Fitbit Inc (NYSE:FIT) claims that more new products will be arriving this year, and that claim just got real. TechnoBuffalo got the exclusive scoop on two new fitness trackers, the Fitbit Flex 2 and Fitbit Charge 2.
The tech website published leaked images that show a new Fitbit Charge 2, featuring a larger display and incorporating a PurePulse heart rate sensor.
The Fitbit Flex 2 also was uncovered, and this more simple fitness tracker is noted as being “swim proof.” That’s an improvement in water resistance over the current model and makes it more suitable for people who want casual fitness and sleep tracking without smartwatch notifications, without worrying about taking it off for swimming or showering, and without spending a lot of cash.
In fact, with the Alta now in place as the “fashionable” Fitbit, the new Fitbit Flex 2 could be positioned to take on the flood of cheap “wear it and forget about it” bracelet trackers from the likes of Xiaomi. It could also offer a defense against pool-friendly wearables from Fossil Group’s (NASDAQ:FOSL) Misfit, although there’s no indication the Flex 2 would actual do anything as advanced as track laps.
Back in May, Fitbit CEO James Park said to expect more “exciting new products” from the company by the end of the year. With the new Blaze and Alta trackers immediately accounting for nearly half of all Fitbit sales, there was clearly an appetite for new gear from consumers. The rest of the company’s lineup, including the Charge and especially the Flex (first released in 2013), were becoming seriously outdated.
Fitbit Charge 2
The new Fitbit Charge 2 will now display smartphone notifications. That doesn’t make it a smartwatch, but it does make it more capable of competing against smartwatches. Consumers who want activity tracking but also notifications should be more than happy with the Charge 2.
One obvious question is where this leaves the Charge HR. Fitbit says the Charge HR, released in 2015, is the top-selling fitness tracker in the world. However, it looks virtually identical to the Charge, and its PurePulse heart rate sensor is the primary reason why the Charge HR currently carries a price premium over the Charge.
With a new Fitbit Charge 2 arriving on the scene and this time packing the heart rate sensor, it would seem the Charge HR’s days are numbered. If so, will the company up the price on the Fitbit Charge 2, or forgo the $20 premium it’s been making on the Charge HR?
Timing
The assets dug up by TechnoBuffalo have the date of Nov. 27 showing on the tracker displays. That could be a hint for a release date, and if so, it would be timed perfectly.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is expected to announce the Apple Watch 2 in the fall, and a late November date would avoid the media swarm that’s liable to follow any such announcement. Anything earlier would likely get lost in the Apple Watch coverage. It’s also perfect timing to take advantage of the holiday shopping season.
If the Charge 2 and Flex 2 do indeed land in late November, expect them to power Fitbit to a very merry holiday quarter.
As of this writing, Brad Moon did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.
