Jawbone Up4 Review
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- The Good
- Smart Coach
- Will work with large number of third-party apps
- Respiration and sweat level tracking
- Can make mobile payments
- The Bad
- No display screen
- Lack of security on mobile payments feature
- Clasp is less than user-friendly
- Band must be secure to get the most accurate heart rate reading
The Jawbone Up4 has a unique, streamlined look because it doesn’t have a display screen, and it has a unique mobile payment feature. It offers a full array of fitness tracking features that are on par with the best in the industry.
- Price
- $39.99 to $199.00
The price range for this tracker puts it in a different category than other high-end trackers because of its affordability. The Jawbone Up4 uses a lithium-ion battery, which is included with purchase. You can charge the band via a USB cable, also included with purchase.
- Tracking
- Steps taken
- Calories burned
- Distance
- Inactivity periods
- Sleep tracking
- Heart rate
The Jawbone Up4 uses vibrating alarms to send you activity notifications. The inactivity alert can be a form of “encouragement” for those who tend toward a more sedentary lifestyle. Tracking information comes through sensors on the inside surface of the wristband.
- Features
- Mobile payments
- Personalized Smart Coach
- Sleep stage tracking
- Smart Alarm
- Idle Alert
- Syncs wirelessly via Bluetooth
The mobile payment feature puts the Jawbone Up4 in a category where few, if any, other trackers currently belong. The sleek design is appealing, especially the lack of bulkiness in the wristband. However, the lack of a display screen is a deal-breaker for some.
- Specs
- Weight
- 0.64 ounces
- Display
- 8.66 inches x 0.12 inches x 0.4 inches
- Battery
- 7-day battery life
- Charging
- Magnetic connection to charging USB cable
- Wrist dimensions
- 5.5 inches to 7.4 inches
The Jawbone Up4 is smaller and more compact that most fitness trackers, allowing the untie to lie flush against the wrist without a lot of bulk. Battery life may be up to seven days, depending on usage, but user reviews report battery life more in the four- to five-day range.
Jawbone Up4: User Reviews
Jawbone Up4: Comments
The addition of mobile payment capability with the Jawbone Up4 is an exciting upgrade to a fitness tracker. It lets you leave your wallet at home when you go for a run and want to hit the coffee shop on your way back. The limited option of credit card companies is disappointing and somewhat limits the device’s appeal.
Also troubling is the lack of security for mobile payments made using the Jawbone Up4. Once set to make payments with a tap to the NFC system, the device makes no authentication of who is using the device before making a purchase. If you lose your device or it’s stolen, however, you can use the app to disconnect your card.
How Does the Jawbone Up4 Work?
The Jawbone Up4 will track your heart rate and hydration levels, information that is integral to a serious health monitoring regimen. It will also let you know the temperature of your skin and your surroundings. The device gathers information through sensors embedded on the inside of the wristband. These won’t record accurately if not in contact with the skin, so you must make sure the band has a snug fit.
The Smart Coach is customizable and has interesting ways of correlating data. It can figure out if you’re more active with more sleep and will then tell you exactly when you need to go to sleep.
What Makes the Jawbone Up4 Stand Out?
The American Express hookup is the first feature that stands out on the Jawbone Up4. It has other features that set it apart, too. While it doesn’t have a display screen, there are three LED lights in the front that emit different colors to signify what’s at work: orange for sleep, white for notifications and blue when in monitor mode.
Common Reviews of the Jawbone Up4
The Jawbone app is integral to the operation of the unit. It is a robust interactive app that measures the basics, such as active time, calories burned, active vs idle times and resting period. It will cycle through the parts of your daily exercises and display your timeline in a graphic breakdown.
Since there is no display screen, you must have your smartphone handy to see the readouts from your wristband. This is a major plus for many and a drawback for others. Even a simple check of heart rate requires pulling out your phone.
There are multiple complaints of the wristband cracking or breaking after a short usage time. The clasp had some issues, but apparently these have improved with the most recent versions of the Jawbone.
Is the Jawbone Up4 for Me?
If you absolutely must have the latest in fitness tracker technology, this is probably the one for you. If you like to do a bit of shopping while you’re on your morning run, this is definitely the tracker for you.
The slim design allows you to easily conceal the wristband, so you can wear this tracker just about anywhere and not attract attention.
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