Google says almost no one wants NFC in the Fitbit Edge but readers strongly disagree

I wanted to express my enthusiasm for the Fitbit Edge when I first unboxed the attractive pink version of Google's latest tracker. As a big fan of the $99 Fitbit Air, which launched earlier this year and quickly became one of the best screenless trackers on the market, I expected the Fitbit Edge to be an improvement. However, after two weeks of wearing it, I'm left disappointed and have three key points on what Google should have done differently.

Firstly, the button on the Fitbit Edge is underwhelming. Sure, it's nice to have a physical button, but its functionality is limited. You'd expect the button to start a run, but it only stops it, forcing you to tap the screen before starting. This is particularly frustrating when your hands are sweaty, as is often the case during races. The same issue applies to the stopwatch feature, which instead takes you back to the home screen when pressed, rather than starting the timer.

Secondly, the Fitbit Edge lacks contactless payments, a feature that was present in the previous model, the Fitbit Charge 6. Google's decision to remove this functionality may seem puzzling in 2026. Although only 1% of Fitbit Charge 6 users utilized this feature, it still feels like an odd omission in a device aimed at fitness enthusiasts.

Lastly, the Fitbit Edge offers limited customization in workout modes. While you can't complain about the button, the lack of customization in workout modes is perplexing. You can't reorder data fields or prioritize the ones you care about most on the small screen. Additionally, you can't use Google Maps navigation or control your music during workouts, features I found myself relying on frequently.

These limitations are more noticeable given that the GPS is automatically set to dynamic, switching between phone GPS and built-in GPS, which can drain the battery life by around 11% during an hour-long run.