Improve quality of Charge 4 device and wristband

[msrw]

I looked at my old Fitbit Alta and Charge 2 recently. Both were built from stainless steel—the material and build quality were both exceptional. Comparing these to my Fitbit Charge 4, the case is plastic, the fit of the straps on the case have a gap that accumulates dirt (which didn’t happen on either the Charge 2 or Charge 3).

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @msrw. Thanks for taking the time to share this suggestion about improving the quality of the Charge 4 device and wristband with us. We rely on feedback like yours to help us develop products and features that we know our community wants to see. If this suggestion receives votes from other customers and gains popularity, it will be shared internally with various teams at Fitbit. To learn more about how Fitbit decides which suggestions get developed, visit our FAQs.

Watch this space for status updates. In the meantime, try visiting Health & Wellness to talk with other members about all things health and fitness.

[DidiCat]

I agree.  Design doesn't work for small wrists!  And watch face is horrible. 

[Dominic01]

The gap is a very bad design. We are paying a premium for Fitbit and it is not worth it. It is not due to wrist size. It was perfect in Charge 2 for my wrist.

Removing clock face status customization in Charge 4 is another bad decision.

[russetrob]

As first fitbit product, was ignorant of the earlier build quality. Would have been much nicer. When I found out that there was no integration with ios health, I seriously considered returning it it.... and still left terrible review.... if it looked like a quality product, I may have not even considered returning if it looked beautiful, and suggested getting it for the looks!

[Atomic77]

Charge 4 is not a bad design however my charge 2 did get scratched up quite a bit had it since 2017. I agree that quality could be better on these things but they do hold up quite well with good care.

[RobinWC]

Just moved up to the Charge 4 from the 3, I think it is shortchanging your customers going from a nice metal case to a plastic one that will undoubtedly scratch up. I cannot even begin to fathom why you would do this with a tracker that will be used for exercising!

I have used your products since 2013, got put off by your Aria scale build quality, and practically decided not to buy anymore products from you. I tried the charge 3, nice build quality, so I replaced it with a Charge 4, without even looking, just thinking that build quality could not be lower, but as soon as it came out of the box, it felt so much lighter, surprise, no metal case.

Shame on you Fitbit, this will be the last device, those Garmin trackers just started looking so much better.

[msrw]

I just looked at this thread after having originated it awhile ago, and was surprised to see that at some point the Fitbit moderator chose to delete about half of my original post.

Fitbit moderator, with respect, is this not meant to be an open forum where your customers share thoughts and concerns rather than some sort of managed propaganda exercise?  Why would you delete what I had to say?

What my original post also cited was the apparent shift in strategy in Fitbit product design and development toward lower-quality products made from lower quality materials with less precision design (for example plastic rather than stainless steel cases, straps that no longer fit tightly to cases, allowing gaps for dust and dirt), along with much more aggressive use of customer’s personal data and reduced priority on customer experience.  I also raised the issue of the impact that these changes would have on Fitbit’s customer base, which inevitably would be negative.

Fitbit has recently been ignoring responses that customers have been posting in this forum, especially when the customer’s post is negative.  I had thought that that just indicated that Fitbit no longer really cares what customers think.  But now seeing that Fitbit not only does not respond to direct questions but in addition edits customer’s posts....not sure what to make of that except that it’s not exactly encouraging for Fitbit still being considered a customer-focused company.

Moderator Edit: Formatting

[DidiCat]

My Charge 4 has been frustrating in one way or other since I got it.  When I decided to give it a try again (I went back to my Blaze), first it wouldn't update time and date for a week or two after I recharged it.  (I tried all sorts of suggestions in manual and elsewhere on internet.)   Yesterday it updated, so I wore it to bed last night.  It wouldn't download the data to my summary this morning, so I did something that had been suggested related to getting in up and running again.  I clicked "Forget this device" from Blue Tooth.  It still won't download data.  Then I was offered "update" your Charge 4.  I've been waiting 20 minutes but it says it can take up to 30 minutes.  Fingers crossed!

Does anyone have any advice?  Thanks!

[LALFB]

 My charge 4 is only a year old. I took my wristband off to clean the hair and stuff out of it. I discovered that the connector is only made of plastic and it broke off while I was gently trying to remove hair. Now I'm wearing it with Super glue and plastic and tape. This is very disgusting and disappointing. My 1st fitbit charge 3 lasted 4 years.  When I went back to look at it the connectors I discovered that they were made of metal and they  gave me 0 trouble in 4 years. I pay a high price for a fitbit.  I could buy something much less expensive. I'm very disappointed in  whoever decided to make plastic connectors. I feel that I should be compensated or be given a new one because I may lose this one if the glue and tape do not hold. It's terrible to have to worry about something what that's only 1 year old. Also I will not buy another one unless you return to metal wristband con ectors.... Please get back with me... I ha e been a daily user for 5 years...

Moderator Edit: Personal info removed

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi everyone, and thanks so much for sharing this Product Feedback! While we don’t currently have plans to release this feature, we always appreciate the passion and creativity that comes out of this Community. Since we know this idea is important to many of you, we have left voting open to continue tracking interest and will post another update if anything changes. To learn more about how Fitbit decides which product feedback is developed, visit our FAQs.

We're always striving to enhance Fitbit products and services, and your input is a big part of that process. We truly thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us.