Battery lifespan

[UltrarunnerJonL]

Hi everyone

It's common knowledge that batteries don't last forever and it's charge capacity deteroriates over time.

I'm just wondering how is your Surge performing after all these months/year of usage?

Have I got the option to replace the battery?

Thanks!

[1leaffan]

My surge has never lasted 7 days on a single charge, 5 days when it was new. Now after 1.5 years, I typically get 3 days and I never use the GPS since initially trying it - battery drain was one day. Advice from Fitbit on how to improve charge life requires turning off features? If I cant use the features then why not purchase a less expensive, fewer feature device? Fitbit wouldn't (refused) to provide me with battery longevity specifications. Based on the cost of the device I would expect 3-5 years but based on my battery deterioration it will never make it to 3 years. Fitbit told me engineering had no data specs on longevity, which would be a ridiculous statement if true. It unfortunate the company is not more forthright about the performance of the product and provide a more reasonable battery warranty give battery performance. The main reason I purchased Fitbit was battery life vs. competitive product?

[Saeed1]

my surge battery is not holding the charge at all after 18 months. it shows that its charging but as soon as i unplug it. it shows zer charge and it dies in less than an hour. i would not have paid $250 for this piece of crap.

[page2171]

I can charge mine to a full charge in 1-2 hours, like the documentation says, but I'm lucky to get a full day out of a full charge.  Up until a few days ago I got 5-6 days out of a charge.  Mine is only 9 months old.  At this point, unless Fitbit does something magical, I can't recommend a Fitbit to anyone.  $250 for a device that only lasts 9 months is ridiculous.

[Saeed1]

I have the same issue. My Fitbit surge is only a yr old and it just doesn't hold the charge period. It shows that it's charging but when I unplug it, it dies after a couple of minutes.

Sent from my iPhone Sorry for the typos

[PatrickG]

I'm curious if any of the people that have recently had their Surge go from 5-6 days, to two days or less, if they recently got new cell phones? I switched from a Galaxy S7 edge, to a Galaxy 8+, and that's right around when the battery issues started.

I completely disconnected the surge from my cell phone and it's ran straight for 5 days now... 

=\

[1leaffan]

I did not change phones. Did you shut off the sync feature on the new phone. One of the recommendations to improve battery performance and only do manual sync? I have no interest in the manual sync but it stands to reason it would dramatically improve battery performance.

[Phoenix211]

I haven't changed my phone but have still seen the result of my battery
dying quickly.

I haven't changed my phone but have still seen the result of my battery
dying quickly.

I turned off all of the recommended features to see if me accuracy improved
- there was no difference. My Fitbit closed after an hour.

Moderator edit: merged reply

[Laverne51]

I bought my husband the Surge as a gift in 2015. It has worked great till now. I have reset it and done everything the fitbit site suggested, but nothing has worked. Our issue is that the surge only holds the battery charge for about 5 hours. I'm  not sure what to do, he really likes the way it worked and it's functions.  I don't  really want to purchase another surge for him if they only last 2 years as the surge is the most expensive to purchase. 

[1leaffan]

I emailed and complained. Eventually was given a new Surge but I suspect I will have the same battery issues in a year or two? I attempted to get their battery longevity data used in their product development but they would not provide....Good indication that battery longevity is an issue they are well aware of

[Mishael]

Mine went from 5 to 1 just last week. It's been 3 days now of charging everyd

[1leaffan]

The only way to extend your battery is to shut off everything including the pulse monitor. Once you’re down to the basic functions (time, steps etc) you should get 3 or 4 days?

Sent from my iPhone

[Pigeonloft0191]

Mine to working fine for two years then overnight went flat will charge but only lasts for minutes need another watch but don’t think it will be a fitbit

[Sjames406]

I got my Fitbit a few years ago but just opened it today. It turns on when plugged in, but will not hold a charge at all and dies as soon as I unplug it. It has been plugged in for 6 hours straight but will not charge. Just emailed support and read this forum to find out the Surge is no longer supported??? Guess I’m screwed. Very disappointed.

[PaulofLutonAC]

I have had my surge for just under 2.5 years. Probably was a four or five day of charge but did use GPS for runs and also heartrate so OK with that. However it has now stopped taking charge. Went completely dead yesterday. When I plugged it in, it started up, however when I unplugged died immediately. Trying to charge from laptop again at the moment but may be similar as again doesn't appear to be talking charge.

[1leaffan]

Fitbit has a significant battery issue with this particular device.

Sent from my iPhone

[anadromous]

My fitbit used to go for over a week before needing a charge.   It's about 2 years old now, and suddenly dropped to needing a charge every day.

Going to replace with another brand since the battery can't be replaced.

[Williger]

@anadromous all kinds of assumptions in your message. Understand that batteries die, their useful life between charging diminishes starting the first day you use them. If you've got a 5-year-old battery that actually gets a full day of use, you're better off than the majority of people. I do have some Surges that still run a week on their original battery. 

Buy whatever brand you like but recognize that lithium batteries have a normal lifespan of 2-3 years. Some may last longer but their ability to work between charges will continue to decline regularly.

Today I will be installing new batteries into 6 Fitbit Surges. Yesterday I installed 3, I would've installed more but I was instead busy installing batteries into a bunch of Fitbit Ones I'd recently acquired 😛 

The batteries are very replaceable. Your assumptions are incorrect. Just be careful shopping as most vendors are pushing 100mAh batteries vs. the 160mAh in the original. I've found excellent 120mAh ones as obviously, mAh isn't the only measurement of battery quality. I've installed batteries into dozens of Fitbit surges without any issues. Cheers!

[epsych1]

is it hard to change the battery on a Surge? Where do you get them? 

[1leaffan]

I have read posts indicating its easy? Dont believe its easy and i would doubt its water proof after. Battery only last about 3 years, maybe four.

[Williger]

@epsych1 I guess this depends on perspective. I don't think so, I enjoy replacing Surge batteries personally. You can purchase them from most all marketplaces that sell third-party batteries (eBay, AliExpress, etc.). You may benefit from the tips I'd shared previously. I have found 160's, BTW 😉