Google has officially launched the Fitbit Air, an £85 screen-free wearable that challenges Whoop's dominance in the fitness tracking market. The device, first teased by NBA legend Stephen Curry in early April, is the first new Fitbit tracker in nearly three years and does not require a subscription for basic functionality.
Design and Comfort
The Fitbit Air features a minimalist design with no buttons, weighing just 5.2 grams (12 grams with the band) and measuring 8.3mm thick. It is 25% smaller than the Fitbit Luxe, making it the smallest Fitbit ever created. Google's aim was to eliminate barriers such as complexity, bulkiness, and cost that often deter users from wearing fitness trackers consistently. The device comes with interchangeable bands, including a textile performance loop with micro-adjustable fit, a sweatproof silicone band for workouts, and a premium modern band that doubles as a bracelet. Available colours include obsidian, fog, lavender, and berry.
Health Tracking Features
The Fitbit Air offers comprehensive 24/7 health monitoring, including heart rate, sleep stages, heart rate variability (HRV), blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, respiratory rate, and VO2 max. It can detect irregular heart rhythms indicative of atrial fibrillation (AFib) and provides a daily readiness score and cardio load metrics. The device automatically detects workouts and tracks steps, distance, and activity. Sleep tracking includes a smart wake alarm that uses haptics to gently vibrate at the optimal time within your sleep cycle, a feature absent in Whoop devices.
Google Health App and AI Coach
Most features are powered by the newly rebranded Google Health app, which replaces the Fitbit app. The centrepiece is a Gemini-powered Health Coach that aggregates fitness, sleep, and health data to deliver personalised guidance. The coach adapts to user performance, suggests workouts, highlights trends, and aids recovery. It can integrate data from the Fitbit Air, other devices, apps, and in the US, medical records—with plans to expand to the UK. Users can also log meals and track menstrual cycles. While the AI coach is a premium feature, basic metrics remain free. Google Health Premium is expected to cost around £7.99 per month or £79.99 annually, with three months free included with the Fitbit Air purchase.
Battery and Pricing
The Fitbit Air offers a 7-day battery life and charges magnetically from 0 to 100% in 90 minutes. It is available for pre-order at £84.99, with a launch date of 26 May. Unlike Whoop, no subscription is required for core tracking, making it an accessible option for fitness enthusiasts.
