Recommendations for Replacing Charge 3 Due to TOO Many Screen Issues

[CabotMama]

I've had a Charge 3 since 2019.  Within the one year limited warranty, the screen began having black lines run across it and then finally the screen didn't show at all.  Contacted Customer Support and received a replacement.  This year (2022) the replacement has grown dim.  At first I thought my eyesight was going.  But no, even my kids can't read the screen in normal indoor lighting, much less outside in the sun.  I've set the brightness level to Auto and that helps a little, but the screen is still so dim that it's practically useless.  I contacted Customer Support and was told I'm past the warranty, so "here's 35% off towards a new Fitbit."  Scanning thru the customer forums, I see countless posts about various Charge 3 screen issues.  Ugh!  If it was a car, Fitbit would be required to issue a recall.

Meanwhile, my husband's Charge 2 is going strong and looking great!  He has had it since 2018.

I love many aspects of the Charge 3.  No internal GPS is high on the list.

Any recommendations for a Fitbit that does NOT have such a terrible screen record?  I really want my device to last several years.  I'm not a fan of "disposable watches" replaced every year.

[Zuzlana]

The same problem here. I was happy with my Charge 3 (even tho the problems with the screen dimming kept happening) until the screen stopped working. I was offered a free replacement or 50% for a different model. I went for the replacement because I have enjoyed it at had several new bands for this model. It was a mistake. The replacement stoped working after 11 months and now I was offered only 35% off. If I had known the Charge 3 model is faulty I would have bought a different one. I feel cheated. 

Curious what model you went for this time. 

[CabotMama]

Your experience mirrors mine exactly - including the choice of replacement bc had just received several new bands for the Charge 3 (one was a gift from my small children, who'd be heartbroken that Mom couldn't wear it anymore).

This second time around, I chose the Luxe.  It arrived today and is currently charging.  After reading the Fitbit Community Forum posts, I don't hold out much hope of it lasting more than a year.  I won't be investing in pretty bands.  And I will contact Fitbit at the first sign of screen issues (well, FIRST I'll do the reset-while-charging step that is Fitbit's go to solution for everything - even though it never works.)

I considered the newest model that starts with an "I", but my 35% off coupon couldn't be used towards it.

I absolutely hate the disposable watch/fitness tracker mentality, yet my husband's employer uses fitness trackers to determine our eligibility for health insurance discounts.  So, either I spend $100 a year on this thing or I pay $200+ in additional health premiums.  I don't want a built in GPS system tracking my every movement, which rules out the Fitbit competition.

Hope this reply helps!!

[ckell0328]

I have had the same issues with the Charge 3 - first ever Fitbit purchase in 2019, earlier this year (2022) screen started to fade, thought it was my eyes but nope! Went dim in patches til it couldn't be read unless in the dark! Too far out of my warranty so didn't even bother contacting Fitbit, assumed maybe it was eventual damage from wearing whilst swimming laps (although the tracker is meant to be water resistant), plus according to other testimonials it sounds like they would maybe only offer a discount on another watch. Found a spare Charge 3 online, from a seller who claimed to have never used it - only had this one for 4 months and the screen is doing the same thing, I haven't even been swimming in that time! I am now very wary of purchasing from Fitbit again, even if it is a newer model, as I can't afford to invest in a tracker that will only end up failing or running into issues.

[GoCon · Accepted solution]

I am having a similar issue with my Charge 3. The screen started getting black lines and then dimmed so much I can't even see it in the dark. I contacted Customer Support and they offered "As a token of appreciation, it’s our pleasure to provide you with a 35% discount." Being a Premium member did not help. In fact, if I purchase a new watch, I am not eligible for the 6 months of a free premium membership. They are not willing to add it on the back of a current membership.  

My watch is barely 2 years old. My previous watch, Charge 2 bought in 2017, lasted about the same length of time. I used the 35% discount in 2020 to purchase the Charge 3. My husband had an identical "crap out" of his Charge 2 and later his Charge 3. Needless to say, he bought a Garmin this time around. I'm about to follow because my experience with Fitbit products has not be positive at all, AND the customer support sucks. I mean really sucks. They are "supporting people to not buy a Charge/Fitbit."

I also love the no internal GPS function and the simplicity of the Charge, but I don't like the "disposable watches" feature either. Fitbit forces us to purchase a new $100+ watch every other year! They should be built to last. It appears Fitbit is aware their products are crap, because they offer only a limited 1-year warranty. Must be the business model to create products to fail just out of warranty so folks have to buy a new one. 

[Jmbo]

I had exactly the same issue.  Out of warranty so offered 35% discount to buy a new one but I’m reluctant to go ahead as this is obviously a known issue!  Surely these should be recalled as not fit for purpose?

[campyboy1]

I bought my Charge 3 in Oct 2019 and last summer my screen started fading in till it went completely black. I know that it's still working because when I push the side button it vibrates, I know that there are a lot of other people that have had the same problem with it I contacted Fitbit about it and they offered me a discount on a new one because mine was out of warranty. I would think  Fitbit would do a recall on the Charge-3 with so many people having the same problem with the screen going black.

[Jmbo]

Mines exactly the same, offered a discount to buy a new one but reluctant because this seems to be a Fitbit issue across all their trackers.  They really should do a recall or is this really a ploy to just increase their sales?