If you're in the market for a new Fitbit, the Fitbit Alta HR is sure to have something for everybody! There are a lot of different Fitbit options, and you should be aware of what the Fitbit Alta HR benefits are over options on the market.
With the fitness trend spreading around the globe, you want to stay up to date with your wearables. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the features and specifications of the newest Fitbit Alta HR!
Fitbit Alta HR Specifications
First we'll go over the basic specifications and then we'll talk about some features in more detail later! Let's check out the specifications of the Alta HR.
- Device Dimensions: 35.8mm x 15.2mm x 10mm
- Weight: 23g
- Small band fits wrists from 140 to 170mm
- Large band fits wrists from 170mm to 206mm
- XL band fits wrists from 206 to 236mm
- Screen Size: 35mm
- Screen Display: OLED single point touchscreen, TFT
- Battery: Lithium-polymer, up to 7 days battery life
- Charge time: Full charge within 2 hours
- Storage: None
- Autotrack preferred exercise mode with SmartTrack.
- Operating system: Fitbit OS
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0
- Connected GPS: None
- Synchronisation Range: Up to 6 meters away
- Compatibility: Apple iOS 4+, Android OS 4.4+
- Splash proof only
- Operating Temperature: -10° to 45°C
- Sensors: Optical heart rate tracker, MEMS 3-axis accelerometer, vibration motor
- Maximum altitude: 9,144m
- Material: surgical-grade stainless steel case, buckle made of anodised aluminium
- NFC chip: None
- Fitbit accessories: Box includes tracker with a small band, charging cable (detachable bands sold separately)
Physical Dimensions of the Fitbit Alta HR
Unlike other sports wearables, Fitbit doesn't keep the "watch-like" appearance. Keeping its thin screen on a slim wristband, you can expect less bulk and weight as you exercise. Like the past iterations, this instalment of the HR series has a similar body.
There's just one size for the screen, at 35mm, but you can get many different band lengths. If you're looking to spruce up your Fitbit Alta HR with a new band they take seconds to change. This is handy and will make sure you are dressed the part at all times. From the office to the gym, your Fitbit is ready.
Screen Type
The 35mm screen mentioned above is upgraded to a single point touch OLED screen. This ensures better battery performance, as well as a more clear image than your usual LCD display. One of the main features of an OLED display is the ability to turn off individual pixels, making your blacks much blacker.
In fact, you might want to make OLED displays a focus in your electronic products. If you want to know more about how OLEDs work and why it's far better, check out how it all works!
Battery
Like most Fitbit trackers, the battery has remained much the same. Still, the battery life is hard to beat. Compared to just 18 hours for some popular wearables, the Fitbit battery can last up to 7 days!
It features a built-in rechargeable lithium-polymer battery. You can easily charge your Alta HR with the included USB clip charger. The clip ensures your devices can't slip off its charger and mess with your fitness schedule. It will take your Alta HR around 2 hours to reach a full charge.
With so many features, how is Fitbit accomplishing such a long period of time between charges?
There are many things that come into play where battery life is concerned. Because the Fitbit primarily functions as a fitness device, it doesn't have to worry about incorporating tons of other features. Because the experience is streamlined, there are only a few key things the battery has to power.
With no radio, speaker, or microphone, you're left to purely focus on your workouts. And, you don't have to charge as often between those workouts. Like anything, the more you use it the less battery you will have - some users have reported 10 plus days of charge when on standby!
General Features
Now let's learn about all the fun features! First, we'll discuss the regular features Fitbit has made compared to the other iterations in the series. In the next section, we'll move onto the new fitness features the Alta HR has introduced.
The Fitbit Alta HR is only splash proof, so it's not designed to accompany you to the pool or in the shower. While it took many years for companies like Apple to implement sleep tracking, Fitbit has had almost a decade of making improvements in this area. Now, sleep tracking is completely automatic!
You can still receive your calls, texts, and calendar vibrating alerts but Fitbit also has a sedentary reminder to keep you moving. Customizable clock faces can match your personality and the functionality you need for your on the go lifestyle.
It features Bluetooth version 4.0, which means you can quickly connect to your phone to track your data.
Fitness Features
While it's always good to have the basic features we just discussed, they don't tend to set the Fitbit Alta HR apart from its competitors. It's when you get to the fitness features that Fitbit really begins to shine. Let's look at their robust array of features!
Activity Sensor
The activity sensor brings a hub of exercise and health information. These features might seem standard, but it's how Fitbit's algorithm tracks you that make it one of the most impressive fitness wearables on the market.
For movement, Fitbit uses a three-axis accelerometer that can take measurements of how you're moving your body. Think about it, tons of information can be gathered this way. How often you move, how intense are your movements, how long those movements last...it's all part of what the algorithm compiles.
It even senses the patterns in your movement, essentially understanding what each of your steps should signal. This is how your Fitbit knows that you're not just sitting there waving your arm trying to cheat on your steps!
What It Tracks
We mentioned the sedentary reminder earlier - well, the Alta HR can also track when you've started a workout. When the Fitbit senses an increase in motion and heart rate, it can tell you are exercising. Then, it can log your exercise as a workout.
Fitbit can also tell you how many calories you've burned, as well as how many you've consumed through their app. Its accelerometer will record the distance you've gone as well as how many steps you've taken.
Along with all of this, the Heart Rate monitor keeps track of your beats per minute. You can see how stressful the workout has been on your body and even make health decision with this data. All of this information creates a robust profile of your fitness lifestyle and can help you set and meet goals.
One thing that may be a plus or minus depending on your situation is there is no built-in GPS. In some ways, this is good because you don't have to worry about Fitbit tracking your exact location. On the other hand, GPS data is highly useful for creating a more accurate fitness profile.
Compatibility
One of the nicest things about Fitbit devices is that they are widely compatible. In most situations, you don't have to worry about having the correct phone to get your health information. Fitbit works with their own proprietary Fitbit App to store all of your information.
Options
We'll discuss the price in a moment. But first, let's learn your options.
Colours
There aren't any case choices, so you'll have to be happy with stainless steel. But, there are several lovely colour options.
The Fitbit Alta HR comes in six different colours, two more than its predecessor. Fitbit's learning that people like options! Choose from black, blue grey, fuchsia, and coral for the standard edition.
The two special additions (while more money) are spectacular. Choose from a black with gunmetal stainless steel and a soft pink with 22k rose gold plated.
Sizing
While Fitbit's proprietary bands are always 15mm wide, they come in three different lengths. Don't forget, you can always change the band to be larger or smaller than Fitbit's options through third parties. Unlike most Fitbit iterations, the Alta HR comes in three sizes (rather than just two): small, large, and XL.
Cost
The original Fitbit Alta HR came out back in March 2017. It's since been replaced by Fitbit's Inspire and Inspire HR fitness trackers. But that just means you can get some great deals!
Originally, base models retailed for $195. Meanwhile, the special editions would have run you $235. There were no price differences between the sizes, unlike most companies.
You can now find standard edition Alta HR's for as little as $80 on popular shopping websites. While special editions are harder to find, they generally won't run you more than $120 these days.
What Else Should I Know?
When it comes to price and functionality, the Fitbit Alta HR is well worth your consideration for your next fitness tracker.
Or, maybe you're indecisive and still trying to choose between Fitbit and the other fitness wearable giants like Apple and Samsung. Whether Apple, Samsung, or any other wearable tech, we've got you covered with fantastic designs and accessories.