Changable frame?

[ChrisHartcom]

The Blaze is the best fitness tracker/watch I have used in years.  My wife and I, along with many of our friends, love it because of the changeable frame and bands.  We actually stopped using other fitness trackers and Fitbits to switch to the Blaze.  We are probably responsible for about eight purchases of the Blaze, and who knows how many they have converted.  The Blaze has the most versatile design you, or anyone else, has come up with.  We have bands for workouts, bands for the theatre, even bands for work.

We were excited to hear than a new watch was coming out, thinking that Fitbit was finally done with those awful band/frame things that don't allow movement or styling.  We looked forward to waterproofing (resistant, I know) and any other features you might come up with.  (Especially interested in oxygen, but that is another story.)  No matter how nice the Ionic turns out to be, if the wonderful structural features of the Blaze have been lost, we will not be upgrading or recommending Fitbit.

Backward evolution.  Very disappointing.

(I was going to send feedback but there isn't any way to contact Fitbit directly, only forums.)

Chris

[WendyB]

Direct feedback is to contact support

Use the Help link at the top of the forum

[WendyB]

Also not sure what to help with. Title is different than post.  Maybe I need to guess how to help.

Please be more clear as to what answer you need.

[WendyB]

Yes there is a changeable frame

Please read the Specs Already posted

[Breezygirl8]

Can you actually change the frames the pebble is in to switch up the frame colors or just change the bands?  It looks like from the pictures you cannot actually remove it from the frame and insert it into different ones. 

I think that's what the OP is unhappy with and talking about. 

[N8teGee · Accepted solution]

No, the frame is not changeble. The whole unit is a unibody design which helps with water resistance. The only removable/changeable part/s is the band. 

[aubrinicoleee]

Agreed! I really want to upgrade but the lack of customization is frustrating. I love being able to mix and match third party frames. I wouldn't be happy with any of the frames they currently have available but would be the least upset with the blue gray/silver gray frame.

[Bunnybear_05]

Wendy, the original poster is just complaining that there isn't the option to change out the frame ( like how you can with the Blaze). There was no actual question. 

[ChrisHartcom]

The original poster was unsure if the frame was unchangeable and incredibly sad to hear that it is not.  The topic does match the question/rant.  The question is "Does the Fitbit Ionic have a changeable frame?  I have lots of friends who, when they say the changeable frame, switched to the Fitbit Blaze.  It is sad to see Fitbit going backward in evolution.  The Blaze offers the ability to use the Fitbit through all walks of life by changing the look.  The new Ionic, since it doesn't offer the changeable frame, puts the Fitbit back into the 'fitness band only' category.

My wife and I stay on the leading edge of technology, usually giving our year old tech to family members and buying the new stuff for ourselves so I was watching the evolution of the Ionic carefully.  Leaked images, etc., ready to buy when it came out.  We spend the time to research things and buy exactly what we want so we aren't disappointed.  This has been a big disappointment for us because we were excited for a new Fitbit with everything the Blaze has to offer - and more!  Some of the 'more' is there, but one of the best things about the Blaze was taken away.

[Julia_G]

Hi, @ChrisHartcom, as explained by the well-respected fitness gadget blogger DCRainmaker in his preliminary report on the Fitbit Ionic, the fixed frame allows for enough water resistance that this device can be used for swimming.  A changeable frame would mean more design flexibility (like the Blaze) but could compromise water resistance.

As usual there are tradeoffs... that's why there are lots of different Fitbits...

[ErickFitbit]

@ChrisHartcom @WendyB @Breezygirl8 @N8teGee @aubrinicoleee @Julia_G Fitbit Ionic was developed in response to users requesting more robust smart features in addition to the health and fitness tracking capabilities they’ve come to love on Fitbit devices. The biggest challenge we faced was integrating the new technology with our most advanced design, particularly the nano-molded unibody watch case, in order to create our strongest, lightest, water-resistant up to 50 meters, and most ambitious product yet. The result is a smartwatch that offers the ultimate curation of advanced health and fitness features, personalized guidance, smart functionality and versatile style.

[ChrisHartcom]

Thank you Erick. 

That did answer my question.  I do understand, even though it is disappointing. 

I asked my question and got a good answer.  I, and several of my friends, will simply have to wait for the next model and hope it allows customization like the Blaze.  We have been so impressed by the Blaze compared to all of the other Fitbits, and a few other brands, than anything less is just not worth it.  Like I said earlier, at least eight people we know have switched specifically because of the Blaze's customization options. 

Thank you for good products. 

[Bunnybear_05]

If they are going to keep the waterproof function going throughout the different models...it's unlikely that changing the frame is going to be a option. The Apple Watch sticks you with the same frame. Switchingbit up has never been a option. 

I've seen various brands make covers for the AW to change the frame color. But they always looked bulky and cheap to me. 

[BexK]

I guess no one would have been even asking questions like this if they would have released the frame in colours that people might want to buy! How on earth they came up with this crazy orange colour I will never know! Rose gold would have had a pre order from me - perhaps even normal gold... Unless you are a red squirrel trying to match a watch to your coat I frankly cannot see who would want to buy this orange colour with a blue strap? 

[BexK]

I guess no one would have been even asking questions like this if they would have released the frame in colours that people might want to buy! How on earth they came up with this crazy orange colour I will never know! Rose gold would have had a pre order from me - perhaps even normal gold... Unless you are a red squirrel trying to match a watch to your coat I frankly cannot see who would want to buy this orange colour with a blue strap?  What jewellery are they planning that this will match exactly?

[racertempo]

There will still be third party bands, just give it a few weeks and they will show up on eBay and Amazon. 

[Bunnybear_05]

Lol. 

I love copper....so I ordered the orange/slate one. 

Im not really trying to match it with stuff. I just think it's a fun color combo ( I plan on likely switching out the slate strap eventually )

if im going out somewhere dressy, I have a Flex 2 with a aftermarket gold band. 

I got no clue where they were going with the color combo. I'd prefer a rose gold or regular gold one too. But I'll take the copper over the black/silver standard type frame. 

[SPommerenke]

I bought a screen protector on Amazon that makes it look like a new frame was put on. Very inexpensive and had held up well. There are many colors to choose from. I went with rose gold.

[DreamyGal7]

@ChrisHartcom I’m glad I’m not alone on this. I currently have a Fitbit One (oldie but goodie haha), Blaze and a Versa. The Blaze has been m absolute favorite fitness tracker to date; however, unfortunately for me, I’m one of the unfortunate ones who used the Blaze for quite a while and then suddenly started having some sort of skin rash from the casing on it (NOT the band). 

I purchased the Versa and am so disappointed to be stuck with this plain frame. I also hate the way you change the band out! Takes forever. Unlike with the Blaze 😞