Google launched the screenless Fitbit Air fitness tracker in India on Wednesday, but the price is ₹13,999 (about $146), apparently positioning it as a premium device. In comparison, the device costs $99 in the US
Unveiled in May, the Fitbit Air has health and fitness tracking, such as 24/7 heart rate monitoring, heart rhythm monitoring with A-fib (atrial fibrillation) alerts, blood oxygen level, resting heart rate, heart rate variability, sleep stages and duration.
The device’s screen-less form factor is a bid to tap into the growing popularity of screen-less devices, as people shy away from screens in favor of distraction-free health gadgets like Whoop’s fitness bands and Oura’s rings — although the new Fitbit is more pocket-friendly.
The health tracking space now has screen-less devices from Garmin, Fitbit founder’s new company, Luffu, as well as from Indian startups like Noise and Urban, which have tried to undercut their Western rivals on price.
Research firm IDC noted in its global wearables report that despite a declining number of wristbands, screen-less trackers are carving out a niche. India currently accounts for only 5% of the screenless wearable market, per Counterpoint Research, and a wearable priced like a premium device might not make a dent in the overall numbers, despite a big name like Fitbit or Google behind it.
The Fitbit Air will be available for purchase in the Google Store and retail partners, including Flipkart, Croma, Reliance Digital, and Vijay Sales, from October 2. Google is also offering a free, three-month Google Health Premium membership with the new band.
If you buy through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This does not affect our editorial independence.