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The Fitbit Edge lacks a useful contactless feature
Google’s Fitbit Edge fitness tracker omits NFC, so users cannot make contactless payments from their wrist. Google says usage data showed the feature was rarely used by Charge 6 owners, and it prioritised other requested health and activity features instead.
The Edge has a 1.34-inch AMOLED screen, workout controls, notifications, Google Maps, improved GPS tracking and a replaceable battery. Fewer than 1 per cent of Charge 6 owners said they used NFC. Older Fitbit models including the Charge 6 and some Versa and Sense watches support it, using Google Wallet for payments; Pixel Watches also have NFC.
In short
- Fitbit Edge cannot make wrist-based contactless payments.
- Fewer than 1% of Charge 6 owners used NFC.
- Google prioritised health, activity and battery features.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Removing NFC can be a reasonable product decision if very few Charge 6 owners used contactless payments. It may let Google prioritise features more customers requested, while keeping the Edge focused on fitness and offering a replaceable battery; people who need wrist payments can choose a Fitbit model or Pixel Watch that supports them.
The case against
Contactless payments are convenient because they let people pay without carrying a phone or wallet, and their value may not be captured by a low reported usage rate. Omitting NFC makes the Edge less capable than some older Fitbit models and could disappoint buyers who expect a modern tracker to include a feature they may use occasionally.
Explained simply
Fitbit is Google’s range of fitness trackers and smartwatches, which record activity and health information. Some earlier Fitbit models include near-field communication (NFC), a short-range wireless feature that lets people pay at a shop by holding their device near a payment reader.
Fitbit users with NFC can set up contactless payments through Google Wallet. Google also makes Pixel Watches, which support NFC, while Fitbit devices focus on fitness tracking and related features. Whether a tracker supports wrist payments may matter to people who want to leave their phone or bank card behind.