Google brings Fitbit Air, a Whoop-like screen-free fitness tracker, to India - The Indian Express

Google on Thursday launched the Fitbit Air in India, becoming the latest company to acknowledge the growing market for minimalist, screen-free fitness trackers like Whoop. The device will go on sale on October 2 and is priced at Rs 13,999.

Like its competitors, the Fitbit Air is a screenless fitness band that offers a mix of activity and health tracking. It tracks all the things users would expect from a fitness wearable, including steps, workouts, and sleep. However, what sets the Fitbit Air apart from others is how the band connects all this monitoring and helps users make sense of the data through the revamped Google Health Coach.

Google is using AI to make sense of your fitness and health data. With troves of data collected from wearable sensors, the so-called AI “coach” can spot trends, offer insights, and provide guidance.

Google says Gemini will make the Health Coach more personalised by using the Fitbit data alongside factors such as injuries, nutrition, lifestyle changes, and weather. Gemini is the center of the experience, says Google. The more users share through natural language, the more tailored the coaching becomes. It just get better and accurate over time.

The tracker is compact and discreet and can be worn all day. It comes in three colourways: Obsidian, Berry, Lavender and Fog.

Google says the Fitbit Air improves health tracking, with improved heart-rate monitoring boosting sleep tracking by up to 15 per cent. It can detect naps of 20 minutes or longer, use algorithms to optimise wake-up times, and offers a redesigned sleep score that’s easier to understand.

The Fitbit Air is screen-free, meaning it has no display, and it features automatic activity detection. This makes it great for staying focused while taking part in an activity, without notifications or the unnecessary temptation to check your numbers. All the tracked data is sent to the Google Health app, which works with both iOS and Android devices.

Without a screen, the Fitbit Air also offers long battery life. Google says it can last up to seven days on a single charge using the included magnetic charger. A five-minute fast charge provides up to a day of battery life, while a full charge takes about 90 minutes.

The market for screenless fitness trackers first caught attention with the launch of Whoop a few years ago. The fitness band was initially popularised by a number of celebrity athletes, but the device is now often seen in the hands of CEOs and fitness enthusiasts. As of March 2026, the Will Ahmed-founded startup is valued at more than $10 billion. However, its data-centric approach to health and fitness tracking doesn’t seem to translate into mainstream appeal, something Google hopes to capitalise on with the Fitbit Air.

Since its launch in select international markets, including the US, the Fitbit Air has largely received positive reviews. But while Whoop makes money through subscription fees, Google wants to make the Fitbit Air relatively affordable without recurring fees. Although the Fitbit Air has an optional subscription that unlocks more advanced features, it also comes with three months of Google Health Premium. After the free trial, Google will charge a subscription fee per month to continue accessing the Google Health Coach.

Following in Google’s footsteps, Garmin, long known for its GPS-enabled watches, also launched its own take on the screen-free fitness trackers trend, the Garmin Cirqa, in July. Even Apple is reportedly exploring screenless wearables. Several homegrown Indian players, including Noise, also sells screen-free fitness trackers.

The rise of minimalist, screenless fitness trackers is a sign that the wearables category has matured, with consumers increasingly looking for alternatives to smartwatches like the Apple Watch. Constant notifications and features that consumers rarely use are among the reasons people are choosing simpler, more discreet fitness bands.

Anuj Bhatia is an Assistant Editor at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle. Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University. Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include: Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech. Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture. Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups. Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech. Authoritativeness & Trust Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape. Find all stories by Anuj Bhatia here. You can find Anuj on Linkedin. ... Read More