Fitbit faces a battery issue.
Some people might argue that, technically speaking, Fitbits have always had battery issues.
Last month, owners of the Fitbit Versa 3 and Sense models began receiving notifications to download a mandatory firmware update. The reason for this measure was the overheating of the batteries. According to an official notice from Google, which now owns Fitbit, this update seeks to "reduce the risk of battery overheating and decrease its capacity." Affected users, of whom Google states there is a "limited number," were offered the option to request a $50 credit.
While technically the solution to this problem is positive, as it aims to avoid any risk of fire in the devices, affected users have expressed in Fitbit forums and subreddits that the update has had a noticeable impact on the battery life of their devices. Many have reported that their devices, which previously lasted between 2 and 6 days, now barely reach a single day after the update. Some have even stated that this reduction has rendered their devices practically useless, while others feel disappointed that Fitbit is only offering $50 as compensation.
Google also mentioned in its notice that this firmware update will result in batteries lasting "shorter periods between charges and that users may need to charge their devices more frequently." However, the distinction between charging more often and charging daily is significant for smartwatch users. Many choose Fitbit precisely because these devices often have a lifespan longer than just one day. Attempts were made to contact Google for more information, but the company did not provide additional comments beyond the official notice.
If this situation were an isolated case, it might not be so alarming. However, Fitbit recently faced a $12 million fine following incidents in which the batteries of its Ionic watches overheated and burned 78 users. Additionally, although not directly related to the overheating of wearables, Google also released a firmware update that limits battery performance on its Pixel 4A phone, which includes a $100 credit.
On the other hand, a lawsuit filed in 2022 alleges that Fitbit's issues were not limited to the Ionic, as it is claimed that the Versa Lite and Versa 2 were also affected. The lawsuit included photographs of burns allegedly caused by devices such as the Fitbit Blaze, Inspire, Inspire 2, Sense, and Versa 3. The recent firmware update seems to corroborate that battery overheating was indeed a problem with the Versa 3 and Sense.
Complaints about the batteries of Fitbit devices are not a new phenomenon. In the subreddit r/Fitbit, there are discussions spanning several years where owners ask if their devices are causing burns or simply skin irritation. There are also numerous threads where users share experiences of rapid and sudden battery drain, many of these conversations highlight difficulties in customer service, indicating that this problem has been persistent over time, complicating it for veteran Fitbit users during a challenging transition period after Google's acquisition.
