Charge 4 Band Connector broke

[hannahjyoti]

I have reached out to Fitbit several times about getting a replacement for my broken Fitbit. It only broke due to a design flaw so you would think Fitbit would replace it. I am frustrated and disappointed that Fitbit would treat its customers with little respect. I was shoot until my Fitbit broke and have been patient through the process of trying to replace my Fitbit. I feel like I am in a laundry machine getting nowhere. Has anyone else have a broken band connector? Did they replace your Fitbit?

Moderator edit: Subject for clarity.

[Yaeomm]

Mine did that also so I superglued that too. It's been almost year. I know,
I can't change the band, but it's better than the alternative.

Do all fitbits have this problem? This is my first one. I just thought I
broke it.

[dz1234]

I haven't had this particular problem with the Charge 2 (which just died after a couple of years) or Charge 3 (still works, but had a few issues), so it may be unique to the charge 4. As for alternatives, you should be aware that a few companies sell bands that fit the watch head. I have one and it works fine--albeit it isn't terribly attractive and you need to pop it out of the band to charge it. Mine is called supcase, but there are several others.

[czyloney]

I also had the same exact thing happen 2x. It seems the life of a charge 4 is only 6-9 months if heavily used (I wore it to bed every night and all day long including during HIIT workouts).

[JohnyOttawa]

Our house features a graveyard of four Charge 4s with broken plastic connectors. Typical superglue never worked, but I’ll now try the special glue options suggested in this thread. Thanks for that, folks. 

Our story, for the record:

We all got Charge 4s around the same time, with Premium memberships. Big family adventure. These devices actually helped support a transformation in our activity and sleep patterns. We loved them. We recommended them to others.

But then everyone (but me) saw theirs break in exactly the same way, at the connector, inside the warranty period. FitBit customer support was actually great (efficient, friendly) and the replacements came quickly. Unfortunately, we now know that these too will break in the coming months. And now mine has just broken at the 13-month mark, just out of warranty. Like others, I got the modest discount offer.

So now what? If glue doesn’t bring a permanent-ish semi-solution, I’m torn. Do we spend another dollar here? Apart from the connector/band issue, I’ve loved the device (aesthetics, sensors, metrics, app, price point). But it's awfully hard to trust that this fatal design flaw is fixed in the Charge 5 ... and that the Charge 5 battery issue (discussed in ~1000 posts to this forum) will get resolved by a firmware fix. 

FitBit seems so close to hitting the mark with these trackers. And yet not. 

[LBZ]

Check out Amazon for the watch bands for the charge 4 that do not need the connector to be intact, the band functions as a drop in for the watch. Capitalism at its finest!  You will have to search, FB has deleted the link in the past as left by others.

[Cdemartino]

Are you referring to Subcase?

[czyloney]

https://www.reddit.com/r/fitbit/comments/v8txj1/fitbit_charge_4_is_so_poorly_made_it_will_break/?utm...

[Cdemartino]

I'm thinking about buying another fitbit 4 but are feeling resentful because I've paid 160 for the watch 3 years ago and paying premium 10.00 month for~3 years so that's 360.00...so basically ive spent 520.00 for a watch that is not useable after 3years.  Doesnt feel like a fair deal.

I'm all for capitalism but maybe raise the bar with ethics and offer customer care for premium users.

[Jaszi]

One I’ve seen is Supcase. The one I bought and use is Goseth. The one I returned is sold by NotoCity. The Goseth works well. 

[Reedhoppa]

I don’t understand the fascination with this drop-in solution. Just cut your losses and move on to a different watch. The so-called drop in solution is ugly. And I’m being kind.

Get Outlook for iOS<>

[Jaszi]

I agree it’s ugly but it does the trick. I got a Charge 5 after thinking the 4 wasn’t fixable. I found the replacement band and prefer the 4’s functions to the 5 so put the 5 away till the 4 breaks down. That’s it. 

[Cdemartino]

Maybe its time to switch to apple products 

[NewSuttonGirl]

The Apple Watch must be charged daily and that’s a dealbreaker.  Fitbit knows it which is why its customer service is abysmal. 

[Jongone]

I went with the Luxe whichI just learned will no longer track sleep
history. That is very disappointing if that is the case.

[gcmiller21445]

Or one like it...

[EvelyntoFitness]

Oh wow, this is what happened to me this is the second time it breaks. I thought it was only me it was happening to. The 1st time they did replace it now I'm about to contact them. 

[gcmiller21445]

Yes, I know about this happening

[LBZ]

My Luxe still tracks sleep mode. Was this referring to the existing model or future ones?

[Cdemartino]

Unfortunate situation.

[Mak1022]

It seems to be that this model is breaking the same way the two screws that hold the band to face watch are no good. Therefore, I feel this is a developer problem ans they should fit it. Or replace it. I have been with Fitbit forever now and devices usually lasted a long time except the ultra and now my charge 4.