Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 Battery Performance Program: Difference between revisions
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The Google Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 | The Google Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 are Smart Watches / Fitness Trackers designed, developed and marketed by [[Fitbit]], now owned by [[Google]]. Both devices have reached their end of support. Google announced its Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 Battery Performance Program to users<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 Battery Performance Program |url=https://support.google.com/fitbit/answer/15763108 |url-status=live |access-date=22 Mar 2025 |website=[[Google]]}}</ref>: | ||
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
Google has determined that certain Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 devices require a mandatory firmware update to prevent the battery from overheating and possibly burning the user. An automatic update to the firmware will roll out to all affected Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 devices starting January 8, 2025. For some devices ("Impacted Devices"), '''the software update reduces available battery capacity and impacts charging performance.''' [...] users of these Impacted Devices are eligible for an appeasement from Google." | Google has determined that certain Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 devices require a mandatory firmware update to prevent the battery from overheating and possibly burning the user. An automatic update to the firmware will roll out to all affected Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 devices starting January 8, 2025. For some devices ("Impacted Devices"), '''the software update reduces available battery capacity and impacts charging performance.''' [...] users of these Impacted Devices are eligible for an appeasement from Google." | ||
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</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
'''[https://support.google.com/fitbit/answer/15763108 Google's FAQ]''' | |||
[[File:Fitbit-sense-firmware-update.jpg|right|204x204px|Caption]] | [[File:Fitbit-sense-firmware-update.jpg|right|204x204px|Caption]] | ||
==Compensation<!-- Written in present tense, as this situation is ongoing as of February, 6th 2025. -->== | ==Compensation<!-- Written in present tense, as this situation is ongoing as of February, 6th 2025. -->== | ||
Request form if users are unsure if their device is affected. Note: If yes, you will get an email stating you are eligible for the | Request form if users are unsure if their device is affected. Note: If yes, you will get an email stating you are eligible for the [https://support.google.com/fitbit/contact/fitbit_sense_and_versa_3_registration $50 appeasement payment]. | ||
Google has not asked users for any proof of purchase | Google has not asked users for any proof of purchase | ||
The only way to determine if a user's Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 is an "Impacted Device they must fill out this form and will be notified via email."<ref>https://support.google.com/fitbit/contact/fitbit_sense_and_versa_3_registration | The only way to determine if a user's Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 is an "Impacted Device they must fill out this form and will be notified via email."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Appeasement registration form |url=https://support.google.com/fitbit/contact/fitbit_sense_and_versa_3_registration |url-status=live |access-date=22 Mar 2025 |website=[[Google]]}}</ref> | ||
Compensation: | Compensation: | ||
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==Aftermath of software update== | ==Aftermath of software update== | ||
According to | According to Google, Users with "Impacted Devices" can expect to encounter decreased battery capacity.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Nickolas |date=23 Jan 2025 |title=Fitbit has a battery overheating problem and here's what to do if you have one |url=https://www.yahoo.com/tech/fitbit-battery-overheating-problem-heres-200118269.html?guccounter=1 |url-status=live |access-date=22 Mar 2025 |website=[[yahoo!]]}}</ref> | ||
Google has also received a 12.5 million dollar penalty for failure to immediately report serious burn hazards with their Ionic Smartwatches<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 Jan 2025 |title=Fitbit Agrees to Pay $12.25 Million Civil Penalty for Failure to Immediately Report Serious Burn Hazard with Ionic Smartwatches |url=https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2025/Fitbit-Agrees-to-Pay-12-25-Million-Civil-Penalty-for-Failure-to-Immediately-Report-Serious-Burn-Hazard-with-Ionic-Smartwatches |url-status=live |access-date=22 Mar 2025 |website=[[CPSC]]}}</ref> | |||
<ref>https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2025/Fitbit-Agrees-to-Pay-12-25-Million-Civil-Penalty-for-Failure-to-Immediately-Report-Serious-Burn-Hazard-with-Ionic-Smartwatches</ref> | |||
===Aging lithium-ion batteries=== | ===Aging lithium-ion batteries=== | ||
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*Physical expansion & contraction stress during charging cycles | *Physical expansion & contraction stress during charging cycles | ||
*Potential for dendrite formation in aged cells | *Potential for dendrite formation in aged cells | ||
*Increased internal resistance over time<ref>https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378775320301476</ref> | *Increased internal resistance over time<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chu |first=Tien-Fu |last2=Rajendran |first2=Raja |last3=Kuznetsova |first3=Iren |last4=Wang |first4=Gou-Jen |date=31 Mar 2020 |title=High-power, non-enzymatic glucose biofuel cell based on a nano/micro hybrid-structured Au anode |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378775320301476 |url-status=live |access-date=22 Mar 2025 |website=ScienceDirect}}</ref> | ||
*The company states that a limited-number of units are affected. This would suggest a manufacturing batch issue<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fitbit issues battery overheating warning over two of its most popular watches – and it might compensate you if you're affected {{!}} | *The company states that a limited-number of units are affected. This would suggest a manufacturing batch issue<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warwick |first=Stephen |date=22 Jan 2025 |title=Fitbit issues battery overheating warning over two of its most popular watches – and it might compensate you if you're affected {{!}} |url=https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/smartwatches/fitbit-issues-battery-overheating-warning-over-two-of-its-most-popular-watches-and-it-might-compensate-you-if-youre-affected |url-status=live |access-date=22 Mar 2025 |website=techradar}}</ref> | ||
===Potential manufacturing variables=== | ===Potential manufacturing variables=== | ||
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*Quality control variations between production runs | *Quality control variations between production runs | ||
These technical considerations suggest the update may be a preventative measure against potential battery safety issues, rather than planned obsolescence. However, Google's limited transparency about the specific technical justification has left users unable to verify this interpretation.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/good-news-bad-news-pixel-4a-is-getting-an-update-but-it-reduces-battery-life/</ref> | These technical considerations suggest the update may be a preventative measure against potential battery safety issues, rather than planned obsolescence. However, Google's limited transparency about the specific technical justification has left users unable to verify this interpretation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Purdy |first=Kevin |date=7 Jan 2025 |title=Google Pixel 4a gets an unexpected update: Lower battery life |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/good-news-bad-news-pixel-4a-is-getting-an-update-but-it-reduces-battery-life/ |url-status=live |access-date=22 Mar 2025 |website=ArsTechnica}}</ref> | ||
==Criticism by community== | ==Criticism by community== | ||
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[[Category:Incidents]] | [[Category:Incidents]] | ||
[[Category:Fitbit | [[Category:Fitbit]] | ||