Average life span of Charge 5 or how many times you replace your Charge in a year...

[Em_in_Spore]

Hi All 

I am very happy about my Charge 5, I use it daily and I remove it from my wrist only for charging. 

I get a Charge 5 since it has been released and I could follow improvements of the software during this year. 

However I have a big concern. I used 4 (four) Charge 5 in one year. All my devices past away after using them 3-4 months. The latest one died last Saturday. However, even if it does not display anything, I can still track metrics like my number of steps, active minutes, sleep... 

Are there any other users who have such problem ? How often do you have to replace your device ?

During one year, the Customer Support has been very reactive and always replaced my Charge 5. Unfortunately, the warranty is over and I can not get free replacement. Should I get a new Charge 5... or change to another brand ?

Stay healthy and have a good weekend.

Regards, Emmanuel

[Wibby]

Hello, I feel your pain.

Mine died yesterday after having it for just over a year.  Customer service were very sympathetic and sent me a 35% off voucher for their online shop.  I can't fault them at all.  However, I couldn't wait to get a replacement as I'm hooked on my stats.

I went to the electrical store where I bought it, just before closing time, and they helped me choose a new model.  I couldn't really buy a new Charge 5 as I know it's not likely to last much more than a year.  I had thought about going to Garmin, but they're even more expensive and big if you want GPS.

He suggested a completely different brand I'd never have considered. It was half the price of the reduced price Charge 5 in the shop.  I absolutely love it!  I have a clock face with all of my stats on it.  I went for a jog and the screen displayed the time, elapsed time, heart rate, heart rate zone, distance and pace all on ONE screen!  No scrolling or messing about necessary! The GPS worked perfectly and I have a completely accurate map.  I can even send a replay of my route to people if I like.  I had a VO2 score as well!

There IS life after the Charge 5 and it's bright, colourful and convenient.  Cheaper too!  

I'm glad some people are super happy with their Charge 5s.  I always missed my Charge 4, which incidentally is still going strong with my friend I passed it on to, but I'm excited again now I have my new tracker and App.  Change can be really good sometimes!

[nissansupragtr]

I'm actually on my 3rd one under warranty as well. This is the first time I've seen failures like this. It also must be happening a lot because fitbit hasn't requested that I return the old broken devices either. Hopefully they have fixed whatever is causing these failures by now...

[RosemaryMo]

What is your new FitBit style?

RosemaryMo

[Em_in_Spore]

No FitBit style... Changing every 3 months is not fun at all. 

[Em_in_Spore]

Really thinking that my "sweat" is too acidic for FitBit sensors... 

Anyway, I never had replies from FitBit support about that. @DavideFitbit  Sorry to put your name... first Moderator I found.

[MelHTX]

 What is your replacement for the Charge 5?

[Em_in_Spore]

Now, I use the Xiaomi Mi Band 6. As I don't use sleeping monitoring, it totally makes the job even if ergonomy, interface and display speaking Charge 5 is better. At least, it is cheap and I don't have to replace every 3 months. 

Maybe later Charge 6... who knows but I must highlight no one in Fitbit online support or community moderators commented on my issues. So it does not look promising that I will go back to Fotbit one day. 

[Simaruby1]

Hi I love my charge 5 but it died after a year and a half can you please tell me what you purchased so that I know that maybe I can get something different that's not as expensive what I need is Step Counting heart rate and sleep stats

[Catsnay]

I am on my 3rd Charge 5 since May and now this one isn’t working. I have had it for a week. It shows 5 dots at the top of the screen and that’s it. I am so fed up! My only option was a new Charge 5 or 50% off a different watch! What?? I want my money back! Ever since the Google merge, it’s been crap! 

[Em_in_Spore]

Hi. I loved my FitBit Charge 5 too... but FitBit never replied to my questions about acidic sweating or possible causes. Anyway, I may not be the best person to reply since I did not test a lot of trackers. 

I tried Xiaomi Mi Band 6. It is doing the job and is cheap however the design is minimalist.

Right now, I use the tracker of Decathlon, GPS 500 powered by Coros. it is not as fancy as the charge 5 but very nice and cheaper.  

Enjoy

[Em_in_Spore]

Yes ! We have the same problem ! 

FitBit/Google will replace your charge 5 for free until one year... then you will get offer of 30%... or bye bye. But you won't have option of mony back.

Google or FitBit, same fight and never admit there is a problem. They never reply about suggestion of acidic sweat. 

Good luck... personally I changed of tracker.

[Simaruby1]

Thank you so much for your quick reply I appreciate your advice good luck I did order another charge 5 I will see how long this Lasts if it does last I will stick with it otherwise I will look into other options because I really love the accuracy of the sleep

[alexT66]

Mine lasted over 2 years until I swam with it yesterday. Now it is dead. Wondering if it is a battery issue.

[MAH62]

What is the name of the new device you got? I have the same issue with my charge 5 and am done with Fitbit. Looking for a new non Fitbit device.?

[phe2015]

Been a fitbit user since 2015.  Really have liked all of the devices and the support.   My charge 5 only lasted 16 months.  They should last longer.  Disappointed in the response and all of the issues I've read in these forums.   They should stand behind their product better.   16 months for a tracker/watch is not a good product or performance.  Don't want to leave being a customer, but that is what Fitbit is telling me to do.  You have a quality issue.   You need to stand behind your product.

[alexT66]

Can't agree with you more.

[wjniehaus]

This is generally my experience as well.  I'd bet my first Fitbit was over a decade ago.  I've had a Fitbit One, then I think a Fitbit Charge HR each probably lasted 3-4 years which seemed reasonable.  I had a Charge 4 which lasted I think a little short of 2 years which disappointed me but figured it could have been just a blip.  About 15 months ago, I got a Charge 5.  It was great for 7-8 months, then basically, wouldn't hold a full charge more than 10 minutes all of a sudden likely with some firmware update.  Fitbit did replace it under warranty.  I was very happy.  Flash forward to yesterday and out of nowhere, with 80% charge earlier in the day and it's dead.  Have chatted with support, done all of the reset/cleaning steps, no green light, no vibration, no logo.  Since more than 12 months since "purchase", not under warranty even though the unit I have is supposedly 7 months old.  All I'm told they can offer is a 35% discount on a new device.  

Sad to say, but it seems time for me to try another brand.  Even if I choose a slightly more expensive option, if it actually lasts for more than 18 months, I'll be ahead given my recent track record.

[LedaCC71]

I had this same issue while I was on holiday the week before last.  I had a horrible time with FitBit customer service while I was abroad and eventually gave up on it until I got home.  FitBit screen was black with 5 white dots across the top...one red...but tracking all my details on my phone.  Because I gave up on it, it eventually fully discharged.  On the 9 hour flight home, I decided to charge it and see what happens and it charged right up to 100% and the screen came back on...currently working like it was before.  Try discharging fully and then recharging...the "3 pulse" thing recommended above by FitBit staff didn't work at all for me.

[Alannacp]

This is exactly my experience! Switching brands because I can’t be bothered to replace my watch every 9 months, especially when warranty doesn’t extend with replacement devices