Google today officially announced the Fitbit Air, a screenless fitness tracker priced at $99.99 that marks a significant shift for the Fitbit brand. The device starts shipping May 26 and is available for pre-order now.
The Fitbit Air strips away the display entirely. All of your health data lives in the new Google Health app, which replaces the Fitbit app and adds Gemini-powered coaching for subscribers. The premise is simple: passive tracking without buzzing notifications or yet another glowing rectangle on your wrist.
Hardware at a Glance
The device consists of a pill-shaped pod (Google calls it "the pebble") that clips into interchangeable bands. The pebble weighs 5.2 grams on its own and 12 grams with the band attached. Dimensions come in at 34.9 x 17 x 8.3mm, making it 25% smaller than the Fitbit Luxe, according to Google.
- Battery life: Up to 7 days; 5 minutes of charging gets you a full day of use
- Water resistance: 50 meters
- Sensors: Optical heart rate (24/7), SpO2, skin temperature, 3-axis accelerometer
- AFib detection: Monitors heart rhythm during rest and sleep
- GPS: Connected (uses your phone)
- Compatibility: Android 11+ and iOS 16.4+
The lack of built-in GPS is notable. If you want on-device route tracking, you'll need to carry your phone or look elsewhere. There's also no altimeter.
The Google Health Ecosystem
The Fitbit Air arrives alongside a broader rebranding effort. The Fitbit app is becoming Google Health, complete with a new heart-shaped logo. The premium tier, now called Google Health Premium, costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually, which is $20 more than the old Fitbit Premium yearly rate.
The key addition is Google Health Coach, an AI assistant built with Gemini that analyzes your sleep, activity, and health metrics to provide personalized recommendations. Every Fitbit Air purchase includes three months of Premium access. After that, the tracker still works without a subscription. You just lose the AI coaching features.
For users already in the Pixel ecosystem, Google now allows you to connect both a Pixel Watch and a Fitbit Air to Google Health simultaneously. You can wear the watch during the day and switch to the Air for sleep tracking. The software handles the handoff automatically.
Who This Is For
The obvious comparison is WHOOP, which starts at $199 per year with mandatory subscription. The Fitbit Air undercuts that by a wide margin, especially since the core tracking features remain accessible after your Premium trial ends. Google is betting there's a large market of people who want continuous health monitoring without notifications, app alerts, or the distraction of a screen.
The Fitbit Air comes in four colors: Obsidian, Fog, Lavender, and Berry. Three band styles are available at launch: the Performance Loop, Active Band (silicone), and Elevated Modern Band. Additional bands start at $34.99. There's also a Stephen Curry Special Edition priced at $129.99, featuring a rye brown and orange colorway with a water-resistant coating.
The device is launching in 20 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Japan, and Australia. At this price point and form factor, Google is clearly aiming for mainstream appeal rather than the hardcore athlete crowd. Whether the AI-powered health coaching justifies an ongoing subscription remains to be seen.
