What you need to know

• Google is reportedly rolling out its first update for the Fitbit Air to Android and iOS users late this week.
• The company didn't state much aside from "bug fixes" in its patch notes, drumming up hope that many early Fitbit Air issues are getting fixed.
• Shortly after the device launched, Google highlighted its commitment to fix issues, such as those for its automatic workout detection, and more for the Health app.

The Google Fitbit Air is the latest device on consumers' minds for its screen-less appeal, like Whoop. The wearable is getting its first software patch in June, which is not as detailed as we would like.

Late this week, Google started rolling out an update to the Fitbit Air, its first since its launch in late May. The folks at 9to5Google spotted the update, noting it's slowly rolling out to Android devices as v67.20001.253.2. The post adds that the update isn't as widespread yet, meaning most Androids are likely still waiting for the patch to arrive. When it does, Google's kept its changelog pretty light.

The publication says the company only lists "bug fixes and general improvements" as the core of this first patch. While Google hasn't highlighted much, there's a lot it's been working on behind-the-scenes. The Fitbit Air and the updated (rebranded) Google Health app debuted as a duo. However, early impressions of the Health app left users feeling like it was a bit unfinished.

Android Central's Sanuj Bhatia reported on this, highlighting several missing features from the Health app. The Fitbit Air wasn't excluded from scrutiny, either, but Google has come forward with a commitment to fixing both sides.

Light as air

Shortly after everything debuted, Google brought attention to its faults and errors in the Health app and the Fitbit Air. The app was receiving fixes for workout tracking and sleep scores. It also rolled out fixes for the app's connectivity with the Fitbit Air. What's more, the company said users would soon get an option to customize the Health dashboards and rearrange their metrics.

Google claims that it's working on better automatic workout detection, as well as "inconsistencies" with workout data. The only issue is that, if Google had fixed these glaring Fitbit issues, surely it would've been highlighted in this week's patch. That's not to say it's not worked these improvements into its new update, though. We'll have to wait and see the overall user sentiments after the majority receive it.

Early Fitbit Air users were struggling with the device since a Health update wasn't available after pre-orders. That's since been patched (or, at least, should've been), seeing as we're late in June now.

As our reviewer Nick Sutrich put it, the Fitbit Ace LTE redefines what I thought a smartwatch for kids could be. It is one of the most fun pieces of modern tech for children, almost making me wish my grown-up Pixel Watch was this fun! The UI is very colorful and full of cute characters, exciting animations, and dynamic game-based prompts, tools, and activities.

Google did an outstanding job with the Fitbit Ace LTE, equipping it with bare necessities like health and fitness tracking, GPS tracking, LTE connectivity, and quick charging, as well as some incredibly exciting extras.

For more than half off during Prime Day, this Fitbit Ace LTE deal is only good until the end of the day today. So if your child has been begging you for a cool new smartwatch, you better run to buy it at this bottom-of-the-barrel price.

• Prime Day June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: You want a premium-grade smartwatch with fitness and tracking features especially designed to engage kids.

❌Skip this deal if: You want a kids' smartwatch with sleep tracking.

The Fitbit Ace LTE is the perfect starter "smartphone" for children. It gives them access to important features like calls, texts, and GPS tracking, but at the same time, it also limits their access to the internet in a key way: it doesn't have social media or internet browsers.

This mix of crucial features and restricted access is what makes the Google Fitbit Ace a fantastic smartwatch for children and one of the best ways to start them out on phones and internet access.

Your children can learn how to manage money and how to stay fit in a fun, gamified way using the Fitbit Ace. The watch has "Daily Quests" for healthier living, a point-based activity system, and six games preloaded onto the watch that require them to move about and engage in physical activity.

What I love is that Google regularly drops new updates for the Fitbit Ace, with new games added seasonally, as well as features like "Family Chat" and "School Time". Children can even have virtual pets within the watch called Eejies. Here's how Nick Sutrich, our reviewer, described Eejies:

"Eejies feel a bit like a cross between Tamagotchi and Animal Crossing. Daily activity will grant rewards in the form of outfits and furniture for their Eejie's rooms, and new watchbands from Fitbit unlock exclusive outfits that match the bands. It's an incredible experience that's unlike any other smartwatch on the market, and it's made just for kids!"

Sutrich's kid adored the Fitbit Ace LTE so much, he went on to say that it has become their favorite smartwatch. At 51% off, this is an epic deal for a really well built kids' smartwatch.

What you need to know

• Google Health app receives a June update this week, bringing back "Hourly Activity" to the Today and Health tabs.
• Google's also giving Android users better customization tools, alongside Nap recording, which will head to iOS in a future patch.
• The Google Health app debuted around the time of the Fitbit Air's launch, but it was missing some classic features users were accustomed to.

Google Health is the new future for the Fitbit app. This week, the company detailed a massive v5.02 patch that's bringing updates Android users desperately need.

This morning (June 18), Google detailed an update that's rolling out now for Android and iOS devices. This patch will arrive "in phases" over the next few weeks, so reception times will vary from device to device. Two updates this week concern Android specifically. In the Health tab, Google says it's made it easier for Android users to "re-order Key Metrics." Users can now hit Customize > long-press desired chart > drag to new location.

iPhone users will have to wait for v5.03 of the Google Health app for this. Another update hitting Androids only is "Naps." The app is giving more attention to recorded naps, highlighting them in a separate tab within the daily Sleep Score view. The next update will bring this to iOS.

More sleep data updates head to both Android and iOS this week, such as a better understanding of your restlessness. Users can now delete sleep sessions and edit them, which was an issue Google says some had reported.

The "Today" tab welcomes you to the app, and that's receiving upgrades, too. With v5.02, Google is adding "more metrics." It states this was done to give users an expanded metric focus without needing to switch between tabs. What's more, similar to reordering your Key Metrics, users will find easier reordering controls for Today tab metrics.

On the fitness front, Hourly Activity returns to the Google Health app. Charts for your step goals per hour can be found in the Today and Health tabs. Users can hit the customize button on their Today tab to add this chart. Google's also fixing issues with this feature, including incorrect "step and distance" reports and more for biking.

Health app made some changes

Around the time that the Fitbit Air launched, Google was talking about its Health app, which replaced the former's app. We were told early on that we would miss a few features the Fitbit app had. A few of the classics (sleep profile, badges, social aspect) were going away. For badges, Google said its AI-driven health coach would keep you up to date and congratulate you on making progress. The same AI approach was taken with its sleep profile and badges.

The animal-based summaries are gone, replaced by a Q&A session with the AI about sleep management. Google started fixing some issues with the app shortly after, in May, which affected workout tracking and sleep scores.

Android Central's Take

A few of the features rolling out this month were teased back in May by Google. The company was aware early on of what users wanted, and it seems it made it a goal to get them out. We'll probably see these types of updates again as Google figures out and polishes the app until it's in a good place. It's on its way, but could probably use some more attention.

Google wearable fans have long clamored for a minimal Pixel tracker, and the brand somewhat answered the call with the Fitbit Air. While it bears the Fitbit brand name rather than the Pixel name, it's a Google fitness band nonetheless. The screenless tracker is incredibly tiny, taking up less space on the wrist than a Whoop band. In many ways, the Fitbit Air serves as an alternative to traditional smartwatches, so how does it stack up against the Google Pixel Watch 4?

One thing's clear — the Pixel Watch 4 and the Fitbit Air aren't completely at odds. Sure, if you need a no-frills fitness tracker with a low-profile design, the Fitbit Air is for you. The same could be said of the Pixel Watch 4 for those who want advanced smartwatch features, such as dual-band GPS, Wear OS 6, or LTE connectivity. However, the Fitbit Air and the Pixel Watch 4 also work better together, and the former makes a great sleep tracking companion, allowing you to charge the latter overnight.

The jump from the $99 Fitbit Air to the $350 Pixel Watch 4 is steep, but both Google fitness trackers excel in their own right. Here's how.

Fitbit Air vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Design and display, or lack thereof

First, let's review the categorical differences between the Pixel Watch 4 and the Fitbit Air. The Pixel Watch 4 is classified as a smartwatch and features a touchscreen display, runs Wear OS 6 with app support, offers a full suite of health sensors, and supports a range of connectivity standards, including optional LTE. Meanwhile, the Fitbit Air is a passive fitness tracker without a screen. It's essentially a tiny oval-shaped tracking device that snaps into different bands, including the fabric one that comes in the box.

The two trackers both have similar band options, with the Fitbit Air shipping inside a fabric, textile Performance Loop band that uses Velcro for a one-size-fits-all approach. On the other hand, the Pixel Watch 4 comes with a silicone Active band by default. Separately, you can buy Active or Elevated Modern bands for the Fitbit Air. The Pixel Watch 4 offers more variety, with Performance Loop, Stretch, Woven, Crafted Leather, Two-Tone Leather, Metal Mesh, Metal Slim, and Metal Links bands all available for purchase separately from Google.

As you can imagine, the Fitbit Air is much smaller than a Pixel Watch 4. The tracker itself only measures 34.9 x 17 x 8.3mm, and weighs just 5.2 grams. Add in a band, and the entire package gets thicker and weighs 12 grams — but it's still incredibly tiny.

That's quite a far cry from the Pixel Watch 4, which is available in 41mm and 45mm sizes. Either way, you're getting a smartwatch that's 12.3mm thick, and that number doesn't account for the sensors that protrude from the bottom of the Pixel Watch 4 case. It's quite heavy, at 31 grams for the 41mm model and 36.7 grams for the 45mm model. Neither of those numbers includes the band, and some bands are heavier than others.

The Pixel Watch 4 could certainly be worth the extra thickness and weight if you care about the additional hardware and features it offers. The big difference is the display. The domed Actua 360 display, which uses an AMOLED LTPO panel, supports 3,000-nit brightness and variable refresh rates up to 60Hz. It's a gorgeous display that offers numerous practical benefits, including being able to view workout stats or change activity types on your wrist, things that the Fitbit Air can't do.

I personally find the low-profile, lightweight design of the Fitbit Air more comfortable than smartwatches like the Pixel Watch 4, but it all comes down to personal preference — and how many features you need on your wrist.

Fitbit Air vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Hardware and specs

There are numerous hardware differences between the Fitbit Air and the Pixel Watch 4. For the user, the short summary is that the Pixel Watch 4 (especially the LTE model) is a standalone device, whereas the Fitbit Air is more reliant on a connected smartphone for features. As an example, the Pixel Watch 4 offers dual-band GPS for location detection during workouts, while the Fitbit Air lacks GPS support entirely. To track a workout with GPS on your Fitbit Air, you need to bring your phone.

Since there's no screen or Wear OS operating system running on the Fitbit Air, all controls, settings, and activity tracking are handled in the Google Health app on a connected smartphone. The Fitbit Air has sensors that can detect firm taps on its surface, plus a vibration motor. You can double-tap the tracker to check battery life using the side LED or to silence alarms in the morning.

That's about the extent of the Fitbit Air's standalone features, though. The Google Pixel Watch 4, by comparison, has the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 and Cortex M55 co-processor working inside. The chip pairs with Wear OS 6 to run an Android-based operating system, complete with rich third-party app support. If you want to do more on your device, the Pixel Watch 4 is the Google tracker to choose.

The Fitbit Air has a modest set of sensors, including an optical heart rate monitor (HRM), a blood oxygen sensor, a skin temperature sensor, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope. The Pixel Watch 4 has a more accurate HRM and a more versatile sensor suite overall. It adds a cEDA body response sensor, ECG support, an ambient light sensor, altimeter, barometer, magnetometer, and compass. These sensors, paired with the aforementioned dual-frequency GPS onboard, make the Pixel Watch 4 better than the Fitbit Air for serious workout tracking.

The Fitbit Air's respectable, but limited, assortment of sensors is best for the kind of person who wants to review stats and automatically detected activities in the Google Health app at the end of the day.

Fitbit Air vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Fitness and health features

Both the Fitbit Air and the Pixel Watch 4 will heavily rely on the new Google Health app for analyzing and reviewing tracked activity data. This is a refreshed and rebranded version of the Fitbit app. Crucially, neither device requires a subscription.

There is a Google Health Premium (formerly Fitbit Premium) plan available for $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. It unlocks extras like the AI-powered Google Health Coach. But all the basics are included for free, and frankly, I suspect many users will like the Google Health app better without the AI tools that require a subscription.

The Google Health app opens with a Today page with customizable focus tiles at the top. Underneath, you'll see Google Health Coach insights if you're a subscriber. Then, there are Fitness, Sleep, and Health pages. The Fitness page is where you'll start manual workouts on the Fitbit Air, while the Pixel Watch 4 starts a workout on its screen. The Sleep page is where you'll find your daily sleep score, and the Health page is the home for long-term fitness insights.

The data you can see for each tracker will vary, with the Pixel Watch 4 offering more information and features due to its extra sensors. Features like Satellite SOS, Loss of Pulse Detection, and Gemini Raise to Talk are only available on the Pixel Watch 4.

Notably, you can pair a Fitbit Air and a Pixel Watch 4 to the same Google Health app and Google account. This makes it possible to use the two trackers in tandem. You could use the Pixel Watch 4 as a smartwatch during the day and rely on the Fitbit Air as a sleep tracker, for example. This could make the Fitbit Air a competitor to the Garmin Index Sleep Monitor, a $170 sleep tracker designed to work with a Garmin watch.

Fitbit Air vs. Google Pixel Watch 4: Which should you buy?

The Google Pixel Watch 4 isn't a perfect smartwatch, and the Fitbit Air isn't a perfect fitness tracker. The Pixel Watch 4 is light on battery life and lacks the thin and light design of modern smartwatches, while the Fitbit Air forgoes some advanced sensors, features, and metrics.

The two devices may be better together. You could use the Pixel Watch 4 as a smartwatch and activity tracker during the day, and wear the more comfortable Fitbit Air to bed for sleep tracking while the other is charging overnight.

If you're considering a Pixel Watch 4 or already have one, the Fitbit Air is easy to tack on for just $99 more, and it'll greatly improve the experience of using either device alone. Those who aren't sold on the Pixel Watch 4 — or already have a different smartwatch — might like the Fitbit Air on its own at $99. It provides the fitness and health-tracking basics at a low cost that isn't dependent on a subscription, and that's hard to beat.

The Google Pixel Watch 4 and Fitbit Air exist in separate spheres, as one is a smartwatch and the other is a screenless band. Their audience appeal will overlap, though, and both achieve their goals of being slim and accessible (Fitbit Air) or smart and fully featured (Pixel Watch 4).

Many watch enthusiasts are known to "double wrist," which is internet slang for wearing two watches at once, one on each of their two hands. Android Central is no stranger to this practice, with one staff member taking this trend to great heights, ten watches adorned altogether, all for science.

Screenless wearables like the Google Fitbit Air, Whoop, or Polar Loop present as the perfect opportunity to wear two watches without looking silly. One particular Redditor showed off a clever hack to leverage screenless fitness trackers.

With this hack, you can essentially convert your favorite analog watch into a smartwatch without sacrificing the design of the dial. Here's how.

How to use the Fitbit Air to "convert" a traditional analog wristwatch into a smart fitness tracker

Before all else, make sure the band size of your watch dial is compatible with that of your Fitbit Air, or whichever screenless fitness tracker you chose.

1. Remove the straps from your analog wristwatch, but leave the spring bars inside.

2. Next, slip one end of your Fitbit Air's band through the spring bar on one side.

3. Pull the band through and bring it out through the other spring bar of the analog wristwatch. View slide 2 to see what this should look like:

4. Lastly, close the clasp of your Fitbit Air as normal.

As demonstrated by the Reddit user u/stm2657, the final result is much cleaner than wearing two separate wearables. Even though they acknowledged this is still an experiment and not perfect, with the right dial and Fitbit Air, you could accomplish this yourself at home. It will require some trial and error, however.

The biggest roadblock is the wristwatch itself. Not all traditional watches have a gap between the spring bar and the dial, as depicted in the tutorial. Thus, this is not a universally applicable strategy. You may also need to purchase spring bars if your watch doesn't already have them.

Be sure to check out all the available Fitbit Air bands to brainstorm which one would be suitable for you to play around with another watch dial.

There is a neater solution, if you're willing to drop some coin

While it is definitely not as cluttered as typical double-wristing, this is not the most elegant solution. A much cleaner solution is available, but it is exorbitantly priced.

A Paris-based startup called Smartlet has meticulously crafted a universally compatible stainless steel bracelet called the Smartlet One Classic. There are plenty of other bracelet/straps available from the brand.

A Smartlet metal band does the same thing depicted by the Reddit user u/stm2657. You connect an analog watch dial on one end and a smartwatch face on the other.

Every Smartlet can be bought with specific lugs, compatible with every smartwatch imaginable. From the Google Pixel Watch and Fitbit lineups to the Samsung Galaxy Watch and Apple Watch families, Smartlet has tried to be very inclusive.

Two-in-one

At the end of the day, you don't need a €299 ($348.66) accessory to wear two watches at once on your wrist. Find the right Fitbit Air band and try to make it work somehow.

Maybe your wristwatch dial is incompatible. Or perhaps you can't stand the trial-and-error process, or the inelegant mismatching of colors, textures, and styles. In that case, Smartlet is a finer, more finessed solution that works with every watch imaginable.

If you know any other useful hack to make double-wristing easier, share it in the comments below!

What you need to know

• Google announced that it's providing the official design guidelines for the Fitbit Air to the public for independent designers.
• The company has offered a few rules, such as encouraging designers to use gentle materials to avoid skin irritation.
• The Fitbit Air launced a week ago for $99 with continuous 24/7 heart rate and blood-oxygen tracking.

Google's take on the classic screenless Whoop-style fitness band is barely a week old, and the company's already taking major strides toward consumer creativity.

Google announced to its Health community that it's giving users and other companies the tools to create their own Fitbit Air bands and accessories. Beginning this week, "independent designers and artisan makers" can check Google's official Fitbit Air specs to start crafting. These design guidelines are available to the public, revealing the necessary dimensions and design blueprints to make everything feel official.

As you'd expect, Google has a few rules before designers start brainstorming. Whatever design is created, it must ensure the Fitbit Air's "optical heart rate and SpO2 sensors on the base of the tracker remain entirely unobstructed and maintain flush, consistent skin contact." What's more, the band should be stable on the wearer's wrist with "gentle pressure" for comfort.

The company also wants any custom-designed bands to utilize gentle, high-quality materials to reduce skin irritation. You can check out Google's 2D CAD drawings for a more detailed look. If the company certifies your custom band, it will receive a "Made by Google" badge for promotional purposes.

Start brainstorming

The Google Fitbit Air launched on May 27, debuting as the company's first screenless, very low-profile fitness tracker. The device features an optical heart rate sensor for continuous 24/7 tracking and the required sensors for SpO2 (blood oxygen) monitoring. The Fitbit Air debuted with a selection of Google-made bands. Consumers could choose between the fabric Performance Loop, silicone Active, or Modern bands. A few colorways include Obsidian, Fog, Lavender, and Berry.

For $99, the Fitbit Air is pretty low-budget and compatible with Android and iOS devices. If you're just getting yours (or thinking about getting one), we've got seven things you absolutely should check out while you're setting things up.

There were some early struggles with Fitbit Air consumers last week. A few consumers online had received theirs earlier than Google expected, and it broke the pairing process. Users couldn't pair the Fitbit Air with their phone since the updated Google Health app wasn't available for their device. Google said it was accelerating its rollout to ensure users don't encounter more problems.

Android Central's Take

This is probably the best place to take the Fitbit Air. Realistically, the device is barebones (but in a good way). On the surface, it has not screen. It's literally all band with the tracking sensors beneath. Opening things up to where designers can create something new and fresh keeps the Fitbit Air feeling special. Now, people can browse for something that speaks to them in a way that Google's offerings don't.

The long-awaited Google Health rebrand is here, and not everyone likes it. In fact, the sentiment regarding the fresh Google Health app is so negative that Google put out a support document highlighting the bugs it's already squashed, and confirming that it is "committed to continuing to listen to feedback, add new capabilities, and fix existing issues, while being transparent with our users." There are bad reviews criticizing the redesign on the App Store and Google Play Store.

I've been using the new app design, formerly the Fitbit app, since the Public Preview launched last year. If you aren't satisfied with the new Google Health app, there are steps you can take to improve the experience. There's quite a bit of room for customization available in the Google Health app, and these are the four things you should do first.

Edit your focus tiles

The new Google Health app puts focus tiles front and center. These are snapshots of individual data points, like your steps, distance, or calories burned. Tapping a focus tile opens a full-screen view of that metric, and you can see more data about the data point in day, week, month, three-month, and year views. The problem is that only four of those focus tiles fit on the homepage at once by default — the rest of the room is reserved for the Google Health feature, which you'll only see with a subscription.

The good news is that you can change the focus tile arrangement to better work for you. When you first open the Google Health app, you'll see a big focus tile and three smaller ones on the homepage. To see more, you'll need to swipe to another page. The key to customizing the layout is editing the selection and size of the focus tiles.

Besides the Log and Start buttons, you'll see a pencil-shaped Edit icon. Tapping this button opens a focus view editor that shows all available tiles. You can remove or add tiles, placing six small tiles or two large tiles on a single page. When you're finished, simply press the Back arrow to return and save your changes.

Unfortunately, there's no way to reorder the tiles without removing them all and adding new ones in the order you'd like. This is a big oversight — you should be able to touch and hold them like home screen apps or widgets to move things around. For now, this workaround will have to do.

Choose your key metrics

Honestly, I agree with some of the complaints about the main Today page in the Google Health app. It isn't as data-dense as it could be, but there is a Health page that satisfies the itch for more information. Here, you'll see your Health status and Key metrics. These include heart rate, weekly cardio, resting heart rate, active zone minutes, weight, energy burned, calorie intake, carbs, fat, protein, steps, exercise days, blood glucose, sleep duration, distance, floors, run distance, hydration, resilience, mindfulness, or body responses.

You can customize the Key metrics and set their order by tapping the Customize button. This is crucial to viewing the most important data at the top of the Health tab. For instance, calorie intake, carbs, fat, and protein are listed as default metrics, but I don't log by food intake in the Google Health app. So, these are just taking up space that could be better used by another fitness metric.

Tap the + to add a metric or the - to remove one. Unfortunately, there's no way to reorder the metrics without removing them all and re-adding them in a specific order, just like Today page tiles.

Sync apps with Google Health

You can sync third-party apps and devices with the Google Health app for a consistent experience. To do so, open the Google Health app and tap the Connections button in the top-left corner of the homepage. Then, tap Partner apps. Press Sync your favorite health apps and Set up to continue. This uses the Health Connect API to read and write data to or from other health apps, devices, or services. Tap Accept if you want to continue.

The app lets you choose to share Personal health records, Fitness and wellness data, or both. Then, hit Continue. Finally, press Allow all to permit the Google Health app to access fitness and wellness data. Tap Done when finished, and you'll be able to share information using Health Connect with other apps and services.

Tell Health Coach your health goals

Finally, if you have the Google Health Premium (formerly Fitbit Premium) subscription, you can tell Google Health Coach your fitness goals. Health Coach is an AI-powered coach that uses custom Gemini smarts to analyze and advise you about your health progress. To tell Health Coach your goals, switch to the Fitness tab and tap Set your goal. This will open an experience with Google Health Coach where you can tell or ask the chatbot anything about your goals or health.

Although the $9.99 monthly Google Health Premium is completely optional, it's clear the Health app is designed to work better with it than without it. Whether you're a subscriber or not, these tips will help you customize the Google Health app and make it your own.

The revamped Google Health app (formerly Fitbit) has landed alongside the new Fitbit Air, and while not everyone is happy with the changes, my experience has been pretty positive.

I've been using the new UI for six months, staring with the Health Coach preview launches toward the end of 2025, and while the upgrade to Google Health has brought in some useful changes and features, there are still some improvements I would like to see. These are my biggest highlights after spending some time with the new Google Health app.

A welcome redesign and AI overload

I should start by saying that, unlike some long-time Fitbit users, I was not married to the old Fitbit app design, which I found dull and uninteresting.

The new design is much more colorful and animated, making information easy to see and understand. Your focus metrics are easily accessible at the top of the Today tab, or you can scroll to dive deeper into today and yesterday's activities.

The tabs are also clearer in their focus, now with four tabs in the navigation bar, including Fitness, Sleep, and Health. I find this much better than the old app's three tabs, and I'm glad Sleep and Health have their own dedicated sections.

The app is very AI-focused, and if you're subscribed to Google Health Premium, the Health Coach is everywhere. I don't actually mind the Health Coach too much (more on this later), but it can be quite overwhelming in the app. Every section is inundated with information and large blocks of text to help you better understand your metrics.

Google says it's working to make Health Coach messages "more concise without sacrificing helpful detail" while enhancing messages with "more visuals like charts, maps, and glanceable stats."

I think this is a step in the right direction, but Google should go further and simply hide the Coach messages. Just present the data on each tab visually, and add a small button to each card with the typical AI sparkle icon to expand it to view Health Coach messages.

That way, users aren't bombarded with AI-generated text and can decide when they want the additional insights. Give us more control over the experience.

Keeping me on track

The Coach tab in the previous Fitbit app was pretty bare-bones, with daily run recommendations being the only feature I found remotely useful. Google took that and ran with it, expanding AI to underscore the entire app experience.

During the onboarding process, I told the Coach my goals, available equipment, and any ailments that might hinder my performance. It even provided some welcome pushback when I suggested how much I wanted to work out each week, warning that I might overexert myself. After settling on a schedule, the coach has been pretty great about keeping me on track week to week.

Part of this is thanks to the more flexible weekly Cardio Load, which basically measures how intense your activities are. This metric is available on the Today tab and is also easily visible in the Fitness tab for additional guidance.

I told the Coach that I want to gain muscle mass, lose body fat, and become more consistent at running so I can run my first 5K later this year. Since then, my weekly workouts have focused on these goals, with a variety of exercise types in each session and a weekly running goal that includes varied circuits at different target distances and paces.

You can either follow the workouts to the T or edit them to your liking. I tend to just follow what Fitbit tells me, making small adjustments here and there depending on how I feel.

You can also start a workout in-app or send custom runs to your Pixel Watch. Unfortunately, I'm still unable to send non-run workouts to the watch, which feels like either a bug or an oversight.

Another downside is that while the workout UI feels more structured and easy to follow, the Pixel Watch still can't automatically count reps or sets, something I love about Garmin and even Samsung smartwatches.

On the plus side, workouts can even automatically progress to the next exercise after a set timer ends, but it would be nice to see this implemented with auto rep counting.

I also don't like that workouts are now listed in the Fitness tab as "suggestions," which feels a little less committal. In the preview, each day of the week had a set workout or rest period, which provided a nice structure.

Fortunately, Google has already noted that users are demanding more structure, and it is "bringing back weekly structured schedules later this year in some way," which I look forward to. Until then, this format isn't horrible, especially for users who prefer the flexibility.

Encouragement goes a long way

Despite how overwhelming the AI can be on the Google Health app, I actually find it to be quite encouraging. Messages are usually pretty insightful, taking your activity, sleep, and metrics into account to properly prepare you for the day.

For example, I worked out a ton during the first few days of the week, more than I usually do. As a result, I was encouraged to rest on Wednesday, which I did. Later that evening, the app told me the rest was "exactly what your system needed" while keeping things "low-key" with a light walk.

It then started prepping me for my return to the gym the next day, suggesting I set an alarm, pack my gear, and drink more water since it noticed my resting heart rate was increasing.

The Coach usually provides insightful messages like that, often delivered as notifications on my phone throughout the day, after a workout, or when I wake up. And if need be, it will change its tune if it notices things are off, such as if I didn't get enough restful sleep.

You can, of course, chat with the Health Coach if you want more insight into your sleep, workouts, or other metrics. A few times, I've had to tell it to adjust my workout schedule and cardio load because I was traveling for work that week and knew I wouldn't be able to get to the gym. The Coach would then work with me to shift my goals based on when I could get back to the gym that week or just remove my workout plan for that week entirely. It's pretty flexible.

You can also ask for advice on how to improve specific metrics, and it will respond with suggestions on what you can do, complete with links to the sources it draws from.

This is the kind of experience I would expect from a personal trainer, so it's great that I can get it through a relatively inexpensive app subscription. That said, I still don't think it can fully replace having a real person train you.

Almost a replacement for MyFitnessPal

Food logging is a Google Health feature that I want to love, but it doesn't quite hit the mark. When logging food you can either tell Coach what you ate or you can take a photo of it. Surprisingly (or perhaps, unsurprisingly), object recognition is pretty good, and the app can fairly accurately discern what your meal is just by snapping a photo.

Another alternative is taking a photo of the barcode, if there is one, offering an alternative to MyFitnessPal's own barcode-scanning feature, which you need to subscribe in order to have access to.

The downside of either of these methods is that while Google Health knows what you are eating, the information it logs is still inaccurate. For example, I took a photo of a meal I made, which just consists of four scrambled eggs and roughly 2oz of ground beef. The app knows its scrambled eggs and ground beef, but the nutritional value was quite off, with the app underestimating the amount of protein.

I tried to make it easier by scanning the barcode of a Barbell protein bar, which clearly lists the nutritional value on the wrapper. The app recognized the bar, but the calories were still off by 10, and that was only one of a few inaccuracies I noticed with food logging.

Fortunately, Google Health syncs with MyFitnessPal, so I can still log my meals in that app and the correct nutrition values will appear. Still, I'm hoping Google can step up its game here, because it would bring the Google Health app one major step closer to being my one app to rule them all.

My health in one place

Speaking of one app to rule them all, it's clear that this is Google's goal with the Health app, especially now that you can link your medical records. I linked my previous and current medical providers with the app, and now I'm able to see my conditions, medications, visit history, vaccines, and even lab results, all in one place.

I actually find it to be a convenient way to not only see everything in one place but also bring more context to Coach for your overall health.

You can also log new lab results in the app if they don't sync automatically, although the app seems to do a good job syncing the information. I just wish the data was laid out better; seeing the historical data of 788 lab results, 95 medications and 71 conditions just looks overwhelming, especially since I currently only take a few medications and have a few conditions.

You can also ask Coach about certain details of your medical history, and Coach even warned me that a recent test showed results that are "outside normal limits" (don't worry, I'm fine). And while some may find this access useful, others will undoubtedly find it intrusive.

You can choose what gets synced, and Google says the only time any of your information is shared is to verify your identity with CLEAR. Otherwise, it assures that your synced medical history is "securely stored" in the app. but again, it's up to you if you want to give the Google Health that additional info.

More to come

Obviously, Google Health is not perfect and there are quite a number of things that either need fixing, tweaking, or that are just plain missing. Many users have complained about the AI Heath Coach hallucinating, although I haven't knowingly experienced this. Sleep profiles is something I miss from the old Fitbit app, matching users with cute animals based on their sleep styles.

Fortunately, Google is already hard at work preparing updates to the app, and has provided a list of updates coming soon or later this year. Sleep profiles still isn't among them, but I'm holding out hope.

Still, it's a great sign that Google is listening to user feedback to create a comprehensive health app for everyone, and I, for one, am all for it. Just remember to give a thumbs up or down for any features or AI responses in the Google Health app if you really like something or things don't look right.

The Google Fitbit Air comes with three types of bands and seven colors overall, with a bonus Stephen Curry variant that costs $30 more than the others. Certain bands share colors, whereas a few of them are unique to a specific band. To simplify your decision-making process when selecting which Fitbit Air band color you should buy, I have listed every single color below.

Check out all the colors of the Fitbit Air bands first, as well as which band types come in each color. Then, you can narrow down which Fitbit Air band to buy.

Every color of the Fitbit Air band and the type of band each color comes in

• Back to the top ^

All these beautiful colors make it hard to settle on one Fitbit Air band color

The rich mix of colors, textures, and different colored metal clasps add depth to each Google Fitbit Air band colorway and band type. Placing all the options in once place helps you to compare and contrast all your options in a nutshell.

Now that you've studied all the possibilities, you know that four Fitbit Air band colors come as standard with the Fitbit Air itself, but only in the Performance Loop Band made of synthetic yarn. Namely, Berry, Lavender, Fog, and Obsidian.

Of course, if you want something different, you can also shell out $30 more and get the Fitbit Air Special Edition Stephen Curry Band in Rye as well.

I suggest choosing a basic color for the free Google Fitbit Air Performance Loop Band, something that goes with most of the casual, daily wear in your closet. This will be your most used strap, so it needs to be very versatile. Obsidian is the best option, unless you're like me and dress like a rainbow. In that case, just choose a color that's predominant in your wardrobe.

As with any wearable, I highly recommend grabbing at least one spare band, and two if you have the budget for it. This can be something waterproof, like the Active Band, or something more formal, like the Elevated Modern Band. It depends on your personal taste, lifestyle, and dressing preferences entirely. Happy shopping!

Google has a new screenless fitness tracker that passively records health data while staying out of the way. It's called the Fitbit Air, and it's a Whoop challenger that only costs $99 with no required subscription. With no screen or physical buttons, you're relying on the Google Health (formerly Fitbit) app to change settings, start workouts, and set up features.

If you just got a Fitbit Air, these are the seven things to do first immediately after unboxing it. They'll help you learn the Fitbit Air's features and give you a quick tour of the redesigned and rebranded Google Health app. Let's dive in.

Set up morning alarms

The Fitbit Air is limited in hardware, so you won't get notifications or many smartwatch features from this fitness band. There is one feature worth calling out: alarms. With a vibration motor and other sensors inside, the Fitbit Air can vibrate as an alarm on your wrist and stop the alarm when the wearable is double-tapped. You can set up to eight alarms in the app when the Fitbit Air is close to your phone.

You'll need to open the Google Health app and tap the Connections button in the top-left corner of the app homepage. Then, press Fitbit Air in the devices list. Next, tap Alarms and then Add a new alarm to create one. You can set the alarm time and the days of the week that the alarm will be active.

There are two alarm settings to be aware of: Repeat alarm and Smart wake. Repeat alarm will automatically repeat an alarm nine minutes after it originally goes off if there isn't a double-tap from the user. Smart wake will try to wake you up to 30 minutes before the exact alarm time, optimizing the alarm for your sleep cycle.

The Fitbit Air's minimalist design makes it perfect for sleep tracking, and it's nice to see a built-in alarm that might wake you more gently than an audio-based one.

Choose a wrist preference

Part of setting up a new Fitbit Air is telling it your preferences. That includes letting the Google Health app know which wrist you're wearing the Fitbit Air on. Whether it's your left or right wrist doesn't matter, but the app wants to know if it's on your dominant or non-dominant wrist. I wear mine on my dominant wrist, so I can still use a traditional watch or a regular smartwatch on my non-dominant wrist.

You can update your preference by navigating through Google Health app > Connections > Fitbit Air to start — this goes for every Fitbit Air device setting or feature, but I'll keep highlighting these steps for simplicity. Then, press Device preferences. Tap Wrist preference and choose either dominant or non-dominant. You might be asking, why does the app need to know this data point?

It's because motion sensors inside the Fitbit Air are paired with a software algorithm to calculate daily steps and movement. You use your dominant hand much more throughout the day, even when you're not actively moving. This can lead fitness trackers to add false steps to your total, but telling the Google Health app which wrist is being used will improve accuracy across the board.

Set a vibration intensity

While you're inside the Device preferences settings page, you can adjust the Fitbit Air's vibration settings. To get there, navigate to Google Health app > Connections > Fitbit Air > Device preferences and tap Vibration. You can turn off vibration alerts entirely here by flipping the toggle, and this may be preferred if you don't need vibration alarms or similar haptic alerts.

If you do plan to keep using vibration alerts on your Fitbit Air, you can adjust their intensity. There are two options: High and Low. When you switch between the options by tapping them in the app, your Fitbit Air will buzz twice at the selected intensity. This will help you decide which one is right. You'll see a Settings updated banner appear when your Fitbit Air vibration intensity preference is saved.

Share heart rate with apps or gym equipment

Another Fitbit Air feature you might not know about is real-time heart rate data sharing. This lets you use the wearable's built-in heart rate monitor to share data with third-party apps and gym equipment. Fitbit Air will work with Peloton, Concept 2, Echelon, Hydrow, iFit (NordicTrack), Life Fitness, Matrix Fitness, Schwinn Fitness, Spinning, Strava, Tonal, Wahoo, and Zwift apps and hardware. Before you get started, you need to manually pair the fitness band with apps and devices.

Open your Fitbit Air device settings menu by navigating through the Google Health app > Connections > Fitbit Air. Then, tap Share heart rate. This will make your Fitbit Air visible to nearby equipment and apps over Bluetooth. Use the gym equipment or app to pair with the Fitbit Air. Follow the on-screen prompts to do so. You may need to confirm on your phone or match pairing codes.

If you use gym equipment frequently, you might want to keep your Fitbit Air visible to nearby apps and equipment all the time. You can do this by flipping the toggle beside Always visible on this page. However, Google warns that this may impact your Fitbit Air's battery life.

Choose a main fitness goal

The next section of the Fitbit Air device settings menu worth your time is called Google Health reminders and alerts. This collection of options is crucial if you care about background health monitoring and warning notifications. To get there, navigate through the Google Health app > Connections > Fitbit Air and press Google Health reminders and alerts.

The first option is called Main goal. You can set your main goal as steps, distance, calories, and active zone minutes. This will inform the notifications you get from the Google Health app as you achieve your selected goal.

Get high and low heart rate warnings

Next, you can set up high- and low-heart-rate warning notifications. These are sent to your smartphone if your heart rate is high or low while you are inactive for at least 10 minutes. Navigate through the Google Health app > Connections > Fitbit Air > Google Health reminders and alerts, and press High & low heart rate. Here, you can flip the toggles beside Notification for high heart rate and/or low heart rate notifications.

By default, the Google Health app will calculate a custom high and low heart rate threshold based on your age and typical resting heart rate. However, you can choose a custom one. To do so, tap your high or low heart rate threshold and flip the toggle beside Use default off. Then, you can set a custom threshold for one or both.

Set up irregular heart rhythm notifications

Similarly, your Fitbit Air can look out for irregular heart rhythm patterns that may be signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Navigate through the Google Health app > Connections > Fitbit Air > Google Health reminders and alerts, and tap Irregular rhythm. Then, press Set up. An onboarding page will appear explaining that Google's algorithm has been validated in a clinical study with a 98.2% positive predictive value. It'll also explain atrial fibrillation, its seriousness, and the symptoms.

If you want to continue, tap Get started. You need to verify your eligibility by entering your date of birth and disclosing whether you've already been diagnosed with AFib. The feature isn't available to those under 22 or with a prior AFib diagnosis. Tap Next to read the explainer and data collection policies, then tap Allow to continue. Press Next one more time after reading the page, and finally hit Turn on feature.

You'll then see a few very important warnings. You can still have AFib without receiving a notification, and some people with AFib don't have any symptoms. The feature doesn't check for heart attacks, strokes, or other heart conditions. It also reminds users to talk to healthcare providers about any notifications they receive.

By now, you've taken the Google Health app for a spin and set up critical Fitbit Air settings and features. You're ready to start tracking workouts, recording your sleep, and monitoring your health. If you don't have a Fitbit Air yet, maybe this walkthrough helped you figure out whether this $99 band is worth your money.

What you need to know

• Google Health is getting fixes for workout tracking, sleep scores, and Fitbit Air connectivity issues.
• Users will soon be able to customize Health dashboards and rearrange metrics in the app.
• Google is improving automatic workout detection and fixing exercise data inconsistencies.
• A new 24-hour sleep view will combine naps and overnight sleep into one timeline.

Google officially rolled out its rebranded Google Health app last week. While the new app brings a refreshed UI and several new features, it has also launched with quite a few bugs and missing functionality. Google has now confirmed that a number of fixes and missing features are coming soon.

It's only been a day since the Fitbit Air officially launched. Alongside the new Fitbit Air, Google also rebranded the Fitbit app into Google Health, bringing features like Google Health Coach and several other upgrades. Now, the company has announced a long list of additional improvements that are on the way.

As detailed in a Google blog post, the company says it is improving exercise tracking. Runs that were incorrectly labeled as general workouts will now be properly categorized, and split tracking for runs will also be added later this week. Google is also improving how the app behaves during live workout tracking if the Fitbit Air temporarily loses connectivity.

One of the better parts of the Google Health platform is its ability to import data from other health apps and services. Google says it will also improve metric inconsistencies when multiple devices are connected to the app at the same time. On top of that, the company plans to improve automatic workout detection on the Fitbit Air as well.

Several sleep-related improvements are also coming. Google says it is addressing issues around missing sleep scores in certain sections of the app. Users will also get a new 24-hour sleep overview that combines nighttime sleep and naps together. There will additionally be an option to delete sleep sessions manually.

Google is also working on improvements to nutrition and calorie tracking, alongside upgrades to Ask Coach. Users will soon be able to delete logs directly through Ask Coach as well. The Google Health app is also getting better dashboard customization. Users will be able to rearrange health metrics inside the Health and Today dashboards to better suit their preferences.

The company still hasn't confirmed exactly when these updates will begin rolling out, but given how quickly the issues surfaced after launch, we expect the improvements to arrive fairly soon. We'll update this once the rollout begins.

At a time when everything demands our attention, more companies are leaning into the idea that consumers might want something that we can mostly ignore. The Fitbit Air fits into a growing category of devices like the Oura Ring 4 and Whoop bands that aim to minimize their presence while monitoring everything in the background.

I've been testing the Fitbit Air for just over a week, and it's easily becoming one of my favorite new wearables. It does all the health and fitness tracking that I want, but without the distraction of a display. And while some users may prefer the functionality of a device like the Pixel Watch 4, the Fitbit Air is perfect for anyone who doesn't want a smartwatch weighing them down.

As light as air

The Fitbit Air is the first Fitbit product since 2023, excluding the kid-focused Fitbit Ace LTE from a couple of years ago. Previously, the Fitbit Charge 6 was launched as a minimalist fitness tracker, sporting a small display and Google services, making it a decent alternative to a smartwatch. The Air takes that philosophy to the next level as a lightweight and affordable tracker.

As soon as I put the Fitbit Air on my wrist, I was surprised by just how light it is. I'm used to wearing smartwatches like the Pixel Watch 4 and Garmin Venu 4, so this is practically nothing compared to them. The woven Performance Loop band that comes with it is thin and comfortable, and I often forget I'm even wearing it, which feels appropriate and a bit refreshing.

That said, the band is a little awkward to put on, as it secures above the wrist rather than below. I also notice that the vibrant Berry color option gets a bit dirty somewhat easily, and I haven't been brave enough to wear it during workouts.

Before a workout, I normally pop out the actual tracker, which is a relatively small puck, and snap it into the Active band. Google makes it easy by placing a small marker on both the tracker and the band.

The Active band's silicone design makes it ideal for heavy workouts, especially since many of my workouts are heated and I sweat a lot, although it's a bit thicker than the Performance band. I also really like that it secures more like a transitional smartwatch band below the wrist.

Sleep like a baby, wake up refreshed

A benefit of the lightweight design is that the Fitbit Air is the perfect wearable to wear while sleeping. I, along with many others, find smartwatches uncomfortable to wear while sleeping, and it can be enough to wake me up in the middle of the night just to force one off my wrist. With the Fitbit Air, I've not had that problem, as it remains just as inconspicuous at night as it is during the day.

Sleep tracking on the Fitbit Air is as good as you'd expect, and as good as on devices like a Pixel Watch or even a Garmin smartwatch. It records sleep stages, sleep quality, and even restlessness or how much you moved while asleep. You get a sleep score, although Fitbit's sleep animals aren't supported with the new Google Health app, which is kind of a bummer.

Smart Wake is one of the Fitbit Air's best features. I set up a few alarms, and the Air would wake me at an optimal time up to 30 minutes before my actual alarm time. And by "optimal time," the band would determine if you're in a lighter stage of sleep, which is generally better to wake you up without feeling groggy.

I use a low-level vibration that is subtle enough to wake me up without being startling, though a higher intensity is available. So far, I've had no problem waking up while wearing the Fitbit Air, and the lack of an alarm sound is the best part, as that can be the most jarring part of a smartwatch or smart display. To dismiss the vibration, simply double-tap the top of the sensor; otherwise, it will repeat after nine minutes.

Your phone is the only screen you interact with

Of course, without a display, you'll need a way to view the Fitbit Air's data. The new Google Health app, which arose from the ashes of the Fitbit app, is the main point of interaction for the Air, unlike a Pixel Watch, which requires its own separate app.

Setup is actually pretty easy; as soon as I put the Air on its charger for the first time (and yes, it's yet another charger from Google), my phone was prompted to pair with it, and it was ready to go in no time.

There aren't many differences between the new Google Health app and my experience testing the revamped Fitbit UI. It's still filled with all the Gemini AI you could want (or not want), especially if you're subscribed to Google Health Premium, although it's fairly easy to ignore if you want to just focus on the data. However, there are some helpful changes that expanded and refined its health and fitness monitoring.

For example, the Fitness tab breaks up your various workout or cardio load goals so they're easier to track. Furthermore, as part of the training "plan," the tab now offers workout "suggestions" that you can follow and easily track throughout your week.

To begin a workout, I usually start directly from one of my workout suggestions. However, for exercises outside the regimen, I can start a workout of my choice from the Today tab, such as pilates or high-intensity interval training (HIIT). My phone displays live heart rate, cardio load, and calories burned. For suggested workouts with multiple exercises, large buttons are available to move to the next set of exercises or to finish and log the workout.

The Fitbit Air also has one of my favorite Pixel Watch features: the ability to display my live heart rate on a Peloton. And if you forget to manually track a workout, the Fitbit Air is smart enough to detect certain exercises automatically, though you'll still need to confirm them in the app.

I've done a few step tests with the Fitbit and other wearable devices, and the Air is surprisingly accurate, only off by a few steps each time. You can also use the Air alongside a Pixel Watch and display data from either source. And while it may seem odd or redundant to use both, there are some things that the Fitbit Air can't monitor that the Pixel Watch can, such as ECG and a Continuous Electrodermal Activity (cEDA) for stress and body response.

Though, to be honest, I can live without these data points, so I don't actually mind leaving the Pixel Watch 4 behind for the Fitbit Air. That said, the heart rate sensor isn't as advanced as the one on the Pixel Watch 4, though it seemed to keep up well with my Garmin Venu 4 during various workouts.

Still, therein lies the benefit of using both of Google's wearables simultaneously or swapping them, say, if you just want to use the Fitbit Air while you sleep and the Pixel Watch during the day for more accurate fitness tracking.

The Fitbit Air is a great tracker for most people

There's very little not to like about the Fitbit Air. As someone who uses smart rings like the Oura Ring 4 daily, I love having a comfortable wrist-based wearable that lasts up to a week per charge.

The Air might not be the best wearable for runners, as it lacks built-in GPS and other features runners may find useful (like a display). However, I have plenty of friends who I exercise with who don't care to wear smartwatches, and I can see something as lightweight and lowkey as the Air being a great fit.

The price also makes it a bit of a no-brainer. At $99, it's much cheaper than a Pixel Watch 4 or an Oura Ring 4 while still offering many of the same features. Of course, that doesn't account for the optional $10-per-month charge for Google Health Premium, which you'll need to use the coaching features. However, you get three months free when you purchase the device, and even with that optional cost, I think the Fitbit Air is quite an attractive offering.

What you need to know

• Users on Reddit say they've gotten their Google Fitbit Air a bit early, and are already encountering problems.
• Reports say that the Fitbit Air is stuck on its updating cycle and will not pair, but that's due to their phones missing the Google Health app rebrand update.
• Google has acknowledged this, and said that it's working on "accelerating" the rollout for users with the wearable early.

A troublesome issue is ruining the Fitbit Air's recent launch, as users report problems right out of the box.

A redditor on the Fitbit subreddit posted happily about receiving their Fitbit Air pre-order this weekend; however, it was quickly (via Android Authority). Here's the thing: the reports about the Fitbit Air's issues weren't highlighted by the OP (original poster), but rather those responding. It seems that some users are receiving their Fitbit Airs earlier than anticipated by Google, and their device isn't pairing with their Android phone.

There have been a few reports, such as one that says, "I got mine but the watch is stuck in updating mode," mentioning problems. Another user responded, stating they've received their Fitbit Air, but it "won't update because the new app wasn't pushed to me." This has soured an otherwise exciting launch for people looking forward to Google's take on the screen-less fitness band (like Whoop).

Another report says, "Got mine today as well, but I'm stuck on 'app update required' and can't actually pair it." This comment got a response from a Google/Fitbit representative named Andy. Their response reads, "...looks like your order arrived early! Sorry for the experience, as others have said here, confirming you do need the updated app."

They add, "We are doing our best today to accelerate the rollout of the updated app on Android via Play to accommodate early deliveries and it should be available shortly." Andy states that users on iOS receiving their Fitbit Air early can download the updated Fitbit app via the App Store, which earned a few displeased responses from other users.

No good early problems

Mine Google preorder just arrived! from r/fitbit

This is an unfortunate problem for the Fitbit Air, after it debuted as an interesting take on a Whoop-style band for Google. The device is very thin, and weighs roughly 12g (Google really wanted to hone in on the "air" idea). For $99, the Google Fitbit Air is a screen-less tracker that keeps tabs on your heart rate 24/7 with SpO2 blood-oxygen monitoring and more. It's a pretty low-profile design, and the lighter weight helps keep things comfortable, so you're not taking it off constantly.

Additional details came to light about the Google Fitbit Air shortly after its launch. Aside from its sensors to keep track of your biometrics, the wearable utilizes "LED light patterns and double-tap gestures to show battery status and dismiss alarms." It's a simpler take on what you'd get from a smartwatch or a regular fitness tracker. It's also worth noting that, with the Fitbit Air's launch, the company rebranded the Fitbit app to "Google Health." This completes Fitbit's merger with Google, facilitating a brand new health app with a "Google Health Premium" plan.

This is the app update that users are missing, which is why it's causing some early headaches. Hopefully, this rollout truly quickens, and users can get going without delay this week.

Android Central's Take

I saw a few users upset at how Google made the update available quickly on iOS, rather than Android. This happens quite often, I've noticed. Certain apps or features debut sooner on iOS than Android. It seems a little backwards, no? I'm sure this is what the people on Reddit are thinking. Google deals in Android, not iOS. It's not Apple. I'd imagine Android would get first pick, but apparently not.

Google surprised everyone this past week by introducing its latest fitness wearable: the Fitbit Air. It's a bit different from past Fitbit devices, as it has no display for input and offers a lightweight, Whoop-like design that can be interchanged with various bands. It's an interesting addition to the Fitbit lineup, which has been fairly stagnant in recent years.

What are your thoughts on Fitbit's latest wearable, and will you be picking one up?

A cheaper fitness alternative

The Fitbit brand may be slowly fading away, but the new Fitbit Air is keeping it alive, at least from a hardware perspective. The wearable aims to bring a distraction-free alternative to devices like the Pixel Watch 4, offering 24/7 tracking in a lightweight and comfortable band. According to Google, the Fitbit Air lasts up to a week on a full charge, which is more than what you'll get from most Wear OS smartwatches.

The Fitbit Air can keep tabs on you all day, tracking workouts and sleep. Many consumers don't like wearing heavy and bulky smartwatches during sleep, making devices like the Fitbit Air a compelling alternative for sleep tracking. And with features like Smart Wake, the device can gently wake you up with a vibration during your lightest sleep stage, so you wake up refreshed.

During the day, the Fitbit Air can automatically track common activities and log them into the revamped Google Health app. You can also track them manually through the app by following your personalized fitness plan. And despite being a relatively small device, the tracker can still monitor a range of typical health metrics, such as heart rhythm monitoring with Afib alerts, SpO2, heart rate variability, and more, giving you a full look at your health for hundreds less than what you'd pay for a smartwatch.

The Fitbit Air will be available on May 26 for just $99. Will you be picking one up? Let us know in the comments!

What you need to know

• Fitbit Air is much slimmer and lighter than Whoop while still promising up to a week of battery life.
• The tracker uses LED light patterns and double-tap gestures to show battery status and dismiss alarms.
• Fitbit Air costs $99 and pre-orders before May 25 also include a $35 Google Store credit.

Last week, Google officially revealed the Fitbit Air, its direct competitor to Whoop, and now, ahead of its availability later this month, more details about its size, design, and gestures have surfaced.

At first glance, the Fitbit Air looks similar to other screenless fitness trackers, with just a fabric band wrapping around the wrist and the tracker sitting underneath. Demo units are now live at various Google Store locations, and a Reddit user has shared photos comparing the Fitbit Air side by side with a Whoop band.

From the image, the Fitbit Air looks noticeably slimmer, almost half the size of the Whoop. The photos also give us a better look at the Fitbit Air's Performance Loop band in real life. Considering Google is claiming up to a week of battery life in a much slimmer form factor, things are looking pretty promising so far.

It's also worth noting that the Fitbit Air weighs just 12g, making it lighter than the Whoop, which should help with comfort during all-day wear.

In addition to that, new details shared by 9to5Google reveal that the left side of the tracker includes a small status light. Even though the tracker itself remains hidden beneath the band, the band has a cutout so the LED can shine through. You'll need to align the band correctly with the LED for it to remain visible.

The LED also uses different patterns to indicate various states. For example, it pulses white while charging and flashes red when the battery is running low. A fast blinking white light indicates a firmware update, while a solid red light signals a critically low battery.

You can also double-tap the Fitbit Air to check its battery status. A white light means the battery is between 20% and 100%, while a red light means it's below 20%. No light means the battery is completely drained. The double-tap gesture can also be used to dismiss alarms.

The Fitbit Air is currently available for pre-order for $99, with wider availability and shipping starting May 26, 2026. Google is also offering a $35 Google Store credit if you pre-order before May 25, which you can use toward accessories like extra bands.

What you need to know

• Google is replacing Fitbit with Google Health, but many classic features are being removed in the transition.
• Sleep Profile, badges, and social features like groups and messages are being discontinued from the app.
• New metrics like Resilience and weekly cardio targets replace stress scores and daily goals.

Alongside launching its new Fitbit Air, Google's competitor to the Whoop band, Google has also announced that the Fitbit app will transition into the new Google Health platform. However, this shift also means some classic Fitbit features are going away.

Google has detailed in a support page what the redesigned Google Health app will bring, but it looks like a few familiar features won't make the cut (via 9to5Google). One of the biggest changes is that Sleep Profile and its animal-based summaries are being removed.

Instead of showing how you slept over the past month, Google is moving toward a more AI-driven approach through Google Health Premium, where you can ask questions about your sleep patterns. Google also notes that for Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 users the snore detection feature is going away.

The Google Health app will allow users to check their oxygen saturation levels using the SpO2 data. This means that, with the update, the Estimated Oxygen Variation (EOV) levels will no longer be available. Google is also transitioning the cardio fitness core to standard VO2 max.

One change I actually like is that Google is moving away from daily goals and shifting toward a more flexible weekly cardio target. This makes more sense in real life, since you can make up for a missed workout later in the week if you're busy or not feeling well.

When it comes to other health tracking features, minute-by-minute skin temperature data is going away. Instead, users will get daily and weekly trends. Google is also replacing the stress score with a new Resilience metric, categorized as Optimal, Balanced, or Low, instead of just showing a number.

Finally, a number of social features are being removed. All Fitbit badges will go away, and instead, Google says the health coach will help you track and celebrate progress. Your social profile will shift to your Google account name and picture, and you'll be asked for permission before anything is shared.

Google is also removing direct messages, groups, and the community feed from the Fitbit app. If you're still using the older Fitbit experience, Google says these social features will start being phased out from May 12, 2026.

Android Central's Take

The weekly targets make way more sense than rigid daily goals, I'll give Google that. But removing badges, community feed, and messaging just makes the whole experience feel a lot less fun.

What you need to know

• The Google Fitbit Air is a screenless fitness tracker with a low profile designed for constant health monitoring.
• It offers an optical heart rate sensor for 24/7 monitoring, plus red and infrared sensors for SpO2 blood-oxygen monitoring.
• The Fitbit Air costs $99, works with iOS and Android, and pairs with the Google Health app. You can pair the Fitbit Air and a Pixel Watch to the app simultaneously.
• Some Fitbit Air features, like Google Health Coach, require the Health Premium subscription. Most are free, however.

The newest Fitbit tracker is here, and it's a long-awaited competitor to the Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG. Low-profile, distraction-free fitness bands are popular again thanks to emerging brands like Whoop, but it's a market segment Fitbit is quite familiar with. The Google Fitbit Air is official as a $99 wearable without a screen designed to passively collect health and fitness data all the time.

The Fitbit Air is a tiny tracking device that slots into swappable wristbands. The bands are available in Obsidian, Fog, Lavender, or Berry colorways, with a stainless steel buckle for easy adjustments. The tracker comes with a fabric Performance Loop Band, but there are optional silicone Active Bands and stylish Modern Bands sold separately. The idea is that Fitbit Air can be worn in any situation by simply changing out the band style, whether you're getting ready for a run or heading to a dinner party.

Perhaps the best thing about the Fitbit Air is its versatility — it plays nice with both iOS and Android using the new Google Health app. You can subscribe to Google Health Premium for additional Google Health Coach insights in the app, too. It'll also work with a Google Pixel Watch seamlessly. For the first time, you can pair multiple devices to the Google Health (formerly Fitbit) app simultaneously, switching between the wearables if you own both.

Here's everything you need to know about the Fitbit Air, and whether it's worth the $99 cost. You can pre-order it now, and it'll be available May 26.

Everything the Google Fitbit Air can do

Since the Fitbit Air doesn't have a screen, it's not designed to provide real-time activity data or offer "smart" features like notifications. Instead, the Fitbit Air's job is to passively collect health data, including automatically detected activities, that will be processed and presented in the Google Health app on a companion device. It doesn't have an inbuilt GPS sensor — you'll need to use your phone for that.

Now that we've got the limitations out of the way, it's impressive what the Fitbit Air can do, considering its price point and size. The Fitbit Air has an optical heart rate sensor for 24/7 monitoring, plus red and infrared sensors for SpO2 blood-oxygen monitoring. It has a device temperature sensor that can be used to estimate skin temperature variation. Additionally, there's a three-axis accelerometer, gyroscope, and vibration motor.

That's quite the sensor suite for a minimalist health tracker. It enables features like irregular heart rhythm notifications, high and low heart rate notifications, heart-rate variability, and cardio load management. Fitbit Air also tracks basic metrics like steps, distance, and calories burned.

The Fitbit Air's low profile makes it an excellent companion for sleep tracking. The wearable is just 8.3mm thick and 5.2 grams without the band attached. Throw on a band, and the Fitbit Air is still only 12 grams. If you've found smartwatches too thick and heavy to wear during workouts or sleep, something like the Fitbit Air could be the solution.

Speaking of sleep tracking, the health band supports a new Sleep Score feature that Google says is 15% more accurate thanks to a new machine learning model. Using the sensors and that vibration motor, Fitbit Air has a Smart Wake feature that wakes you up during the ideal portion of your sleep cycle.

Battery life is a key part of any wearable, and the Fitbit Air lasts a full week on a single charge. The wearable charges with a proprietary magnetic charger, but it works in any direction. All you need to do is drop the Fitbit Air on the magnetic charger, and a five-minute charge will give you an extra day of battery life. A full charge takes about 90 minutes.

The Fitbit Air works with iOS, Android, and Pixel Watch

Google's Fitbit Air isn't an Android exclusive — it works with iPhones running iOS 16.4 or higher and most phones running Android 11 or newer. You need the Google Health app and a Google account, but it's nice to see Fitbit Air debut as a crossplatform fitness tracker. More importantly, it's a companion to the Google Pixel Watch rather than an alternative.

Historically, you could only pair one Pixel Watch or Fitbit device to a Fitbit app (now Google Health app) at a time. Using a multi-wearable solution to track daily activity or sleep wasn't seamless. That changes with the new Google Health app, which supports connecting a Fitbit Air and Pixel Watch simultaneously. You can wear them both or switch between them, and the companion app won't miss a beat.

The fresh app redesign supports device filtering, so you can view Fitbit Air and Pixel Watch data separately if you'd like.

Use Google Health Coach with the Health Premium subscription

The bulk of the Fitbit Air's feature set is available with only a free Google account, but some features require a Google Health Premium subscription. This is the evolution of the Fitbit Premium service, and it costs $9.99 monthly or $99.99 yearly. Health Premium's monthly subscription price is identical to Fitbit Premium pricing, but the annual cost is $20 more expensive.

The big advantage of subscribing is gaining access to the Google Health Coach (announced in preview as the Fitbit Health Coach last year). Essentially, this is an AI-powered coach that provides personalized tips and training plans using your health data. It's a neat feature that continues to gain functionality, but I wouldn't say Health Coach or Health Premium are required to use the Fitbit Air.

Android Central's Take

I, for one, am through the moon about the Fitbit Air's launch. I tested the Whoop 4.0 years ago, and while I loved the idea of a screenless fitness tracker, I didn't love the high price and subscription-only model. It wasn't something I'd pay for in perpetuity as a secondary device to whatever wearable is primarily on my wrist, whether that is an Apple Watch, Garmin, or Samsung Galaxy Watch.

I'm perhaps the target audience for the Fitbit Air. I don't use a smartwatch daily anymore, despite buying the original Apple Watch over a decade ago. Now, I only put a smartwatch on specifically for workouts or sleep tracking. That said, I miss the constant fitness tracking and activity data. It's a bummer when I realize I've walked miles and have no data to show for it (first-world problem, I know).

The Fitbit Air sounds like the perfect wearable for my needs. I can still use my Apple Watch Ultra for training runs and a Garmin for hiking or racing. However, I could also keep the Fitbit Air on to connect with both my Android phones and iPhone. When I'm not wearing another smartwatch, the Fitbit Air is a fallback that maintains a consistent data set — crucial for tracking long-term health trends.

Best of all, Google Health Premium is included for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers free-of-charge, and that's a very pleasant surprise. I wouldn't have paid for it separately, but it makes the $99 Fitbit Air and the $20/month Google AI Pro much more valuable together.

What you need to know

• The Fitbit app is becoming the Google Health app starting May 19 following an automatic OTA update.
• Fitbit data will automatically carry over to Google Health, and Google Fit users will be invited to migrate their data later this year.
• Fitbit Premium is now Google Health Premium, and the annual plan is now $20 more expensive. However, it's free for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in more than 30 countries.

Google is no stranger to high-profile acquisitions, and we've seen the blueprint before. It buys a company, and eventually, the ecosystem becomes one with Google's own ecosystem. We saw this play out with Nest, which is part of Google Home. Now, we're seeing the final stages of the Fitbit transition, following Google's acquisition in 2021. The Fitbit app is becoming Google Health in under two weeks, and while the platform certainly isn't going anywhere, there are big changes ahead.

Google Health will be the new home for health and fitness data across the Google, Fitbit, and Android ecosystems. It's rolling out as an app update for the current Fitbit app, so users won't have to make the manual switch to a new app. All existing data will carry over to the updated Google Health app, too. To unify the health suite, Google Fit users will be able to migrate their data to Google Health later this year.

The centerpiece of the new Google Health app is the Health Coach, an AI-powered trainer previously tested as Fitbit Health Coach. It's an exclusive feature for Google Health Premium subscribers, and Health Premium is replacing Fitbit Premium. Here's everything you need to know about the change, including the rollout timing and new features.

Fitbit will become Google Health, and there's no opt-out

Google's choice to update the Fitbit app rather than release a new Google Health app confirms that there's no opting out of the transition. Starting today, Google will nudge Fitbit app users about the Health rebrand with push notifications and pop-ups. That will give users a bit of time to brace themselves for the Google Health rebrand, which is set to roll out as an app update on May 19. Since everything is automatic, users won't have to manually transfer data or make any changes to the app itself.

The new app is more than just a facelift. It offers new functionality, like advanced machine learning models that are 15% more accurate for sleep tracking. It presents data alongside uploaded vitals and medical records, enabling Ask Coach to answer questions using the information provided. It supports nutrition logging with personalized calorie and water intake targets.

The Google Health app launches with four tabs: Today, Fitness, Sleep, and Health. The interface is customizable, allowing users to pick their favorite metrics and pin them to the dashboards at the top of the Today and Health pages. It's designed to work with devices beyond the Fitbit and Google ecosystems, supporting Health Connect and Google Health APIs, but also Apple Health, Peloton, and MyFitnessPal.

Google Health leaderboards are now expanded to make step tracking and cardio load a competition among friends. Cycle tracking is also upgraded with improved navigation, better logging, and an interactive calendar.

Google Health Premium is replacing Fitbit Premium, too

The flagship Google Health feature, Health Coach, requires a Google Health Premium subscription. This is the rebranded version of the longtime Fitbit Premium service, which cost $9.99 per month and $79.99 per year. The new Health Premium plans cost $9.99 per month and $99.99 per year, representing a $20 increase for annual subscribers.

However, the basic Google Health experience includes activity tracking, sleep tracking, health tracking, and manual wellness logging. The paid experience adds AI-powered features leveraging Gemini, but it's not required.

Crucially, the Health Premium tier will be free for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in over 30 countries. Fitbit Premium was available for AI Pro and Ultra users previously, but only in the United Kingdom. The expanded availability will help more Google One subscribers get premium Google Health (formerly Fitbit) features without paying extra.

Android Central's Take

Believe it or not, the Fitbit Charge HR was the first wearable I ever owned, so I'm familiar with the Fitbit legacy. Personally, I don't think it's going anywhere. Google already overhauled the design and feature set of the Fitbit app for the better.

The only major difference here is the new brand, and moving to the Google Health name makes sense for consistency and recognition. The Fitbit brand isn't going anywhere either, as the just-announced Fitbit Air proves it'll live on in other products.

The Health Premium price hike for annual subscribers is unfortunate, but selfishly, I'm thrilled that it's now included with Google AI Pro plan. For $20 per month, you get Google One features, exclusive AI tools, 5TB cloud storage, Google Home Premium, and now Google Health Premium. It might be one of the best deals in subscriptions, period.

I didn't like the scattered nature of Google's health offerings between Fitbit and Google Fit. I'm glad Google Health will unify the experience while retaining what made the Fitbit app great.

What you need to know

• Google's screenless Fitbit Air could launch as soon as May 7, following recent teasers and leaks.
• The wearable is expected to track health data throughout the day and show insights in the Fitbit app rather than on a screen.
• The Fitbit Air may start at around $99 and come with multiple band options similar to the Pixel Watch.

Following previous leaks, it looks like Google's screenless wearable competitor to Whoop could arrive as soon as tomorrow, May 7, 2026.

Last month, Steph Curry posted on Instagram wearing a new Fitbit device we hadn't seen before, teasing what looked like a completely new kind of wearable. Since then, multiple leaks have suggested that Google has been working on a Whoop-style fitness tracker without a screen. The wearable reportedly collects data throughout the day and then presents insights on your phone, as opposed to a screen.

This category of wearables has been growing steadily, with brands like Whoop, Amazfit, and others already in the space. Now it looks like Google is ready to join in with its own take on a screenless tracker.

Fitbit's official Instagram account recently posted a teaser with the caption "Buckle up. 5.7.26." showing a light blue band with a steel buckle across a few slides.

The design looks very similar to the Pixel Watch woven band, and it lines up with previous leaks pointing to a device called the Fitbit Air. All signs point to a launch happening tomorrow.

In another teaser, Fitbit posted a clip about common health-related questions, ending with a "thinking" prompt, suggesting the company may have news about its Gemini-powered personal health coach, which has been in beta since last year.

Earlier leaks had suggested a launch around May 16, but it now looks like Google may be moving things up. With the Android Show and Google I/O 2026 coming up, this timing actually makes sense, giving the Fitbit Air its own spotlight before the bigger announcements.

Reports suggest it could launch at around $99, with multiple band options, similar to the Pixel Watch lineup.

There are also rumors that Google could rebrand Fitbit's software experience under a new Google Health name, although nothing is confirmed yet. That said, we likely won't have to wait much longer, as the Fitbit Air could be officially unveiled very soon.

Android Central's Take

I've always liked the idea of screenless trackers, but they've never felt complete. If Google can combine solid tracking with Gemini's insights, this might be the first fitness band that actually tells me something useful instead of just showing numbers.

What you need to know

• Google is overhauling its Google Home & Nest Community and Fitbit forums next month, but wiping all existing posts in the process.
• The redesign promises a faster, cleaner interface with better categories and easier navigation for quicker troubleshooting.
• A new dedicated discussion section for Gemini for Home is being added, hinting at heavier AI integration going forward.

Google has announced a major update to its Google Home & Nest Community and the Fitbit Community, both set to launch next month. But before you get excited about the new look, there’s a downside: all your previous posts will be deleted.

In a blog post, Google calls this change “a foundational shift." The company is updating these old forums, noting that the Fitbit forum existed before Google bought the company and the Nest board still uses the old Stadia platform, to bring them into a “broader, more robust ecosystem.”

Both communities will have a modern design and a “lightning-fast interface.” Google says there will be easy-to-use categories, so you can find things like Nest Thermostat error codes more quickly, and discussions will be organized to help you get answers faster.

The biggest change for the Google Home & Nest Community is a new discussion area just for Gemini for Home. That section will likely get busy quickly as people look for ways to fix issues like their robot voice arguing about the thermostat schedule.

Data wipe

However, Google makes it clear that “your post history won’t be available anymore in the new community.”

It’s even tougher for Fitbit owners. You’ll have to make a new account from scratch. Google says the old platform will be “retired along with all existing profile data.” This means your badges and old troubleshooting posts will be lost. Home & Nest users probably won’t need a new login, but losing all that data is still disappointing.

These changes are expected to roll out to both forums in May. Google says it will share more details soon, but for now, the best advice is to screenshot or save any important threads or guides you have bookmarked in the old Fitbit or Nest forums. Once the new experience launches, you won’t be able to access your old posts.

Android Central's Take

A faster, cleaner forum with a dedicated Gemini section ideally sounds good. But the main issue is that Google is presenting the data wipe as a benefit instead of a problem. Calling it a “foundational shift” is just another way of saying it chose not to move your old content. And making Fitbit users create new accounts is just poor database management. Many users have shared years of troubleshooting tips, DIY fixes, and community solutions in those posts, but Google has decided to remove all of it.

What you need to know

• Google may rebrand Fitbit Premium to Google Health Premium, with early signs seen in store listings.
• The new branding also includes a redesigned Google Health logo with a heart icon in Google's signature colors.
• Fitbit branding is likely to stay for hardware, while all software-related parts might be rebranded to Google Health.

Fitbit is something we immediately associate with fitness tracking, but it looks like Google might be slowly phasing out the Fitbit name — although not completely just yet.

As noted in a report from 9to5Google, Google is reportedly planning to rename Fitbit services to Google Health. The report mentions that "Google Health Premium" has started appearing in some international Google Store listings when buying a Pixel Watch or Fitbit device. Even App Store listings have reportedly been updated to reflect Google Health Premium branding.

Right now, if you subscribe for deeper insights and the AI Personal Health Coach, you're essentially paying for Fitbit Premium. But it seems like Google is preparing to rebrand this entirely to Google Health Premium instead.

Fitbit Premium could soon be called Google Health Premium

Along with the name change, a new Google Health logo has also surfaced. It appears to be a brush-stroke style heart with Google's signature colors and gradient glow, giving it a more unified Google look.

Interestingly, Google has since pulled back on this, reverting the name to Fitbit Premium after the reports surfaced. But considering the Google Health branding had already started appearing in some regions, it does feel like the shift is already in motion.

That said, this doesn't necessarily mean Fitbit as a brand is going away. Another report recently suggested that Google's upcoming screenless tracker, a competitor to Whoop, will still carry the Fitbit name, likely as Fitbit Air. So it seems Google may keep Fitbit for hardware while moving services and subscriptions under the Google Health umbrella.

It'll be interesting to see how this plays out, but right now, it does feel a bit confusing. Rebranding the subscription while keeping the Fitbit name for hardware could create mixed messaging. Personally, I'd rather see Google simplify things and bring everything under one clear brand.

What you need to know

• Fitbit announced another round of personal health coach updates for its Public Preview, giving users insight into weekly targets based on their goals.
• The AI coach will also deliver personalized messages throughout the day in the Today tab for post-workout summaries, end-of-week updates, and more.
• Fitbit recently announced a major Sleep Score overhaul for Public Preview, as the feature becomes more than a simple number.

Fitbit is continuing to focus on improving its AI-fueled personal health coach this week, with an update that brings it closer to personal guidance.

In an update this morning (Apr 23), Fitbit announced that the personal health coach in Public Preview's update delivers "weekly fitness plans." This capability eyes Premium subscribers, as Fitbit says those users will see "customized weekly targets and tailored workouts based on your goals." The company links this rollout to Public Preview feedback. Similarly, Premium users will have the ability to adjust their plan, targets, and desired workouts "next week."

To keep you involved with your workouts, the personal health coach is rolling out "personalized messages" that will be delivered "throughout the day." Fitbit says these messages will appear on the Today tab, offering morning moments, post-workout summaries, alongside end-of-day/end-of-week updates. The AI health coach will also walk users through the steps for workouts it recommends if you're unfamiliar.

Speaking of being confused (or curious), Ask Coach is becoming "more natural." Fitbit says it's giving users a way to check in with their AI coach with a little more flow, so it doesn't feel jarring. Fitbit intends for these updates to begin rolling out over the next few weeks, into May, so Public Preview users should keep an eye out.

Your AI Coach

Fitbit's Public Preview is welcoming in another update this week, which is more of a major rework, as Sleep Score gets a whole new look. The company stated that it wanted to make Sleep Score more than a number, as it takes a "holistic" approach to what your rest truly means. Now, Sleep Score will account for a much wider range of nightly data, such as how long it took you to fall into Deep and REM sleep, as well as a relaxed heart rate. Interruptions to your sleep are also factored.

Users will see a full breakdown of every metric Sleep Score takes into account moving forward. Premium users get a little more of this update. The personal health coach dropped a few updates late in March, one of which focused on women's Cycle Health. Additionally, this patch introduced Fitbit's "Resilience" score. This serves to inform users about how stress affects their bodies, alongside water and nutrition logging.

Android Central's Take

Another wave of personal health coach updates, and this time it seems that the major feature comes off the back of user feedback. Users are looking for customization; something that feels personal to them on their fitness journey. Looking at it that way, I understand the feedback-driven feature that's arriving. The one thing I'm most curious about is the more "natural" interactions with Ask Coach. Fitbit didn't go into specifics. It leaves me wondering if this is in the way the AI responds or how we surface it.

What you need to know

• Fitbit announced a new approach to its Sleep Score, which is becoming more actionable and detailed in a Public Preview update.
• Sleep Score now takes into a account a wider range of data from your sleep, and Premium subscribers can lean on the digital Coach and Personalized Insights for "actionable suggestions."
• Fitbit recently opened its Public Preview to non-subscribers.

Fitbit's digital Coach is giving your sleep a stern look this week, as the public preview gains a complete rework for your resting data.

A community post this morning detailed a complete overhaul for Fitbit's Sleep Score in its Public Preview for enrolled users. Fitbit calls out its old Sleep Score, stating that "a single number can only tell part of the story." This new era is moving into plans to be "more holistic" and "transparent," so you see exactly where you should improve—not just a number.

Fitbit says there's a lot more that goes into your Sleep Score in this new era, beginning with your "total sleep duration." While this is the "vast majority" of your score, it also looks at how long it took you to reach "Sound Sleep." Think of this as how long it took you to fall into Deep, REM, or a steady resting phase with a relaxed heart rate. Afterward, Fitbit details "Sound Sleep," which is when it adds up "all the moments during your sleep period where your body appears to be soundly asleep."

Restfulness, Full Awakenings, and Interruptions are also taken into consideration. Each of these aspects is now broken down into bright, colorful bars in your Fitbit Sleep data space. Users can head there and see if they were in range, above range, or far below it. Fitbit states that these ranges are based on "people your age and gender."

Sleep is important—now you know it

Fitbit Premium users are the ones who can take advantage of this new Sleep Score experience with its digital Coach and Personalized Insights. The post states that if a user's time to fall asleep has taken a while, the app will now offer "changes to your wind-down routine." Similarly, if your Sleep Score has changed in any way, and you're curious, the digital Coach might explain that you were more tired one day, compared to another (even if you didn't feel it).

As this new Sleep Score rolls in, Fitbit says you might notice your number is a little off. This is simply the app adjusting to these new parameters, so it should "level out" to whatever score your body falls into now. Additionally, Fitbit acknowledges an issue with its Sleep Score, as your device might say one thing, but the app will say another. Moving forward (until it's fixed), the number in the app is what you should take.

The good thing here is that non-Premium subscribers can get into the Public Preview now, too. If you aren't subscribed, you won't see the features special to subscribers—keep that in mind. Fitbit's recent update brought more for women's health, such as "Cycle Health" for periods and better insights.

Android Central's Take

Actionable insights are one of those things my colleague Derrek Lee talked about when reviewing Fitbit's personal health coach. Numbers are flashy and nice to see, but without the backbone, are you really getting anywhere? It looks like Fitbit has realized that and is bringing that actionable vibe to its Sleep Score. Sleep is incredibly important. There are times when I feel like I'm not getting enough (mostly my fault). Regardless, now users can really take a look at what's going on to make worthy changes.

What you need to know

• The Fitbit Air is expected to launch May 16 at around $99.
• Unlike Whoop, Fitbit Air is said to skip monthly fees — you pay once and get core health insights upfront.
• The device will supposedly go screen-free, and it will most likely focus on passive tracking like sleep, heart rate, HRV, and activity.

Google isn’t just competing with the Apple Watch anymore. Now it looks like the company is taking direct aim at Whoop.

On May 16, Google is expected to launch the Fitbit Air, a fitness tracker without a screen. Supplier and retail data found by Droid-Life suggest it will cost about $99, making it cheaper than Whoop’s subscription-based hardware.

Whoop is known for giving you the band at no cost, but it puts all the health insights behind a monthly fee. Fitbit Air might change this. It appears that you only pay once for the device and get access, with no extra payments just to see your recovery score.

Google will probably still promote its Health Coach and premium options for advanced metrics, but the main features should be available right away without extra fees.

Which band ships on the device?

Customization is apparently a big focus. The Air will reportedly come in three main colors: Obsidian (black), Lavender, and Berry.

The bigger news is the variety of bands, similar to what Google offers with the Pixel Watch. Options might include the Performance Loop Band (Obsidian, Fog, Lavender, Berry), Active Band (Obsidian, Fog, Berry, Lavender), Elevated SoftFlex Band (Obsidian, Moonstone, Porcelain), and Metal Mesh Band (Silver, Warm Gold).

It’s still unclear which band will come with the device. It will probably be the Active Band in Obsidian, but Google might choose something different.

Also, the charging cable is said to come in Snow white, which is a small but interesting design choice.

If you have an older Fitbit, keep in mind that this new device supposedly has no screen. It will most likely focus on continuous tracking of sleep, heart rate, HRV, and activity, with all data sent to the Fitbit app.

What you need to know

• Google has teased a screenless Fitbit tracker, revealed via a Steph Curry Instagram video.
• The wearable uses a fabric band design and focuses on health tracking without a display.
• It may offer basic features for free, with advanced insights tied to a Fitbit Premium subscription.

Screenless Whoop-style fitness trackers are trending in the market, and it looks like Google could be the next company working on one.

Just as Fitbit's personal health coach enters public preview for non-paying users, Google has quietly teased its next fitness wearable under the Fitbit brand. American professional basketball player Steph Curry shared a video on Instagram hinting at a screenless fitness tracker from Google for the first time.

The video shows Curry wearing a screenless wearable with a fabric band, light gray in the center with orange accents on the sides and a clasp. The clip includes the line 'new relationship with your health' and ends with Google's 'G' logo. Curry also says he's excited about what this could mean for health and wellness, calling it a first-of-its-kind product.

This isn't the first time we've seen screenless fitness trackers. Whoop has been offering a similar concept for years, focusing on tracking health data without a display and relying on a smartphone for insights. It looks like Google now wants to enter this space with a similar approach, likely under the Fitbit brand.

According to a separate report by Bloomberg, the tracker won't include a screen and will offer only "basic features" out of the box, with deeper insights expected to be tied to a Fitbit Premium subscription. This isn't surprising, as Whoop also follows a subscription-based model.

However, with Google's growing focus on AI in health, especially with Fitbit's personal health coach Gemini-powered features, this could be a serious competitor to Whoop. It's been a while since Fitbit explored screenless wearables, and this might be its way back into that category.

There's no official launch timeline yet, but with Steph Curry's teaser, it likely won't be too far away. And it's not just Google, other brands are also reportedly working on similar AI-powered screenless fitness trackers this year.

Android Central's Take

This is actually pretty exciting. I've always liked the idea of screenless trackers like Whoop, but if Google can pair this with Fitbit and Gemini, it could finally make this category more accessible. That said, it'll all come down to how good the pricing and insights are, not just the hardware.

What you need to know

• Fitbit announced three new updates for its personal health coach; one of which involves "Cycle Health" for women's periods and cycle insights.
• A new "Resilience" score arrives to help users understand the effects of stress on their body, as well as water logging and nutrition tracking.
• The personal health coach's Public Preview is opening to non-Premium subscribers, too.

Fitbit's health coach is slowing down, as another wave of features rolls out, looping in more aspects of your daily life.

A Keyword update post details what users can expect from Fitbit's personal health coach this week, as an update prepares to arrive on phones. The platform says these three updates are designed to help you better "prioritize" your understanding moving forward. Fitbit is taking women's health more seriously, rolling out "Cycle Health." Through this, Premium users can receive "personalized cycle insights" from the personal health coach.

At the very minimum, you'll also have the option of logging any symptoms and periods from the calendar. Your mental health is crucial, and not enough people take it seriously. Starting this week, the personal health coach will offer users an in-depth look at how stress affects their body through a new "Resilience" score. Moreover, it highlights mindfulness session tracking and mood logging.

Making sure you're eating your meals to hit that calorie target and drinking enough water is on the way, too. The personal health coach is offering "personalized macronutrient ranges," intended as a more flexible way for users to manage themselves.

These three personal health coach features are headed to the Public Preview today (Mar 31). Historically, this is a restricted space for Fitbit Premium users. The company confirmed that even without a Premium subscription, users can join the Public Preview to take part in better tracking and more.

A coach in your pocket

Fitbit's personal health coach already had a pretty decent update a couple of weeks ago. To help you understand the full scope of your health, the AI now accepts your medical records. This is a completely optional feature. If you decide to give the AI your medical records, it will use the information there to refine its responses and provide personalized assistance. Aside from that, the personal health coach had its sleep accuracy improved by 15%, alongside a "Get care now" update for continuous glucose monitor (CGM) access.

This AI-fueled feature has also expanded to more people. Users in the U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore got access to the personal health coach back in February. Joining that expansion was Fitbit's delivery of its Public Preview to iOS users. The personal health coach is Fitbit's most significant update, delivering a personalized experience that adheres to your health data with a nice little app redesign, too.

Discounts on Fitbits and smartwatches aren't exactly rare, but these deals get even more impressive during seasonal sale events like Amazon's Big Spring Sale. From now through tomorrow, March 31st, Amazon is chopping 30% off the price of the budget-friendly Fitbit Inspire 3.

Beyond being the best budget Fitbit, the Inspire 3 is generally just a good pick for anyone investing in their first-ever smartwatch. Many users also prefer the thin, lightweight build of Fitbit's devices, especially because they can be a little more comfortable for wearing while sleeping, making it easier to utilize the band's sleep tracking capabilities.

The Inspire 3 also comes with a long-lasting battery, an upgraded color AMOLED display, and accurate health and fitness tracking features. With an extra $30 off the already-low price, this pick is quite appealing for shoppers on a budget.

• See the full list of deals during Amazon's Big Spring Sale - ends March 31st

✅Recommended if: you need a Fitbit but you don't want to spend more than $70 or so; you like having a thin, comfortable fitness watch rather a bulky wearable; you're looking for a smartwatch with a long battery life and the option for Always-On display modes.

❌Skip this deal if: you need a smartwatch with hyper-accurate GPS features, or you prefer larger smartwatches for their easy-to-use displays; you'd prefer to upgrade to one of Fitbit's more expensive devices to gain all the latest bells and whistles; you don't want to get sucked into a subscription plan after the initial free Fitbit plan is up.

The Fitbit Inspire 3 is a great option for anyone who is new to fitness trackers or just wants to upgrade to the generation's new color display. From sleep monitoring and an Sp02 sensor to GPS for tracking runs, the Inspire 3 has most of what casual users today need in a fitness watch, and it also comes with six months free of Fitbit premium. If you like the small build of Fitbits and you don't want to spend more than $70 to $100, then this might be a good time to pick this watch up while the Spring Sale lasts.

If you're in the market for a cheap smartwatch, Spring brings with it a range of deals on wearables this year. As such, Amazon is offering the Fitbit Versa 4 for 25% off the sticker price, as part of its ongoing Big Spring Sale.

While it's not a perfect device, this is our top pick for the best mid-range Fitbit available today, and the extra $50 off certainly doesn't hurt either.

The Versa 4 comes with a good-looking, rounded square display, over 40 exercise modes, sleep tracking, GPS, and more. It's also water resistant, and it's compatible with Bluetooth and Amazon Alexa.

This particular deal is available for the device's three different colored band and screen combinations: Pink Sand and Copper Rose, Black and Graphite, and Waterfall Blue and Platinum.

• See the full list of deals during Amazon's Big Spring Sale

✅Recommended if: you want a versatile smartwatch with a long-lasting battery and easy compatibility with both Android and iOS devices; you're looking for a smartwatch with a good-looking, useful display; you've had other Fitbit devices in the past and have liked them, but you're ready to try out something new at a discount.

❌Skip this deal if: you don't want to be bound to Fitbit's premium features subscriptions; you need access to other third-party apps and would be willing to upgrade to devices with broader options there; you need access to Google Assistant rather than Alexa.

The Fitbit Versa 4 is a solid mid-range watch option, with GPS, an Sp02 sensor, stress management features, and a wide range of other smart health and fitness features.

To be sure, the Versa 4 is also a more affordable option than some of the higher-tier options from the company, and from the Google Pixel lineup. While it doesn't boast some of the higher-end features such as music storage or access to Google Assistant, many casual users don't have an issue there.

It still sports up to 50-meter water resistance, a built-in mic and speaker, over six days of battery life, and quick, two-hour charging. The display is a 1.58-inch AMOLED screen with a nice squared-off design, and it's a bit on the less-bulky side of the smartwatch spectrum, though not as small as some options like the Fitbit Charge 6.

Good smartwatch and fitness tracker deals come along from time to time, but there are only a few times per year that retailers really launch the big discounts. Fortunately, right now is one of those times, as Amazon is offering 25% off the Fitbit Charge 6 for the Big Spring Sale, cutting the price of our favorite Fitbit fitness tracker down to just $120.

Beyond being the best Fitbit tracker on the market, we love this smartwatch for its lightweight, thin design, making it a perfect pick for anyone who wants something for sleep tracking that isn't as bulky as watches with huge AMOLED displays.

The Charge 6 comes with GPS, a useful haptic button, improved heart rate monitoring from previous generations, and compatibility with a wide range of apps like Google Maps, Wallet, YouTube Music, and more.

• See the full list of deals during Amazon's Big Spring sale

✅Recommended if: you're looking for a basic fitness tracker with heart rate and sleep monitoring, compatibility with apps such as Google Maps and Wallet, and a built-in GPS sensor; you prefer a fitness smartwatch that's thin and lightweight, along with being more comfortable than the average smartwatch to wear for sleep tracking purposes; you want a watch with a haptic

❌Skip this deal if: you're looking for a smartwatch GPS system with the utmost accuracy, and you at least want a dual-band GPS device; you prefer a larger, more easy-to-use display interface, rather than the small one included with the Charge 6; you need a smartwatch with a cEDA sensor and/or an altimeter.

The Fitbit Charge 6 may not be the pick for those enduring long outdoor excursions, but it's definitely the pick for those on somewhat of a budget who prefer a smaller overall device. It boasts a comfortable fit, high-powered health and sleep tracking, a useful haptic button that feels good to utilize, and up to a week of battery life per charge with a two-hour charge time.

It also features 4GB of onboard storage for a wide range of apps, and easy access to multi-device features from a wide range of brands.

What you need to know

• Fitbit can now tell the difference between actually sleeping and just lying awake.
• Google says Fitbit's sleep tracking algorithms are now 15% more accurate, with better detection of wake-ups, naps, and sleep stages.
• Medical records are coming to the Fitbit app next month, letting you link lab results, medications, and visit history directly to your profile for truly personalized coaching.

Do you remember when your fitness tracker would cheer you on for getting eight hours of "sleep," even if you spent half the night scrolling through TikTok at 2 AM? Google has finally addressed that issue.

At its annual The Check Up health event, Google announced a big upgrade for the Fitbit Personal Health Coach. This Gemini AI-powered tool, which launched in preview last year, now focuses on two things users have wanted: sleep tracking that understands real habits, and a coach that considers your actual medical history, not just your step count.

First, let’s talk about sleep. Google says the new sleep algorithms are 15% more accurate at tracking sleep stages for Public Preview users. This improvement is based on comparisons with clinical gold-standard measurements on Pixel and Fitbit devices.

So what does this mean for you? Your device can now tell the difference between lying awake in bed and actually sleeping. It also does a better job tracking 3 AM wake-ups, weekend naps, and the shifts between light, deep, and REM sleep.

Soon, this will be part of a new Sleep Score. Instead of only reporting how many hours you slept, it will also consider how long it took you to fall asleep.

Medical records are entering the app

Next month, U.S. users in the Public Preview will be able to link their medical records directly to the Fitbit app. This includes lab results, medication lists, and visit history. It might feel a bit intimidating, but it could be a big step forward.

Google worked with b. well, an AI health data platform, and CLEAR, the identity verification company, to make this possible. You can search for your healthcare provider and link your portal, or use a CLEAR selfie to let Google find your records for you. Whether this works depends on your provider.

Once your records are linked, the Coach can understand your real health situation. If you ask, "How can I improve my cholesterol?" it won’t just give you generic tips. Instead, it can summarize your lab results, point out any concerning trends, and share wellness information based on your history and wearable data.

Glucose tracking is joining the mix

Starting next month, you’ll also be able to connect a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) through Health Connect. This means you can find out how your afternoon workout or even a slice of pepperoni pizza affects your glucose levels.

Behind the scenes, Google is putting resources into health research. This includes a study on predicting insulin resistance published in Nature and ongoing work on hypertension. There’s also a new "Get care now" Fitbit Lab study with Included Health to see how AI can help during virtual doctor visits.

Uploading your medical history to an app can feel like a privacy risk, and experts advise caution. Fitbit says your records are securely stored, you control who can see them and when to delete them, and this data is not used for ads. The Coach is not a doctor, so it won’t diagnose or treat conditions, and you shouldn’t change your medications based on its advice.

Android Central's Take

I have to admit, I’m genuinely impressed by these updates. A 15% improvement in sleep tracking means your tracker can actually figure out why you feel so tired on Thursday mornings. But here’s where I get a bit skeptical: now we’re paying for Fitbit Premium to give our most sensitive health data to the same company known for its advertising business. Google says your lab results won’t be used for ads, at least for now.

And while the Coach can suggest you eat more oats, it still can’t give real medical advice. It’s a smart assistant with access to your health secrets, charging you every month to store them. At least now it knows you weren’t really asleep at 2 AM — you were just up worrying about all the data you’re sharing. That’s progress, I guess.

What you need to know

• Fitbit's AI Personal Health Coach snags a few updates this week, such as the ability to understand your medical records if provided.
• After offering them, the AI coach can tune its responses to questions you might have by using your verified medical records.
• The app is also preparing to boost its sleep accuracy by 15%, as well as a "Get care now" update, giving users access to a continuous glucose monitor (CGM).

AI is looking to do more to help users understand their health, and that's exactly where Fitbit is taking its Personal Health Coach.

Fitbit announced in a blog post that it's rolling out three new capabilities for its AI-driven Personal Health Coach in its app for users. This update aims to showcase how "we’re advancing health through new research," per Fitbit. The first major addition is offering a "fuller picture" of the user's health through their medical records. Understanding what's going on will first arrive in a Public Preview for U.S. users in April.

Your lab results, medications, and visits with your doctor will be involved in this "full picture." Fitbit states that, when given enough information, the Personal Health Coach's guidance becomes "safer, more relevant and more personalized." The company gives the example of a user asking about how to help reduce their cholesterol, to which the AI will leverage their records, if provided.

Fitbit highlights its partnership with b. well and CLEAR, as users can find their healthcare provider and establish a connection with their portal for your records. Alternatively, Fitbit says you can "verify your identity" with CLEAR, and the service will take care of searching for your records. This particular feature plans to add a way for users to share their records and health summaries with their family or provider through a QR code or Smart Health Link.

More on the way

Sleep insights and accuracy is getting a massive boost in this week's update. Fitbit says it's improved the feature by 15%. Through dataset and model training, this update will better capture interruptions, naps, and stage transitions. It's going to take a few days before Fitbit's better sleep accuracy arrives in the app. However, there's a "Sleep Score" that's also preparing to debut "in the coming weeks" for Public Preview users.

Fitbit's Sleep Score "evaluates specific aspects of your rest — not only how much sound sleep you got, but how long it took you to get there." In other news, Fitbit's announcement teases an additional update: "Get care now." Born from its work with Included Health, Fitbit's "Get care now" will be able to connect users through virtual visits. As this heads to Public Preview, users can connect to a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). You'll also have the ability to ask the AI coach about how certain foods may affect your glucose.

The post states "Get care now" will arrive in the next few weeks.

Android Central's Take

I know my colleague Derrek Lee uses health/fitness apps quite often, so when he gave his two-cents about it, I listened. In his experience, Fitbit's massive glow-up with the Personal Health Coach brought it closer to becoming a true contender for him, as it nearly became his go-to. However, it wasn't quite there, as the coach's plans can, at times, feel more like suggestions, rather than a plan of action. Personally, if I'm going to get involved with something like this, I'd much rather have something concrete and actionable, rather than "this might help."

What you need to know

• Fitbit announces that it's expanding its personal health coach to more countries, such as the U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.
• Additionally, it's bringing its Public Preview access to iOS users this week, though it might take a few days before everyone sees it.
• Fitbit's personal health coach is its largest update yet, and it truly digs deep to understand the user's data by asking questions and keeping things "conversational."

Fitbit's ready to bring its personal health coach to more places and people today (Feb 10), as the company announces what users can expect.

Fitbit's personal health coach is an AI-driven experience that's starting to arrive in more places around the world, per a press release today. A Keyword post states that this feature is headed for Premium users in the U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. The post informs users that this rollout could take a "few weeks" to complete its arrival in these countries.

Beyond that, Fitbit is preparing to welcome iOS users from these countries and the U.S. into its current Public Preview experience.

Fitbit takes over, reporting that iOS users joining the Public Preview for the personal health coach will find what Android users have had for a while now. Users with iPhones must have a Premium subscription to be eligible to join this test. There are some other aspects iPhone users must adhere to, such as having iOS 16.4 or higher, being at least 18 or older, and more.

As the personal health coach arrives, Fitbit directs users to the Today tab (or your settings) to sign up. The company says iOS users should expect this to appear "over the next few days."

What iOS, and others, can expect

Fitbit's personal health coach was an extensive update is launched in October within its Public Preview experience. This AI-driven feature provides users with an AI Coach that works with you to achieve your health/workout goals while also building a multi-week plan to get it done. There's a ton more to unpack with this, but after spending a month with it, Android Central's Derrek Lee is about ready to make Fitbit his go-to fitness app.

It's a bit of a process to get things set up, but once you're in, Fitbit invites you to have a chat with the AI Coach. The point of this is to get to "know you" and to see your goals (think daily steps and sleep), and more. The personal health coach is powered by Gemini, so you can expect that same sort of "conversational" touch.

Once this is all done, the Today tab is fully decked out with this personal health coach. Users will find AI-generated insights about their health data under its AI Insights. The personal health coach also brings a permanent Ask Coach button to the app that's readily available for your health needs.

Android Central's Take

I would suggest reading through my colleague's write-up about his time with the Fitbit personal health coach. There's a lot more to dig through than what's possible in a post like this. However, the root of it is that the personal health coach is quite useful for people really looking to dig deep with their health, workouts, and sleep. There are areas where Fitbit can improve, that's a definite. As Derrek says, "Despite its shortcomings, I think Google is on the right track with this new Fitbit experience."

Whether you're trying to hit New Year's resolutions or just need a good workout or diet tracker, the best health and fitness apps can help you get there. And if you're feeling overwhelmed (or underwhelmed) by the choices available, I'm here to share personally-tested workout and planning apps to get you started.

Some people thrive with personalized, AI-made workout or diet plans. Others benefit from social apps like Strava where challenges and "kudos" from friends keep you motivated. And you'd be surprised how a good spreadsheet or basic workout log might work better than an expensive app with videos and plans.

Broken down into specific categories — general health/ fitness apps, workout apps, companion apps for smartwatches, and weight/ diet apps — these are the best apps to help you hit your goals for 2026, with info on key features, pricing, and why they've helped our staff succeed with their goals.

General health & fitness apps

Fitbit Personal Health Coach

Key Health Features: Sleep Score, Daily Readiness Score, Stress Management Score, Menstrual Health, Meal & Water logging, Mindfulness sessions, Trend "Insights"

Key Fitness Features: Active Zone Minutes, Cardio/ Target Load, Gemini-made personalized workout plans, video workouts, Fitbit/ Pixel Watch integration

Subscription: $10/month or $80/year (AI plans/ analysis, video workouts, long-term reports)

Why Fitbit will help with your goals: Recommending Fitbit Premium became easier once Google employed Gemini to make the Fitbit Personal Health Coach. It allows you to "speak" to an AI coach and create a comprehensive workout plan within minutes, incorporating dozens of different indoor or outdoor workout types. So whether your fitness goal is to lose weight, improve at a specific sport, increase muscle mass, walk more, or anything else, Gemini can give you weeks of personalized workouts for that goal. No other app is as comprehensive or customizable.

AI aside, Fitbit benefits from syncing with cheap Fitbit trackers, so the app can track stats like resting heart rate, blood oxygen, skin temperature, sleep zones, and HRV. The new app shows "Insight" cards with trend data for these stats, so you can see how your health is improving as you try to get fitter or lose weight.

Why we rely on Fitbit: "Fitbit is simple and accessible for anyone just starting out with serious workouts." — Derrek Lee, Managing Editor

"I love the new interface and how simple it is to get important data at a glance. I've been impressed with the AI coach and its recommendations. I think it's one of the best lifestyle fitness apps with a holistic approach." — Tshaka Armstrong, Contributor

Google Docs / Google Sheets

Why a spreadsheet will help with your goals: Apps can be motivational and auto-track your data and progress over time, with fancy graphs and AI analysis. But they're usually (A) paid, (B) mobile-only, and (C) specialized to one activity.

That's why, when it comes to New Year's resolutions or making a workout calendar, a simple document or spreadsheet works better than trying to find the perfect, all-in-one app! Use other apps to track specific goals like miles/ steps/ weight loss/ books read, but consolidate them all into one document you can check on your phone or computer, using tables and drop-down menus to label your progress (as I did above).

Or, use a spreadsheet to lay out your long-term workout plans, then a specific running or strength app to put those plans into action. I used that method to plan my months-long marathon training (see above), paired with my Garmin watch, and it was highly effective.

Why we rely on Google Docs/ Sheets: "Yeah, it sounds silly, but I actually found a use for spreadsheets. I need upper body strength, so lifting weights is the way I try to maintain it. I can keep record of my current routine as well as any goals, and there is plenty of room for extra notes. Best of all, I can check off each day's workout from my phone or my desktop and have access to all my long-term progress, so I feel like I'm accomplishing something." — Jerry Hildenbrand, Senior Editor

Strava

Key Fitness Features: Activity recording, local routes with 3D maps, Heatmap, Segment leaderboards, Clubs, Challenges, long-term workout analysis, Athlete Intelligence summaries, race predictions, Instant Workouts

Subscription: $12/month or $80/year (Saved routes, full data analysis with AI summaries, Instant Workouts

Why Strava will help with your goals: Most people try harder when cheered on or competing with others. Strava lets you connect with friends to offer and receive "kudos," motivating you to keep getting out there. You also have "Challenges" where hitting certain thresholds nets you badges and awards from partner companies, and leaderboards where you can compete to be fastest on local routes and trails. And it helps you find local Clubs with like-minded athletes, if you need in-person motivation.

More recently, Strava has doubled down on Athlete Intelligence, a tool that utilizes your workout history to assess the quality of a specific workout and provide context for your improvement over time. This year, Strava launched "Instant Workouts," with personalized activities across 40 sports types and four types (‘Maintain’, ‘Build’, ‘Explore’, or ‘Recover’), including custom routes from your starting location using a Heatmap of other users' workouts. Essentially, Strava offers personalized, tailored workouts, without committing to a long-term plan.

Why we rely on Strava: "I found my local running group through Strava last year; I appreciate when Strava tells me a certain activity was my fastest in the last month; and I'm motivated to become the 'Local Legend' for certain segments like my nearby track." — Michael Hicks, Wearables Editor

"Strava is a great app to connect with others who are into fitness and keep yourself accountable. Many fitness apps sync with it, so you can post your watch's workouts and keep yourself active and motivated." — Derrek Lee, Managing Editor

Workout apps

Nike Run Club

Key Fitness features: Activity tracking, media playback controls, 5K/10K/13.1/26.2 training plans, audio-guided runs, challenges, streaks, real-time location sharing

Subscription: None

Why Nike Run Club will help with your goals: NRC is popular with veteran runners as a running-focused alternative to Strava with similar gamification (i.e., badges, challenges, and likes) and long-term stat tracking.

Why I recommend it for beginner couch-to-5K runners, aside from the lack of subscription, is Coach Bennett's audio-based guided runs. As you run, the pro running coach will give you pointers and motivation as you're struggling to keep pace and stay moving.

Why we rely on Nike Run Club: "I’ve used Nike Run Club to run over 1,500 miles across a decade and countless devices. NRC handles the basics excellently, with the bright and bold Nike font making your pace, duration, heart rate, and more visible at a glance. It supports media playback controls, and its post-run breakdowns are both data-rich and easy to understand. The app prioritizes friendly competition with other users (with weekly challenges) and yourself (with awards and milestones) while reminding you to rest." — Brady Snyder, Contributor

"Nike Run Club helps me get into highly productive steady-state runs and brainless interval training. I just open it, choose a run that matches my intention, and move my feet." —Tshaka Armstrong, Contributor

Alternative option: Try Zombies, Run!, which has dozens of hours of audio stories designed to keep you motivated as you run, including some Marvel adventures.

Strong

Key Fitness features: Customizable workouts with custom sets, full exercise list, workout graphs, macronutrient tracking

Subscription: $5/month or $30/year (Unlimited workout templates, analytics like muscle maps and macros)

Why Strong will help with your goals: Whether you're working out at home or the gym, you don't need an app distracting you. You need simplicity, a streamlined workout log where you can check off one exercise or set, then move on to the next, without giving yourself a chance to slack off.

Strong fulfills that niche! You can build out workouts using its comprehensive exercise library, including Warm-ups and Drop/ Failure sets, and then follow that workout to completion. The PRO subscription gives you more data, but the free version is more than good enough to get you started.

Why we rely on Strong: "Strong is the gym diary where I fully flesh things out. I built out my workouts and track not only my progressive overload but my body part gains (i.e., biceps, calves, quads, etc.)." — Tshaka Armstrong, Contributor

Alternatives: Try Hevy for a workout log with more community features, or Fitbod if you need AI help building your workouts.

Sweat

Key Fitness features: Prebuilt programs, on-demand workouts, pro trainers, exercise form guides, healthy recipes

Subscription: $20/month or ~$120/year (mandatory)

Why Sweat will help with your goals: Tailored to women, Sweat has long-term strength programs tailored to any skill level, with a clean UI that makes it easy to navigate through workouts and see (A) the proper form for every exercise and (B) the muscle map of how it'll impact your body. It's on the expensive side but offers a lot of value as an alternative to a (more expensive) personal trainer.

Why we rely on Sweat: "I subscribe to Sweat because it provides a perfect balance of cardio and strength training workouts, without requiring me to plan my entire week. As a postpartum mom with very little time, knowing exactly which workout I'm due to do each day is incredibly helpful and truly eases my mind." — Nandika Iyer Ravi, News Editor

Alternatives: Peloton or Apple Fitness+ are the obvious big hitters for general coaching, while Centr is a more hardcore option.

Smartwatch/ smart ring companion apps

Garmin Connect

Key Fitness features: Garmin Run/ Cycling/ Strength/Triathlon Coach, daily suggested workouts, strength/ yoga workouts, Training Status, Training Load, long-term metric graphs, Garmin Golf, Garmin Trails, LiveTrack, downloadable/ custom courses, Challenges & Badges, gear tracking, race predictions, and more

Key Health features: Body Battery, HRV Status, Sleep Score/ Coach, menstrual tracking, food logging with AI image recognition and barcode scanning, Lifestyle Logging, Health Status

Subscription: $7/month or $70/year (AI summaries, Nutrition logging, Trails, Performance Dashboard, coaching videos, and other small features, not required)

Why Garmin Connect will help with your goals: Garmin watches mainly get praise for the long-lived hardware and post-workout analysis on your wrist. Garmin Connect is a bloated, labyrinthian app that takes time to adjust to, but it's filled to bursting with features you won't find elsewhere (especially for free), most notably personalized training plans and daily suggested runs, rides, walks, or strength workouts.

The Activities tab lets you see how your efforts compare week-to-week or month-to-month, while the Performance Dashboard (above, subscribers only) makes your data even more colorful and dynamic. Garmin also added food logging, Lifestyle Logging, and health outlier warnings to the app recently, making it obvious that it wants Connect to appeal to more "mainstream" athletes, not just the pros.

Why we rely on Garmin Connect: "Garmin feels more comprehensive and ideal for serious gym-goers than Fitbit." — Derrek Lee, Managing Editor

"Garmin has helped me hit marathon and half-marathon PRs, improve my VO2 Max, and run more miles than I ever have before. It motivated me with dynamic run suggestions based on my training load and running tolerance, so I always knew how hard to push without overdoing it." — Michael Hicks, Wearables Editor

Oura

Key features: Readiness, Sleep Score/ Debt, Health Panels, Meal logging, Cycle/ Pregnancy/ Premenopause insights, Cardiovascular Age, Daytime Stress, Resilience, Oura Advisor, Automatic Workout Detection

Subscription: $6/month or $70/year (mandatory)

Why Oura will help with your goals: The appeal of a smart ring is to get a laundry list of data, day and night, for those who find smartwatches too bulky, distracting, or uncomfortable for sleep tracking. And the Oura Ring tops our best smart ring list on the strength of its app.

Over the last few years, Oura has packed its app with a comprehensive list of health metrics, with the AI Oura Advisor as the flashy topper to make everything more accessible. Aside from the obvious nightly stats about sleep quality or heart health, Oura tries to analyze long-term trends and provide more context on your body's ability to handle stress. And it offers some rudimentary fitness tools.

Why we rely on Oura: "I rely on Oura as my daily mental health monitor. It tracks when I'm stressed and provides personalized tips for getting the rest I need." — Nandika Iyer Ravi, News Editor

"The Oura app is a passive experience for me. I use it to check my sleep quality and overall daily health and wellness, as I wear it more consistently than my Garmin or Pixel watches." — Derrek Lee, Managing Editor

Zepp Health (Amazfit)

Key features: Readiness, Sleep Score, Exertion Score, PAI score, Zepp Coach training, food logging with AI image recognition, tracked strength workouts with rep counts and muscle maps

Subscription: $12/month or $70/year (Zepp Aura advanced sleep reports, music, meditation, and AI coach)

Why Zepp Health will help with your goals: Amazfit watches are well-known for their budget value, but it'd be harder to recommend these budget watches if the companion Zepp Health app weren't so useful.

You'll find the usual collection of nightly health data, but packaged nicely with straightforward scores. The Zepp Coach can help build workout plans tailored to your abilities, while food logging is more straightforward than on other apps. And aside from the optional Aura sub, everything is free.

Why we rely on Zepp Health: "I pretty much use Amazfit exclusively these days. The Zepp app syncs perfectly with Strava, which I use to share with friends and build community. The Zepp app also makes it stupid easy to log food with its LLM-driven technology. I've written about this several times now, but you can use natural language to input your meals and snacks instead of scrolling through a bunch of lists or scanning barcodes." — Nick Sutrich, Senior Content Producer

Weight & nutrition/ diet apps

Healthify

Key features: Nutrition tracking, food logging, AI recognition, AI chatbot for recipes, calls with nutritionists, connected CGM

Why Healthify will help with your goals: Logging every single meal and snack is a major time suck, especially when you need to calculate every ingredient to a meal. HealthifyMe's whole premise is removing that delay by letting you simply photograph something and get the nutritional stats in a flash. It also has AI coaching and suggestions, or a way to connect with real nutritionists for a fee, but the streamlined food logging is what made this app so popular.

Why we rely on Healthify: "HealthifyMe is my go-to for staying accountable to my calorie deficit." — Nandika Iyer Ravi, News Editor

MyFitnessPal

Key features: Food logging, calorie and macro counting, voice logging, AI meal scan, barcode scanning, intermittent fasting tracker, recipes, grocery list sharing,

Subscription: $25/month or $100/year (for most features besides basic manual food logging and calorie count)

Why MyFitnessPal will help with your goals: It's the same reasons we listed for Healthify, except MyFitnessPal has a slightly longer feature list in exchange for its subscription, like thousands of recipes, personalized meal planning, voice logging, progress reports, and so on. You'll also find Android and Apple Watch apps, making it easy to check your daily stats or quickly log a favorite meal.

Why we rely on MyFitnessPal: "MyFitnessPal helps me keep track of my lifestyle and habits. I log my meals and exercises to monitor my macros." — Derrek Lee, Managing Editor

Withings

Key features: Connects with smart scales for weight, body composition, visceral fat, and more

Subscription: $10/month or $100/year (Health Improvement Score, Cardiologist review, Health Assistant, Smart Trends, etc.)

Why Withings will help with your goals: You can replace Withings with other smart scale brands, but this app tends to be a staff favorite. The gist is that you can see more than your weight, but also your body fat/ muscle percentage and (with fancier scales) specific data on how that fat is segmented throughout your body. Essentially, having a smart scale will help you track how your health and fitness goals are directly impacting your body.

Why we rely on Withings: "Withings is very important to me as a Type 2 diabetic. It gives me a segmental analysis of body fat & muscle losses and gains. What's most important is the visceral fat metrics, how it tracks the fat around your internal organs that can literally mean life or early death." — Tshaka Armstrong, Contributor

"Withings shows me my weight, body fat, and muscle mass, as well as how I'm trending, which helps me know if I need to make changes." — Derrek Lee, Managing Editor

This fitness tech guide isn't for the natural athletes, responsible dieters, and 10,000-steps-a-day streakers who make good habits a lifestyle. It's for the exhausted parents, disordered eaters, and indoor types who want to get healthier but struggle with it.

I'm not a natural athlete. I was a chubby kid with asthma who got healthier with high school sports, then spent years slowly regressing despite trying to stay active. It's only in the last couple of years that I've shed a few dozen pounds and become as fast as I was a decade ago.

I fully credit this to two things: Following the advice of my fitness smartwatch and sticking religiously to my New Year's resolutions. I set achievable goals at the start of the year and make myself stick to them.

This Fitness 101 guide is designed to help my fellow strugglers who need to grit and claw their way to success. I've collected Starter Kits that'll help motivate you to hit your fitness goals, as well as our best fitness guides for the technology you can trust to be accurate (and affordable).

More personally, I've gathered some of my favorite testing articles from my weekly fitness column for hitting my goals, like when I walked 10,000 steps every day or stood up every hour.

By the time Quitter's Day arrives in mid-January, I think more people can stick to their New Year's fitness resolutions if they have the right tech, plan, and mindset. I hope this guide helps you with that!

- Michael Hicks, Senior Editor, Wearables

Your New Year's Resolution Starter Kit

Fitness tips and more from the AC staff

Picking the right tech to hit your fitness goals

Fitbit is undergoing a major overhaul, and I’ve spent a month with the preview of the newly redesigned app and personal health coach.

The app is very AI-centric, which is to be expected in 2025 when every company under the sun is looking for ways to leverage AI in their services. And while that may not appeal to consumers who are a bit wary of AI, the new app redesign brings the Fitbit app into the modern Android era while making it feel more like a comprehensive fitness guide than the standard version.

At the moment, there still isn’t feature parity with the standard Fitbit app. But what’s new is rather interesting and makes me excited for the full version of the new app, which is expected to roll out sometime in 2.

For now, this is what it’s been like to use Fitbit’s new personal health coach preview.

Meet me in the middle

After switching to the new preview for the first time, setting up the new health coach preview was a bit more involved than I expected. After a quick introduction and tapping through some notices regarding data use, I was invited to have a chat with the AI health coach. Where the previous app simply had you input your goals, such as daily steps and sleep, the health coach turns the process into a conversation.

During this process, I talked to it about what I hoped to achieve and what I think works or doesn’t work for me. The coach was about as responsive as I expected from a Gemini-powered AI, and it seemed to be making a genuine effort to get to know me and understand my goals. I told it that I was looking to gain muscle and lose body fat while also hoping to build enough endurance to run my first 5K.

I was then directed to have a separate chat to set up a workout plan, though this is optional. The AI drew on what it knew about me from our previous conversation and came up with a plan to help me achieve it, while keeping certain details in mind, such as my asthma (it suggested lighter runs as a result).

I didn’t like the first suggestion it gave me, since I wanted to incorporate some of what I already do, such as a daily morning run and instructor-led yoga, Pilates, and HIIT on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays, respectively. The AI pushed back by essentially telling me I was overdoing it (which, admittedly, I was).

It made a fairly convincing argument that I may be hindering my growth by working too hard and instead tried to compromise with me, allowing me to continue in my instructor-led classes while asking which days I preferred to run.

After a few minutes, a workout plan was generated, which felt roughly in line with what I wanted, with a nice mix of my instructor-led classes, running, and lifting.

Your coach at your fingertips

The redesigned Fitbit app follows Google's Material 3 Expressive design, with vibrant icons and large cards throughout the Today, Fitness, and Sleep sections for accessible, easy-to-understand data.

The top of the Today tab features customizable focus metrics for a glanceable view of your progress and new Weekly cardio load. Scrolling through the Today section reveals cards that provide a quick look at important metrics, such as sleep, readiness, previous activities, and more, each with AI-generated insights.

The new Sleep and Fitness tabs make the data very easy to understand, allowing you to view trends and dive into each metric, such as the improved sleep tracking and targets. The Health tab is where all that data comes together to help you get a more comprehensive view of long-term trends.

AI insights are found in nearly every part of the app, which may seem overwhelming to some, but I actually find it quite helpful that it's provided to me instead of having to ask for it. And if you have questions about your metrics, tap "Say more about my x" at the bottom of each card to start a conversation with the coach.

It's an approach that reminds me a lot of Oura's AI advisor, which is available throughout the app and ready to talk to you about your stats. Google is clearly flexing its AI chops by leveraging it to help you better understand your body. That said, I do feel like bombarding users with text-filled cards could be off-putting, and it may be beneficial to present them as expandable cards, giving users the option to view the insights if they want.

There's also a floating Ask Coach button that's always accessible within the app, so you can also initiate conversations that way. I do appreciate how the AI feels genuinely helpful and accommodating. For example, I was going out of town for a vacation and knew I wouldn't be able to follow that week's plan, so I told the Coach about it, and it essentially cancelled that week's plan and had me start back up once I got back from vacation.

And if I miss a day, the coach will suggest consolidating workouts to help keep me on track "without overdoing it," showing just how flexible it can be.

But beyond that, you can just talk to the coach if you have general questions about your fitness, like ways to improve your sleep or even building a nutrition plan for yourself. Basically, you can treat it more or less like an actual coach, asking it many of the same questions you would if you had an in-person coach. The coach will also "check in" with somewhat frequent notifications throughout the day.

As someone who can't afford a personal coach, I find a lot of value in this.

Lastly, I should note that your Fitbit data stays within Fitbit, so you can't go into the Gemini app and ask it about your recent workouts. I can see the merit in keeping the data separate, though I would like the option to talk to Gemini about my Fitbit data if I want.

Work in progress

So far, there's a lot to like about the new Fitbit personal health coach preview, from the new design to the insights and conversational AI. But as this is a preview, I've found a handful of things that could (and should) improve when the full experience rolls out to everyone.

There are plenty of features you can get in the standard app experience, which Fitbit has already highlighted. I'm not too bothered by this, as you can easily switch to the standard experience at any time to get those features, then switch back to the preview.

I think what bothers me most right now is how the fitness plan feels more like a suggestion than an actual plan. When I select a session, there's no option to start a workout from the app. Instead, I have to go into my watch and start my own workout manually. From there, I have to manually mark in the app that I've finished each set/session, enter my reps, and input my total weight.

This differs from Garmin, where I can set up a plan, access it on the watch, and follow each exercise from my wrist, which can also save my reps and weight without me needing to touch my phone.

There's just too much manual input, including having to link my tracked workout to the scheduled one. Fortunately, I can still send some recommended runs to my Pixel Watch 3, which is much more helpful for monitoring my run and staying within the suggested time/heart rate zone.

There are auto-tracked workouts available, and the Fitbit app will confirm the activity on the watch or phone app, which is useful.

That said, the way fitness tracking works in the Fitbit app highlights a broader disconnect with the Pixel Watch that I hope Fitbit can address with an update to the Wear OS app. For instance, when I get my Morning Brief, it would make sense to show my suggested workout for that day, but it just shows me how many days I've worked out.

Part of this likely has to do with how Pixel Watches track workouts, which are not as granular as those on a Garmin watch, for example. On Garmin, reps are automatically counted, sets automatically start and stop, and the watch can fairly accurately determine which exercises you're doing just by how you're moving. For now, the Pixel Watch cannot do any of this.

An exciting evolution

Despite its shortcomings, I think Google is on the right track with this new Fitbit experience. It looks fantastic, feels more organized, and does a great job of showcasing just how far its AI has come as a tool we can take advantage of. Even with its missing features, the preview feels quite solid, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it evolves, hopefully into the fitness app of my dreams.

The Cyber Monday and Black Friday smartwatch deals have come to an end, but you can still find some worthy holiday discounts if you know where to look. For instance, we spotted this 40% off discount on the Fitbit Versa 4 at Amazon, bringing it down to just $120.

The Versa 4 is our top pick for mid-range Fitbit options, despite Google recently pushing more of its advanced features toward the Pixel series. Regardless, the Versa 4 will still get users GPS, a 24-hour heart rate monitoring system, and a variety of exercise modes to choose from. It's also a bit smaller than most smartwatches, which makes it a worthy option for sleep monitoring when compared to the many bulkier options available.

The Versa 4 also includes access to apps like Fitbit Pay, Amazon's Alexa, Google Wallet and Maps, as well as offering daily stress management and readiness features. It also sports a long-lasting battery, 50-meter water resistance, and additional health metrics such as menstrual health tracking, guided breathing sessions, mindfulness programs, and still more. At the time of writing, this deal is available for the Black, Pink Sand, and Waterfall Blue versions of the smartwatch.

✅Recommended if: you're looking for a fitness watch that isn't too bulky on the wrist, while still having a large enough screen to be functional; you value having a long battery life in a fitness watch; you like having a physical button for controls on your smartwatch.

❌Skip this deal if: you need something that lets you utilize downloadable apps and offline music; you'd prefer to upgrade to Google's Pixel Watch lineup; you don't want to have to sign up for a subscription to access your Fitbit's full range of features.

The Fitbit Versa 4 was a bit of a perplexing release for the company, as it held back on some features in seeming hopes to push consumers toward the Google Pixel lineup. Still, for the casual user, it's got everything one could need for basic fitness use, and its smaller-than-average size makes it an especially pleasant pick to wear.

From GPS tracking and a workout intensity map to the wide range of HR and sleep monitoring features, the Versa 4 is a pretty appealing choice at $120. Fitbit says it will get users up to 6 or more days of battery life per charge, along with water resistance up to 50 meters and a range of mindfulness tools.

While you'll need a Premium membership to access the full range of features, purchase does come with a free 6-month membership for personalized insights and other features.

Holiday shopping 2025 - quick links

• Best Buy: up to 50% off Chromebooks, Android phones, and more
• Amazon: major discounts on headphones, smart home tech
• Walmart: price drops on ASUS laptops, locked phones
• Samsung: new Galaxy XR headset, trade-in opportunities
• Verizon: free phones with new line, trade-in
• T-Mobile: free Galaxy phones, $300 back w/ 5G Home Internet
• Mint Mobile: 50% off Pixel 10, BOGO Unlimited plans
• AT&T: get a free Z Flip 7 with trade-in, new line

The holiday season is here, and while most people are making wish lists filled with gadgets, I have just one request: Google, please give us a Fitbit smart ring. We know you're launching new Fitbit hardware in 2026, but for my sake, and for the millions of health-conscious consumers who crave simplicity, style, and cutting-edge tracking, please let that hardware be a smart ring.

The form factor perfectly aligns with Fitbit’s DNA: long battery life, accurate tracking, and simplicity. These are the pillars that made Fitbit a household name. While smartwatches have become feature-packed mini-computers, many consumers still crave a device that “just works” without constant charging or complicated interfaces. A ring delivers that promise.

Unlike a wristband or watch, a ring sits stationary on the finger, offering superior conditions for heart rate and other biometric measurements. Less movement means more accurate readings, a critical differentiator in a market where precision matters. Rings also feel less intrusive, blending seamlessly into daily life. For the simplicity-loving Fitbit user, this is a dream come true.

A premium play in a K-shaped economy

Here’s the hard truth: Fitbit was once a premium product, but today it’s largely catering towards the mid-market and value-conscious customers. That segment is under pressure. As we head into 2026, macroeconomic trends point to a K-shaped recovery, where affluent consumers continue to spend while value buyers tighten their belts. Your current lineup caters to the latter, which is a risky bet.

Smart rings, on the other hand, command higher average selling prices (ASP). This is your chance to move Fitbit upstream, reclaim its premium status, and tap into a segment that’s resilient and aspirational. Think of the consumer who wears a luxury watch but still slips on an Oura Ring because health matters. Fitbit deserves to be in that conversation.

Market signals

Consider the numbers: Oura has shipped 5.5 million rings in its lifetime with virtually no serious competition. Ultrahuman? Roughly 1 million. Samsung? Under 500,000. Meanwhile, Fitbit — despite aging hardware — shipped over 2 million devices in the first three quarters of 2025, according to IDC. At its peak, Fitbit moved tens of millions annually. With Google’s reach, that scale is achievable again — if you let Fitbit stretch its wings.

And the trend is undeniable. Rings are gaining traction in the U.S. health and fitness tracker market with an ASP of over $200. Just look at the chart below:

Notice how the orange slice representing rings has grown steadily from 2023 to 2025. This isn’t a fad; it’s a shift.

Corporate wellness: Fitbit’s secret weapon

Fitbit pioneered corporate wellness programs, partnering with insurers and employers to integrate health tracking into benefits packages. Oura has also capitalized on this playbook, but Fitbit wrote it first. A smart ring would supercharge Fitbit’s ability to re-enter this lucrative segment, offering a discreet, stylish device that employees actually want to wear.

Fashion meets function

Health tech is no longer just about utility; it’s about identity. Consumers flaunt luxury watches and designer clothes, yet they still seek cutting-edge health insights — that market is currently served by the likes of Oura and Whoop. But a Fitbit ring bridges that gap, elevating the brand into a space where fashion and wellness intersect. Done right, this product could sit comfortably next to a Cartier bracelet or a Rolex watch.

XR: The hidden opportunity

The smart ring isn’t just about health; it’s about the future of interaction. With Android XR glasses and headsets expected in 2026 and beyond, the ring form factor is perfectly poised to become a discreet, intuitive input method.

Remember Focals by North, one of Google’s own acquisitions? They used a ring as a controller, and it was brilliant. Other brands have since replicated this approach, proving its viability. A Fitbit ring could serve double duty: health tracker and XR controller, making it indispensable in Google’s ecosystem.

Why Google needs this win

Let’s be honest: Google’s hardware ambitions have been uneven. Pixel phones are gaining traction, but wearables remain a battleground dominated by Apple and Samsung. A Fitbit smart ring isn’t just another SKU — it’s a statement. It says Google understands where the market is headed and is willing to lead, not follow.

And let's not forget, Valentine’s Day is not far off. What better time to seal the deal with Fitbit fans than by launching a product that symbolizes commitment to health and wellness? A ring isn’t just a device; it’s a statement. Imagine the marketing possibilities: “Show your heart some love.” It practically writes itself.

About IDC
IDC is a leading global provider of technology research, insights, and events. With a network of more than 1,000 analysts across over 100 countries, IDC delivers trusted intelligence on tech markets, trends, and opportunities to help businesses and IT leaders make informed decisions. Learn more today at IDC.com

Fitbit is far from its bestselling glory days, but it remains popular with everyday athletes who want long battery life, health insights, and a comfortable design for sleep tracking. And the Charge 6, which has fallen to $99 on Amazon for Black Friday, is Fitbit's newest device that's not a Pixel Watch or kids' watch, making it most likely to sell out first.

Of course, since we're getting new Fitbit hardware in 2026, you can always try to hold out for a Fitbit Charge 7. But there's reason to get excited now, as Google is completely revamping the Fitbit app to make it more personalized and intelligent. And the sooner you start giving Fitbit data, the more that the new AI coach will have to work with.

If you're not interested in AI insights, however, then there's no reason to buy a Fitbit Charge 6, or any other Fitbit, no matter how good the prices get. Google has tied Fitbit's future to Gemini, giving it an intelligent advantage that other fitness brands can't match, but you may not care enough about AI to pay for it.

✅Recommended if: You want a comfortably light tracker with nearly a week of battery life that tracks a wide range of health and fitness stats: resting heart rate, blood oxygen, heart rate variability, irregular heart rhythm, skin temperature, breathing rate, sleep stages, and more.

❌Skip this deal if: You want an even lighter, easier-to-forget design (the Inspire 3), a larger display for notifications (Versa 4), or extra health sensors like cEDA for stress (Sense 2); or, you're not interested in paying for AI insights once the six-month Fitbit Premium demo runs out.

Why it's easier to recommend the Fitbit Charge 6 today

When it comes to the best fitness bands, the Fitbit Charge 6 has topped our list for a while, but with the caveat that other competing bands from Garmin, Xiaomi, and Amazfit don't charge a subscription for your data. Just a year of Fitbit Premium — $79 annually or $120 monthly — costs about as much as the Charge 6 itself, which is a deal-breaker for plenty of folks.

That still applies today, but the Fitbit Personal Health Coach ensures you're not paying for health data alone; you're paying for analysis and suggestions, too.

With the new version of the app, you "talk" to a Gemini-trained LLM Coach about your goals, which can be as generic as losing weight or as specific as training for a race in 10 weeks or hitting a weightlifting threshold. It will then build you a training plan, based on your favorite workout days and whether you have access to a gym or at-home equipment. I successfully built a marathon training plan while reviewing my Pixel Watch 4, but this Coach AI will be available for all Fitbits.

Even if you don't need a workout plan, this new version of Fitbit has more advanced health insights, showing how your nightly data compares to previous days or weeks. In the main Today tab, you'll see "Insight" pop-ups discussing your health trends and what they might mean, such as why your resting heart rate or blood oxygen is getting better (or worse).

There's also a Coach tab where you can ask the LLM questions. It's obviously as prone to mistakes as any AI LLM, but it's also more targeted than simply asking Gemini because it can pull from your entire Fitbit health history for context, as well as "10,000+ Google Research publications." The longer you've used Fitbits, the more info the AI will have to draw from to provide recommendations.

We have a guide on how to use the Fitbit Personal Health Coach preview, if you do end up buying the Fitbit Charge 6. It's only available on Android phones for Premium subscribers in the United States to start, but the beta will launch more widely by the end of 2025. And the final, stable version will launch on Android and iOS sometime in 2026.

Some of you may decide to wait for the final, stable version to launch, rather than buy the Fitbit Charge 6 now when it's still using the older Fitbit app. But if you're willing to play with beta software, it's an exciting time to get back into the Fitbit ecosystem.

More Black Friday 2025 - quick links

• Best Buy: up to 60% off Chromebooks, Android phones, and more
• Amazon: early discounts on headphones, smart home tech
• Walmart: early price drops on ASUS laptops, locked phones
• Samsung: new Galaxy XR headset, trade-in opportunities
• Verizon: free phones with new line, trade-in
• T-Mobile: free Galaxy phones, $300 back w/ 5G Home Internet
• Mint Mobile: 50% off Pixel 10, BOGO Unlimited plans
• AT&T: get a free Z Flip 7 with trade-in, new line
  
  More Black Friday coverage
• The best Google Pixel deals of Black Friday
• The best Samsung deals of Black Friday
• The best Motorola deals of Black Friday

What you need to know

• Fitbit has launched two voluntary Labs studies to study your body's long-term health trends.
• Fitbit Hypertension Lab will look for signs of high blood pressure in Pixel Watch 3 owners, and compensate some volunteers with gift cards.
• Unusual Trend Detection will detect changes in your health and have you "log possible causes and symptoms" for Google's research study.
• Google is also currently running a public preview for its Fitbit Personal Health Coach.

Google is recruiting "up to 10,000 eligible participants" to wear their Pixel Watch 3 for 180 days, so Google can study your data for signs of hypertension, or high blood pressure, in order to "advance research that could one day help users take proactive steps toward better heart health."

First spotted back in September by 9to5Google, the Hypertension Study is now available to Pixel Watch 3 owners this week, though not on the Pixel Watch 4 or older models. You must be American, 22 years or older, and fill out a questionnaire in English for eligibility. Google will use your responses to decide whether to include you in the study.

Google also launched a second study this week called "Unusual Trend Detection," which will give you a "heads-up if your health metrics look different" from normal and "contribute to a research study."

To find these studies, tap your profile icon in the Fitbit app, agree to "allow your data to be used for research and development," and then see which Fitbit Labs you're eligible for.

Sign up for the Fitbit Hypertension Study, and you may be sent a blood pressure cuff, which you'll be asked to wear for 24 hours in tandem with your smartwatch before sending it back. Google will give this select group $25 gift cards as an incentive; every other participant won't be compensated.

Google warns that activating the hypertension study will cause a "slight, temporary change in your watch’s battery life," but "should still last a full day on a single charge." Evidently, your Watch 3 sensors will be working overtime to detect high blood pressure warning signs, though you won't be given "any medical advice, analysis, or feedback on your health" based on your data; it'll only be used for research.

Eventually, Google may use this data so that future Pixel Watches catch warning signs of chronic high blood pressure, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes. Apple Watches added hypertension alerts earlier this year, after collecting "training data from multiple studies totaling over 100,000 participants."

The other study, Unusual Trend Detection, will be a more active experience for participants. Google will notify you directly if it detects abnormal trends and ask you to "log possible causes and symptoms." It'll then give you "tips for rest and recovery," and once you've returned to your "typical patterns," the Fitbit app will let you know.

In theory, Google will be able to build out a database of physiological responses by detecting a specific health trend and then asking you what caused it — such as if you appear more stressed than usual and attribute it to drinking extra coffee.

Google is also in the midst of testing its new Fitbit Personal Health Coach, which gives you "Insights" on your recent health trends and answers questions about health and fitness using your smartwatch data for context. These new Fitbit Labs studies seem to intersect with this goal, as it will allow future versions of the Fitbit Coach to describe possible causes for negative health data — such as hypertension.

After teasing a major overhaul for the Fitbit app earlier this year, Google is now rolling out the new experience for select users. This brings an entirely new look to the app, making it a much more visual experience, complete with a new layout and revamped navigation. However, it's much more than just a visual overhaul.

In addition to the new look, Google is rolling out a new AI-powered health coach to help you set up a personal fitness plan. This is sprinkled throughout the new UI, making it easy to access the coach from wherever you are to provide contextual responses to your performance and metrics.

So how can you get started with the new Fitbit preview, and how can you revert to the previous version of the Fitbit UI?

Who can try the new Fitbit preview?

The main prerequisite for trying out the new Fitbit preview is that you must be subscribed to Fitbit Premium. This costs $9.99 per month, or you can sign up for a yearly subscription at $7.99/mo. equivalent. You may also qualify for a free trial if you've recently purchased a new Fitbit device, such as the Pixel Watch 4.

Google also notes that the preview is only available to U.S. Fitbit subscribers, but that may change down the road as testing furthers.

How to join the Fitbit preview

1. Open the app. You may see a banner at the top, highlighting the "new Fitbit features." Tap Join.

2. Review the following page and tap Join public preview.

3. The next page will highlight how the Fitbit preview utilizes Google AI, noting that it will have access to historical and future Fitbit data, as well as other "Things to know." Once you finish reviewing the page, tap Agree.

4. The next page will ask if you want to allow your data to contribute to health research "to develop health and wellness features at Fitbit and Google," although this is optional. Review the details on how it works and what data is used, then tap Agree or No thanks at the bottom.

5. Tap Start exploring to enter a quick introduction about the new Fitbit features available in the preview.

6. After the intro, you'll be prompted to begin chatting with the AI to begin setting up your goals. You can tap Continue to start chatting or Explore the app now, chat later to jump into the new Fitbit experience.

7. The AI health coach will present a short introduction about itself and the goal of the initial chat. Begin by telling it what you want to achieve. You can say things like "I want to lose weight," "I want to gain muscle mass," "I want to improve my running endurance," or any combination of goals you would like to achieve. Talk to it naturally.

8. Continue conversing with the AI coach as it asks you about past or current approaches to achieving your goals, your motivations, and more. At the end, it will summarize the conversation.

9. The coach will ask you if you want to build a workout plan based on your goals. Tap Continue to setup workout plan or Explore the app to set up the plan later.

10. When setting up the workout plan, the AI coach will use the previous conversation about your goals and motivation to begin suggesting a plan. You can use this time to inform the coach of any current fitness activities you do so that it can take these into account when forming a more specific plan for you, such as the days you would like to incorporate certain activities.

11. Continue to converse with the AI coach, which will adjust its plan based on the information you provide. It may ask you about the equipment you have access to or any medical conditions you have that may impact your workouts.

12. At the end of the conversation, the AI coach will summarize the conversation. Tap Take me back to the app to visit the new Fitbit.

Your plan will take a few minutes to generate and will appear on the Today tab when it's finished, as well as the Fitness tab, where you can adjust the plan or discuss it further with the AI coach.

Exploring the new Fitbit preview

The new Fitbit UI now features four main tabs at the bottom, each focusing on a different aspect of your health.

The Today tab has been revamped, showing relevant updates and insights from today's activities, your sleep, and a recap/summary of the previous day's activities/metrics. Tapping the pencil icon lets you change the focus metrics that appear at the top of the Today tab.

The Fitness tab replaces the previous Coach tab. This is where you can view your workout plan, exercise days, recent activities, key metrics, and more. You can also view your current goal at the top and adjust it if need be.

The Sleep tab provides insights into your sleep with easy ways to view your sleep consistency and key metrics like how much time you spend in each sleep stage.

The Health tab provides an overview of your vitals and general health. This is where you can enable detection features, such as high and low heart rate warnings, Irregular rhythm notifications, and ECG.

An Ask Coach button is present in each tab for easy access to the AI health coach. You'll also find prompts throughout the app that let you dive into conversations about various metrics, such as your sleep and readiness. You can also adjust your workout plan if necessary, such as if you're going on vacation and would prefer a lighter load.

Google strongly encourages talking to the AI coach so that it can remember your preferences, make changes on the fly, and give you advice.

How to switch back to the previous version of the Fitbit app

1. Tap the preview icon at the top right corner, next to your profile icon.

2. Tap Switch app version.

3. Tap Relaunch Fitbit app.

Once you're in the previous version of the app, you can switch to the preview at any time by tapping your profile icon > Switch app version.

Keep in mind that if you don't use the preview version of the app for 30 days, your data will no longer be processed in the preview.

Limitations of the Fitbit preview

Since this is a preview, users should be aware that the experience isn't one-to-one with the standard version of the app. Therefore, several features are not yet available, though this may change as development progresses.

Here are just some of the features Fitbit lists as unavailable in the preview:

• Heart rate zone analysis (including time in zones) in exercise summaries
• Sedentary time and hours
• Advanced running metrics for Pixel Watch 3 and 4 users
• Cardio Fitness Score
• Menstrual health logging and tracking
• Nutrition and hydration logging and tracking
• Blood glucose logging and tracking
• Body temperature logging and tracking
• Stress Management Score, Body Responses, mindfulness days, and mood logging
• Manual editing of sleep sessions and data

If you need access to these features, you can always switch back to the classic app. Fitbit also encourages users to provide feedback within the app to help improve the experience.

The Pixel Watch 4 is the second-best Android watch, but it's the best Gemini watch, and it's becoming one of the best fitness smartwatches. Google has been building to this stage for years, and more than die-hard Pixel fans should be paying attention.

The Pixel Watch 4 has tough competition. Samsung and OnePlus, Google's Wear OS partners, have particular strengths for software longevity (Samsung), battery life (OnePlus), ruggedness, and classic style (both), where the Pixel Watch 4 sometimes falls short.

But exclusives like satellite SOS, Loss of Pulse, Gemini Raise to Talk, and the new Fitbit Personal Health Coach make the Watch 4 stand out, and the hardware has (with one exception) dramatically improved over the last two generations.

After a month of wearing the Pixel Watch 4, I'm happy to say that it fully lived up to my expectations, with all the positives you'd expect and very few complaints.

Google Pixel Watch 4: Pricing and specs

The Pixel Watch 4 launched October 9, 2025, for $349 (41mm) or $399 (45mm), with a $100 surcharge for 4G LTE and satellite SOS. Cellular models include 500MB of Google Fi messaging, navigation, and music streaming per month for two years; add it to an eligible 4G carrier for calling.

The Pixel Watch 4 45mm gives you a larger display and an estimated extra 10 hours of battery life per charge, while weighing 12–15g more with the included small or large Active band attached. The 41mm model is better suited to smaller wrists, while both fit larger wrists.

Google Pixel Watch 4 design and display

• Rounded 3,000-nit, 60Hz display stretches right up to curved edge
• Design is now user-repairable, though not especially rugged

Both Pixel Watch 4 models measure the same size and weight as their Pixel Watch 3 predecessors, with the same band mechanism for old straps to carry over. The complimentary fluoroelastomer Active band is comfortable enough, but I prefer other Pixel Watch bands, like Sport for workout breathability or Stretch for sleep tracking.

The 41mm model is pleasantly light (~55g with band), on par with sportier watches, while the 45mm model (~67g) is significantly comfier than my Galaxy Watch 8 Classic or other steel-heavy flagship smartwatches. The crown remains as pleasant to use as ever, while the side button is more annoying to press.

Even though the overall feel hasn't changed, the Pixel Watch 4 design feels like the series' final form: the look Google always wanted to pull off.

Older models' rounded edges contrasted oddly with the flat, bezel-less top, giving them a naked, artificial look that not everyone liked. The domed Actua 360 display is a more natural design progression, while also stretching the touchscreen to the edge, removing the wasted border space I hated on the Watch 2.

You'll need time to adjust to the domed display, which embellishes the Wear OS 6 effect of magnifying centered content. It's certainly helpful for making notifications and Tiles more readable, but you don't usually see warping like this on a display, and the dome adds slight resistance to left-right swipes.

I can't predict whether you will like the display. My coworkers who've seen it for themselves either think it's the "best looking display" on any smartwatch or it's a weird distraction. But you won't know until you get your hands on it.

In my case, it's grown on me, with the display's vivid brightness and smooth scrolling improving the experience. In particular, Google's 1.49-inch 45mm model looks more natural than before, and I appreciate how Wear OS reflows content to leverage that extra space.

Another important upgrade is how Google made the Watch 4 fully repairable. I haven't attempted it myself, but knowing I can remove the bands, unscrew two screws with a cheap bit to loosen the real glass seal, and access the components in 20 minutes is exciting.

Most smartwatches' components are fused with heat and glue; an expert can disassemble and resolder them, but with no guarantee they'll still work or maintain waterproofing. Google's 100-page repair manual ensures you're not dependent on the warranty if something goes wrong.

Google's signature bezel-less design and missing sapphire glass have always made it more vulnerable to scratches and cracks than other fitness watches. I still wouldn't recommend it to mountain climbers, but it's easier to recommend for everyday athletes thanks to its repairability.

Google Pixel Watch 4 hardware, battery, and charging

• Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 adds satellite but only minor efficiency boost
• Battery life continues to creep upwards to two-day range
• Charging is significantly faster with new Dock

I expected the Watch 4's Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 to deliver a generational performance boost, the culmination of Google and Qualcomm's RISC-V partnership. Instead, Qualcomm used the same 4nm process and quad Cortex-A53, though it's 20% more efficient.

You won't find any lag navigating through menus or notifications, while anything that requires internet — like Gemini commands or searching the Play Store — has minimal loading. Without your phone on hand to relay things, though, my Watch 4 LTE can be slow at some tasks, like pulling up Google Maps directions.

I suspect the Gen 2 will be a stopgap chip, with the Pixel Watch 5 enhancing on-device Gemini smarts and overall speed. But hypotheticals aside, Watch 4 performance is fast enough for now.

Only Watch 4 LTE buyers will get the coolest W5 Gen 2 perk: satellite SOS that connects to Skylo's NB-NTN for emergencies in cellular dead zones. If your phone has satellite, it might feel superfluous, but since the Watch 4 will probably outlast your phone battery, it could easily pay off when you desperately need it.

Google also gave the Watch 4 a new coprocessor that's "25% faster at half the power," tailored for on-device AI and background tasks. Then you have a more efficient connection between phone and watch via Bluetooth 6, on top of a 10% software efficiency boost from Wear OS 6.

The combined effect on battery life is subtle, but significant. You won't notice a difference for power-hungry tasks like phone calls or app use. But my Watch 4 45mm will get through an eight-hour workday of HR tracking, notifications, and AOD — or a night of HR, SpO2, stress, breathing, skin temp, and other stats — and only use about 15% battery, when an older Pixel Watch might have lost 33% in that span.

Even better, the Watch 4's Quick Charge Dock is absurdly fast. You might resent switching to a new proprietary charger, but trust me, it's worth the switch.

Yesterday, I finished a run at 30% power; I set a 15-minute timer, popped the Watch 4 on the Dock, took a shower, and came out to find it at 80% as the timer went off.

I no longer have to worry about scheduled charging times or my watch unexpectedly dying, so long as I charge it in convenient moments when I wouldn't wear it anyway.

Quick charging on smartwatches has become more common, but I appreciate how Google's Dock makes it easy to check time remaining. You do need a hard, solid surface for the Dock to sit, or else it's easy for the Watch 4 to become misaligned.

Google Pixel Watch 4: Health and fitness

• GPS accuracy has significantly improved, while HR accuracy is consistent enough for most athletes
• Sleep tracking is stricter than on most watches, with plenty of health insights
• Fitbit Personal Health Coach beta will transform the Watch 4 experience

If you're considering buying the Pixel Watch 4 for fitness, my in-depth Pixel Watch 4 fitness guide has several HR and GPS accuracy tests. The new dual-band GPS is both reliably accurate in tough conditions and surprisingly battery-efficient, only using about 8–10% Watch 4 capacity per hour. HR accuracy remains unchanged from the Watch 3, providing reasonably close readings to a chest strap in normal conditions but slightly underestimating HR during harder workouts.

I also detailed my wishlist of missing fitness tools on other watches: I'm waiting for Google to let us build offline GPX routes in Maps, add on-watch tracking of indoor exercise reps for the gym or at home, and add specific features like running power, aerobic/ anaerobic Training Load split, and post-workout recovery time.

On the health-tracking front, the only new hardware is the skin temperature sensor, designed to detect illnesses if your body strays out of its usual range. Otherwise, you're getting Google's usual suite of Fitbit sensors. During the day, it'll warn you of any heart rhythm issues or Loss of Pulse in emergencies, but most of its insights come at night.

Google's stats for my RHR, SpO2, HRV, breathing rate, and others all seem to align with what other watches register for me; the only difference from other watches is that Google is more prone to judge my light, restless sleep as being "Awake," even when I don't recall ever waking up.

It's tricky to review the Pixel Watch 4's health and fitness experience today, however. Why? Because the Fitbit Personal Health Coach preview fundamentally changes the conversation. The full version won't launch until 2026, but critiquing the current lame-duck Fitbit app for things the new version will solve feels silly.

In my Pixel Watch 3 review, I noted that Google needed longer-term plans for multiple sports instead of daily running suggestions and Cardio Load; now, you can build a weeks-long, personalized training plan across dozens of sports and over 1,000 exercise types, after about 5–10 minutes of AI Q&A, with more allowance for rest days.

Likewise, while I find the current Fitbit UI unintuitive, burying useful trends and reports in submenus, the Fitbit preview highlights relevant trends, good or bad, with contextual "Insight" cards in the Today tab.

I've already built a workout plan, tailored for my upcoming marathon, and asked the Gemini-based coach to switch today's workout because I'm working late (on this review). I can't judge its usefulness without weeks of testing, but the customization, flexibility, and inspiration for cross-training workouts all intrigue me.

Whether the Fitbit Coach lives up to Google's promises or not, this update fundamentally ties Fitbit and Gemini together on the Pixel Watch 4. In a few months, AI-made training goals and LLM summaries of your health trends will define the Watch 4 experience.

Google Pixel Watch 4: Software and Gemini

• Gemini Raise to Wake is one of my favorite features
• Wear OS 6 is a significant, charming update
• Update longevity is still a question mark

Wear OS 6 has already come to older Pixel Watches, but it's still worth praising as one of the best parts of using the Pixel Watch 4.

The new Material 3 Expressive UI matches the domed display, expanding or shrinking content depending on its display placement; the smooth, dynamic scrolling animation is hypnotic, both for the app drawer and notification cards.

The new Tile format can fit more information and shortcuts than before. I prefer Samsung's multi-info Tiles, which let you scroll to find more information and combine related apps into one Tile, but Google's solution is the next best thing.

Google gave the Pixel Watch 4 new watch faces that fit extra complications or clock elements into the extra space. Even cooler, Wear OS 6 changes the UI's color theme based on which watch face you select. Plus, Google brought back third-party watch faces support for tens of thousands of options, though you can only apply themes from Google faces.

Wear OS 6 was a much-needed breath of fresh air that makes the Watch 4 more fun to use, and Google's speedy updates for last-gen watches should pay off over the next 2–3 years. My only complaint is that Google only guarantees two version updates, while Samsung offers three or four.

Gemini on Wear OS isn't exclusive to Pixel Watches, either; you get LLM-generated answers and integration with Google apps on most Wear OS watches. But Google gave itself an exclusive twist: Raise to Talk.

As the name implies, you no longer need to say "Hey Google" or hold down the Side button; you just raise the Pixel Watch 4 to your mouth and start talking.

There's not much to say except that I love this alternative and no longer want to go back to the old ways. It's convenient and mostly seamless, though anyone who gesticulates as they talk may deal with false positives. You can change its Settings to make it more or less sensitive.

Competition

Galaxy Watch 8 is the Watch 4's most serious rival. Both cost $349, launched with Wear OS 6, last 1.5–2 days per charge, and sport two comparably-sized, 3,000-nit displays. Samsung's design is skinnier and more rugged with sapphire glass, but with slower charging and no crown. Samsung Health has unique data like antioxidant index, with no subscription (for now), but no Gemini-based coaching.

If you want Wear OS and longer battery life, the OnePlus Watch 3 can hit 3–6 days per charge, plus equally speedy charging. You get a slightly dimmer display, but with sapphire glass and eye-friendly DC dimming. The OHealth app has improved, but it's still well short of what Fitbit offers.

Otherwise, the Pixel Watch 4 is competing against other fitness watches. You can consider a Garmin watch to get personalized coaching without a subscription and weeks of battery life, at the expense of app smarts.

Google Pixel Watch 4: Should you buy it?

You should buy the Google Pixel Watch 4 if...

• You're a fan of Google's aesthetic (both the droplet display and Material UI)
• You're ready to upgrade your Pixel Watch for better battery, charging, fitness tracking, and Gemini

You shouldn't buy the Google Pixel Watch 4 if...

• You'd prefer a flat display and classic bezeled design
• You're not willing to pay for Fitbit Premium eventually

Unless Google ever launches a Pixel Watch "Ultra" or "Classic," I don't think we're going to see a dramatic design change anytime soon. Future models might have faster performance, new Gemini tricks, and further battery optimization, but this should be the template moving forward.

You can always wait another year for Google to finish polishing its Gemini and Fitbit coaching experiences, but from a hardware perspective, the Pixel Watch 4 feels like an excellent jumping-on point. If this package doesn't tempt you, I don't think future Pixel Watches will, either.

What you need to know

• Google has confirmed that "new Fitbit hardware" will arrive in 2026, though not which specific subbrands.
• The last non-Pixel Watch Fitbits were the Charge 6 in 2023 and the kids' Ace LTE in 2024.
• Google previously suggested that their future Fitbit portfolio would focus on trackers like the Inspire lineup, not new watches.
• Fitbit also announced a new Personal Health Coach preview this week, with the full version arriving in 2026.

Not counting Pixel Watches, the well of new Fitbit hardware has slowly dried up over the last few years. Today, while announcing its new Fitbit Personal Health Coach with customized plans and AI coaching, Fitbit also confirmed that it'll launch new Fitbit hardware in 2026, after a quiet 2025.

New Fitbits used to arrive every two years or so, but we haven't seen a new Sense, Versa, or Inspire since 2022, with the 2023 Charge 6 as the last mainstream Fitbit. Only the Pixel Watch 4 launched this year, sporting some impressive fitness features.

When Google first announced the new Fitbit AI Coach, I complained that the lack of new Fitbit hardware would make it hard for people to take full advantage of it. Current Sense 2 or Versa 4 hardware will work, but it won't have the newer sensors and algorithms, dual-band GPS, and other upgrades the Pixel Watch 4 offers.

That's why I'm excited to see that new Fitbit hardware is on the horizon, hopefully porting some of the Watch 4's new fitness tricks like guided workouts and automatic activity detection to lighter devices with longer battery life.

The only real question in my mind is whether we're getting a full Fitbit renaissance. Google has previously stated that "Pixel Watches are our next iteration of smartwatch for Fitbit," which makes me wonder if we'll see a new Sense or Versa anytime soon.

Instead, Google may choose to resurrect the lighter, cheaper half of its Fitbit lineup in 2026 — which would be a shame.

Will we see Fitbit watches, or just Fitbit trackers?

When asked about future Fitbit hardware in 2024, Sandeep Waraich, Senior director of product management for Pixel Wearables, emphasized that "Pixel Watch is our smartwatch part of the [Fitbit] portfolio," and that for future Fitbits, users want "something discreet" with "longer battery life" and a "simple experience."

In particular, he made a point of saying, "We are very proud of our Inspire line."

Although Google offered no hints this week about which Fitbit hardware we can expect to see in 2026, these past comments suggest that a Fitbit Inspire 4, Luxe 2, and/or Charge 7 is the most likely option, as fitness trackers wouldn't overlap with the Pixel Watch series.

Still, these off-the-cuff comments don't confirm that a Sense 3 or Versa 5 in 2026 is impossible, simply that Google wanted to prop up the Pixel Watch series instead of encouraging people to wait for something else.

While Google is understandably focused on Wear OS, Fitbit watches have proven popular on both Android and iOS, particularly as a way to get accurate health insights and Google apps paired with a week of battery life — instead of just 1–2 days on a Pixel Watch.

New Fitbit watches wouldn't necessarily overlap with the demographic that will buy the Pixel Watch 5 in 2026. And I'd be more excited to see larger Fitbit watches, not only for easier-to-read notifications and better Google app support, but because they'll have more room for advanced sensors and upgrades.

Google's Fitbit hardware push will align with the final launch of the Fitbit Personal Health Coach in 2026. The new app will emphasize trends in your health, sleep, and fitness data to encourage healthier habits, as well as build multi-week training plans with daily workouts tailored to your needs.

Google's 2026 Fitbit hardware push will get more people to try out the AI features using their six-month Fitbit Premium trials, and (in theory) realize how helpful the Gemini coaching is for their daily training. New devices would also offer more accurate data and new sensors, giving the Fitbit AI Coach more information to work with.

Google told us to "stay tuned for an exciting year ahead from us." So, which new Fitbit device would you be most excited to see in 2026? Are you more interested in a minimalist tracker or a fitness watch alternative to the Pixel Watch?

What you need to know

• The Fitbit Personal Health Coach preview launches Tuesday, October 28, starting with "adult Fitbit Premium users on Android in the U.S."
• You'll message the AI Coach in the Fitbit app with your goals, and it'll build a multi-week plan that you can customize using AI commands.
• You can also ask the Fitbit Coach questions about your health and sleep, related to your data trends and how you compare to others.
• The Health Coach rolls out fully starting in 2026 for Pixel Watch and Fitbit devices.

Fitbit is getting a major overhaul, its first since the 2023 Material You redesign, prioritizing a conversational AI that builds personalized training plans, as well as new Insight tabs that use graphs and LLM text to describe your health, sleep, and fitness trends. And Android Fitbit Premium users are getting first access to it.

Rolling out in Public Preview tomorrow, the Fitbit Personal Health Coach will show the same health and fitness data as before — like Cardio Load, Steps, Daily Readiness, Sleep Score, and more — but in easily digestible widget form, emphasizing weekly or monthly trends.

Most notably, the Public Preview starts with a 5–10 minute conversation where you help the built-in AI coach "understand your motivations and goals." It can then build a personalized, week-to-week plan that goes well beyond the current daily AI running recommendations; it can prioritize a wide range of sports and build workouts from "over 1,000" possible exercises.

How the Fitbit Personal Health Coach plans work

Fitbit's goal was to build an "agentic health coach" that can create a multi-week workout plan for any fitness goal, but then allow users to adjust their plan in response to unexpected injuries, travel, busy days at work, or any other context. It's "built on Gemini," but uses "different models" depending on the context, not just one version like 2.5 Pro or Flash.

The Fitbit Coach can build a marathon training plan targeting a specific date — like other fitness apps — with up to six weeks of workouts at a time, including cross-training workouts across a wide range of sports. Fitbit says it's "working on" adding a "further outlook" to support longer-term plans.

What's more interesting is that your Fitbit plan doesn't need to be so targeted or specific. It can be to "get ready for ski season" or "become a better trail runner." The AI will use this information to build workouts that target relevant muscle groups.

A Fitbit rep showed us his personal Gemini-built plan, with a recommended "Skip Prep Power Circuit" for that day. It included specific exercises like Leg Blasters and Jump Squats, and the user can change the number of reps, ask the AI to choose new exercises that target the same muscle groups, or see videos with the proper form. You log each exercise as complete in the app once you're done.

During the onboarding session, Fitbit will ask what exercise equipment you have access to, such as a Peloton or dumbbells. It'll use that context when assigning you specific exercises. But if you're traveling, you can "Adjust workout" and tell the AI Coach to "Create a 30-minute upper body workout I can do in my hotel room" and have a new activity in moments.

The same would apply if you were sick, had an injury, or couldn't make it to the gym that day. Fitbit's flexibility means you can't simply decide you don't have time or the capacity for your planned workout; it can always find something new that's still relevant to your goals.

Everything else Fitbit Personal Health Coach can or can't do

You can open your Gemini app right now, ask "Why am I so tired?" and get a general answer with several possibilities. But ask that question in the new Fitbit app, and it'll deliver a targeted answer, citing your circadian rhythm, consistency, time in specific stages, and how others in your demographic group typically feel.

That's what makes the new Fitbit Personal Health Coach more useful than other LLMs: The relevance to your personal circumstances. You can ask it to summarize what it knows about you and get a massive text dump of information, or ask about your trends for a specific data point like HRV.

Even if you don't know what to ask, the Fitbit app will have customized "insight" widgets that show useful information related to your health, sleep, and fitness trends, shown in the examples below. We'll have to see how well it works in practice, but in theory, Fitbit will ensure you understand why your health stats are improving or worsening.

One area the new Fitbit app doesn't improve upon is nutrition. Food and water logging is part of the current app, but the Preview doesn't have a Nutrition tab or trends, yet. Fitbit says they'll be "bringing over additional features" over time and they're "looking closely at" nutrition as an important area, but it may not be ready anytime soon.

Fitbit also explained that the new version of the app will communicate with Health Connect to pull in data from third-party apps, but that specific data — like blood glucose from Dexcom — may take some time to arrive.

You'll be able to toggle back to the old version of the Fitbit app at any time, if the Preview lacks a specific feature you need.

The new Fitbit app will start off available to Fitbit Premium owners on Android phones, but will eventually come to free users and iOS devices. All of the best Fitbits of the last few years will work with the new app, though the Pixel Watch 4 has the most accurate Fitbit tracking.

A runner I am not. I spend a lot of time at the gym, working out and lifting weights several times a week, but cardio and running are the bane of my existence. I never quite understood how and why anyone would enjoy running. Why subject yourself to that?

However, for the past couple of months, I’ve been using the Pixel Watch 3 and the Fitbit app to do just that. Despite my better judgment, I decided it’s time to change my routine, spending nearly every morning running to see how I can improve the duration and distance of my runs.

To do this, I’ve been utilizing the AI-powered daily run recommendations in the Fitbit app. I’ve been curious to see whether these recommendations are really helpful or if it’s just another glorified AI feature with no real rhyme or reason to its suggestions. Turns out, this could actually be a fantastic tool for beginners like me, making the couch-to-5K journey a little less daunting.

Getting started

It’s important to note that daily AI run recommendations are only available to Fitbit Premium subscribers. If you buy a new Pixel Watch, it’s likely that you received a free trial, so you might want to check on that if you’re not already a subscriber.

After that, AI-run recommendations should start appearing in the Coach tab. However, you can always change your preferences by tapping the See all button next to Today’s run, then tapping the three-dot menu in the top corner. Here, you can disable daily run workouts, adjust your running level or focus, and change your distance days to focus on longer runs.

Slow and steady

I was initially nervous about starting a running “plan.” My previous experience with a Garmin plan was a bit too intense for me, and I couldn’t keep up, so I went into this cautiously. It’s important to note that this isn’t a running “plan,” per se, so I couldn’t see ahead to what my runs would look like. The Fitbit app would take my previous workout data as well as my target load to surface a new recommendation for me each day.

While a viewable workout plan of some sort would be nice, what I like about this feature is that the workouts feel like they’re perfectly tailored to me and my capabilities. Going into this, I could only comfortably run about a mile before I would tire and have to stop. Therefore, based on what Fitbit knows about me and my goals, it was able to get me started with some very easy runs.

These runs would vary each day, typically between an easy run and a tempo run, with the former keeping me at a relatively moderate heart rate and the latter pushing me into a more vigorous heart rate zone. The duration of the runs also varies, from shorter 18-minute runs to longer 40-minute runs.

That said, even the shorter runs challenged me, as I would previously average about 10 minutes before I called it quits. However, this was a very manageable challenge, as I had a target heart rate range that I would have to maintain. This helped me manage by breathing more effectively, while also reminding me that I do not have to run as fast as I can all the time; I can take my time at a steady pace to keep me going for a longer period of time.

Additionally, Fitbit would also mix things up so the intervals were always different from day to day. Sometimes it would have me do a single run for a certain period of time, or it would break up my run, starting me off slower and steadily pushing me to run faster, or having me maintain a faster pace but for short periods with even shorter rest periods between them. This helped me get used to pacing myself while helping me build my endurance and mileage.

The best part is that you don’t have to follow each run exactly as it appears. There’s a Customize run button at the bottom of each recommendation, where you can remove warm-ups and cool-downs, delete or move intervals around, add intervals, and even edit the intensity of each interval. That said, I rarely found a need for this and just followed each recommendation as it was given to me.

As I noted before, when I first started this just a couple of months ago, I could barely run for more than one mile without tiring myself out. Now, I’m consistently and comfortably running two to three miles per day, and my pace has also improved to just under 12 minutes per mile.

Do I love running now? Definitely not. But I don't dislike it as much as I used to.

Where Google can improve

While each recommended run explains why it will benefit you before you start it, I do wish there was some sort of built-in AI summary for post-run evaluations. You can view and compare charts as well as form analysis to gauge how efficient your running is, but having something to summarize the data in an easy-to-consume way would help me figure out where and how to improve.

You can always share the post-run data with Gemini, but the experience isn’t very seamless, and Gemini’s responses are a bit general.

I also wish run suggestions would appear on the Pixel Watch. Right now, I can tap the Start run button in the Fitbit smartphone app, and it will send it to the Pixel Watch 3, where I can just tap the Start button. However, this is the extent of its presence on the watch, as AI run recommendations are not even viewable on the Fitbit Wear OS app.

This would be a perfect opportunity to enhance the Morning Brief feature, which feels pretty useless in its current form. Garmin watches like the Venu 4 include daily workout suggestions in the Morning Report, whether or not you have a plan in place, so it feels like a missed opportunity on the Pixel Watch.

I'm excited about what's to come

Of course, running is just part of my daily routine now, as I also spend a lot of time weightlifting. However, Fitbit’s Coach tab simply surfaces various workouts I can do. While they are based on my daily readiness and workout preferences, it's simply a collection of video workouts I can follow, and there doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason to their recommendations.

This is why I’m excited for the upcoming Personal Health Coach, which will use AI to provide more dynamic fitness recommendations. And not only will you be able to converse with the AI for suggestions, but it appears that it will take all your data into consideration to provide truly personalized fitness guidance.

The Pixel Watch may not be the fitness watch I want now, but the Health Coach could build upon Google's excellent AI to help it become the fitness watch to beat.

FAQ

The Pixel Watch 4 is Google's sportiest smartwatch yet. As someone who's tested nearly every smartwatch and fitness watch brand, I put the Watch 4 through its paces to see how well its accuracy holds up against a premium Garmin watch, judging when Fitbit beats the competition and when it falls short.

I took the Pixel Watch 4 out for a half-marathon and a second 19-mile run — along with shorter runs and a hike — comparing its HR accuracy against a chest strap and its GPS accuracy against the dual-band Garmin Forerunner 970.

I also compared stats like step count, elevation, and running form, tested how Google's new activity detection works, and decided whether the Watch 4's new 3,000-nit display and improved battery life make a real difference.

I can't fully judge the Watch 4 fitness experience until the Gemini-backed Fitbit coach arrives later this month. But it's fair to say the Watch 4 is a surprisingly strong fitness watch option — even if it's still missing some essentials that serious athletes need.

GPS accuracy

Anyone who read my Pixel Watch 4 hands-on impressions saw my initial GPS and HR accuracy results, but I'll go into more depth here. The Pixel Watch 4 defaults to dual-frequency GPS, but also manages to be incredibly efficient at it. Google hasn't shared its methods, but I'd guess it's similar to Garmin's SatIQ mode, pinpointing with L5 signals when the L1 signal is disrupted.

During a half-marathon race in downtown San Jose, the Pixel Watch 4 showed mile-long stretches with very accurate tracking, with the two watches' results closely overlapping. But it wasn't perfect, as some of the slides below show (click the box for a closer view):

I also noted plenty of moments where the Watch 4's GPS line curved significantly off of my route before returning, possibly due to reflected signals from tall buildings. More subtly, the Watch 4 is slower to react to any 90-degree turn, with a much wider loop than I actually took. And it didn't do the best at staying straight under underpasses.

Despite its struggles, the end result wasn't far from Garmin's, which had its own occasional struggles with tall buildings but was more faithfully on track.

For my next test, I ran several miles on the same neighborhood loop. Google and Garmin stay parallel — likely because they're on my left and right wrists — but it's fair to say that Garmin's results stay more consistently on the same line, while Google's line strays much more, despite there being few signal blockers nearby aside from some trees.

Again, though, the final result was 5.00 vs. 5.01 miles (16m), and you'd be surprised how many dual-band GPS watches stray slightly off track. The Pixel Watch 3 tended to be significantly worse, particularly for hikes.

I recently ran 19 miles with the same two watches, plus a third dual-band COROS watch. The final result: Garmin measured 0.02mi more and COROS 0.01mi more than Google, all with the same 9:23/mile average. I'll spare you 19 miles' worth of screenshots, but this was the Watch 4's best tracking result, with only the occasional sections where it strayed off-path.

On a related note, the Pixel Watch 4's elevation tracking was only 0.8 feet off of Garmin's for the 19-mile run, though the gap was 3m for my half-marathon. I didn't get a chance to climb a mountain or anything, but I generally trust its results.

Overall, the Pixel Watch 4's GPS accuracy is as dependable as I hoped. It's also more efficient than I expected, only using about 7.5% of my battery per hour of tracking for a couple of runs. It guzzled more battery during my 19-mile run, hitting closer to 12% battery used per hour, but still had more than enough juice for a long activity.

HR accuracy

Google promised that the Pixel Watch 3 had its "most accurate" HR algorithm, and didn't bring it up with the Watch 4, so we can safely assume it's unchanged. And that shows in the actual results: For whatever reason, Google's HR average always falls 1 bpm short of other chest, arm, or wrist-based sensors.

During my half-marathon, my Garmin paired with a COROS HRM armband consistently measured slightly higher than Google's result, particularly when my HR rose above my lactate threshold into anaerobic levels. The graphs run in parallel, with Google always in the right range, but 1 bpm short.

It's normal for a wrist-based optical sensor to lag behind an arm or chest strap, but comparing the Pixel Watch 4 against Garmin's 5th-gen Elevate sensor is fascinating. You can see how both watches respond to changes in effort at nearly the same time throughout a 40-minute run. Still, Google's results are slightly deflated, once again 1 bpm short on average.

For my 19-mile run, I synced my Garmin HRM 200 chest strap to my Forerunner. You can ignore the three flat-line stretches; different watches handle paused workouts for water and bathroom breaks differently. Otherwise, you can see how the Watch 4 mostly keeps pace but still falls 1–2 bpm short during rapid changes. The final averages — Watch 4 with 161 bpm, HRM 200 with 162 bpm — were predictable at this point.

I gave the Pixel Watch 3's HR accuracy a "B" grade last year, and I'd give them the same grade this year: good but not exceptional. The real problem is that Google doesn't give people a way to improve their results, as Wear OS doesn't support connecting to external HR monitors. That's a deal-breaker for a lot of athletes!

Automatic activity detection

Google promises that its AI will "automatically detect and classify your activity and send you a recap" for activities like running, cycling, soccer, or using an elliptical. The Watch 3 would prompt you to confirm an activity mid-workout; now the Watch 4 asks after you're done.

To test this feature, I ran four miles wearing my Pixel Watch 4 and Forerunner 970, only tracking it on the latter. When I finished, I sat on a bench for ten minutes to make sure Fitbit didn't include any post-run walking in the activity.

When I got home, I received a notification that I'd run for 39:53 — only four seconds off of Garmin's duration — with a 142 bpm average (one below Garmin's average, predictably). The only problem was that it measured 4.6 miles instead of 4.0; automatic activities don't show a GPS map, so I don't know what went wrong.

I've always appreciated that Fitbit Cardio Load gives you credit for all activities, not just the ones you log. I prefer to log every workout myself rather than rely on guesswork, but at least Google's AI guesswork is pretty reliable (aside from GPS).

Step count and running form

Google enhanced its step count algorithm for walking with a stroller or trekking poles in March, then reverted it in April because some users had inaccurate results. After that whiplash, we're back where we started, and I've typically found that Fitbit step counts tend to fall slightly short of my actual numbers.

Someone would have to bribe me to count my steps during a half-marathon, but I found it interesting that my final step count on my Garmin (23,041) was significantly higher than on my Pixel Watch (21,852). For my 19-mile run, the gap was smaller (34,260 vs. 33,960), with Garmin still estimating more.

Both Garmin and Google analyze your running dynamics (or form) after a run. Each watch measured the exact same stride length for my 13- and 19-mile runs, while my cadence was either the same or 1 step per minute off.

For other stats like ground contact time and vertical ratio/oscillation, they diverge slightly, with Garmin suggesting my form is more efficient. When I wore three watches, COROS's GCT and stride ratio numbers were closer to Garmin's, so signs suggest Google's running form numbers might be slightly conservative.

Where the Pixel Watch 4 matches, or falls short of, a Garmin watch for athletes

Google/Fitbit and Garmin have a long list of similar fitness, health, and safety features. Both offer training load data and show long-term trends and targets. Both have a morning report/brief showing your Body Battery/Daily Readiness, sleep score, weather, and exercise suggestions. Both let family members track your progress for safety: Garmin with LiveTrack and Google with Safety Check.

Google warns you in the morning if stats like HRV, RHR, skin temp, or SpO2 are outside your normal range; Garmin just introduced a similar feature, Health Status, on the Venu 4 and should bring it to other watches soon.

Garmin currently has the edge for training suggestions, with Garmin Coaching for running, cycling, strength training, triathlons, and multisport "fitness," plus personalized daily workouts outside of structured plans. But the upcoming Fitbit AI coach should challenge Garmin with Gemini-made customized coaching plans that adjust based on your sleep quality, soreness, or if you tell Gemini you're injured.

While Google has an edge for AI — it's not controversial to say Gemini will be much smarter than Garmin's Connect Plus AI, which only summarizes your stats using an LLM — it still falls short for other training basics.

I'm still waiting for Google to use its Maps advantage for fitness. If Google let you create workout routes in Maps — with the option to use street view to make sure it's safe for pedestrians or cyclists — and then upload them to your watch, that'd be fantastic.

Garmin's maps and turn-by-turn navigation give you topographical details, nearby landmarks, and auto-correction if you go off-path. The only problem is, they're quite laggy. If Google made its own equivalent, it would have the advantage of a proper Snapdragon processor.

Many of my gym-loving colleagues are still waiting for Pixel Watches to add rep counting, and think the Pixel Watch is inferior to other brands for indoor workouts.

Fitbit, to be fair, has training videos from professional coaches, including Peloton workouts. And the new Gemini coach will suggest specific exercises in categories like HIIT and bodyweight exercises. That's all well and good for Premium subscribers.

But the watch itself will only judge your strength workouts on basics like heart rate and calories burned, whereas Garmin tracks individual reps for each exercise type, such as bench presses. My colleagues would love to see Google add gym exercise categories, both for manual logging and automatic detection using the Watch 4's gyroscope.

Google has a strong foundation of running metrics, but the Pixel Watch 4 still doesn't have running power, race time predictions, aerobic/anaerobic training effect breakdowns, post-run recovery time suggestions, or dedicated activity modes for track or trail running.

During an actual run, the Pixel Watch 4 doesn't take advantage of its gorgeous 3,000-nit display because the data shown on screen is extremely limited: Miles, duration, HR, pace, and time in the current HR zone. There's no way to show any other information mid-workout, while Garmin has hundreds of custom data fields.

The Pixel Watch 4 can broadcast cycling stats on your phone mounted on your handlebars, but it can't sync with power meters for FTP or show the upcoming climbs on your route. Nor will you find any triathlon modes or open-water swimming.

There's also the fact that the Pixel Watch 4 only lasts about two days per charge and doesn't have sapphire glass.

To the first point, its GPS tracking is efficient enough to handle any multi-hour race, then recharges fully in an hour or less; it's just not built for all-day hikes or rides like Garmin. To the second point, you may decide to buy a bumper case/ screen protector as a precaution.

Overall, the Pixel Watch 4 is still missing some fundamentals that serious athletes need, and there's no guarantee that the Pixel Watch 5 will prioritize niche use cases that don't appeal to a wider audience. But Google is continuing to improve its fitness experience, and that's something worth acknowledging.

Cheap Fitbit deals don't come around that often, which is why Amazon's decision to chop 34% off the price of the Fitbit Versa 4 is such a nice surprise for those seeking a new fitness tracker.

Like all of the best Fitbits, the Versa 4 sports a wide range of exercise modes, heart rate and sleep monitoring features, and a built-in GPS system for outdoor, off-the-grid excursions. It also comes with a range of other non-fitness or health-related features, such as on-wrist Bluetooth calling, Fitbit Pay and Google Wallet, Maps, Amazon Alexa access and more.

As for the health monitoring features, the Versa 4 offers a daily stress management score, reflection logging, a detailed health metrics dashboard, sleep profiles, and others, all housed in a relatively lightweight band and watch face. The smartwatch is water-resistant for up to 50 meters, and Fitbit says it'll get users around 6 days of battery life per charge, which is plenty for most hikers, backpackers, and other outdoor enthusiasts.

• Prime Day is LIVE through October 8th - see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: you want a basic fitness smartwatch with a lot of features and easy compatibility with Android or iOS devices; you like having a watch that errs on the side of being lightweight and portable, rather than something clunky and large; battery life is a major priority for you when it comes to buying a smartwtach.

❌Skip this deal if: you don't want to have to upgrade to a Fitbit premium account in order to access some of the more high-level features; you need a fitness band with access to music streaming; you want a smartwatch with access to a wide range of third-party apps.

The Fitbit Versa 4 is the best mid-range Fitbit on the market today, short of going with an even more powerful Pixel watch. For the most part, the Versa 4 will offer all the features casual users need, with over 40 exercise modes, sleep tracking and profiles, GPS, and a battery life of up to 6 days per charge.

Regarding health features, the watch includes 24/7 heart rate monitoring, guided breathing sessions, sleep stages and profiles, and a range of daily health scores like daily readiness, stress management, and still others. The watch also features a physical control button, while it boasts a lightweight, small build that many users prefer to a bulkier watch.

Beyond these, the Versa 4 also makes it easy to use voice commands with Alexa, as well as Google Wallet and Maps, Fitbit Pay, and more.

Prime Big Deal Days 2025 - quick links

• Amazon Prime 30-day FREE trial: Most deals are Prime-exclusive
• See all the Prime Day deals: USA | UK | Canada | India
• Rival sales: Best Buy | Walmart | Dell | Newegg | HP | Target
• Phone deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Samsung | Amazon | Verizon | AT&T

What you need to know

• Fitbit announced that it's finally rolling out dark mode for its app on Android.
• Users can choose Dark Mode in the app's settings or, if their device is already set to dark mode, the app will automatically comply when updated.
• Fitbit's recent QoL update brought additional exercise machine support to the Charge 6, while a Labs update introduced a Gemini-powered lab report summary feature.

Fitbit has something of its own to say this week, as it announces a new update for Android that's making good on a long-requested feature.

Amidst Google's action-packed NYC event, Fitbit posted the changelog for version 4.50 of its Android app, which finally brings dark mode. Fitbit acknowledges that users have been requesting this feature for quite some time, stating the update now offers "a more comfortable viewing experience." After updating, Fitbit states users can find its new Dark Theme within the app settings.

Additionally, if your device's settings are set to prefer dark mode, the Fitbit app will automatically comply once the update is applied. Fitbit warns that not every aspect of the app will adhere to your dark mode preference. The post states, "a limited number of elements may not fully render in the dark theme at the initial launch."

Some of these unspecified "elements" may need a future update to get them on track, but the majority of the app should be fine.

Android Central's Managing Editor, Derrek Lee, spotted the dark mode update arrive this morning (Aug 21). So, more users should begin noticing it too as we end the week.

Continued QoL updates

Fitbit says using dark mode can help reduce eye strain (and fatigue) when on your phone for longer periods. Moreover, your battery won't drain as fast, readability is typically improved, and the Fitbit app gains a "sleek new look" in black.

As of late, Fitbit's updates have focused on improving what's already there through a few QoL patches. The latest one expanded support for workout machines for the Charge 6 fitness tracker. If connected, users can view their heart data and more in the machine's display, instead of gazing down at their tracker. The Charge 6 is supported on Peloton bikes, treads, and rows, as well as iFit (NordicTrack), Concept2, Tonal, and Strava.

On a more exciting note, Fitbit Labs kickstarted a Gemini-powered test for lab report summaries and "Symptom Checker." Gemini can help users navigate through the tough jargon often present in medical lab reports for better understanding when uploaded. Additionally, Symptom Checker lets users inform the app's AI of what's troubling them to receive a few suggestions on what actions they should take, such as getting more rest.

Google's Pixel Watch 3 proved that the third time's the charm, bringing a new size, a new chip, and surprisingly capable performance and battery life that have continued to impress us to this day. With the Pixel Watch 4, Google has the daunting task of improving on an already great smartwatch while competing with some heavyweights from Samsung and OnePlus.

The Pixel Watch 4 seems fit for the task, thanks to a refined design, an upgraded Snapdragon chip, and some new AI smarts. Some changes, like the new charger, may annoy users at first glance, although it becomes clear very quickly why Google is switching things up.

For more news and information on Google's latest smartwatch, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Google Pixel Watch 4: Specs

Google Pixel Watch 4: Curves and colors

The Pixel Watch 4 looks nearly identical to the Pixel Watch 3, but Google made the interesting choice to include a domed display underneath the glass. It's a very slight curve, but it's noticeable enough, and it may not appeal to everyone. However, it's clearly meant to accentuate the new Wear OS 6 Material 3 Expressive UI while pushing content as close to the glass as possible.

Wear OS 6 itself is a visual departure from previous versions of the OS. Elements are decked out in various colors based on a set theme, and the UI itself has evolved to better contour to round watch displays. This is probably the best way that Google has been able to make the most out of its screen real estate, which can feel cramped when compared to square smartwatches like the Apple Watch.

Surprisingly, the watch is the same size and thickness as its predecessor, despite the larger battery. Holding the Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Watch 3 side-by-side, I didn't notice a difference in size or weight between the two, although the former's display is noticeably brighter.

Google Pixel Watch 4: More battery, another charger

The Pixel Watch 4 is estimated to last nearly twice as long as its predecessor, with up to 40 hours on a single charge with AOD enabled (for the 45mm model). I'm inclined to believe this, as the 45mm Pixel Watch 3 still manages roughly two full days on a single charge, although I tend to keep it on gesture wake.

It would have been nice to see additional battery life gains comparable to the OnePlus Watch 3, which can achieve as much as five days, but I'll take what I can get. Of course, we'll have to test further to see just how far we can push it, but our experience tells us that Google might be a bit modest in its estimates.

Yes, Google included yet another charger in the Pixel Watch, but I have hopes for this new unit. It charges the Pixel Watch from the side, which actually makes a lot more sense. It's also able to charge the watch much faster, with Google claiming 50% in just 15 minutes and a full charge in an hour or under, depending on the size.

It seems much more reliable than the current charger for the Pixel Watch 3, which is my biggest gripe with the outgoing model. When on the charger, the watch display rotates, showing you the time and letting you swipe through your tiles without disturbing the charging. And if it gets misaligned, the watch will warn you so you can avoid returning later to find that your watch hasn't, in fact, been charging.

Google Pixel Watch 4: If a chicken had lips, could it whistle?

The Pixel Watch 4 is getting smarter, and it all starts with Gemini. Thanks to the power of the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 and on-device Gemini Nano capabilities, you might actually want to use the smart replies. I tested it with a pretty basic text prompt, inquiring about a football game, and it provided some expected suggestions. So I tried something a little more random and philosophical. To my surprise, it responded somewhat appropriately.

But perhaps the coolest Gemini feature is Raise to Talk. You can evoke Gemini just by raising your wrist, no wake word or buttons to press. It reminds me a lot of Look and Talk on the Razr Ultra, which triggers Moto AI just by looking at the phone, although this method seems a bit more natural.

In lieu of an actual AI button, Raise to Talk is the sort of thing I would love to see on a Pixel phone to make Gemini more readily available, so I'm glad to see it on the Pixel Watch.

Google Pixel Watch 4: Coming soon... ish

The Pixel Watch 4 may not seem like a big upgrade visually, but there are enough upgrades here to keep this a fresh smartwatch, even when compared to the previous Pixel Watch 3 or newer Galaxy Watch 8. It's the first commercially available smartwatch with satellite SOS connectivity, it features upgraded dual-frequency GPS, and Google finally made it easily repairable with a replaceable display and battery.

I didn't get to try the new Fitbit features like Activity Recognition or the new AI coaching, which won't be available until October, but as a fitness enthusiast, I'm excited to see what the Pixel Watch 4 can offer me.

The Pixel Watch 4 starts at $349 and is available for preorder as of today, August 20. Unfortunately, you'll have to wait a while to grab one, as it won't hit store shelves until October 9.

For more news and information on Google's latest smartwatch, check out our Ultimate Guide.

What you need to know

• Google unveiled an AI-powered personal health coach for Pixel Watch and Fitbit devices.
• The AI coach acts as a fitness trainer, sleep coach, and wellness advisor.
• It adapts to your goals, recovery, and activity, adjusting workout and sleep suggestions.
• A redesigned Fitbit app with AI features will roll out, launching as a preview for Fitbit Premium users.

While the new Google Pixel Watch 4 may not look much different on the outside, Google is shipping serious software features inside. Alongside the new smartwatch, Google today unveiled an AI-powered personal health coach coming to Pixel Watch and Fitbit trackers.

Until now, Pixel Watches and Fitbit have been able to track your body vitals and provide suggestions, but the AI personal health coach takes it to the next level. Google says the new AI health coach is a "fitness trainer, sleep coach, and wellness advisor" all in one.

Fitness coach, powered by Google Gemini

The AI health coach takes your wellness metrics, goals, and real-life circumstances into consideration and adapts accordingly. For example, the health coach has a fitness trainer that, like your personal trainer, starts by asking about your goals, preferences and equipment. Based on your answers, it then comes up with detailed workout suggestions and metrics targets based on weekly progression.

The fitness trainer also adjusts workout plans based on your recovery. So if you've had a hard day and not recovered well, the trainer will suggest changes to your weekly plan to help you recover. Moreover, you can also tell the trainer how you're feeling anytime.

For example, if you tweak your back, the AI health coach can adjust your workout.

Similarly, the AI health coach also works to improve your sleep. Google says the new sleep coach has "advanced algorithms" that give you a more precise understanding of your sleep duration and stages. As you sleep more with your tracker on, the AI coach will give tips to improve your sleep quality over time.

The sleep coach also adjusts to your daily activity, so if you've had a hard workout, it'll add a few more minutes of sleep to recover better.

In addition to sleep and workout tips, you'll also be able to ask the AI coach questions like "should I get an extra hour of sleep or workout tomorrow morning?" or simple ones like "what are the best exercises for weight loss?" and the trainer will provide "personalized answers."

To make all of this work, Google announced a redesigned Fitbit app will roll out with "coaching and AI at its core." The app now shows metrics more clearly and includes tips up front with a prominent ask coach button for all your questions.

The AI personal health coach is powered by Google Gemini at the backend. It's great to see the company finally making use of the data and its advanced AI model to provide users with useful features and tips.

Google says the coach will learn more about your habits and health as you use it, and the feature supports data from both Health Connect and HealthKit, so it can understand even more of your wellness data.

The AI personal health coach will launch as a preview for Fitbit Premium users in the U.S. starting next month. You can sign up for the preview now to get access as soon as it's available.

• Sign up for Fitbit personal health coach

For more news and information on the Pixel Watch 4, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Just in time for those last trips of the summer, Amazon and other retailers have launched some top-notch Fitbit deals. One of them includes 25% off the Fitbit Charge 6, which is our favorite fitness tracker out there.

We like the Charge 6 for its role as one of the few fitness-focused trackers that also includes built-in GPS. It's also housed in a thin, lightweight body that users love, especially for long-term exercise, sleep tracking, and more. The normal price tag on the Charge 6 also offers a pretty solid value proposition, so an extra $40 off definitely doesn't hurt.

✅Recommended if: you prefer a small smartwatch that's comfortable to wear to sleep or while working out; you need something with an accurate HR sensor and GPS tracking; you like having a watch with support for Google Maps and Wallet, among other apps.

❌Skip this deal if: you prefer a watch with an especially bright display in outdoor sunlight; you need something with an altimeter or a cEDA sensor; you're looking for a watch with premium-level GPS accuracy and have the budget to upgrade.

The Fitbit Charge 6 is our top pick for the best fitness tracker category, especially because of its thin, nimble design. Where modern smartwatches often go large and bulky, the Charge 6 offers a refreshingly lightweight design that makes it a great candidate for sleep tracking and exercise.

It also features a useful haptic button, an improved sensor for HR monitoring, and access to apps like YouTube Music, Google Maps, Wallet, and more.

It is worth noting that it lacks some of the extra sensors included on premium smartwatches, such as an altimeter and cEDA sensor. Some have also criticized the accuracy of the GPS sensor, so those looking for a precise GPS might also want to consider upgrading.