Fitbit One battery icon shows "charged" but isn't?

[SeattleMAK]

I destroyed my old Fitbit One a couple years ago and wanted another, not interested in the new models. Found a new One for sale on Ebay.  Found out after I bought it that the new software won't sync on Windows 7 but I fixed that by migrating the old software from my old laptop.

When I plugged in the new Fitbit One the first time, it said "Fitbit 6.46" and battery icon showed "fully charged" (which isn't possible - as I recall, out of the box, they're uncharged)..  But I went ahead and tried to link the new One to my old account.  After inserting the dongle, it can't find the device and the app asks, "is your device charged?"   Of course it's not.  I'm thinking I have a new but dead unit.  But why does it give a false battery level indication?  Maybe the unit is just too old, even though it's (supposedly) a never used unit. Any thoughts?

Just bought this unit so can probably get Ebay to refund my loot. 😞

[Tiffanykell]

I’m having same prob with a brand new out of the box one

[SeattleMAK]

I think we're out of luck with FB Ones even though they're "new".  They may not have been used, but the batteries just aged out nonetheless.

See Wendy B's response to this post:

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/One/unused-fitbit-one/m-p/3479660#M77229

[Williger · Accepted solution]

@SeattleMAK Unfortunately, Fitbit hasn't manufactured this unit in a few years, so any "new" Ones sold on eBay are "new/old stock". If only showing a false "full battery" and firmware when in the charger (and not when removed from it), your battery is likely dead. Sounds like you've got a plan to return it. Cheers!

[SeattleMAK]

Thanks for this input. It's what I concluded.

The EBay seller says he sold 2 others "factory new" with no complaints so
we're haggling at the moment over a refund. I've already purchased a
cheaper step counter that also logs cals and distance, and doesn't require
syncing to an online program (which doesn't matter to me). I have an Excel
spreadsheet for that. 🙂

[scchou5]

@SeattleMAK i just bought a "new" One from Ebay. I made sure that the one I purchased is from a "more recent" year - the one I bought is from 2015. The front top panel of the box is black.  It works well. I hope to have it for at least 3 years. 

My original one from 2012 lasted 6 years until I recently lost it but the battery was acting erratically so I'm sure it was dying.  I had an unused spare (also from 2012) but disappointingly, the battery was too weak to hold a charge even though it showed fully charged when plugged into the charger. The front top panel of the box for 2012 is white.

The year is found on the back of the box on the bottom left corner.

I think the Ebay Money Back Guarantee should cover for it since it's not working.

[SeattleMAK]

I was able to get a full refund from the seller, but first had to convince
him I wasn't trying to pull a scam, substituting my ruined (my fault)
fitbit for the one he sent. (Understandable suspicion.) Accomplished this
by sending him both dead fitbits.

Another friend who bought a "One" just before I got mine (2014) reports
that hers died as well. Kinda makes you wonder if the newer models' batts
last any longer. In any case, I just got a 3DTrisport for $20 - not as
stylish, not as many (but enough) functions, I can track my data privately
on an Excel spreadsheet, and the batt is replaceable. Cheers!