Google is discontinuing sales of its Fitbit-branded fitness trackers and smartwatches in 28 countries. Instead, the company wants to focus on its Google Pixel devices in some markets. We explain what the Fitbit sales freeze means for you.
Google acquired Fitbit in 2021 for around 2.1 billion US dollars. Since then, the US company has been selling fitness trackers and smartwatches under the brand name. The company has now announced in an official statement that Fitbit sales will be discontinued in 28 countries.
Fitbit: Google is discontinuing sales in these countries
Google itself justifies the decision by stating that the company wants to better align its Fitbit products with the availability of its Pixel devices. The sales stop that has now been announced came as a surprise.
It will affect both the devices themselves as well as the software and corresponding subscriptions. However, there are restrictions. The US company emphasizes:
We will continue to support you and the devices you currently own with software releases, security updates, warranty services and access to customer service.
However, existing Premium subscriptions will no longer be automatically renewed. Instead, they will be switched to the basic service. According to Google, however, it will be possible to take out a new premium subscription in the Fitbit mobile app.
These countries are affected
The company has not announced when exactly Google plans to stop selling its Fitbit devices. Presumably, current stocks will still be sold initially. However, the US company no longer intends to offer new devices in the following EU countries:
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Estonia
- Hungary
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
The following countries outside the EU are also affected:
- Hong Kong
- Korea
- Malaysia
- Thailand
- Philippines
- Argentina
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- Guatemala
- Mexico
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Puerto Rico
- Venezuela
Does the Fitbit sales ban also affect Germany?
Unlike some other EU countries, Germany is not affected by the sales ban. Google only recently launched the Fitbit Charge 6, a current fitness tracker, on the German market.
The device includes a pedometer and a sleep tracker, with which blood oxygen, heart rate and breathing rate can be monitored. Users can also use the Charge 6 fitness tracker to make contactless payments, record routes via Google Maps and listen to music.
