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

Google released the Fitbit Edge sans NFC at the end of last month — an omission that was a deliberate decision on Google’s part, but one our readers disagree with.

The Fitbit Edge was a mystery from the very beginning. Its appearance in Pixel 11 ads over the summer caused a stir because it was placed among some of Google’s latest products but was unreleased, unnamed, and unacknowledged by Google. Then when we finally learned all the details about it, it fell short of expectations, with some frustrating UI issues, disappointing GPS accuracy, and the inability to use Google Wallet because it lacks NFC.

It’s this last issue that’s been a sticking point for many when it comes to making the decision of whether or not to buy the fitness tracker. Google said it didn’t include NFC because its analytics showed that fewer than 1% of Fitbit Charge 6 wearers used the feature.

Instead, Google worked on using the Fitbit Edge to counter criticisms of the Charge 6, prioritizing things like adding an altimeter. Nevertheless, angry comments about the lack of NFC fill social media and forums like the Fitbit sub on Reddit. So we decided to put the question to our readers: Do you wish the Fitbit Edge had NFC?

Far more than 1% of you do, with 54% of the 1,116 who answered choosing, “Yes, I do.”

James Gartner said:

Lack of NFC is exactly why I won’t upgrade from the Charge 6. I use it every day. I was ready to buy too.

Mike Boyd questioned Google’s data:

I would be curious as how they came up with the 1% considering almost every comment section for every YouTube review on the Edge has consumers complaining about the missing NFC feature.

JG posited an answer as to why the online discourse seems like the 1% figure is seriously off:

I would imagine the people who follow tech blogs and consume pre release reviews probably skew more towards the geek end of the spectrum. We’re probably more likely than your average Joe to make fuller use of our gadgets, adopt new systems etc…

As for the added altimeter feature that got prioritized over NFC, Alaric Fisher is a little salty about it:

So what percentage of people would use an altimeter??

According to our reader poll, 25% do not wish that the Fitbit Edge had NFC.

Mark Daniels is among the NFC abstainers:

Personally, this doesn’t bother me – I never use the feature on my Pixel Watch so I admire Google for using their own data to decide what features the device should have.

There are nearly as many who are indifferent, at 21%. They did not specify why they chose that answer, so it’s a glass half-full/half-empty situation. On the half-full side, they might appreciate the good things about the Fitbit Edge, like how comfortable it is to wear and its excellent battery life, or they could be so turned off by the bad things, like the lack of audible alerts and inability to answer calls, that NFC isn’t the dealbreaker.

When the next fitness wearable pops up from Google, it’s possible the company will take comments into consideration over data.