Do you think the Fitbit Ionic is a smartwatch worth buying?

by Florin Troaca / Aug 28, 2017, 1:16 PM

Fitbit, famous America maker of smart fitness bands, today announced its very first smartwatch: Fitbit Ionic. The new wearable device looks exactly as expected - it's got a sporty wrist band, and a rectangular, 1.42-inch touchscreen display with 348 x 250 pixels and an impressive brightness of up to 1,000 nits (for high readability in sunlight). The screen seems to have a bit too much bezel around it, but maybe that's just us.

The Fitbit Ionic combines features that most smartwatches currently offer with Fitbit-specific stuff like a personal trainer (dubbed Fitbit Coach), running companion, and a swim exercise mode (this takes advantage of the fact that the device is water-resistant up to 50 meters). You can go here to take a proper look at the highlight features of the watch.

Mind you, this is not an Android Wear device, although it can be paired with Android and iOS phones. The Ionic runs Fitbit OS, which has its own app gallery that includes watch faces and apps like Pandora, AccuWeather, Strava, and Starbucks. Fitbit OS will be regularly updated, and more apps are going to be added to its store.

For now, you can pre-order the Ionic only via Fitbit's official website. The smartwatch costs $299.95, and comes in three color variants: Blue Gray / Silver Gay, Slate Blue / Burnt Orange, and Charcoal / Smoke Gray.

We want to know if you consider the Fitbit Ionic a smartwatch worth buying - vote in our poll below, or feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.

Do you think the Fitbit Ionic is a smartwatch worth buying?

Yes

21.09%

Maybe if it becomes cheaper

43.67%

35.24%

Fitbit Ionic

View more + 2 images

Fitbit Ionic

Options

12 Comments

1. nepalisherpa

Posts: 334; Member since: Jul 17, 2015

I voted "Yes" only because of the features. Design-wise, I'd have voted "No".

posted on Aug 28, 2017, 1:24 PM 3

3. libra89

Posts: 2252; Member since: Apr 15, 2016

Yeah I hate the design.

posted on Aug 28, 2017, 1:42 PM 1

2. torr310

Posts: 1626; Member since: Oct 27, 2011

All smart watches are negligible.

posted on Aug 28, 2017, 1:38 PM 0

4. jellmoo

Posts: 2531; Member since: Oct 31, 2011

Definitely not at that price.

posted on Aug 28, 2017, 1:48 PM 0

6. black.inco unregistered

I simply can't get passed the design. Love Fitbit, but this just isn't it.

posted on Aug 28, 2017, 1:55 PM 2

7. ChrisHartcom

Posts: 23; Member since: Jul 08, 2015

It looks like they removed the easily changed frame of the Blaze. I love the features but won't buy it if they do the solid watch/band thing like most smart watches and fitness trackers. The Blaze is terrific and looks good. Different bands and frames for different occasions. Even frilly ones for my wife and protective ones for yard work. The Blaze feels and acts like I'm wearing a watch.

posted on Aug 28, 2017, 2:19 PM 0

8. surethom

Posts: 1613; Member since: Mar 04, 2009

If it had rounder corners yes I would sell my Android wear watch for this with proper health app. But it's butt ugly so I cannot buy.

posted on Aug 28, 2017, 2:22 PM 0

9. JesseJames

Posts: 226; Member since: Feb 22, 2015

Is any smartwatch really worth buying?

posted on Aug 28, 2017, 2:28 PM 3

10. fyah_king unregistered

Bettet than the apple watch.:)

posted on Aug 28, 2017, 2:48 PM 0

11. royman

Posts: 17; Member since: Jul 04, 2017

even if you don't like the Apple Watch or the Samsung Gear, for less than $100 more you can get a device without all these restrictions.

posted on Aug 28, 2017, 3:33 PM 0

12. roscuthiii

Posts: 2383; Member since: Jul 18, 2010

Once it becomes cheaper.

posted on Aug 28, 2017, 9:00 PM 0

13. Brewski

Posts: 669; Member since: Jun 05, 2012

Still not sure why everyone is crying about how it looks. This is waaaay better than the Blaze, so this will be an upgrade in looks fur shur. The Blaze is ugly so I'll be ditching it for this new one.