Google joins the screenless fitness tracker arena with the Fitbit Air

Google is entering the screenless fitness tracker market with the Fitbit Air, a new wearable that skips a built-in display entirely to focus on extended battery life and low-profile tracking. This category has been dominated by Whoop, a subscription-first tracker that charges users a recurring fee to access core features. Fitbit Air breaks from that model by offering full functionality without a mandatory subscription, while still offering an optional paid tier for users who want advanced health insights.

What is a screenless fitness tracker?

Screenless fitness trackers have gained popularity among serious athletes and casual users alike for their compact size and long battery life. Without a power-hungry display, these devices can run for days on a single charge, and their smaller form factor makes them easier to wear 24/7, even while sleeping. Whoop popularized this format, but its business model requires a subscription to access core features, a point of friction for many potential users. Fitbit Air removes that barrier, letting anyone buy the device outright and access core tracking features immediately.

Core Tracking Features

The Fitbit Air tracks a standard suite of health metrics around the clock. This includes continuous heart rate monitoring, atrial fibrillation (Afib) alerts via heart rhythm tracking, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) measurements, resting heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), and detailed sleep tracking that breaks down sleep stages and total duration. Google says the device also supports automatic activity detection for common workouts, with the algorithm improving over time as it learns a user’s specific movement patterns.

Battery life is rated at up to 7 days on a single charge, a key advantage over many display-equipped trackers that need daily or every-other-day charging. It also supports fast charging, with just 5 minutes on the included charger providing enough power for a full day of use. This makes it easy to top up the device quickly before a workout or before bed if you forget to charge it earlier.

Band Options and Design

Google designed the Fitbit Air with interchangeable bands that can be swapped in seconds. Three options are available at launch. The Performance Loop is made from recycled materials, with micro-adjustable sizing for a flexible, breathable fit that works well for intense workouts. The Active Band uses sweat-proof silicone with a ribbed design for better grip during exercise. The Elevated Modern Band trades sporty features for a more polished look, designed to double as an everyday bracelet for work or social outings. Replacement bands start at $34.99, so users can switch styles without buying a new device.

Subscription Model: Google Health Premium

While the Fitbit Air works fully without a subscription, Google is offering an optional paid tier called Google Health Premium, the rebranded version of the former Fitbit Premium. It costs $9.99 per month or $99 per year, and is included at no extra cost for subscribers to Google AI Pro and AI Ultra. Past iterations of Fitbit Premium included features like advanced sleep analysis and guided workouts, though Google has not yet detailed the full feature set for the rebranded service.

Ecosystem Integration

The Fitbit Air works with the new Google Health app, a unified health platform that will eventually replace both the existing Fitbit app and the older Google Fit app. This is part of Google’s broader push to consolidate its fragmented health and fitness tools into a single, cohesive ecosystem. The app is compatible with both Android and iOS, so iPhone users can use the Fitbit Air without switching to an Android device, though Android users will get deeper integration with Google’s other services.

Ecosystem Lock-In Considerations

Ecosystem lock-in is a key consideration for wearable buyers, and Fitbit Air sits firmly in Google’s ecosystem. While it works with iOS, features like integration with Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Wallet are only available on Android, and the new Google Health app will eventually become the only way to manage Fitbit devices. Users who already rely on Google’s health tools will find the transition straightforward, but those invested in Apple’s HealthKit or other third-party fitness platforms may find fewer integration options. For Google, the Fitbit Air is a way to bring more users into its health ecosystem, especially as it phases out the standalone Fitbit app in favor of the unified Google Health platform.

Pricing and Availability

The base Fitbit Air is available for pre-order today at $99.99, with all purchases including a 3-month trial of Google Health Premium. Google is also launching a Special Edition model made in collaboration with NBA superstar Stephen Curry, priced at $129.99, which goes on sale May 26. Replacement bands are available starting at $34.99, with all accessories sold separately.

Source: GSMArena