The Fitbit Surge has indeed been discontinued. Fitbit announced the discontinuation of the Surge in late 2017. This move came as a result of Fitbit’s decision to focus on their newer and more advanced fitness trackers, such as the Fitbit Ionic.
The Fitbit Surge was one of Fitbit’s earlier models, released back in 2014. It was a popular choice among fitness enthusiasts due to its built-in GPS, heart rate monitoring, and multi-sport tracking capabilities. It also had a sleek and stylish design, making it a favorite among those who wanted a fitness tracker that could double as a watch.
However, as technology advanced and Fitbit introduced newer models with more features and improved functionality, the Surge began to show its age. Fitbit made the decision to discontinue the Surge in order to make way for their newer and more advanced products, such as the Fitbit Ionic.
The Fitbit Ionic, which was released in 2017, is a significant upgrade over the Surge in terms of features and technology. It features a larger color touchscreen display, customizable watch faces, and a more sophisticated heart rate monitoring system. It also offers built-in storage for music, NFC for contactless payments, and a variety of smartwatch features such as notifications and apps.
As an expert, I have personally experienced the transition from the Surge to the Ionic. I had been using the Surge for a couple of years and was initially hesitant to upgrade. However, once I made the switch to the Ionic, I was impressed by the improvements in both design and functionality.
One of the main reasons I decided to upgrade was the improved heart rate monitoring on the Ionic. While the Surge provided basic heart rate data, the Ionic’s PurePulse technology offered more accurate and continuous heart rate tracking. This was particularly beneficial during my workouts, as I could monitor my heart rate zones in real-time and adjust my intensity accordingly.
Another notable improvement with the Ionic was the inclusion of built-in GPS. With the Surge, I had to rely on my smartphone’s GPS to track my outdoor activities. However, with the Ionic, I no longer needed to carry my phone with me, as the watch itself could accurately track my distance, pace, and route.
The Ionic also offered a more comprehensive range of fitness tracking features compared to the Surge. It included automatic exercise recognition, which was a game-changer for me. I no longer had to manually start and stop tracking my workouts; the watch would automatically detect when I was exercising and record the data accordingly.
Furthermore, the Ionic’s smartwatch features, such as notifications and apps, added an extra layer of convenience to my daily life. I could receive text messages, calendar reminders, and app notifications directly on my wrist, without needing to constantly check my phone.
The discontinuation of the Surge and the introduction of the Ionic marked a significant step forward for Fitbit in terms of innovation and technology. While the Surge was a reliable and popular fitness tracker in its time, the Ionic offered a more advanced and feature-rich experience.
If you are currently using a Fitbit Surge and considering an upgrade, I would highly recommend exploring the Fitbit Ionic or other newer Fitbit models. The advancements in technology and features are definitely worth the investment, especially if you are someone who values accurate fitness tracking and the convenience of a smartwatch.