, or burnt orange tracker and clasp with slate blue band.

Coming out sometime in October this year at a recommended retail price of $299.95, the Fitbit Ionic is the most expensive Fitbit device yet. Though more expensive than the $269 Apple Watch Series 1, it is cheaper than the Apple Watch Series 2.