Google launches its first screenless Fitbit device in India, targeting the competitive wearable market with a focus on battery longevity and seamless app integration, while aiming to carve out a premium niche amidst lower-priced rivals.
Google has launched the Fitbit Air in India, bringing its first screenless fitness tracker to a market that is already crowded with lower-priced rivals but still short on direct competition from the biggest names in wearables. The device will go on sale on October 2 at ₹13,999, according to reports from Economic Times, Beebom, Gizmochina and TechCrunch. It will be sold through the Google Store and selected retail partners, with colour options including Obsidian, Berry, Lavender and Fog.
The Fitbit Air is designed around a small, pebble-like sensor module that clips into interchangeable bands, rather than a traditional display-led smartwatch form factor. That approach puts all interaction on the wrist to one side and shifts the experience to the Google Health app, where readings and recommendations are presented on the phone. Android Central said the tracker uses a new cross-platform Google Health app on both Android and iPhone, while Google is also positioning the device as a companion to Pixel Watch owners who may want a lighter device for overnight wear.
Its health-tracking suite covers 24/7 heart rate monitoring, heart rhythm tracking with AFib alerts, blood oxygen saturation, resting heart rate and heart rate variability. The device also records sleep stages and sleep duration, and TechCrunch reported that it includes automatic workout and routine detection. The company is pitching the device as a more passive, always-on tracker that is meant to be worn day and night without the distraction of a screen.
Battery performance is one of its main selling points. Google says the Fitbit Air can last for up to seven days on a charge, and a five-minute top-up is enough for a full day of use, according to Beebom and Techoper. The device ships with a Performance Loop band made from recycled material, while buyers can also choose optional Active and Elevated Modern bands for exercise or dressier use. Google is also bundling a three-month trial of Google Health Premium, which unlocks the full Health Coach experience before a paid subscription becomes necessary.
The India launch arrives as the screenless fitness band category is becoming more competitive. Noise has already introduced the REP Band at ₹9,999 with no subscription requirement, while Amazfit’s Helio Strap is priced at ₹8,999 and also avoids a subscription model. TechCrunch noted that Whoop, which helped define the category, is still not officially sold in India, although unofficial units are available at a far higher cost and require an annual subscription. Against that backdrop, the Fitbit Air enters the market at the premium end, with Google relying on its ecosystem, app integration and Pixel tie-in to justify the higher price.
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