Charge 3 display failure - replace or upgrade to the 4?

[msanders1313]

I started having issues with the display about 6 months ago (disappointing, as it was only a year old). I was able to successfully getting it working again with quick reboots for awhile, and then it started requiring the hard reboot (putting it on the charger, holding the button for 15 seconds, taking it off then putting it back on). It's been going black more and frequently in the past few months. Now, it appears to have finally met it's end. No amount of reboots or clock face changes have worked.

Other than this I've been happy with the 3. Reading the forums, the Charge 4 seems to be suuuuper glitchy out of the box. But it also seems silly to pay hardly any less for an older product model. Thoughts?

[NC_ccooper]

I have been having the same problem with my Charge 3....the screen goes too dim in daylight. I can read it at night in bed, but not in normal light. There are a number of other posts about this issue and a few people have gotten replacements under warranty. My Charge 3 is over a year old, so I think I'm out of luck. Currently trying to decide if I want to upgrade to a Versa (looking over it's forums to see if it's any better...so far it's not  😞   ). I'm like you, I love my Charge 3, but not being able to read it anymore (I love it as a watch) makes is pretty much useless to me, except for sleep tracking at night. It sounds like you are right at the 1 year warranty milestone...I would try to get a replacement. Mine was purchased in Nov 2018 and worked great until about Nov 2019, when I noticed the dimming issue, but it was intermittent. Now, about a year and a half after purchase, I have to step into the closet or laundry room to view it during the day. *eye roll*  Good Luck.

[msanders1313]

I actually got mine in Nov 2018 as well, so it's no longer within the warranty. 😞 My issues also started about Nov 2019. Hmmm. Mine isn't even dim, the display just doesn't come on at all. Apparently, reading through the forums, this is a pretty common problem. Hope they improve the longevity in future models. I really feel like a screen should last more than 1.5 years. 

[Charlie55]

Mine is 9 months old. Dead screen. Cannot get through either on line or by phone to find out how to get warranty or where to send. The que for online chat was 40 people. Will just give up and not buy another one if reliability is only 9 months and service access is so poor. Charlie55

[Kris_O]

Mine has been doing the same thing. It is fine in the evening and at night, but not outside or under daylight CFL lights, which is what I use where my work computer at home. If they could offer a replacement, that would be great! I got mine when they first came out.