Owners of certain Fitbit models may see their device's battery life drop after an update imposed by Google. This patch aims to prevent the risk of overheating, but it degrades the performance of the batteries concerned.
After the Pixel 4a, it's the turn of certain Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 to receive an update that reduces their battery life. Google has identified a risk of battery overheating on a limited number of devices and has decided to apply a software fix. But the latter has a problematic side effect: it reduces the battery capacity, and forces users to charge their smartwatch more often.
To compensate for this inconvenience, Google is setting up a program allowing affected users to claim $50 compensation. However, this offer is currently limited to the United States, and Google has not yet confirmed whether users in France and Europe will also be able to benefit from it.
Another frustrating point: no battery replacement option is provided, contrary to what one might expect with a hardware problem. Worse still, if users refuse to install the update update, their watch may reset itself, causing some personal data to be lost.
Google is forcing the update on Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 or risking a reset
Google has started rolling out the update immediately, and all Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 owners will receive the notification in the coming weeks. Once it is available, it must be installed manually. However, those who wait too long may find their device resets automatically. This reset will erase several settings, including alarms, goals, saved payment cards, and notifications, before applying the upgrade without giving users any other choice.
This decision has attracted much criticism, especially since Fitbit does not offer any repair options. Unlike smartphones, smartwatches are difficult to disassemble, and Google does not provide replacements for them, which limits the options. Some users may be tempted to decline the update, but the inability to disable the force reset forces them to accept it. The company hasn’t specified the exact extent of the problem, but it’s possible that even initially unaffected models could see their performance affected, as was the case with the Pixel 4a.
For those who still own a Fitbit Sense or Versa 3, accepting the compensation offer seems to be the only viable option. If the program is extended to Europe, Fitbit will have to clarify its position quickly to avoid a wave of discontent.
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