This is ridiculous and unacceptable.
My fitbit Charge 5 just died last night from water damage. At first, I didn't know what was happening: it wouldn't turn on, it wouldn't charge, it wouldn't connnect to my app, it wouldn't restart when I tried to click the charging button 3 times, the fitbit logo kept appearing on the screen on and off sporadically, and it kept vibrating for like 2 minutes straight sporadically also. I only noticed water had somehow gotten inside because I noticed condensation inside the sensors on the back of it.
First of all, the fact that water had gotten inside in the first place should have never happened: I never wear my Charge 5 in the shower, I don't swim so it never went inside a pool/lake/ocean, I rinse it with cold water very briefly every now and then and immediately dry it off with a towel just to clean it off. I actually try to avoid getting water on it even though I am aware that it is water resistant. I tried to take really good care of my Charge 5 by not droping it or accidentally bumping it into thing.
Secondly, I checked online and apparently this water damage happened quite often for people who bought the Charge 5. Some of these damages happened within the first few months of usage. How can you advertise a product being water resistant when many people have had their device damaged or completely die from water getting inside?
Thirdly, I have already contacted costumer service. My manufacturer's warranty literally expired by 1 f*cking week. ONE WEEK. If this issue had happened 1 week ago, I might have gotten a replacement. BUT NO! They refuse to send me a replacement because the warranty had expired by 1 week. Look, I understand it's written clearly that the manufacturere's warranty is only 1 year, but the fact that my Charge 5 died from water damage when clearly the product is advertised to be water resistant, should not have even happened in the first place. I have taken extra good care of my Charge 5. All the "negative impact" that could happen and diminish the water resistance of the device accodring to them (i.e. dropping the device; exposing the device to soaps, shampoos, conditioners, perfume, insect repellent, lotions, or sunscreens; exposing the device to high-velocity water such as water sports), none of these apply to me because like I had stated earlier, I have avoided having my Charge 5 coming into contact with any form of liquids. Instead, customer service gave me a 50% discount TO BUY A NEW DEVICE. I have been a loyal Fitbit customer since the launch of the Charge 2. I have bought every iteration of the fitbit Charge.
I am aware that I may come accross as being a total "Karen" right now but please understand my frustration. If this would have happened 1 week earlier, I may have gotten a new replacement. I do not want to spend MORE money on a device that might end up dying on me from water damage once again. I do not want to spend money on a device THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD WATER DAMAGE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
I expected more from Fitbit. I am done with them. Absolutely unnacceptable!
