Been posting a lot about this lately, but recently purchased a Charge 6 to replace my Charge 2 and whoooo boy, what a step backwards. Please convince me why I should keep the Charge 6 — very likely going to return it. Rant incoming.
My biggest complaints: clock faces are downright ugly and nearly unusable, the side button now only sleeps/wakes the display (save for the double-tap to pay), and almost every aspect of customizing the UI has been lost (what happened to menu items, exercise shortcuts, and customize/reorder display?). Not to mention how everything is in color with no rhyme or reason (just because it can be, apparently). Also no altimeter, but whatever.
What I like about my Charge 2 is that it really pushes the capabilities of its hardware, while remaining true to itself as a simple fitness tracking device. There’s no touchscreen, so it relies instead on a series of taps and clicks for navigation — all of which can be done without even looking at the device.
The main thrust is that I think the Charge 6 is trying to be something it’s not. It’s certainly not your phone, in spite of all the “apps.” It’s also hardly a watch given how unappealing the clock faces are. Just give me a dumb fitness tracker! The hardware is obviously there for this to be a great device, a great Fitbit like all the listicles tell me it is. But it’s been kneecapped by this awful UX/UI, which uses the touchscreen as a crutch in place of creative and memorable physical actions. If nothing else, please add the Charge 6 to the SDK so that I can take a stab at it myself!
- with love
Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity
