Charge 6 floor count

[RhisiartBE]

I feel cheated as my new Fitbit charge 6 does not read the number of floors climbed whereas my old charge 2 worked perfectly. Why was this facility taken away I am extremely disappointed as this was partly the reason for updating to a newer model.

[ColoradoGrl]

As a 14-year Fitbit daily user, I toyed with just using my Apple Watch (I've had it for two years and wear both) rather than trade up from a Charge 2 to a Charge 6.  I tried hard to "do my homework" to see what, if anything, I'd be giving up from the Charge 2 (or the Apple Watch if I wear only the Fitbit), but somehow missed this about the missing altimeter. For those of us who live in the West at altitude, this is an important feature, and likewise (at least on the Apple) is an important part of the algorithm for analyzing calorie burns and intensity of walks/runs.  So, had I known the Charge 6 was no longer incorporating an altimeter function, I'm not sure I would have purchased. But, after agonizing a bit, I have migrated my Fitbit account and data to Google, as I did not want to lose my 14 years of data. But, those who likewise want to have altimeter-driven data for hiking or routine walking/running workouts at 5200 or higher feet above sea level, this may be something you need to take into account.  Honestly, now that Google has indicated no interest in smart watches, I'm not sure this will matter to them, but fitness trackers likewise should include an altimeter. Past correspondence with Fitbit (years past) usually was met with at least a polite acknowledgement of similar issues, but I suspect I will only waste my time trying to contact anyone at Google.  Still, I will try.  

[rayruns5k]

Thank you for your response. I have already tried to contact Fitbit/Google,
and have not received any reply.
I guess they are so big that they don't have to care. Good luck with your
workouts.

[GlasgowGuy]

They don’t 😢

[Givebackfloors]

Agree, altimeter swapped out for some stupid google connectivity. I wanted an EXERCISE tracker. I have enough of that other crap on my cell phone.

[mcjimmy]

Thanks for your amazing assessment. My charge 2 finally died off and I had
no choice but to buy a charge 6 since I'm so heavily invested like you in
the historical data I've collected with fitbit over the last decade plus.

There is some good news, let's hope they bring the altimeter back. I too
live in Colorado, I find it useful to have altimeter data paired with
oxygen level.

Google has confirmed that new Fitbit hardware is coming in 2026. While
specific products haven't been announced, it is expected to be a fitness
tracker, as Google is reportedly phasing out Fitbit smartwatches like the
Versa and Sense lines in favor of its Pixel Watch. Previous adult Fitbit
hardware releases were the Charge 6 in 2023 and the children's Ace LTE in
2024.

[ColoradoGrl]

I hope so too.  I am NOT pleased with the consistency of the Charge 6 in terms of steps and especially distance (mileage), with at least an ADDITIONAL 20% difference (undercounts) between the Apple Watch 9 and Charge 2 (which was always at least 25% low in terms of steps counted and especially distance).  Granted, I did not wear them on the same wrist, but I did change the settings to the non-dominant wrist, and it helped slightly.  I have likewise done so with the Charge 6, but it is consistently undercounting steps (and I am a fitness walker, so I have both a rapid and pronounced stride--not a stroller) by as many as seven hundred steps and distance by as much as 50% (even if I manually set it to a ridiculously large stride measurement).  I know this because several of the trails I walk are validated in terms of distance or circumference, so the distance traversed on a walk is known. Trying to set up GPS with the activity (walking) is complicated to do without leaving some of it "continually on," which just kills the battery.  But, in fairness, I don't know if that would help or not.

So, while there are some features on this Fitbit Charge 2 I like, honestly, I would have done better with the old Charge 2 for the sole purpose of ensuring my step counts and distance are (semi-accurately) logged and archived as well as some step data. I feel like I am sacrificing a lot just trying to stay (somewhat) loyal to Fitbit/Google, as I don't trust its current accuracy on any measurement other than time, and yes, that lack of an altimeter influences a lot. I don't bother entering dietary food/nutrients at all, but stick with MyFitnesspal (and manually enter steps and exercise times into that from my Apple Watch data, rather than syncing with Fitbit.  I will eventually repeat the review process of a well-known online group and wear my Fitbit Charge 6 and Apple Watch 9 on the SAME dominant wrist to see if that changes anything.  Regardless, it is already 20°F when I walk with the pup in the morning, pre-dawn, so the thought of wearing two watches and gloves and being able to check them consistently is not something I'd likely consider routinely doing, no matter the findings. 

Sigh...If only some wealthy athlete would buy back Fitbit from Google, or at least invest with the intent, time, and ability to influence future direction.