Fitbit Sense advanced smartwatch monitors your stress levels, among other things

Fitbit's recent launch updated the Versa and Inspire lines with the Versa 3 and Inspire 2. But the star of the show is undoubtedly the Fitbit Sense. While it bears similarities with the Versa, it looks and feels more premium. And it comes with a higher price tag to prove that. 

The Sense is a new smartwatch brand from Fitbit, marking the first significant watch update since the Versa was initially launched in 2018. At $429.95, the Sense is Fitbit's most expensive new device and most advanced smartwatch to date. 

It offers an ECG that can spot abnormal changes in heart rate and stress and temperature sensing capabilities. You might have seen ECG on devices like the Apple Watch Series 4 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 3. But Fitbit hasn't gotten clearance yet to activate its ECG feature. It's reportedly coming soon, though. Forbes estimates around early 2021.

Fitbit includes the first Electrodermal Activity sensor on a smartwatch with the Sense. It's said to be at the forefront of stress level detection in this smartwatch. It monitors tiny electrical changes on your skin. So, if your palms start to get sweaty when you're nervous or anxious, the Sense can detect that.

You will need to start an EDA session, as Fitbit calls it. You need to use the EDA Scan app and simply place your palm across the Sense's face and breathe. The display will show the words, "Take a moment to de-stress, and see your body's response." The Fitbit app will show your stress management score, which is calculated daily. It also shows your heart health, activity, and sleep levels. If you get a high score, that means you have few signs of physical stress.

The app also offers meditation sessions to help you lower stress levels. And for those with a Premium subscription, you get extra sessions and more details in the stress management section, including exertion balance, which aims to gauge the impact of physical activity. It also monitors responsiveness, examining your heart rate, heart rate variability, sleep patterns and electrodermal activity when you use the scanning app. You'll then receive recommendations on how to manage stress.

And, of course, there are the usual fitness-tracking options like calorie burn, steps count, and blood oxygen tracking (SpO2). The Sense is water-resistant to a depth of 50 meters. And it comes with GPS so that it can monitor you outdoors even without your smartphone.

Fitbit claims the Sense's battery life is up to six days. Using a new magnetic charger, which works with the Versa 3, you can get a full day's use in a 12-minute charge. The smartwatch also works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

The Fitbit Sense is available for pre-order on Fitbit.com and online at select retailers. You can get it in carbon/graphite stainless steel and lunar white/soft gold stainless steel. If you want to subscribe to Fitbit Premium, it is available for $13.49 per month or $106.99 per year.