Sense essential functions require Premium subscription

[glenton-r]

I am thinking of buying the Fitbit Sense model but frankly I do not find much sense because in order to fully use its most important health functions it is practically essential to pay for the Fitbit App Premium subscription. So, at a cost of US $ 79.99 / year, in five years of use, I would be paying for the Fitbit Sense, approximately US $ 725.00.
I think Fitbit should reconsider this and at least lower Premiun's annual subscription by 50%.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Raz124]

Hi @@mikeyt1818 .

I contacted Fitbit about this (phone call) as I had a trial subscription in the past (a year ago, for one week only) for my Charge 2.

They reassured me that in this case they would be able to offer a 6 month free premium subscription if I purchased the Sense. 

I can't say for sure whether the same would apply to you - I get the sense (no pun intended) that the length of your previous subscription, and more importantly perhaps when it expired, will have a bearing in this. It may also be that the have different 'rules' for different regions (I'm in the UK).

It would be better if Fitbit could be transparent about who can or can't get a new free trial subscription but I guess that's their prerogative - and if they lose customers as a result that's their problem.

[jeremiahlee]

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@mikecyprus wrote:

What worries me more about FITBIT is that they use our personal data (heart, breath etc) to make their product and sell even to 3rd parties, without even ask the permission of the users to exclude themselves and still be able to use the products. I don't know about US, but in Europe I'm not sure about how legal is that and I'm sure when people start complaining about these practices fitbit will have trouble.

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This is false. Fitbit has not made a single dollar selling users' data. Fitbit's privacy policy explicitly states they do not do this.

> Our business is to sell products you believe in. We never sell your personal data.

[iWearKneeSocks]

What am I missing? What features, besides the advanced sleep analytics and things I’m already not missing are obsolete on the sense without premium?  The only really new thing on it is the ecg and stress sensors... right? Will neither of those work without premium?

[mbarylski]

@Marrrmaduke I pre-ordered the Fitbit Sense already, but I'm still having a hard time figuring out what will be available in basic. It appears I can do ECG (through app) and Sp02 (through sleep analysis and clock face), but what about the other new sensors. Specifically HRV and relative temperature. Will either or both of those be considered in the basic sleep analysis? I understand if the deeper analytics and dashboard isn't included for HRV and relative temperature, but I'd think HRV and relative temperature would be used at least minimally during sleep tracking. Any idea if HRV and relative temperature will be used for basic members?

[mbarylski]

@Marrrmaduke I pre-ordered the Fitbit Sense already, but I'm still having a hard time figuring out what will be available in basic. It appears I can do ECG (through app) and Sp02 (through sleep analysis and clock face), but what about the other new sensors. Specifically HRV and relative temperature. Will either or both of those be considered in the basic sleep analysis? I understand if the deeper analytics and dashboard isn't included for HRV and relative temperature, but I'd think HRV and relative temperature would be used at least minimally during sleep tracking. Any idea if HRV and relative temperature will be used for basic members?

[beeson76]

I have already decided that I will not be paying for a premium subscription when I have other options that are so much cheaper.  I had a 3 month trial of premium and they got me for one month of paid before I could cancel.  And I still felt like I overpayed at 9.99 for 4 months.  That is a ridiculous amount for me to pay for a subscription each month.  Amazon on there new tracker is I believe 3.99 and that is more in line with what I would pay...though I realize is a basic tracker.  But maybe my thinking comes from that I am losing respect for Fitbit as I have had nothing put glitches with this watch.  And I mean glitches that I cannot find the answers for or why they are happening because of Fitbit being so quiet and refuse to just be upfront and confusing in responses.....or lack thereof of a response  Or the fact that I have to wait 9 months for known glitches to get worked out (notifications not clearing on my Ionic).  Fitbit lost me at that.  Or that when new features and firmwares are reported on the internet and I have to wait 3 months to get those....Yeah....Fitbit doesn't really fit into my thinking of a company that I want to really deal with....specially give them a premium fee every month.

[mbarylski]

I just looked at the Sense user manual and it appears that skin temperature IS available to basic users. Basic users can see a weekly chart whereas premium members can see the variation of temperature during the night. This is definitely good news. I'm now more anxious to get my Sense next week!

[MG262]

@Marrrmaduke Thanks for the info.  

[107208579]

@jeremiahlee Data can be anonymised it so it's technically not 'personal' anymore. Alternatively, data can also be handed over to other parties for free for any other benefit in return.

[nisha1179]

im taking mine back. i agree with you. For the price, its not worth it. 

[KateFitbit]

Hey Everyone - please note Customers who previously subscribed to Fitbit Premium and don’t have a current subscription can start the free trial with the purchase of Fitbit Sense or Fitbit Inspire 2.  Current Fitbit Premium subscribers can start the free trial after they cancel their premium subscription and then start the free trial with the purchase of an applicable Fitbit device.

[SunsetRunner]

I have access to most of these features for free on my Vivoactive 4, in addition to built-in music (allowing me to truly go phone-less during workouts). Vivoactive 4 is not much more than the Sense, if at all. Had hoped to switch back to Fitbit since the Sense finally offered built-in GPS and the Fitbit app is admittedly better than Garmin's, but Garmin still just offers so much more. And for free. Its pretty frustrating. So far still happy with my switch, but I'm disappointed that is the case; I really wanted to love the Sense and somehow justify a switch back to Fitbit. 

[SunsetRunner]

I have to agree that I don't quite understand your defense either. You are very right that not everyone needs or wants access to advanced health metrics. Those people can pay much less for an Inspire or Charge, or even the Versa. Those who do want the metrics are the ones who would pay more for the Sense because Fitbit is claiming the watch offers those metrics, being the most advanced wellness-tracking watch on the market. If they only actually offer most of the data like SPO2 (not just during sleep), stress response analysis, breaths per minute, etc (things available for free on the comparably priced Garmin Vivoactive 4) through an advanced health dashboard for an extra 80+ a year, well it is somewhat misleading and, I'm sorry, it really is a cash-grab.

[MTCheer]

Does this mean that you can use the ECG feature without having to purchase the monthly premium service? 

[Newtripley]

Hello 

When I first got a fitbit I didn't sign up to premium...however after I got the Versa 2 I signed up and pay monthly at a cost of £7.99 a month I now have the sense and for me personally I think its quite a good deal I find the more data insights that having a premium subscription allows important to me

However you still get great insights with the sense without premium my friend has a sense and just the basic package and still has sleep stats etc yes not in depth but enough 

I know other smartwatches etc like Samsung don't have a premium version but I still think fitbit especially the sense has great insightful data 

Even without premium getting the sense will give you all the stats you'll need 

Sense is in my opinion one of the best devices out there well worth getting 👌

[MTCheer]

KateFitbit, do I need to subscribe to the Fitbit premium in order to use the ECG and generate reports for my provider? I can't seem to confirm this. Thanks for your help. 

[MTCheer]

So I can get the Sense and use the ECG and send reports to my healthcare provider without purchasing the premium subscription, correct?

[mbarylski]

Yes, that is correct. You don't need premium to use ECG and get the report. The only 5hing to keep in mind is that you have to be in a country that has cleared ECG for use. I'm not sure all countries have yet.

[glenton-r]

Some well-intentioned people have argued in this forum or expressed as their thinking, that Premium is dictates everything applicable or useful, to sick people, who need more “complete or in-depth” data or analysis.

It is more than important to remember that no Fitbit / Google model, as well as other companies or developers are HEALTH devices. They are merely "wellness". For this important and determining reason is that they do not need approval or certification from the FDA (in the USA).

This, for example, is a serious problem for the Withings ‘Scanwatch’, which has not achieved such certification for several years.

So no!

This is simply an unethical issue of Fitbit's business model!

I hope that now under the guidance of Google, they will change that very serious delusion and leave Premium for personalized attention, extras such as meditations and exercises, releasing all the metrics and analysis by which we users, healthy or sick (of any disease chronic or temporary), we are interested in your devices, undoubtedly, as such, of excellent quality. The ONLY problem is the totally ANTI-ETHICAL reason that Premium comprises.

[mbarylski]

Looks like they just added snore detection which would be useful to everyone as a general health tool. Unfortunately it's only available to premium users. I'm surprised as they've generally had these types of features available to everyone. Somewhat disappointed too, but maybe it's just releasing as premium and they'll make it available to everyone in the near future.