Are Fitbit gadgets nonetheless value shopping for in 2024?

Google acquired Fitbit barely greater than three years ago at this point. Since then, we have seen loads of Fitbit options trickle their approach to Google’s merchandise. The Google Pixel Watch 2 is ripe with Fitbit options, a lot in order that Cam Bunton, who reviewed the Pixel Watch 2 for Pocket-lint, dubbed it a “Fitbit in disguise.”

When Google picked up Fitbit, some surmised that it did so, partially, to fast-track its health-tracking options and profit from Fitbit’s healthcare ties. On the time, the search large wasn’t immediately competing with Apple and Samsung in that area, so buying an organization that had been doing nicely within the house for many years made sense. However the place does that depart Fitbit now? Not like with Garmin, the reply shouldn’t be so easy.

What’s going on with Fitbit?

Whereas Google’s touches are displaying up on Fitbit gadgets, it virtually appears like an afterthought. AI is the first Google tech that has trickled into Fitbit, which is not shocking. Introduced in October 2023, Fitbit Labs (which can solely be accessible to Premium subscribers) will use AI that can assist you perceive the information it gathers, giving extra in-depth well being insights and training tailor-made to your particular wants. Google initially mentioned this might launch in early 2024, however as of but, there’s been no phrase on when precisely it is going to be accessible for customers.

Past Fitbit Labs, the main target appears to be on Google’s wearables and fewer so on Fitbit’s. There have not been many releases from bearing the Fitbit identify. Exterior of the kid-focused Fitbit Ace LTE, the latest mainline tracker Fitbit introduced was Charge 6 again in September 2023. Whereas the Cost 6 actually has lots of wins, it’s a expensive possibility for a health tracker and lags behind different choices, partially due to the reliance on subscriptions.

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Fitbit has additionally been riddled with problems over the previous few years. There have been a number of main service outages within the final 12 months, it sundown the extremely well-liked group options and Challenges, and it quietly stopped promoting gadgets in over a dozen international locations. Some customers additionally talked about {that a} firmware replace killed their health tracker’s battery life. Most just lately, Google removed all third-party apps and clock faces in Europe as a consequence of regulatory points. In speaking to pals with Fitbits, they’ve talked about what number of points they’ve had the previous few years and the way there’s restricted assist for his or her merchandise as nicely.

All of these points are actually regarding and make us query what is going on with the corporate. It appears like Google is making an attempt to push clients to Google wearables whereas borrowing the well being tech that made Fitbit so nice for thus lengthy.

Is Fitbit value shopping for in 2024?

Realizing all the problems plaguing the model, it begs the query of whether or not Fitbits are value shopping for at this level. Whereas most firms are extra targeted on higher-end smartwatches, which was not Fitbit’s forte, there are nonetheless plenty of nice health tracker choices.

Amazfit is a superb funds model for health trackers (and extra superior smartwatches), and each Polar and Garmin make a handful of health trackers as nicely. Plus, Apple and Samsung, whereas extra smartwatch-focused, supply lots of the similar options as Fitbit.

With so many different choices in the marketplace which can be actively receiving assist and new options and never experiencing main outages, it is laborious to counsel a Fitbit. Plus, I’ve by no means been a fan of the subscription model of Fitbit. The choices above offer you strong entry to well being and health monitoring and steerage with out paying for a subscription on prime of the charge to buy the wearable to start with. Whereas there are actually worthy Fitbits nonetheless in the marketplace, we would counsel spending your cash on a tool that’s extra more likely to get long-term assist and lets you use it with none further charges.