Sense issues reported by reviewers

[Rinopopo]

I've read 7 different reviews and every single one says that this device is half-baked. I'm really worried about this. Anyone at fitbit could tell me if they are aware of those issues and if are going to be fixed in a day one firmware update?

- slow OS

- slow animations

- not so accurate HR readings when exercising.

- no spo2 readings if you don't enable the spo2 watchface (WTF FITBIT!!)

- no voice responses from alexa
- no voice calls at all.

- Lack of information about stress management data.

[bobby2478]

The missing Google Assistant and no ability to answer phone calls from the Sense are not bugs, those are new features that will be released at a later date (by the end of the year). So while missing at launch they will be introduced later.

For the other bugs/performance lag, there are other posts about this as well. One person with iOS mentioned it worked smoothly for them, not sure about Android and whether the firmware update addresses many of these complaints the reviewers had regarding slow performance/choppy animations/touch screen not responsive

[SunsetRunner]

When you first setup Sense there is a firmware update that will need installing, so it would appear that Fitbit are working on these issues.

[Heather-S]

@Rinopopo I haven't had any issues with my Sense.  I received it yesterday.  The set up was easy and painless and there was a firmware update last night.  From my personal experience:

• OS is not slow, it's snappy and responsive
• Animations aren't slow either.  I think the new step goal celebration is beautiful, as is the new 250 steps per hour celebration
• I haven't seen any issues with my HR
• SpO2 -- currently you can only view your actual SpO2 score via the clockface.  That isn't a surprise.  Fitbit has said that the trends over time of your SpO2 % will be available to Premium users via the new Health Metrics dashboard.  If you are not a Premium user, you will have to continue using the SpO2 face at night to get your previous night's readings.
• I believe voice response from Alexa and voice calls is a future update as well, but will work on confirmation.
• I received a Stress Management Score last night and in the app there is a "learn more" link that explains what affects the score pretty easily.
• Overall, the device is gorgeous, smooth, fluid, and fun.  I'm loving it so far.

[bobby2478]

@Heather-S can you specify whether you are an iOS or Android user? Experience can vary depending on which platform you are on.

[SunsetRunner]

@Rinopopo 

I was also kind of disappointed when I observed the responses of the reviewers on Fitbit. What bothered me the most, is the lag (I could sacrifice a day of battery life for some extra boost in performance) and the upgraded heart sensor which was consistently way off when jogging. I mean it should have been the opposite.

I wonder if, within a year of creating a product, they test their technology before release. I hope it's fixable and not a hardware problem.

[Heather-S]

I am on iOS.  It has been a great experience so far.  Perhaps those having some issues are on Android.  @bobby2478 

[bobby2478]

That's what I suspect @Heather-S , the issues may be specific to Android. I'd be curious what Android users impressions are once they receive the device and update the firmware, if the complaints the reviewers had go away or not.

[VascoDeGama]

I always look at DcRainmaker's reviews for my smartwatches because it is reliable. According to his test The hr sense sensor is bad. I canceled my pre-order https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2020/09/fitbit-sense-in-depth-review-all-the-data-without-the-clarity.ht...

[SunsetRunner]

@VascoDeGama 

I am almost there myself. If it's so innacurate, why pay for premium here ?

This is Dcrainmaker's comment.

 

He burried this product 6 feet under. His whole review is so negative about it.

Other reviewers confirm in youtube.

[Tristannyc]

I am super nervous about accuracy. I still rock the Versa ORIGINAL. And Love it. Was thinking the Sense this time around for all the bells and whistles, now it seems like half aren't ready yet and the features that did work, don't work well anymore. HIGHLY DEBATING CANCELING this one.

[waynezwor1d]

Tried to cancel mine & it says its too late

[rmeszaros]

About the HR sensor from The Verge's review:

"This is something I would have liked to spend more time testing, but early results were promising. I would spike my heart rate doing some exercise and then would manually count my beats per minute using a stopwatch and compare it to the Sense. Not only did the Sense generally stay within a few BPM of my manual count, but it would usually get up to speed faster than the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar, which seemed to have a bit more lag."

I ordered the Versa 3, but it has the same new HR sensor, so I really hope the truth is at least somewhere between the two reviews and inaccuracy is only an algorithm or software issue which can be fixed soon. 

[TheNightSkyGuy]

HR accuracy is a cornerstone feature for many basic health metrics so definitely this Dcrainmaker review is quite worrisome - but let's see how FitBit responds to his results. And let's keep in mind that this is one reviewer's experience out of the box and only using it for a few days. 

If this is not a one-off problem with HR, then let's hope its a software issue that can be resolved.

I definitely need to see more user feedbacks on this issue.  

This is where I am hoping our FitBit Community will begin to chime in as we see the Sense being put through real world usage in the coming weeks.  

[Tristannyc]

I will make a breakdown of the Versa 1 versus the sense when I get it. If
they are way off from each other I’ll just keep my Versa 1 and return the
sense. But I’ll update you all either way. --
Sent from my phone. Please excuse any typos, over abundance of emojis, or
autocorrect duck ups.

[Rinopopo]

@Heather-S  did you notice any change or improvement after the update? maybe the reviewers tested the device without the firmware update?

[bobby2478]

That's my question as well: if the problems were just on Android or apply to both Android and iOS. Also if their test results were on a device that was updated with the most recent firmware. It says Fitbit sent reviewers specific "media loaners" which may or may not have been running the most up to date firmware/software.

I hope Fitbit at least acknowledges their new Pure Pulse HR sensor isn't accurate, confirm whether it's a hardware or software/firmware/algorighm problem and if it's just a software/firmware/algorighm problem and they are working on a fix for it then you know yes while it may be inaccurate to start it will get fixed.  Seems like the reviewer said aligns with other reviews: the Sense they were using felt "rushed" to market with a host of known defects that they figured they could launch the device first and fix them on the back end, which certainly isn't out of the ordinary.

As was stated in the review the concern isn't just that it is inaccurate, which there have been complaints about before. But in the past the inaccuracies were only a few BPM. Now they are off by a whopping 10-20+ BPM which makes it the MOST INACCURATE FITBIT they've ever used. That's the main problem here, is that it's off by so much it's not even close.

[Rinopopo]

now I understand the reviews embargo. they didn't want people to cancel their preorders.

[Heather-S]

@Rinopopo It's hard to say.  I received my Sense and had it on wrist around 2pm on Monday.  I think the firmware update came a few hours later, so I really only had it on my wrist for a few hours prior to the update.  So, I honestly can't say one way or another.  

My guess is that the reviewers definitely tested it before the firmware update.

[TheNightSkyGuy]

@Heather-S  It would be great to hear your experience about HR accuracy.