GoKawiilSanuj Bhatia / Android Authority
Screen-less fitness trackers are having a big moment right now. While WHOOP has been popularizing the form factor for years, many brands (including Amazfit) have recently entered the space, and now Google is joining in too. Last week, Google announced the Fitbit Air, a screenless fitness tracker designed to collect your health data 24/7 and provide AI-powered insights directly on your phone.
The whole idea behind devices like the Fitbit Air is that they can give you a more complete picture of your health than a traditional smartwatch. Instead of only tracking workouts or specific parts of your day, these trackers continuously monitor your body throughout the day and while you sleep.
That said, the Fitbit Air isn’t unique. WHOOP has been offering this kind of experience for over a decade now, and I’ve had the WHOOP MG on my wrist for nearly a year. And honestly, even with the Fitbit Air starting at just $99, there are still a few reasons why I’m not tempted to switch.
Would you switch from a smartwatch to a screenless fitness tracker? 39 votes Yes, I want fewer distractions 33 % Maybe, if the health tracking is better 36 % No, I still prefer smartwatches 21 % I already use one 10 %
WHOOP still wins on battery life and charging
Sanuj Bhatia / Android Authority
One of the biggest reasons I gave up on smartwatches was the fact that I didn’t want another device that needed charging every single night. When WHOOP introduced the WHOOP MG last year, the company claimed it could last up to two weeks on a single charge.
I was skeptical at first. Most fitness products rarely deliver the battery life companies promise, but the WHOOP MG has genuinely surprised me. There hasn’t really been a single instance where it lasted less than around 11 or 12 days on a charge. I recently went on a five-day trip to Thailand and didn’t even carry the charger. I left with around 95% battery and came back with roughly 57% still remaining.
That also brings me to another huge advantage of the WHOOP system: its charging mechanism. WHOOP includes a wireless charging power pack, so you never have to take the band off your wrist to charge it. The battery pack simply slides onto the tracker while you’re wearing it. The pack itself charges separately over USB-C and even has LED indicators showing how much charge is left, which is super convenient.
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