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Smartwatches and Fitness Trackers are still in their infancy. So can you imagine that the first smartwatch-looking and connected watch was part of an initiative called SPOT, Smart Personal Objects Technology, initiated by Microsoft in 2004?
In less than 20 years, the smartwatch market reached USD 22.46 billion in 2021, with Apple as the clear leader. Nearly one out of three smartwatches sold globally is an Apple Watch. In comparison, Fitbit just managed to grab 3.8 % of this vast market.
With so much money at stake, no doubt that smartwatch makers are making everything they can to make you buy new devices regularly. But is it worth it? Does your activity tracker genuinely become obsolete, and do the added perks justify buying a brand new mobile device?
This is what we will aim to answer in this article. First, we will check how long a Fitbit lasts and at what pace you should consider replacing your Fitbit Sense, Fitbit Versa or Fitbit Charge.
Why Should You Update Your Fitbit?
There are several reasons why you should consider buying a new Fitbit device. It could be that your fitness tracker is getting a bit old and you wish to benefit from more features, that your battery is getting a bit weak and does not hold a charge as well as it did, or just that your tastes have changed.
On average, Fitbit updates its products every two years. We think this is a reasonable time frame. When Apple release a new Apple Watch every year, we think that two years is more reasonable as it allows us to benefit from new technologies and features.
Fitbit built quality is high, and you should hardly need to change your Fitbit Sense because of hardware issues. Somehow, as with any electronic device, technical issues can happen. Fitbit products come with a limited one-year warranty that should get you covered.
Fitbit devices were designed in San-Francisco and were built for a long time in China. Most of our electronic gadgets are built there. However, with the introduction of tariffs in 2020, numerous companies, Fitbit included, decided to move their production lines to other South-East Asian countries, namely South Korea and Vietnam. A reasonable concern you may have that will directly impact how long a Fitbit will last is about built quality. But as we mentioned, Fitbit devices are manufactured using high standards, and you should not be too concerned about the manufacturing process.
What Is a Reasonable Timeframe to Change Your Fitbit?
Assuming you are faithful to the Fitbit brand, we think that changing your Fitbit every three years is a great timeframe. This way, you will always benefit from the best technology. As we mentioned, Fitbit introduce new products every two years, but there may be a couple of manufacturing or software bugs in the first batches, as with any new product.
The Fitbit Sense is a perfect example of how initial technical issues can lead to users switching to another brand. Once released during the third quarter of 2020, Fitbit’s flagship device was not perfect, and unsatisfied customers reported battery drain issues.
Our advice is to wait at least six months after a new product is released before buying it. This way, you will not have to experience the initial bugs that will inevitably occur. So now you understand why we suggest changing your Fitbit every three years or every 2.5 years.
How to Prolong the Lifetime of Your Fitbit Tracker or Fitbit Smartwatch?
If you do not feel like investing $200 to $300 every three years, there are simple tricks that will extend the lifetime of your device.
Take Care of Your Fitbit Battery
The battery is always the weakest point of any electronic device. Fitbit batteries are given for approximately 300 to 500 charge cycles. It means that you should be careful when charging your device.
When considering that a Fitbit will last five days on average with a full charge, your watch could last up to four years.
Check the articles below to expand the life of your battery and benefit from a healthy Fitbit device for numerous years.
Be aware that turning on the GPS, the Always-on Display feature, or even using a SpO2 clock face on your Fitbit Sense or Fitbit Versa will directly impact how fast the batteries will get drained if you want to preserve your Fitbit batteries.
Take Care of Your Device and Clean It Regularly
Fitbit products can accompany you in every aspect of your life and fitness routine. Unfortunately, this means that they will get dirty and need to be cleaned regularly.
Even if your Fitbits are waterproof and even can track and analyze your strokes when you swim, a key point to remember is to avoid showering with them. The reason is not that they will be damaged by the water, but showering products will most likely leave oily residues on the sensors or screen.
If you care about your Fitbit, we recommend that you take care of it. This way, it will last longer.
Keep the Firmware and Software up To Date
You may wonder why keeping the firmware and software up to date will extend the life of your smartwatch? The answer is simple. With so much technology packed in an innovative and compact device, the software is essential.
They will control everything from how the sensors work to how the data are processed and even control the batteries. By keeping them up to date, you will ensure that all of the complex pieces of technologies communicate well with each other and operate at maximum efficiency.
Your Fitbit will be at its best by keeping them up to date.
To Wrap Up
If you follow our advice, your Fitbit should last numerous years and be a really valuable investment. After that, the reason why you buy a new one will only be motivated by the need for new features or your desire for a new fashion look.
If properly maintained, a Fitbit band or smartwatch will last up to 5 years which is the theoretical limit of the battery life. Smartwatches are different from analog watches and will certainly not be passed to the next generation, but they will serve you well for the years to come with proper care.
