Upgrading to Charge 5 from 3 worth it?

[Nightowl1966]

Is it worth it to upgrade from the 3 to the 5 without subscribing to the Premium plan?

[LZeeW]

@Nightowl1966   These are the significant differences between the two devices:

• GPS differences.  The Charge 5 has built in GPS, but there are settings that let you choose between built in, phone GPS, or Dynamic (the GPS will connect to your phone if nearby).  Built in GPS uses a lot of battery, but you can go for a run without your phone and get a map
• EDA scan and Stress Management features.  Fitbit seems to be investing heavily into stress management.  The Charge 5 can do an EDA scan.  There are some free and some Premium Stress management features.  This Help article explains more: How do I track and manage stress with my Fitbit device? 
• Color display with a Gorilla Glass 3 screen.  This screen is much easier to read in sunlight, a big plus exercising outside.  IMO, Fitbit has the automatic screen brightness programmed backwards on its monochrome devices.  Why is it the dimmest in the brightest sunlight and laser bright in a dark room?
• Outdoor Workout exercise shortcut.  This is the shortcut designed for things like kayaking, SUP, downhill skiing, and so on.
• ECG.  I put this farther down the list, because it isn't available in all countries.  In addition, risk of atrial fibrillation is low in younger people.  You also can't get a reading if your heart rate is less than 50.  This might or might not be important to you.

I saw articles that said that Fitbit was adding Active Zone Minutes to the Charge 3.  Active Zone Minutes use a different equation that takes your resting heart rate into account.  The Charge 3 user manual still describes Active Minutes.  The Charge 5, like all current Fitbits, awards Active Zone Minutes.  Many users who upgrade to an AZM device pitch a fit, because they don't like Active Zone Minutes.

Sadly, the Daily Readiness Score, Fitbit's newest feature, is a Premium feature.

I hope this helps.

[Wibby]

Just to add to that impressive list, no altimeter so no stair count... a lot of people have been disappointed by the lack of a stair count on the Charge 5.

[DramaQueenDiva]

I have both the Charge 3 and the Charge 5.  For me, the Charge 5 is way better.  It's a much more comfortable fit for me, as it doesn't get caught on the bone like it does for the Charge 3. Both have easy screens to navigate, but the Charge 5 can be seen much easier in the daylight.  Plus there's the addition of the EKG and ECG.  I don't use the GPS, so that's not a big deal for me.

[LZeeW]

@Wibby   Thank you for adding the altimeter information.  I recently earned the Satellite Badge, 35,000 floors, and there are no more lifetime floor badges for me.  Woo Hoo!  Must have slipped my mind.  Ha ha.  I suppose I could try for a new daily badge or two.  But there are many comments about the lack of the altimeter, a feature that has been in the Charge series since it was first released.

I also want to add that the Charge 3 and 4 have interchangeable bands.  The Charge 5 bands are different and not interchangeable.