Reports are emerging that Fitbit Charge 5 devices are becoming “unusable” recently, supposedly due to Fitbit's most recent firmware update, and one of the most common complaints is reduced battery life. Not all Charge 5s are affected, but there have been protests from hundreds of users who were left with a faulty device, although Fitbit has strongly denied that this is due to the most recent firmware update.
It's a shame, because the Charge Fitbit 5 was for a long time one of the best Fitbits You can buy before it was replaced in its range by the updated one. Charge Fitbit 6, which is an excellent fitness tracker, but which also wasn't reviewed. Since many Charge 5s drop after firmware update, some users report being offered up to 35% off the price of a new Fitbit Charge 6.
Unfortunately, this first mistake of 2024 comes on the heels of a very disappointing 2023. Disappointing releases (apart from the excellent ones Google Pixel Watch 2), Controversies over the handling of sensitive health data., and the fury over the redesigned app and removed community features has left Fitbit in a much different state than it was when Google acquired it. Current Fitbit users have been the hardest hit by this gradual decline, and still are: most Charge 5 owners are legacy Fitbit users, as it is a much older device.
Of course, this doesn't mean that Fitbit is worth investing in if you're thinking about buying one in 2024. The Google Pixel Watch 2 smartwatch and the Fitbit Inspire 3 fitness tracker both had very good reviews, with the latter being an excellent option . for people looking for an affordable and reliable way to track health and fitness metrics without shelling out a lot of cash for one of the best smart watches.
The Fitbit app, although it has removed some legacy features, is still very useful for new users even without paying for the additional Fitbit Premium content. Getting a Fitbit Inspire 3 is still a great way to help you stay active and track your progress.
While Fitbit's recent track record doesn't inspire confidence, the basic Fitbit Inspire 3, the stylish Luxe, the excellent Versa 3, and its flagship Pixel Watch 2 are still fantastic devices, so there's still a lot to like about Fitbit. We'd say these devices are still worth purchasing, along with the Charge 6, and Fitbit Premium remains an exceptional service. However, Fitbit's stubborn denial that there is a widespread problem with Charge 5 devices only adds fuel to the growing fire of distrust, alienating existing users and causing problems for themselves in the future.
Fitbit is no longer synonymous with fitness tracking in the same way it was when it debuted in 2009, especially now that it has renewed competition not only from smartwatches, but also from the best smart rings and the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 .
Google will have to fight hard to maintain its market share against such competitors, producing high-quality devices and content for its applications and generally ensuring that its production is of an excellent standard. Blocking hundreds of copies of one of its best devices is not the best start, and if the last few years are anything to go by, Google has started with the intention of continuing.
