Fitbit Sense newer hardware revisions since initial release?

[Martincho8002]

Hi. I am considering purchasing Fitbit Sense from either Fitbit.com or Amazon. If I order from Amazon, would the smartwatch be of older hardware revision? Have Fitbit released newer hardware versions of this watch since the initial release? Is there any benefit to ordering from Fitbit.com?

Thanks a lot!

[t.parker]

I never ordered from Fitbit so I'm not sure what advantages or disadvantages could be. I usually get wearables from Amazon as the return policy is quite flexible so in case I'm not happy with the item I can get a full refund without any issues. Nobody knows whether Fitbit released a new revision of hardware and I don't think Fitbit would be transparent about it so technically, the only difference is pretty much a return and refund policy (and probably speed of delivery as when I ordered my Sense from Amazon I got it next day (Prime) ).

[LZeeW]

@Martincho8002   Fitbit hasn't changed the hardware in the device.  It still has all the same sensors as when it was released.  There has been at least one software update.  When the Sense was released, the ECG wasn't active.  It was added later.  If you buy a Sense right now, it will probably have the same software as when the Sense was first released.  This is a guess -- I suspect Fitbit orders a LARGE number of devices at the start of the release cycle.  You might or might not have the same software as someone who got their Sense when it was first released.  Devices usually get their software updates within 24-48 hours after activation.

Fitbit has a 45 day return policy, a little more generous than Amazon's.  Keep in mind -- Amazon is an authorized retailer (please verify if you are not in the US), but Amazon is a marketplace.  Items are "shipped and sold by Amazon",  "sold by XYZ and Fulfilled by Amazon", or "shipped and sold by XYZ."  Some Fitbits are sold by third parties.  Check this before you buy.  A Fitbit must be shipped and sold by Amazon to get a valid warranty.

[Martincho8002]

thanks @LZeeW for your input! Much appreciated.

So, I infer that there is no newer HW revision to be expected from Fitbit.com compared to Amazon. This is, as long there is a valid warranty from Amazon I should be getting the same product (SW can be updated anytime, so I am not worried about SW).

Since there are so many issues reported with this smartwatch out there, of all kinds, I would always prefer to get the latest piece of HW by Fitbit assuming they have resolved some of the issues in a later rev. of HW...

[LZeeW]

@Martincho8002   Hardware is hardware.  The Sense will have the same hardware no matter the vendor.  Software updates come from Fitbit after activation. 

[MikeJ70]

There's a difference in the insurance package (2 years for about 60 bucks) though, outside the U.S. you don't get any!

it's based on your Google account setup. I was offered, at initial setup of my Sense, that insurance package - but payment via Google Wallet/Pay didn't go through. Helpdesk then told me that outside-U.S. customers are **ahem** out of luck.

[t.parker · Accepted solution]

@Martincho8002  the hardware will be the same. If there were any know (to Fitbit) hardware issues then newer devices may be made of different batches of components which will be more stable/less buggy. This is only in case of hardware issues and so far nobody knows whether there are any. In the case of such silent hardware "corrections", it wouldn't be a matter of where you buy the device but when. My experience with Amazon probably depends on the location (UK). I'm not sure how flexible the Amazon return policy is in the US but in the UK it happens they bend rules just to make customer happy. It happened to me to return some items which were not fit for purpose but this came up after the return window closed. It may be that in the US they are stricter. What I like is the next day delivery (I'm not very patient when it comes to shopping, I don't like to wait 🙂 ).