Google has taken an unusual route with Fitbit Air, launching a screenless fitness band that puts health tracking ahead of notifications and app-like interaction. Instead of joining the growing category of display-heavy wearables, the device is designed to stay out of the way while still collecting continuous health data.
That approach places Fitbit Air in direct competition with Whoop, but with one major difference: Google is not tying the device to a required monthly subscription. The band starts at $99.99, is already available for preorder, and supports both Android and iOS.
A fitness band built to disappear on the wrist
Fitbit Air is meant to be worn all day without visual distractions, with health information shown through the Google Health app on a phone rather than on the device itself. Google’s positioning makes the band feel more like a quiet tracker than a traditional wearable, with the goal of helping users stay focused on their activities.
The device also stands apart from many modern wearables because it removes the screen entirely. That choice makes Fitbit Air a simpler option for people who want 24/7 health monitoring without constant glances at incoming alerts.
No required subscription after the trial
One of the biggest details around Fitbit Air is its pricing model. Google includes a three-month trial of Google Health Premium for new users, but after that the band can still be used without the kind of ongoing fee that defines Whoop’s model.
That makes the device appealing to buyers who want health-focused features without committing to a monthly bill. In a wearable market where recurring charges are increasingly common, Google’s approach gives Fitbit Air a different kind of value proposition.
Materials, colors, and band options
Visually, Fitbit Air shares some traits with Whoop because it uses a fabric-style band. Google says the band is designed for comfortable all-day wear, and buyers can choose between Active and Elevated versions.
The available color options are Obsidian, Berry, Lavender, and Fog. The device itself uses recycled polycarbonate and PBT, while the band combines textile with stainless steel.
Health tracking without a display
Even without a screen, Fitbit Air still includes a broad set of sensors for a fitness tracker. It features an optical heart rate monitor, a 3-axis accelerometer with gyroscope, red and infrared sensors for SpO2 monitoring, a device temperature sensor for skin temperature variation in the Google Health app, and a vibration motor.
Google says the band can track 24/7 heart rate, heart rhythm with Afib alerts, SpO2, resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and sleep stages. It also stores up to 7 days of detailed per-minute motion data, 1 day of workout data, 30 days of total daily data, and heart rate readings at 2-second intervals.
Battery life and wearability
Battery life is rated at up to 7 days on a single charge, supported by a lithium-polymer battery. Google says it takes about 90 minutes to go from 0 to 100 percent.
The band is also rated for water resistance up to 50 meters, which keeps it suitable for everyday wear in a wide range of conditions. Its compact size reinforces the low-profile design, measuring 34.9 mm x 17 mm x 8.3 mm without the band.
Lightweight and broadly compatible
Fitbit Air is especially light, at 5.2 grams without the band and 12 grams with it attached. That makes it easy to imagine as a device that can stay on the wrist continuously without drawing attention.
Google is also giving it broad platform support. The band works with Android 11.0 or later and Apple iOS 16.4 or later, and Google has already opened preorder availability ahead of its store launch on 26 May.
