Fitbit Charge 2 now available in US and around the globe

The Fitbit Charge 2 wearable is now available to purchase from retailers around the globe, including in North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, and China. This launch will be followed soon by expanded availability into Japan, Latin America, and South Korea starting next month, the same time frame in which accessory bands will be available. As well, Fitbit will launch a Charge 2 Special Edition Series wearable in two varieties, including a 22-karat plated rose gold option, starting this upcoming December.

The Fitbit Charge 2 is a sleek-looking wearable designed to keep track of the wearer's health and fitness metrics. This is done in conjunction with PurePulse, a heart-tracking technology that enables the wearable to monitor one's heart rate directly from the wrist wearable sans a separate HR strap. The Charge 2 can also use the HR data to, in part, estimate the wearer's VO2 Max.

Users get some notable differences over the previous Charge HR, including a larger display and support for interchangeable bands. Fitbit plans to offer accessory bands starting some time in October, with the prices for those ranging from $29.95 to $69.95; both Luxe leather bands (in brown, indigo, and "blush pink,") and Classic accessory bands will be available.

Other features include utilizing the GPS from your smartphone to gather data on things like the distance you travel, several sport modes with 17+ specific workouts, an interval workout mode, automatic sleep tracking at night, SmartTrack exercise recognition, and guided breathing sessions.

The Fitbit Charge 2 can be purchased in the aforementioned countries now for $149.95; it can be had with a Classic band in teal, black, blue, or plum colors. In December, the 22-karat rose gold tracker and a matte-black gunmetal tracker will both be offered for $179.95 USD.

SOURCE: Street Insider