It was just a few days ago that Google confirmed that its new screenless health tracker would be arriving in India this month, after months of rumours that it was coming to the country.
Fans who have been eagerly awaiting the launch can now celebrate, as the device will hit store shelves on October 2.
The Fitbit Air is launching with a price tag of ₹13,999 ($146), while in the US, the same device costs $99.99, roughly ₹8,700. Google has not explained the price difference between the two markets, but factors such as regional pricing, import duties, local taxes, and distribution costs could contribute to the higher Indian price.
This could be a tough pill for Indian fans to swallow, but Fitbit Air's closest rival, Whoop, costs significantly more. WHOOP One currently starts at ₹21,990 in India and includes a 12-month membership.
The question now is whether Fitbit Air offers enough for its ₹13,999 price tag compared with what Whoop offers.
Louis Eriakha
The Fitbit Air's specs
The Fitbit Air tracks 24/7 heart rate, heart rhythm, blood oxygen levels, resting heart rate, heart rate variability, sleep stages and sleep duration, including notifications for irregular heart rhythms such as AFib.
It uses Google Health Coach to turn that data into personalised guidance. You can also photograph gym equipment or workouts to help log activities. Battery life lasts up to seven days, while five minutes of charging can provide a full day of use.
It comes in Obsidian, Berry, Lavender and Fog. There are three band styles: Performance Loop, which comes included, Active Band for workouts, and Elevated Modern Band for a more everyday look.
The Fitbit Air will go on sale on October 2 through the Google Store, Flipkart, Croma, Reliance Digital, and Vijay Sales.
Buyers can get ₹1,000 cashback on eligible full-payment transactions, or six months of no-cost EMI with select HDFC and ICICI Bank cards. No-cost EMI options of up to 12 months are also available. Google is also offering a three-month trial of Google Health Premium with the purchase.
How it competes in India's screenless market
The screenless wearable market in India is still small. According to Counterpoint Research, India accounts for about 5% of the global screenless wearable market.
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