First-generation product — no historical cycle data to predict a successor
Full details →| Apple Watch | Fitbit Air | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $399 | $99★ |
| Subscription | ✓ None | ℹ️ Optional — $99/yr |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 32g | 12g★ |
| Water resistance | 50m | 50m |
| Battery | 1 days | 7 days★ |
| Always-on display | ✅★ | ❌ |
| GPS | ✅★ | ❌ |
| Cellular | ✅★ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS only | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Smartwatch | Fitness Tracker |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Sep 18, 2026 | May 26, 2026 |
| Cycle advice | good | good |
| Deals advice | good | great★ |
| Next model | — | — |
The new health sensing system samples heart rate every five seconds all day — 60x more often than the Series 11 — and measures HRV every five minutes.
A daily 0–10 readiness score combines sleep, vitals, training load, and activity to suggest how hard to push.
On-demand ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, sleep apnea detection, and hypertension notifications carry over from the Series 11.
Unlike WHOOP, there is no mandatory membership — pay $99 once and use Fitbit Air with the free Google Health app. Google Health Premium ($9.99/month) is optional.
Continuous heart rate, SpO2, HRV, and skin temperature tracking plus background FDA-certified AFib detection, in a 12g pebble designed to be worn and forgotten.
A week between charges, with a 5-minute top-up delivering a full day of use — significantly less downtime than WHOOP's slide-on charging system.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$396 vs $399 over 3 years.
7 days vs 1 days battery.
10 sensors · 0.2 Hz HR sampling.
12g.
iPhone users who want the most capable smartwatch health experience available. Ideal for anyone who values medical-grade monitoring (ECG, blood pressure, SpO2), a premium always-on display, and the best Apple Watch workout tracking. If health is your priority, this is the one to get.
Full details →Health-focused users who want passive, 24/7 biometric tracking without a screen on their wrist. Particularly strong for those drawn to WHOOP but put off by the subscription model — the Fitbit Air delivers comparable core health data for $99 outright. Works with both iOS and Android.
Full details →