Is Fitbit still made in China

Fitbitquietly pulled its products from over a dozen countries

Fitbit is no longer selling its products in several countries spanning Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

The news, first spotted by Android Authority, was confirmed on two separate Fitbit support pages. The official list of confirmed countries affected includes Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hong Kong, Hungary, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Thailand. More vaguely, the support pages say Fitbit will also stop selling products in the broader Latin American countries.

South Africa is also on the list, per an interview with South African publication TechCentral. Google, which finished its acquisition of Fitbit in early 2021, told the publication that it has decided to stop selling both Fitbit and Nest products in select countries to align our hardware portfolio to map closer to Pixels regional availability. Weve reached out to Google and Fitbit for further comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Despite no longer making products available in certain countries, Fitbit did say existing customers would still receive support in the way of software releases, security updates, warranty fulfillments, and customer support. Despite that pledge, there was at least one inconvenient hurdle for Premium subscribers. Fitbit Premium auto-renewals stopped as of August 11th in Asia and October 23rd in Europe. Those affected were given a free month of Premium before being reverted back to the basic plan though confusingly, Fitbit said they could resubscribe to regain access to Premium features.

All in all, this is yet another growing pain in the Google-Fitbit integration. Fitbit has long been a global brand, even though its struggled since smartwatches started outpacing fitness trackers in popularity. Youd think this would be a way for Google to maintain that global customer base. However, if it is indeed the case that Google is trying to scale down Fitbit to Pixel availability, it seems to be another sign of which lineup it sees as leading its wearable ambitions and resources. Given Pixels more limited global availability, its disappointing to see.

Fitbit's just made its first big mistake of 2024 are its devices still worth buying?

Reports are surfacing that Fitbit Charge 5 devices are being rendered unusable recently, allegedly by Fitbits most recent firmware update, with one of the most common complaints being a shortened battery life. Not all Charge 5s are affected, but there have been outcries from hundreds of users that are left with a dud device, although Fitbit has flat-out denied its because of the most recent firmware update.

Its a shame, because the Fitbit Charge 5 was, for a long time, one of the best Fitbits you can buy before it was replaced in its range by the updated Fitbit Charge 6, which is a fine fitness tracker, but didnt review as well. With many Charge 5s going down after the firmware update, some users are self-reporting being offered up to 35% off the price of a new Fitbit Charge 6.

Unfortunately, this first gaff of 2024 comes hot on the heels of a very disappointing 2023. Underwhelming releases (apart from the excellent Google Pixel Watch 2), controversies over the handling of sensitive health data, and the fury over the redesigned app and gutted community features have left Fitbit in a very different state than it was when Google acquired it. Existing Fitbit users have been at the brunt of this gradual decline, and still are - most Charge 5 owners are legacy Fitbit users, as its a much older device.

Of course, this isnt to say Fitbit is totally worth investing in if youre thinking of buying one in 2024. The Google Pixel Watch 2 smartwatch and Fitbit Inspire 3 fitness tracker both reviewed very well, with the latter being a great choice for people looking for a cheap, reliable way to track health and fitness metrics without forking out lots of cash for one of the best smartwatches.

The Fitbit app, although it has axed some legacy features, is still very usable for new joiners even without paying for the additional Fitbit Premium content. Getting a Fitbit Inspire 3 remains a great way to help you get active, and record your progress.

While Fitbits recent track record doesnt inspire confidence, the basic Fitbit Inspire 3, the stylish Luxe, the excellent Versa 3 and its flagship Pixel Watch 2 remain fantastic devices, so theres plenty to like about Fitbit still. Wed say these devices, along with the Charge 6, are still worth buying, and Fitbit Premium remains an outstanding service. However, Fitbits obstinate denial that there is a widespread problem with Charge 5 devices is just adding fuel onto the mounting fire of distrust, driving existing users away and causing itself problems down the line.

Fitbit is no longer synonymous with fitness tracking in the same way it was when it debuted in 2009, especially now its got renewed competition not just from smartwatches, but also the best smart rings and the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Fit 3.

Google will have to fight hard to keep its market share in the face of such competitors, producing high-quality devices, and high-quality content for its apps, and generally ensuring its output is of an excellent standard. Bricking hundreds of copies of one of its best devices isnt the best start, and if the last couple of years is anything to go by, Google has started as it means to go on.

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Fitbit Models by Year: A Guide to Fitbit Devices by Release Date

With so many Fitbit devices on the market, it can be challenging to keep track of each models release date. In this comprehensive guide, Ill provide an overview of all Fitbit models by year, including their pictures, release dates, and whether they are a watch or a wristband.

Whether youre a fitness enthusiast or a tech enthusiast, this guide will help you understand the different Fitbit models available and choose the best one for your needs.

If youre looking for an in-depth Fitbit comparison chart click here

Fitbit Models by Year of Release Chart

There are several types of Fitbits available in the market. The table below lists all Fitbit models, their pictures, their release dates, and whether they are a clip, watch, or wristband:

NB: The above table only includes some of the most popular Fitbit models, and other models may be available that are not listed here. Additionally, some models have been discontinued.

How many versions of Fitbit are there?

The exact number of Fitbit versions can be difficult to pin down as the company has released different models over the years, some of which have been discontinued.

As of April 2023, Fitbit offers the following trackers and watches for purchase:

• Trackers: Fitbit Ace, Fitbit Inspire HR, Fitbit Inspire 2, Fitbit Charge 5, Fitbit Luxe, and Fitbit Inspire 3.
• Watches: Fitbit Versa 2, Fitbit Versa 3, Fitbit Sense, Fitbit Versa 4, and Fitbit Sense 2.

NB: Some Fitbit devices not listed above are still available through third-party sellers or refurbished options.

Related: How Much Does a Fitbit Cost?

Discontinued Fitbit Models (Devices no longer supported)

Fitbit has discontinued several devices over the years as they release new models with updated features.

Clip-on Fitbit trackers discontinued include Fit Tracker, Fitbit Ultra, Fitbit One, Fitbit Zip,

Wristband Fitbit trackers discontinued include Fitbit Flex, Fitbit Flex 2, Fitbit Force, Fitbit Charge, Fitbit Charge HR, Fitbit Charge 2, Fitbit Charge 3, Fitbit Charge 4, Fitbit Alta, Fitbit Alta HR, and Fitbit Alta HR.

Fitbit smartwatches discontinued include Fitbit Surge, Fitbit Blaze, Fitbit Ionic, and Fitbit Versa

NB: Even though the old Fitbit models are discontinued, they may still be available through third-party sellers like Amazon.com and eBay. The Fitbit old models are no longer supported by Fitbit.

FAQs

Which is the oldest Fitbit?

The oldest Fitbit model is the Fitbit Classic. The clip-on Fitbit tracker was released in 2009 and it tracked steps and sleep. The water-resistant activity tracker had a decent battery life of up to 7 days. While the first Fit bit didnt have all the features of newer Fitbit models, the Classic was a simple and affordable way to track your activity and sleep.

What is the latest device from Fitbit?

As of July 2023, the newest Fitbit watch is the Google Pixel Watch. (Yes, you read that right! Google now owns Fitbit since January 2021.) The Google Pixel Watch was released in October 2022.The latest wristband from Fitbit is the Fitbit Inspire 3. The Fitbit newest model was released in September 2022.

How do I know what model my old Fitbit is?

When did Fitbit come out?

Fitbit, the company known for its fitness tracking devices, was founded on March 26, 2007, in San Francisco, California. The first Fitbit device, called the Fitbit Tracker, was released in 2009. The Fitbit tracked sleep and steps only and had a 7-day battery life.

What is the Fitbit Force release date?

The Fitbit Force, a wrist-worn activity tracker, was released in October 2013. Fitbit, working with the Consumer Protection Safety Commission, recalled the Fitbit Force in February 2014 due to reports of skin irritation experienced by some users.

What is the Fitbit Flex release date?

The Fitbit Flex was released on May 2013. It was one of the early wrist-worn activity trackers introduced by Fitbit and gained significant popularity for its sleek design and functionality. The Fitbit tracked steps and sleep only and had a 5-day battery life.NB: The Fitbit Flex is among the older Fitbit models discontinued by Fitbit.

Is Fitbit Charge 4 discontinued?

Yes, the Fitbit Charge 4, which was released in March 2020 has been discontinued by the manufacturer. It is among the Fitbit older models and was replaced by the Fitbit Charge 5, released in September 2021.

Conclusion

Fitbit has come a long way since its initial launch in March 2007. With dozens of models released over the years, the company has provided various options for fitness enthusiasts and tech enthusiasts alike.

In this post, weve provided an overview of popular Fitbit models by year, including their release date, their pictures, and whether they are a watch or a wristband.

Whether youre looking to purchase a new Fitbit or just curious about the different models that have been released, this Fitbit models by year guide can serve as a helpful resource.

Yahoo Finance

Fitbit's (NYSE: FIT) stock plunged about 70% over the past three years as its growth decelerated and competitors saturated the market. The wearables maker expects its revenue to rise just 1%-4% this year as its bottom line stays in the red.

Fitbit's dismal performance likely convinced many investors to avoid other wearable makers and stick with better-diversified players like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) or Garmin that sell wearables as a side business.

However, one wearables maker is still generating growth that puts Fitbit to shame: Huami (NYSE: HMI), the Chinese wearables maker that went public last February.

Image source: Amazfit.

Meet the "Fitbit of China"

Huami produces Xiaomi's (NASDAQOTH: XIACF) popular Mi Band fitness trackers, as well as its own Amazfit wearables and smartwatches. Xiaomi owns almost a fifth of Huami, and Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun owns another fifth of the company.

Xiaomi controlled 13.3% of the world's wearables market in the first quarter according to IDC, putting it in second place after Apple's 25.8% share. Fitbit, the former market leader, ranked fifth with a 5.9% share. Xiaomi's share expanded year-over-year, while Apple and Fitbit's shares declined.

Xiaomi's Mi Band devices are popular because they're much cheaper than Fitbit's comparable products. The Mi Band 3, which costs less than $30, lasts for 20 days on a single charge and sports a full-color OLED touchscreen with heart rate and activity trackers. Huami's own Amazfit smartwatches, which mainly cost $100 to $200, offer features similar to those of Fitbit's pricier Ionic and Versa watches.

How fast is Huami growing?

Huami consistently generated double-digit sales growth after its IPO in February 2018, and it's profitable by both GAAP and non-GAAP metrics. Here's how it fared over the past year.

YOY = Year-over-year growth. RMB terms. Source: Huami quarterly reports.

Huami's growth decelerated significantly in the first quarter, but it also faced tough year-over-year comparisons. Huami's total shipments rose 17% annually to 5.6 million, as its gross margin expanded 220 basis points to 27.2% thanks to economies of scale, supply chain improvements, and robust sales of higher-margin Amazfit devices.

Image source: Xiaomi.

For comparison, Fitbit's device shipments rose 36% annually to 2.9 million last quarter, but it faced an easy comparison to a 27% drop a year earlier. Fitbit's adjusted gross margin plunged from 47.1% to 34.2% due to its growing dependence on lower-margin smartwatches and two one-time charges from warranties and an insurance claim.

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How Xiaomi supports Huami

Xiaomi shoulders all the costs of designing, manufacturing, marketing, and distributing Huami's Xiaomi-branded devices. Huami only books operating expenses for the development and marketing of its own Amazfit devices.

This partnership is controversial since Huami would be unprofitable without Xiaomi's support. But it helped Huami keep a tight rein on its operating expenses, which rose just 1.5% annually last quarter. Its operating margin rose from 1.5% to 9.7%. Fitbit posted an operating loss last quarter, even after it reduced its operating expenses by 13%.

The bears argue that Huami's dependence on Xiaomi is risky. However, Xiaomi and its CEO control about 40% of the company -- so I doubt the partnership will end anytime soon. Furthermore, Huami is gradually reducing its dependence on Xiaomi by selling more Amazfit devices.

I'd consider buying Huami, but I'd still avoid Fitbit

Huami and Fitbit are both trading below their IPO prices, but Huami clearly has a brighter future.

Wall Street expects Huami's revenue and earnings to rise 34% and 15%, respectively, this year and the stock trades at just six times that earnings estimate. Fitbit is expected to squeeze out low single-digit sales growth this year as its bottom line stays in the red.

I'm not eager to buy Huami since the U.S.-China trade war is casting a pall over most Chinese stocks. But if trade tensions wane, I'd consider buying this stock before the market realizes that it's significantly undervalued relative to its growth potential.

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Leo Sun owns shares of Apple. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Apple and Fitbit. The Motley Fool has the following options: long January 2020 $150 calls on Apple and short January 2020 $155 calls on Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.