The Fitbit Ace LTE is Google’s latest Wear OS device and is intended to encourage kids (ages 7 and up) to be healthy through gaming, while also serving as a parent-child communication and tracking device in real time. A monthly or annual Fitbit Ace Pass subscription is required for cellular connectivity, Fitbit Arcade, and other features.
Practical: The Fitbit Ace LTE is Google’s most comprehensive launch in ages (Gallery)
Design + Material
Visually, the Ace LTE looks like a Sense 2 or Versa 4 with a rounded square OLED (333 PPI) protected by Gorilla Glass 3. In the box, you get a raised plastic bumper that snaps into place to protect more of the screen. The case is also made of stainless steel and recycled plastic.
Battery life is rated at over 16 hours (328 mAh typical) with standalone LTE connectivity and plenty of gaming supported, but no always-on display. AOD can be enabled in the Settings app, which is the same as Wear OS. However, there is no Play Store, third-party apps or advertising.
Typical usage is based on a school day with 6 x 5 minute gaming sessions, 10 messages, 3 x 1 minute voice calls, 5 location checks, 2 payments and 4 hours of Wi-Fi connectivity.
The Fitbit Ace LTE shares many of the same specs as the Pixel Watch 2, including Snapdragon W5/Qualcomm 5100, 2GB RAM, 32GB storage, microphone, 5 ATM (50 meters) water resistance and the same circular pin. charger with fast charging support.
In addition to 4G LTE (thanks to the existing Google Fi/T-Mobile partnership), there’s Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and GPS/GNSS. As a Fitbit device, it has a simplified version of the Pixel Watch 2’s optical heart rate sensor, an accelerometer, gyroscope, altimeter, magnetometer, and sensor ambient light. Google has removed health sensors that are not necessary for children, such as the fact that the ECG app on the Pixel Watch already has an age limit of 22 and above.
| Pixel Watch 2 | Fitbit Ace LTE |
| AMOLED 320 ppi | 333 ppi OLED |
| Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 3 |
| 24 hours with permanent display | 16+ hours with gaming/LTE, AOD disabled |
| 306mAh | 328mAh |
| 30 minutes at 50% 43 minutes at 80% 75 minutes at 100% |
30 minutes at 60% (11 hours) 70 minutes at 100% (16+ hours) |
| Housing: 100% recycled aluminum | Housing: Plastic, stainless steel, glass and recycled materials |
| $399.99 | $229.95 + subscription |
Games + fitness
To play games accessible from the lower “triangle” button on the right edge, children must move. For example, you may not be able to play the next level/chapter until you’ve done more activity, with Google cheekily calling this “interval-based gaming.”
Eejies are customizable creatures that thrive on daily activity: the more children achieve their movement goals, the healthier and happier their Eejie is.
As they progress and complete their daily activities, kids earn arcade tickets to customize their eejie character with new outfits and items to decorate their ‘home in Bit Valley, the eejie’s birthplace. ‘eejie” (yes, like “Animal Crossing”).
Fitbit Arcade titles are powered by the Unity engine and take full advantage of the available hardware. For example, there is a fishing game called “Smokey Lake” in which your hand becomes a pole that vibrates when you catch something. You lift your hand to bring it back. Another title called “Pollo 11” involves moving your wrist to direct a “chicken in a bathtub running through space.” In addition to gesture-based gameplay, there are also puzzle-style challenges. New games will be added every few months.
Games can be restricted by adults during times set with “School Time”.
All available watch faces feature a “Noodle” activity ring – which can be a snake, skeleton or other themed character – to track their daily movement goal, which takes intensity into account. For example, 90 points corresponds to approximately 45 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity.
Google Research has developed a new movement algorithm “that better and more accurately measures children’s physical activity throughout the day.” Experience takes into account overwork, while goals are not all or nothing.
There’s a large speaker cutout on the left edge and the bottom houses the single band connector that will be familiar to Versa/Sense owners. A loop is permanently attached to the top edge. The Fitbit Ace LTE recognizes which bracelets are plugged in thanks to a patented connection mechanism inspired by old Nintendo cartridges. This loads new content that can be used to personalize their eejie.
There are currently six groups with fun names like Strange Arcade, Moovin’, Spooky Pubs, Glitterbomb Skate, Camp Nightmare, and Courtside. Others will come.
Smartwatch Features + Mobile App
On the right edge you will find the two buttons that take up that entire edge. The top one is marked by a circle that opens a screen to access communication features, alarm clock, activity stats, and other smartwatch-like features. Google Wallet’s contactless payment will be introduced in “a few months”, with parents able to set an allowance and receive real-time spending notifications.
The Ace LTE allows a child to message, call and send voice memos – using an IP-based backend – to their parents from their wrist. Parents receive and send messages, and see Move Goal progress over a month, using the Fitbit Ace app available on Android and iOS. A child can have up to 20 approved contacts to call/message on the watch.
Parents can see where their children are in the Ace app, with this location data deleted after 24 hours. Privacy and data minimization are big pillars, with activity history in the Ace app “deleted after a maximum of 35 days”.
The $229.95 Fitbit Ace LTE is available for pre-order today on the Google Store and Amazon with general availability on June 5. Other retailers will follow. It is available in Spicy Pebble (green) with the Moovin’ Band or Mild Pebble (dark gray) with the Strange Arcade Band.
At launch (until August 31), you can get 50% off the Fitbit Ace Pass and a free wristband. Otherwise, it’s $119.99 per year or $9.99 per month for LTE (messaging, calling and location sharing), Bit Valley and Fitbit Arcade games.
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