Fitbit, a leading wearable technology brand, is facing criticism from users after a mandatory firmware update for its Versa 3 and Sense devices resulted in drastically reduced battery life. The update, intended to address battery overheating issues, has left many users frustrated and concerned about the company's ability to manage battery performance.

The firmware update, which was rolled out last month, was designed to "reduce the risk of battery overheating and reduce battery capacity," according to an official consumer notice from Google, which owns Fitbit. While the update aims to address a critical safety issue, users have reported that their devices' battery life has been significantly impacted, with some devices now barely lasting a single day on a single charge.

On Fitbit's forums and subreddit, users have expressed their dissatisfaction with the update, stating that their devices, which previously lasted between 2-6 days on a single charge, are now requiring daily charging. Many users have also expressed frustration with Fitbit's offer of a $50 credit as an appeasement, considering the significant impact on their device's usability.

This is not the first time Fitbit has faced issues with battery overheating. In 2022, the company was fined $12 million after its Ionic smartwatches were found to have overheated and burned 78 users. Additionally, a lawsuit filed in 2022 alleged that the battery overheating issue was not limited to the Ionic, but also affected other Fitbit devices, including the Versa Lite and Versa 2.

The latest firmware update seems to validate these claims, and users are now questioning whether Fitbit's devices are reliable and safe to use. The company's handling of the issue has also been called into question, with many users expressing frustration with the lack of transparency and communication from Fitbit regarding the update and its impact on battery life.

This incident highlights a broader issue with Fitbit's customer support, which has been criticized in the past for being unresponsive and unhelpful. The company's acquisition by Google has also led to concerns about the integration of Fitbit's technology with Google's ecosystem, and whether this will lead to further issues with device performance and reliability.

As the wearable technology market continues to grow, incidents like this underscore the importance of prioritizing device safety and performance. Fitbit's response to this issue will be closely watched, and the company will need to take concrete steps to address user concerns and rebuild trust in its brand.