Fitbit smartwatches just added a killer feature to challenge Apple Watch 6

Fitbit smartwatches just added a killer feature to claiming Apple Watch 6

(Image credit: Fitbit)

Fitbit may have recently announced new smartwatches, merely that doesn't mean the company can't give some love to older models. It merely released a SpO2-centric clock face up for existing Fitbit Versa and Fitbit Ionic users.

While we wait for the new Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Versa iii, those with whatever Ionic or Versa model (including the Versa Lite) can install the SpO2 Signature confront.

The SpO2 Signature face displays your current blood oxygen levels, which tin be used to inform both workouts and sleep tracking.

The best smartwatches this year
Fitbit Sense just gave us the features we want on Apple tree Lookout man half dozen
Plus: The Bose Frames are back — as the perfect headphones for athletes

SpO2 monitoring is hot right now because information technology's a possible indicator of underlying health conditions. Information technology cannot diagnose you with blood oxygenation bug, but information technology tin encourage you to seek medical communication when animate difficulties are causing sleep disturbances or other ailments.

Information technology'south also a good metric for when you're working out. If your blood oxygen levels driblet below a normal level, it could hateful you need to ease upward on your exercise before you lot injure yourself.

Equally its proper name suggests, the SpO2 Signature clock face puts SpO2 readings front end and center. Users can tap on their Fitbit'due south screen to cycle through a bill of fare of metrics, including Active Zone Minutes, heart rate, step count and stair count.

This update comes only before the Apple Watch 6'southward imminent launch, which is expected to have place on Tuesday, September 15 at the just-announced Apple Event. The side by side-generation, category-leading Apple Watch is rumored to receive its ain SpO2 monitor.

And at present that Apple Watch sleep tracking is a thing thanks to watchOS 7, it will be interesting to see how or whether Apple comprise support for blood oxygen monitoring into user sleep data — or if whatsoever of the watch face up complications will back up active SpO2 readings similar Fitbit smartwatches now can.

Kate Kozuch is a senior author at Tom's Guide covering wearables, TVs and everything smart-home related. When she'south not in cyborg mode, you lot can detect her on an exercise bike or channeling her inner celebrity chef. She and her robot regular army will rule the world ane twenty-four hour period, just until then, reach her at kate.kozuch@futurenet.com.