FitBit Charge 4 device breaks where the band connects

[SunsetRunner]

Is it normal for the Fitbit Charge 4 device itself to have the area where the band connects break? My Fitbit Charge 4 turned 1 year old on June 16th, 2021 - how disappointing it is for the device itself to break, right where the band connects. The band kept popping off so I thought it was a band problem so I ordered replacement bands, however, they fell off as well. When I looked at the Fitbit device closer I can see the area where the band connects is loose on one side, like it wants to come off. Is this a common issue? I am so disappointed with the Fitbit device - One year, wow. Maybe I need to look at other smart watches that have better reviews or are of better quality. Please let me know if anyone has similar issues. Thx,

[Andrea9095]

Do you have any suggested brands to try? 

[Andrea9095]

Same from the time shoes after buying it the bands kept popping off. Even with proper caring and buying fitbit brand replacement bands. Totally screwed up and disappointed because I did love all the features it offered. But what good is it if it does not stay on???

[copdha]

Haven’t investigated. Maybe Apple

Sent from my iPhone

[leekier]

It’s not looking good.

I got a response from one of the forum moderators the day after I posted my comment. He said he would expedite the situation (or words to that effect) unfortunately that was last week and still no contact so it’s probably just an attempt to shut me up for a while. Some chance; I’m an old lady, we don’t shut up, ask your gran 😉

I’m currently thinking huawei or xioami as replacements; I’ve had phones from both of them and they were good value so at the moment they look like a better bet. 
Also they may be part owned by the Chinese government but at least they’re not fully owned by google.

[leekier]

I had an email from CS today asking for my shipping address.

I’ve sent it again; they asked for it when they asked for photos of the damage. I suspect they’re trying to pretend they didn’t know where to send it and haven’t realised that I do have a copy of the email I sent 3 weeks ago.🙄

What really annoys me is the wording; it’s probably a cultural thing, I’m elderly and from the U.K. so I expect politeness to be sincere. 
“Our greatest satisfaction is that you have the best experience so we always try to improve so that you have incredible moments”  after 3 weeks without communication is about as insincere as it get. Given the number of people who have the same problems on this thread (some had been waiting 8 weeks, I think) I’d say the incredible moments tend to incredibly bad moments.

[Dominic01]

I didnt accept FB's 35% upgrade offer and went ahead and bought a "cheap" plastic strap from amazon. Though its just a plastic, but quality seems to be far better than the original FB strap. Even if it breaks I could throw and get another. I am going to continue as long as the main watch is working. 

[NighthawkS]

This happened to me as well right towards the end of the one year warranty. The plastic end piece separated from the main body on one side so the strap would just pop off.

After some miscommunications and pulling a few teeth, they sent a replacement. Within 2 months the second one did the same thing and they said Too Bad. It's attached to your original warranty and that has run out. So, the replacement they sent was a defective device with zero warranty. Luckily, Costco were clearing theirs out at $99 so I picked up one of those. This will be the last one.

Funny thing is that they are currently sending me a replacement strap because the rubber holding the buckle split the other day.

[Sassyfrazzled]

Same thing happened to mine about 6 months after purchase.  I thought maybe I had over extended the band strap, but my husband looked at it and found one of the little prong things was loose or possible broken.  He glued the additional band on and it has held, but that band is too big.  This is my 2nd Fitbit and neither have lasted in a true functional sense.  I miss my old Garmin.  Only issue with that one was the poor digital lighting in daylight.  Both Fitbits and especially this Charge4 are very inconsistent with sleep score and health metric readings.  Sometimes no readings and sometimes only partial data readings.  Just not worth all the aggravation.   

[Stop-trackin]

I'm leaning towards either the garmin or Apple. They can't be any worse than the thing I currently have

[Stop-trackin]

@leekierLet's hope it does finally make its way to you.

Like you, I am also from the UK and I can certainly understand your annoyance with the wording - less of the insincerity and actually stick to finding a solution; when it is clear the issue has not been resolved and the customer still dissatisfied, a 'have a nice day' would suffice without telling me about your 'greatest satisfaction'.

[MaryE533C]

Same issue... customer support offered a 10% discount on upgrade.  Read where several people have had this happen.  One was offered a 35% discount.... another said... even though his warranty was out... they did the "right thing" and replaced his. I definitely didn't get either of those options.  Fitbit HAS to know their product is flawed... with so many complaints.  You would think they would take them off the market... and give better resolutions to us that got skunked.  I am now debating whether to stay with Fitbit or not.... especially after reading all of the issues they ALL have. 

[CorinaBru]

Same issue here- then the top part detached and water got it.. that was the end of my charge 4 - I thought I had a faulty band as well but it was the device all along.

[JuanFitbit]

Hi everybody! 

Thank you for your messages, efforts and feedback. 

For those who haven't done so yet, give our team a call or to chat with them. They'll be more than glad to get a closer look at your cases. 

Here you'll find our contact options

See you around. 

[GinaSully]

I just had the same thing happened, mine is less than 1 year old.

[Fit2BUnhappy]

What has been described here appears to be a DEFECT with the charge4.  The little piece where the band connects seems to break on MANY of the charge4 products out there.  This is obvious when you look at how many posts there are not just here but on other sites and a previous post that was closed.  See this link >> https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Charge-4/Charge-4-piece-that-latches-to-wristband-broke/td-p/4591186...

I my self had it happen twice, the first time was only 4 months after I bought it and it broke again today.  It is now just out of warranty but less then 1 year after the first replacement, Let's see if Fitbit can make it right?  

[MaryE533C]

Hi Fit2Bunhappy

(That's cute... by way).

I hope you're having better luck than I did. I spent a lot of time chatting with customer support also(as advised).

No real luck.... they ended up offering a 35% discount on a new charge 4. 

Personally.... I don't want another one! Too many issues with it. I was considering going with a more current newer model... and more expensive... but, from what I'm reading  on this forum... I'm scared to.  Some people are suggesting Garmin.

What do you think 

[Dominic01]

If your watch is working then get a shell like strap for 7 to 10 bucks ($). Before going for another product just make use of it fully. You need to break the tiny connectors (both the sides) and use it in this strap. The amazon link is available in one of my messages above. 

[NighthawkS]

I hadn't seen that before.  Looks interesting.  When I saw your post, I assumed it was just another strap and didn't look into it.  I still have 2 Charge 4s that are perfectly fine other than a broken connector on one end.  I'll check that out.  Thanks.

[dmhhk]

Same thing has happened to mine. This is my fourth Fitbit, each has failed in its own way. So I was not at all pleased to have been offered a 35% discount on a fifth tracker! This is a known and common flaw, and Fitbit should stand by its product and reputation by offering a full refund or a replacement device.

[MaryE533C]

I agree.... I think I will try something different this time.  I liked my first Fitbit ok.... but... none since then.... and especially not the Charge 4!